On Sunday, July 13, 2025, Sterling-Rock Falls Historical Society offers an entertaining musical program, “Carl Sandburg: Poet of the People.” The venue is the Lincoln Learning Center, 611 E. Third Street, Sterling, IL; the free program starts at 2:00 p.m.
Barry Cloyd has developed a fascination for the poetry, music (Sandburg was a musician), and story of this brilliant man. From humble beginnings as the son of a Swedish Blacksmith in Galesburg, IL, Sandburg rose to become a two-time Pulitzer prize winner. Known around the world, Sandburg literally defines the essence of American life, with his stunning free verse poetry and prose. What is lesser known, he also was a serious folk musicologist. This program weaves together Carl Sandburg’s poetry, stories of Abraham Lincoln, and American folksongs, including some of Cloyd’s original material, to bring to life one of America’s best loved poetic giants.
Sandburg’s biographies and his own works are the primary source material. This presentation entertains and educates through story and song. It provides broad insight into the values, history, spirit, and solid work ethic of American people and their times.
Barry Cloyd is a Midwestern based, award-winning, touring singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, who typically performs more than 125 shows per year. In addition to a concert schedule, he was the resident Stringed Instrumentalist/Vocalist/Historian on “The Spirit of Peoria” Paddlewheel Riverboat for 22 years, traveling the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.
He has shared the stage and recorded with many stars of the Blues and Americana worlds, including members of Buddy Guys’s Band, The Byrds, Stephen Stills’s Bands, Emmylou Harris’s Band, The Oak Ridge Boys, John Denver’s and Dan Fogelberg’s Bands. Cloyd has earned a living by touring, concerts, song-writing, and performing original edu-tainment programs for the past 25 years.
For additional program information contact Terence Buckaloo, SRFHS Director and Curator, at 815-440-6508. For information about Barry Cloyd click here: https://barrycloydproductions.com.