Adam Boyce of West Windsor will be portraying "The Old Country Fiddler: Charles Ross Taggart, Vermont's Traveling Entertainer" at the Waterbury Library, Municipal Building's Steele Room on Tuesday, June 12th from 7-8 pm.

Born in Washington, D.C. in 1871, Charles Ross Taggart grew up in Topsham, Vermont and lived in Newbury, Vermont for many years. In 1895, as musical humorist, he began performing in various lyceum and Chautauqua circuits all over North America for more than 40 years, including the famous Red Path Chautauqua bureau of Chicago, Illinois. Taggart made at least 40 recordings with the Victor, Edison, and Columbia companies and appeared in a 1923 Phono-Film "talkie" four years before Al Jolson starred in "The Jazz Singer".

Living History Presenter Adam Boyce portrays Mr. Taggart near the end of his career, c. 1936, sharing recollections on his life, with some live fiddling and humorous sketches interspersed.

Adam Boyce, a noted fiddler in his own right and lifelong student of history, has been giving presentations in Vermont and New Hampshire since 2002, and became a published author in 2013 with The Man from Vermont: Charles Ross Taggart, The Old Country Fiddler, History Press.

Boyce has been involved with nearly every aspect of traditional New England dancing and music history since 1991-- in dancing and fiddling, playing the piano and calling dances. He has been a regular on the fiddle contest circuits, whether competitor, accompanist or judge, and has placed in nearly every New England state.

Adam is a 10th generation Vermonter, a composer of over 100 fiddle tunes and a Juried Artist with the Vermont Arts Council.

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