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MATT MIKULICH PRODUCTIONS
BACKGROUND
It seems that I have always had an interest in mining. Mining is in my genes; my great-grandfather and grandfather on my mother’s side were coal miners in Pennsylvania, and two members of the family were killed underground in accidents there. I have visited mines all over the US and in Europe. And now we live in the middle of the Colorado Mineral Belt, near such famous mining camps as Leadville, Fairplay, Aspen, and Cripple Creek, and so many others with colorful names like St Elmo, Tincup, Stumptown, and Buckskin Joe. Many old buildings and much other evidence still remains of the mining activity in this region; this is the history of early Colorado, and all of it is fascinating to me. In the fall of 2005, I led a group of 41 on an all-day bus tour of Leadville, CO, stopping at historic buildings in town, and also visiting the mining district. The narration told the history of Leadville, her most famous people, and some early mining tales. In preparing for the tour, I visited numerous sites, did a lot of reading about early mining in Colorado, and from all this the idea of “a show” originated.
The Eagle Mine at Gilman, Colorado. The mine produced zinc, lead, and copper. It was closed in 1984
So in early 2006, I developed a show combining my interest in mining and the history of Colorado, with my background in the acoustic guitar. This show is entitled, "The History of Leadville. Stories and Songs". The first performance was at Spring Creek Chalets in Montrose, Colorado, in February 2006. It has been performed many times since then, including for the “Inside St Elmo” weekends, a historical event at the old ghost town of St Elmo in Chaffee County. I did 10 mining shows on 4 days over the two weekends for this summer 2006 event. From the exposure at St Elmo and other charity performances, I have received many other invitations for performances at venues in the local area, including some sponsored by Buena Vista Heritage and the Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce. To meet the requests for more performances, I have developed additional shows. In late 2006, using my background in folk music I developed "American Folk Music and the Acoustic Guitar". Next I evolved the Leadville show into "Mining Stories and Songs" by changing the emphasis to the history of mining in Colorado and adding a number of early mining artifacts, which I describe and demonstrate. In early 2007, I put together a new folk song show entitled, "American Folk Songs II". The new element in this show is the addition of the autoharp which I describe and play on several songs. The spring of 2008 will add another new show, "The American Cowboy. Stories and Songs of the Old West". Future programs in planning are another show featuring American folk songs, one on coal mining, and possibly one on American Civil War songs.
As for the mining artifacts, they are hand tools and other artifacts dating about 1860-1900, that I have been collecting these last 2 years. In late 2007, I was given a gift of a number of items by a retired miner who lives in Silverton, CO., who simply asked me to, "keep doing what you are doing; keep telling the story of mining." And so I do.
From about mid-2006, Scott Adams, a friend of mine who lives nearby, has joined me and plays back-up guitar for the performances. Scott is an accomplished finger-style guitarist, and I play folk-style guitar and autoharp. All shows include some narration and a number of songs. Both, Scott and I are also acoustic guitar builders.
CONTACT ME
If you would like more information about the shows, you can contact me at mjmikulich@msn.com
THE AUTOHARP
To hear a short clip of the autoharp on "Poor Wayfaring Stranger" CLICK HERE. (Pending your connection speed you may have to wait a few seconds. WAV audio file approx 2500 KB)
| SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES 2008 | ||
| January 22 | Redstone Inn, Redstone, CO | "American Folk Songs and Finger-Style Guitar I" |
| January 23 | Redstone Inn, Redstone, CO | "American Folk Songs and Finger-Style Guitar II" |
| March 27 | Columbine Manor, Salida, CO | "The American Cowboy. Stories and Songs of the Old West" |
| April 7 | Heidi's Chateau, Montrose, CO | "The American Cowboy. Stories and Songs of the Old West". |
| April 7 | Spring Creek Chalets, Montrose, CO | "The American Cowboy. Stories and Songs of the Old West". |
| April 8 | San Juan Living Center, Montrose, CO | "The American Cowboy. Stories and Songs of the Old West". |
| April 25 | St Rose Hall, Buena Vista, CO | "The American Cowboy. Stories and Songs of the Old West" |
| May 17 | Hubbard Museum, Ruidoso Downs, NM | "Mining Stories and Songs" with Demo. |
| July 12 | Turner Farm Concert, Buena Vista, CO | "The American Cowboy. Stories and Songs of the Old West." |
| July 19 | Trail Fest, McPhelemey Park, Buena Vista, CO | "Mining Artifacts and Ores", DEMO |
| August 3 | St Rose Picnic, McPhelemy Park, Buena Vista, CO | "Songs of the American Cowboy" |
| September 13 | Applefest, Buena Vista, CO | "Mining Artifacts and Ores", All-day demo |
| October 30 | Villages at Country Creek, Fruita, CO | "Mining Stories and Songs." |
| November 3 | Columbine Manor, Salida, CO | "The Music of Matt and Scott" |
| SCHEDULE OF PERFORMANCES 2007 | ||
| January 15 | Columbine Manor, Salida, CO | “American Folk Music and the Acoustic Guitar” |
| January 23 | Redstone Inn, Redstone, CO | “Mining Stories and Songs”. |
| January 24 | Redstone Inn, Redstone CO | “American Folk Songs and Finger Style Guitar” |
| March 18 | St. Rose Hall, Buena Vista, CO | “American Folk Songs II”. |
| March 21 | Chevron Mile High Ret. Assn., Columbine CC, Denver, CO | “Mining Stories and Songs”. |
| May 21 | Spring Creek, Montrose, CO | “American Folk Songs II”. |
| May 24 | Columbine Manor, Salida, CO | "American Folk Songs II" |
| June 16 | “Inside St Elmo”, St Elmo, CO | “Mining Stories and Songs”. |
| July 7 | “Tabor Opera House”, Leadville, CO | "The History of Leadville. Stories and Songs". |
| July 21 | "Turner Farm Concert", Buena Vista, CO | "American Folk Songs and the Acoustic Guitar". |
| August 11 | Gold Rush Days, Buena Vista, CO | “Mining Stories and Songs”. |
| September 8 | "Applefest", Turner Farm, Buena Vista, CO | “Mining Artifacts and Ores”, demo. |
| November 8 | Columbine Manor, Salida, CO | "Mining Stories and Songs". |
| December 3 | Heidi's Chateau, Montrose. CO | "Mining Stories and Songs" |
| December 3 | Spring Creek, Montrose, CO | "Mining Stories and Songs". |
| December 4 | San Juan Living Center., Montrose, CO | "American Folk Music and the Acoustic Guitar" |
CURRENT SHOWS
"MINING ARTIFACTS DEMO" This demonstration includes a number of early mining tools with a discussion of their use. It includes the following; a gold pan, 4-pound jack, a graduated set of 6 drill steels, 2 moiles, a miner's spoon, a length of safety fuse, blasting cap box, a Sticking Tommy, carbide lamp and box, gold scales, assayer's crucible, etc.
“THE HISTORY OF LEADVILLE.” The narration tells the founding of Leadville, of early mining, and of the famous people of Leadville up to about 1900. It includes 6 mining songs, and an explanation and demonstration of some mining artifacts and metal ores. Duration about 90 minutes.
“MINING STORIES AND SONGS”The narration tells the history of early mining in Colorado from 1858 to 1900. It includes 8 songs and an explanation/demonstration of mining methods, artifacts, and metal ores. Duration is about 75 minutes.
“AMERICAN FOLK MUSIC AND THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR” The narration discusses acoustic guitar types, and some elements of flattop guitar construction. It includes 12 songs which cover a variety of themes and types: a railroad song, mining song, Celtic song, Civil War song, and contemporary folk songs. Duration about 75 minutes.
“AMERICAN FOLK SONGS II” The narration discusses the autoharp, and a little about it's construction. It includes 14 songs on a variety of themes and styles including: A whaling song, airplane song, Civil War song, Celtic songs, and contemporary folks songs. Duration is about 75 minutes.
"The AMERICAN COWBOY" Stories and Songs of the Old West". The narration tells the history of the American cowboy. The music includes 15 songs about cowboy life and times. Duration about 90 minutes.
SHOWS IN PLANNING"THE COAL MINER" The narration will discuss the history of coal mining in North America and the music will include coal mining songs. Available spring 2009.
PHOTOS FROM THE PERFORMANCES
Donalyn and I at Spring Creek, February 2006.
At St Elmo, June 2006.
Scott and I at St Elmo, July 2006.
Playing the 12-string guitar at Spring Creek, August 2006.
Scott explaining the resonator guitar at Spring Creek, August 2006.
Comparing guitars at St Rose Hall, September 2006.
Tuning up before the show at Columbine Manor, October 2006.
Scott and I at the Tabor Opera House, July 2007.
Playing at the Tabor Opera House, July 2007.
Playing the 12-string guitar at the Turner Farm front porch concert, BV, July 2007.
Mining artifacts table at "Applefest" in BV, a day-long demo, September 2007.
Scott and I at the Redstone Inn, in Redstone, Colorado, January 2008.
Before the show at the San Juan LC in Montrose, CO, April 2008.
Paul, Scott, and Matt after the cowboy show at St Rose Hall, Buena Vista, CO, April 2008.