Civil War Band, "The Black River Boys" Will Perform At Library Aug. 16

The Black River Boys, a Civil War Camp Band, will perform at the Aug. 16.

The band will play songs ranging from the patriotic songs of the Union Army, to old Minstrel tunes, Irish pub songs and a Sea Shanty or two.

Listen to the Black River Boys story on ALC-TV as told to Councilman David Kos, here.

The men are active Civil War re-enactors from the 51st O.V.I. and the 1st O.V.C. . The band formed in the winter of 2008-09 after member Tim Krugman saw a posting on a re-enactors forum looking to create music from the Civil War period.

The band is comprised of Anthony Salem on vocals, tambourine and washboard, Krugman on  fiddle, Erick Gustin on parlor guitar and Clayton Samels on banjo. The men are all from the Greater Cleveland area.

As camp musicians, they will perform some of the music heard by soldiers during the Civil War that soldiers might hear during the day’s end.

“They would gather around the campfire and entertain themselves and their comrades,” Krugman told Kos on his Taking Care of Business show on ALC-TV. “Singing was extremely popular and everyone would sing.”

It was often the only entertainment the soldiers would have and would get their mind off of the drudgery of everyday life as a soldier.

Krugman, who has placed in several national competition, will play a fiddle from the Civil War era.

The band starts at 7 p.m. on the lawn in the back of the library. The band will perform for an hour. The performance will move indoors in the event of inclement weather. Some seating is available outside, but bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy the show.