Singer-songwriter Croons Rail History and Cowboy Lore

This week’s column was submitted by Gwen LaCosse of the .

If you were ever fascinated by the romance surrounding American railroads and cowboys, we have a program for you.

The Des Plaines Public Library welcomes back balladeer and actor Rick Pickren on Sunday, February 12, for "Songs from the Steel Rails," one of the programs Pickren performs as he makes his way across the plains.

Pickren's "knowledge of cowboy and rail history, lore and song is reflected in many critically acclaimed albums:  Songs From The Lonesome Prairie; Rails, Rogues & Wrecks; The Call: More Songs From The Lonesome Prairie; and his latest release, The Good Gone Days," according to his blog, Big Strike Music.

Earlier: 

Pickren has twice won the Marlboro Country Talent Roundup, once with his band Paleface Brigade, and the following year with his new band Thunder Riders. The singer-songwriter, a descendant of Buffalo Bill Cody, has shared the stage with musical greats including George Strait, Merle Haggard, Alabama, The Judds, Dolly Parton, B.J. Thomas, and cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell.

In his acting life, Pickren has appeared in movies and on television. His acting credits include the part of Jim in the original Chicago production of Pump Boys & Dinettes; and he directed and starred in Foxfire. Additionally, he has guest starred on such TV shows as The Untouchables, ER, Early Edition, Missing Persons, and Turks. Pickren belongs to the Illinois Arts Council Artstour, The Western Music Association, ASCAP, AFTRA/SAG, and is an Illinois Humanities Road Scholar emeritus.

"Songs from the Steel Rails," an hour-long program, starts at 2 p.m. on February 12. To register, visit www.dppl.org or call 847-376-2788.

If you would like to read up on cowboy and railroad history before treating yourself to this program, go to: http://bigstrikemusic.com.  Additionally, you can check out books and DVDs about rail history and cowboys at the library. See or contact us at the reference desk, 847-376-2841 (referenceservicesdesk@dppl.org), or the readers’ services desk, 847-376-2840 (readersservicesdesk@dppl.org).

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About this column: This weekly column features recommendations from Des Plaines Public Library staff. Not limited to books, this column will also feature music and film recommendations. All items featured are available at the library.