About Rex Rideout

His interest sparked by the Scottish and German craftsmen of the community in which he was raised, Rex Rideout has studied the trades and skills of the 19th Century for more than 25 years. His strongest interests have been in woodworking and metalwork with axes and other edge tools. He's been involved in restoring and stabilizing many log buildings and other historic structures.

Rex is also a long-time student of the music and songs of the 19th-Century American West. As the proprietor of Time Travel Music, Rex has performed at countless historic sites and museums across the West. His music has also been featured on television and radio. Rex plays many musical instruments: mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo, and tin whistle, to name just a few. He usually joins historian Mark Gardner for Venues of the early West.

How 19th-Century Americans obtained their food, shelter, and entertainment is a fascinating study, and Rex eagerly shares his findings during his living-history engagements.

When he is not performing, or swinging an axe or hammer, Rex builds and services laboratory and research instruments for the Colorado School of Mines. Rex's sons, Benjamin and Daniel, have taken up their father's interests in both living history and music.

JACK THORP

In the year 1908, Jack Thorp visited P.A. Speckmann at his print shop in Estancia, New Mexico and had him print 2000 copies of his "Songs of the Cowboys". Join me in celebrating the centennial of this very first book of cowboy songs. Mark and I will be performing all around the West and telling everyone of Jack Thorp's legacy. The Center for Western and Cowboy Poetry or, Cowboy Poetry at the Bar - D Ranch has assembled a great study of the early cowboy writers and showcase contemporary writers and events today. They have assembled the most complete study of Jack Thorp known to me. I invite you to visit their page here about Thorp and then stay to see everything else they offer.

Who's that banjer picker? I first visited Bent's Old Fort in '83. There in front of the trading post was this fellow playing some old tunes on a banjo. It was just what the place needed. It brought things to life and completed the setting. That was musician and historian, Mark Gardner. I see us as kindred spirits, we see the value of keeping these old songs alive. Over the decades we've been on the same mission, often together as a duo which is what I prefer. On his website you'll learn more about him, his projects and many books that he's published. He's also the best bones playing I've ever seen. And a fine jawbone player besides! Visit Mark Gardner's site here.

Entire site Copyright © 2007–2008 by Rex R. Rideout. All rights reserved.