Programs

Performances and Special Shows

A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist with an affinity for American roots music, Vallillo is a skilled six-string and bottleneck slide guitarist who incorporates original and traditional material to form a musical portrait of the Midwestern way of life. He writes vivid, original story songs" delivered with an "eye for detail and a sense of history." and performs concerts, at festivals, and at cultural events of all kinds. Along with standard concert performances, he also performs themed shows using music as the vehicle to explore a wide range of historical and cultural themes. Click the boxes below for details.

Educational Outreach

All shows can be shortened to assembly length (45-50 minutes depending on the amount of participation from the audience) with special attention to presenting age appropriate material (particularly with Oh Freedom!) and are content rich, historically accurate and involve direct audience participation to re-enforce the lessons in the show.

The shows can be adapted to solo, duo, or ensemble versions depending on space and budget considerations.

Shows

A multi-media love letter to rural America featuring original songs and instruments along with the images of award winning rural photographer Tim Schroll to tell of the changes in rural America over the past 40s years..

NEW FOR 2024!

Sensory Friendly Programming

Experience Folk Music!

A new show designed for neurodivergent audiences and their families just debuted at the University of Illinois at Springfield.

NEW FOR 2025!

Songs Of the Illinois Freedom Road

New for 25/26, Songs of the Illinois Freedom Road
This is the show I created for the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area's traveling exhibit, Journey To Freedom. It is currently touring with the exhibit, but will be accepting bookings directly in the 25/26 season.

The Farmer Is The Man

Traditional and Contemporary Folk Songs of the Farm

Oh Freedom!

Songs of the Civil Rights Movement

Abraham Lincoln in Song

The life and times of Abraham Lincoln told through the music he loved

Parallel Paths

The Poetry of Carl Sandburg, the Music of Chris Vallillo

Stephen Foster and the Rise of Popular Music

A selection of Foster’s best loved songs and a discussion about Foster's impact on American Music

The Roots of Rural Music

Chris draws on his experiences as a music collector and performer of the songs of rural America.

Folk Music for Little Folks

Chris Vallillo presents a folk musical performance geared towards younger audiences.

House Concerts

Chris will come to your home and perform your favorites from his repertoire.