Bill Rossiter to perform at local libraries

Entertainer Bill Rossiter, from Kalispell, Mont., will perform at several Community Library Network locations, presenting songs and stories from various eras of American history. He has a large repertoire of “roots music” and has performed for western and heritage museums, arts and cultural centers, town festivals and libraries. Rossiter’s songs are accompanied by guitar, banjo, autoharp and harmonica. Here is the lineup:

“Songs for Your Supper”

Monday, April 8, 6:30 p.m.

Athol Library, 30399 Third St.

These songs are about home cooking, the fallback dishes when times are tough and go-to dishes when we need to get back to basics.

“Magic Carpet Made of Steel: Railroad Songs and Lies”

Tuesday, April 9, 5:30 p.m.

Rathdrum Library, 16320 Highway 41

Using these tunes and yarns, this presentation explores what the railroad meant to the West and its pioneers.

“Going Out West to See the Elephant!”

Wednesday, April 10, 6 p.m.

Hayden Library, 8385 N. Government Way

“Seeing the elephant,” was the pioneer’s term for getting wised up and fed up. Hear how the 19th-century settlers changed song lyrics from optimistic to realistic.

“All the News That’s Fit to Sing: Scandals, Sensations and Slanders in Song”

Saturday, April 13, 2 p.m.

Spirit Lake Library, 32575 N. Fifth Ave,

Tragedies were often told through music in America’s early days. Few of the songs are polished, and often they don’t “get it right,” but many of them are hilarious.

This series is sponsored by the Idaho Humanities Council. For information, visit www.CommunityLibrary.Net/Adults.