When he’s not playing Texas honky-tonks on Saturday nights or preaching Sunday mornings, Steve entertains children at schools and libraries. American folk music has a rich heritage of songs for kids of all ages, from centuries-old ballads like “Froggie Went a-Courting” to songs of the pioneers and summer camp favorites. By singing these songs and telling some of the stories behind them, he entertains and educates at the same time. His shows are multicultural, showing how Irish, Mexican, Cajun, African-American and Native American songs have added their colors to the tapestry of American music. They’re multi-instrumental, introducing kids to unusual instruments like the tinwhistle, the accordion and the rubboard. But his shows are more than history lessons. They’re interactive. He’ll get kids singing along, clapping, tying their ears in knots and throwing them over their shoulders. Learning was never so much fun. Here’s a selection of the children’s songs in his songbag:

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