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Editor’s Note:  The words “Evergreen Shade” summon thoughts that delight the senses . . . the smell of pine needles and cool respite in the warm summer months, or holiday memories in the winter, but it also is the title of the matchless American period music duet of Anne Howard and John Tole.  Their sound also delights the senses and takes the listener back in time.  What a pleasure it would be sit on a worn quilt in the soft grass and listen to them perform songs from the American Revolution and Civil War Eras.  Hundreds of people are privileged annually to be in their audience, just as we are privileged to have Anne Howard as a Recollection's customer. 

                                                                                Cathy

Anne Howard

    Mrs. Robert Howard and Dr. John Tole have been performing together as Evergreen Shade for five years. They met at a Civil War history club where their mutual interest in the songs of the War Between the States brought them together and inspired them to compile and perform a large repertoire. Most of the music they perform is from the American Revolution, Civil War, and the War of 1812 Eras, but they also perform modern acoustic, folk songs, Irish/Celtic, Christmas, country, and rural and environmental themed music as well. They both sing while Dr. Tole accompanies on guitars, banjos, and the dulcimer. 

    Mrs. Anne Howard, a former teacher and accountant, is a native of Centreville, VA. She has enjoyed singing and performing in church choirs, plays, and contests since she was a young girl. A true historian, Anne is a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society of the United States Daughters of 1812, the Colonial Dames, the American Colonists, and her family is among the First Families of Virginia. She is also interested in genealogy research and living history events. 

    Anne’s musical partner, Dr. John Tole is a native of Washington, D.C. with family roots in both New York and the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. One of his great-great- grandfathers was a Union naval officer; another was a member of the Stonewall Brigade in Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. Dr. Tole taught and conducted research in egineering at M.I.T. and has been active in various musical venues from large choirs to individual acoustic performances for the past forty years. Dr. Tole also lectures on Civil War personalities and continues to conduct Civil War research. 

    Evergreen Shade performs over 100 songs, for crowds of up to 400, throughout Maryland and Virginia at national parks, plantations, Statford Hall (Robert E. Lee’s birthplace), museums, battlefields, re-enactments, and balls. Dressing in period clothing at all historically themed performances helps their audiences imagine the time periods referred to in the musical lyrics. Mrs. Howard often wears dresses from Recollections and mentions that women and young girls frequently ask about the fabrics, bustles, and hoops. 

    Anne told us at Recollections, “I enjoy the people the most when we perform. I was amazed from the beginning that people would be so interested in the history of the music. Most songs make you want to cry, and some people do. The songs are most appropriate for soldiers who are serving today in Iraq and all over. You can Google the words for Vacant Chair, a song from the 1860’s. It’s about a family that leaves a chair at the table vacant waiting for their boy to return from the War, but he never does because he’s killed. The chair remains vacant in his memory.” 

    The music performed by Evergreen Shade today is not only wonderful, educational entertainment, but it is also a tribute to the brave men and women who served in the early American wars and made our country the great nation that it still is today. 

    Log on to evergreenshade.com and you can hear them for yourself. Be ready for a smile on your face and a tap from your foot – it’s a great sound! 

   *Battle Cry of Freedom*

*Dixie*

*Home Sweet Home *

   *Lincoln and Liberty*

*The Rebel Soldier*

*Shenandoah*

   *Star Spangled Banner*

*Wait for the Wagon*

*Billy Boy*

*When Johnny Comes Marching Home*

*Young Volunteer*

*Yellow Rose of Texas*

*Yankee Doodle*

*Greensleeves*

*The Cruel War*

*God Save the Thirteen States*

*America*

  *Just Before Battle Mother*

*Amazing Grace*

*Simple Gifts*

*God Save the Thirteen States*

*These Green Mountains*

*Alabama John Cherokee*

*The Hills of Shiloh*

*Over the Hills and Far Away*

*Battle Hymn of the Republic*

*Oh Captain, My Captain*

*Rose of Alabamy*

*The World Turned Upside Down"

*Follow the Drinking Gourd*

*Homespun Dress*

*Hunters of Kentucky*

*Boatman's Dance*

*Soldier, Soldier Will You Marry Me*

*The Bold Soldier*

*Weeping Sad and Lonely*

Evergreen Shade's CD Sweet Sunny South

Songs of the War Between the States

 Go to john.tole@evergreenshade.com

                        for ordering information.                    

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