Rick Garland
Living Historian, Licensed Tour Guide, Musicologist, Vocalist, Pianist, Story Teller

"O' Be JoyFull"TM
Historical Songs & Stories Shows

(Scroll down for show descriptions and some customer reviews. There are also more reviews on the "Customer Comments" page.)

Are held at...

Thomas Hall
(The house directly behind St. Peter's Church)
110 Church Street, Harpers Ferry, WV






    

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Experience a Show

Available
Monday through Saturday
By Reservation
10 AM through 6 PM.


Admission is $15 per person

8 to 12 years of age $10.00

(Cash and checks gladly accepted.)


Call for reservations!  (732) 801-0381




Or Email to:  RickGMail@comcast.net


Note:  Shows are conducted all year round!



Sunday Shows available on
Holiday Weekends:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
President's Day * Memorial Day
Labor Day * Columbus Day


(732) 801-0381

 or Email:
  RickGMail@comcast.net

Call for:

 Group Discounts!
Off Site Private Concerts!
Special Events!
Combination Concert & Tour Packages!
Scroll down for more info on Combination Packages...

                                        
"One of the highlights of our trip is a visit by Rick Garland of "O' Be JoyFull", who entertains us with his historical story telling and piano serenade."...Suzie Knable, Bike And The Like Tours, Owings Mills, MD, www.bikeandthelike.com.

"The experience was wonderful...one of the best shows...and everyone was happy...it could not have been better...your talent was appreciated and the faces showed that...there was nothing but happiness there...I enjoyed the whole thing...you give the experience of what the people of 100 years ago would be doing!"...Carol, New Oxford, PA.

"I was in Gettysburg, PA, as part of a volunteer program...we were treated to a concert by Rick Garland and his lovely musical presentation, "O' Be JoyFull"...a sampler of Civil War music as well as stories...dressed in an authentic officer's uniform...the performance had many medlies...a tastelful combination of the actual song, its origin, and the occasional parody...an in-depth look...I enjoyed this concert very much...I would recommend that anyone with even the sightest interst in (American) Civil War tunes make arrangements to see an upcoming performance!"...Exceprts from Melissa's review for the Princeton Record Exchange, see the entire review at...http://www.prex.com/blog/joyfull-preservation-tunes/

"The way this gent plays and sings brings one to 'feel the spirit!'"...Annette, Gettysburg PA Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

You can check out a lot more "O' Be JoyFull" reviews on the "Customer Comments" page!

"O' Be JoyFull" Songs & Stories Shows...

Rick Garland's "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Songs & Stories Shows celebrate American patriotism, history, cultural traditions and American popular music, as well as America's roots in the history and music of the Irish and Scottish peoples.

An "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Songs & Stories Concert Show takes you back to an age when families and friends gathered around their pianos to enjoy America's most popular 19th Century pastime of singing songs and telling stories together around the piano.

You will "Journey Back in Time," for a glimpse and experience of "Old Time America," and the roots of American Popular Music with America's number one 19th Century entertainment pastime and authentic Victorian Parlor Entertainment along with the era's most popular and important musical instrument, the piano!

You are guaranteed to have a rousing good time and to leave with a smile on your face, as well as with your endorphins flowing!  You'll feel totally energized, as well as "High on Music, History and Life!"

Rick's "O' Be JoyFull" Shows are dynamic, high energy, toe tapping celebrations of historical songs, performed in a very strong vocal style, along with true, and sometimes humorous factual historical stories!

All shows include the top songs and historical stories of America's 19th Century music, cultural traditions, and The American Civil war, along with a number of Irish and Scottish songs, and even some Celtic history!

Sing-A-Long lyrics are provided so that those audience members who wish to can join in as in the days of old!

Rick performs in a very strong vocal style, reminiscent of the singing during America's Civil War, and the "Romantic" and "Victorian" ages in America, the time and age when "Sing-A-Longs" were the number one entertainment pastime and the "Piano" was the number one musical instrument!

Many people who have had an "O' Be JoyFull" Songs & Stories Concert Show experience have commented on the very enjoyable and memorable experience of feeling transported back in time and getting an authentic glimpse of 19th Century America!

"O' Be JoyFull's" Live show is quote..., "a real crowd-pleaser.  It melts away any formal atmosphere and turns the room into a fun, feel-good experience."  - Philip M. Cole - Author - Civil War Artillery At Gettysburg. and a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg.

Phil Cole also said, "Rick has done his research and has come up with a great, fun filled collection of wonderful American Civil War and Irish songs and stories.  Plus, that boy can sing!"

"The experience was wonderful...one of the best shows...and everyone was happy...it could not have been better...your talent was appreciated and the faces showed that...there was nothing but happiness there...I enjoyed the whole thing...you give the experience of what the people of 100 years ago would be doing"...Carol, New Oxford, PA.

"The way this gent plays and sings brings one to 'feel the spirit!'"...Annette, Gettysburg PA Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

You can check out more "O' Be JoyFull" reviews on the "Customer Comments" page!

"O' Be JoyFull's"TM Show Themes
 vary daily and include...

Irish Influence On American Civil War Music.
Top Civil War Songs Of The Blue & Gray.
Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart Sings Again!
"The Horse Soldiers'" John Wayne Sings!
Valentine's & President's Day Celebration.
Irish & Scottish Pub, Love & Rebel Songs.
American Christmas Customs & Traditions.

Custom shows are available upon request.
 

 Call for an "O' Be JoyFull" appearance and show at your next special event, including private and corporate parties, birthdays, fund raisers, etc.

"O' Be JoyFull's"...
Irish & Scottish Pub, Love & Rebel Songs Show!

Rick's "O' Be JoyFull" Celtic Show is a dynamic, foot stomping, high energy mix of wonderful traditional Pub Songs, Love Songs, & Rebel Songs* along with historical stories of the Irish and the Scots, as well as an occasional American, or other more contemporary song, or Rock & Roll tune, just like you would see and hear in many of the best Pubs in Ireland! 

Quote:  "We had a grand time...we liked that Rick had lyric books and encouraged audience participation...very rousing, foot stomping music!...made me want to clank my beer mug and wipe my mouth on my sleeve!...I likened it to a 19th Century Bill Joel concert!!...We had a great time!"...Kelly & Christina, Capon Bridge, WV.

Another Quote:  "Coming to Harpers Ferry was a great weekend trip...and the experience was topped off by the Irish and Scottish Sing-A-Long on our last night.  Don't miss the opportunity after a long day ...and have some fun!"...Keri Richards, Annaplis, MD, August 2009.
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"Major General J.E.B. Stuart Sings Again!"

As portrayed by
 "O' Be JoyFull's" Rick Garland...

Rick's most popular historical portrayal is a man who was known as "The Gallant Cavalier," a man who signed his personal correspondence... "The Knight Of The Golden Spurs,"  a man who was both a fine piano player and a wonderful baritone singer, he was the commander of the Confederate Cavalry Corp, Major-General James Ewell Brown (J.E.B.) Stuart!

Under the direct command of General Robert E. Lee, General Stuart was the eyes and ears of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.  JEB was a great lover of music and accompanied by his staff officer, Sam Sweeney, he could often be found singing to the sweet sounds of Sam's banjo as they rode along on their horses side by side!  

 General Stuart, or "Beauty," as he was known to his West Point classmates even had his own theme song, which he always enthusiastically sang for his numerous and often lovely admirers!  JEB was also known to sing his theme song, "Jine The Cavalry," while gallantly leading his men into battle with the canons roaring and the muskets firing, while astride one of his favorite war horses, "Virginia!"

Confederate General Ambrose P. Hill was once quoted as saying, "JEB Stuart!  Keep JEB Stuart away from my camp!  Every time JEB Stuart comes around my whole division wants to 'Jine The Cavalry!'"

Rick's highly acclaimed "O' Be JoyFull" Show, "J.E.B. Stuart Sings Again!" is a fascinating and fun combination of General Stuart's favorite songs, along with stories of his life and the songs that he so loved to sing!


Rick's other "O' Be JoyFull" historical character portrayals include Union General Benjamin Grierson, a.k.a. John Wayne in the 1959 movie "The Horse Soldier," a Confederate Colonel, or a Union soldier, as well as several typical 19th Century Civilians.

Costumes

Rick performs in a variety of 19th, 20th, & 21st Century clothing, including American Civil War Confederate and Union officer and soldier uniforms, civilian attire, and Celtic kilts.

Show Length

A typical Historical Songs & Stories show runs about 1 & 1/2 - 2 hours, however all shows can be tailored to run from as little as 45 minutes, up to an incredible fun filled three hours, or more!

WHY NOT THINK ABOUT A COMBINATION HISTORICAL TOUR, PLUS A SONGS & STORIES CONCERT SHOW?...

Lots of  Tour Groups, ranging from Cyclists on the the C&O Canal Bike Path, to Senior Citizens Groups, Church Groups, and even High School and College Groups, have all enjoyed the combination package of an "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Tour, plus an "O' Be JoyFull" Historical Songs & Stories Concert Show, while having lunch or dinner at one of Harpers Ferry's local restaurants, either before or after their tour!

Chances are that when you visit Harpers Ferry, you'll want to have something to eat before, or after your tour, so why not make plans for both a Historical Tour and a Historical Songs & Stories Show, while you dine, and make the most of your Harpers Ferry, WV historical experience!

CALL RICK FOR MORE INFORMATION ON COMBINATION TOUR & SHOW PACKAGES AT...

(732) 801-0381

 An "O' Be JoyFull"  CD!!!

• Johnny Has Gone For A Soldier/ The Battle Cry Of Freedom-Instrumental Prelude.
• The Battle Cry of Freedom.
• Listen To The Mockingbird.
• Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye, When Johnny Comes Marching Home.
• Oh!  Susanna!
• Maryland, My Maryland!
• The Faded Coat Of Blue.
• The Bonnie Blue Flag.
• Aura Lea.
• Garryowen - Instrumental.
• The Minstrel Boy.
• The Army of the Free!
• A Lonely Night's Grace.
• Drink It Down.
• Whiskey In The Jar.
• Kathleen Mavourneen.
• Dixie.