Roy Justice: News

For those of you who choose to (or, are faced with the reality that you have to) work on your projects without the benefit of a large budget and are curious about the production of 'Down Canal on the Lehigh', this is for you:

The songs were recorded live (at the locations listed with the song tiltles) using a Fostex X-15 (DC operated) 4-track cassette recorder. The mic was an AudioTechnica condenser type (pencil style) routed into two channels of the recorder. I transferred the taped songs to my computer (using a Layla digital interface into Cakewalk Pro Audio 7 software- I now use Cakewalk's Sonar XL), then burned the CDs and printed the labels and inserts at home.

My intent was that the listener would 'experience' the songs- hearing them sung in similar situations in which they (the songs) might have been heard during the time periods during which they were written. Recording during the thunderstorms proved to be an interesting challenge!!!

Over the last 10-15 years I've met a number of self-funded artists who have abandoned projects because they couldn't afford studio sessions, believing that the public would not pay for a 'home-grown' effort. If your heart is in the project the music will reflect that no matter how simple the production has to be. Just make sure that you can hear the lyrics (the voice) clearly. If you have something to say that connects to people they'll thank you for sharing that memory/experience through a recording that they can keep!

Roy Justice - Time Travelling Minstrel

Bringing history to life through music and storytelling!

Programs on many subjects for ages 4 and up!

Schools, festivals, churches ~ celebrations large and small.

Storytelling, folklore, history, Bible stories, songs from centuries past through the present!

Songs included in the programs below are chosen for their relevance to the subject and are approximately 45-60 minutes in length.

~ Children's Hour: Age appropriate, familiar and original stories and songs for the young - and the young at heart! (I do not tell tales of magic, nor do I tell intense "scary" stories. A little history, a little mystery, and a lot of fun!)

~ Colonial and 19th Century America: Covering the time period from pre-Revolutionary days through 1900 (depending upon requested emphasis and time allowed for program.).

~ Women in American History: Women's contribution to the development and character of our nation.

~ American Folk Tales and Legends: Paul Bunyan to Annie Oakley ~ the stories, and the stories behind the stories!

~ The C & O Canal / Lehigh Coal and Navigation System: The songs, history, and lifestyle of canal workers and their families.

~ We are Different and the Same ~ Everyone is Equal: Stories and songs that celebrate the value of each of us as individuals and examines how we are "connected" to each other (secular and sacred adaptations).

~ Bible Storytelling: Determined by the audience age, theme of event, and liturgical time of year. No set grouping for these programs. Stories are chosen from Old and New Testaments (Noah, Jonah, David, the Parables of Jesus, Letters of the Apostles, etc.).

~ History of Popular Hymns: A variety of well-known hymns, presented first with their stories, followed by the singing of the hymns.

~ Seasonal Programs: American Regional Christmas Traditions, Christmas Carol sing-a-longs, Patriotic Songs and their stories.

Program fees are determined by group size, type of event, time of year and distance to event.

Roy has had the pleasure of appearing at: Musikfest (Bethlehem, PA - 8 years), Sister City Festival (Schwabisch Gmund, Germany), Mayfair (Allentown, PA), Hugh Moore Park (featured canal musician/historian, Easton, PA), Moravian College Music Institute, Philadelphia Convention Ctr., The Horshoe Curve (Altoona, PA), Trexler Game Preserve, Delaware City Wetlands Festival (DE), Waterloo Village Canal Festival (Waterloo, NJ - 9 years), Washington Crossing State Park (NJ).

Mr. Justice is currently teaching voice and beginning guitar for the Cumberland Valley School of Music, Chambersuburg, PA.

Call Roy for booking and fee information or any other questions at 717-264-0864 or 717-860-5554. You can also email Roy at royhjustice@hotmail.com.

Thanks for looking around the site!! Please come back and visit every once in a while to see what's new!
I have completed my second CD which contains canal and coal songs, as well as the classic '16 Tons'. You can sample the songs in the music section. The CD is now available through CD Baby at www.cdbaby.com.