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| Frontiersman Davy Crockett's political career is the focus of Congressman Davy with catchy tunes voiced by Robbie Fulks and his Chicago pals. |
Davy Crockett for President? It almost happened!
Congressman Davy recounts that fascinating slice of U.S. political history in a new musical with 22 new songs by Deano from the Waco Brothers (aka Dean Schlabowske) and award-winning playwright/journalist Richard Byrne (Nero/Pseudo, Burn Your Bookes, Hotel Mayflower).
Some of the most distinctive voices in Americana to help tell this tallest of tales, including Robbie Fulks, The Mekons' Jon Langford & Sally Timms, The Meat Purveyors' Jo Watson, Four Lost Souls' Bethany Thomas,The Flat Five's Nora O’Connor & Kelly Hogan along with Chicago's Gerald Dowd and Kent Rose. As Davy might say: “Just go ahead and give it a listen!” Check out a few songs from the CD following a synopsis below.
It is 1833. Legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett is running to return to the U.S. House of Representatives. (Tennessee voters kicked him out in 1831.)
Anne Royall is the first American woman to publish her own newspaper. (“The Ballad of Anne Royall”) She travels to Tennessee to watch Davy Crockett lay out his populist platform. (“Poor Man’s Friend”) Crockett wins.
In Washington City, boarding house proprietor Mrs. Ball and her employee, Sarah, await Crockett. Yet they face competition from Mrs. Brown – who runs a fancy hotel across the street. The two women joust over their vision of Washington’s future. (“Washington City”)
The 1833 election created a nation deeply divided between the Democrats supporting President Andrew Jackson and the Whigs opposing him. The two parties address their differences in a song. (“A Faction.”) as they try to claim Crockett as their own. But Crockett lays out his own independent vision. (“A Permanent State of Affairs”)
Mrs. Ball and Mrs. Brown’s skirmish ends when Crockett chooses the cozy familiarity of the boarding house (“The Comforts of Home”). Mrs. Brown plots with the Lead Whig to bring Crockett to her hotel.
Anne Royall notices the forlorn figure of Edgar Allan Poe – who has been evicted from Mrs. Ball’s establishment to make room for legislators. They bemoan the anti-intellectualism of the time. (“The Bitter End”)
The moneyed Whigs want Crockett as their presidential candidate. (“The Proper Party”) But how can they convince The Poor Man’s Friend? Mrs. Brown appeals to Crockett’s vanity and desire to advance in life. (“The Finer Things”) He moves to her hotel and joins the Whigs as he evokes his famous motto: “Be sure you're right, then go ahead!” (“Just Go Ahead”)
Act Two
Sarah sings a short mournful song (“Sarah’s Song of Hopeless Longing”) before Anne Royall and the Whig Party sweep Crockett up into a frenetic political tour. (“Davy Crockett’s Tour to the North and Down East”) The frontiersman also discovers the power of industry. (“Busy Hands”)
Mrs. Ball and Mrs. Brown’s feud continues. Anne Royall chides them both for seeking to influence politics from behind the scenes. (“A Song About Power”)
The Democrats scheme to defeat Crockett. Lead Democrat advocates chicanery (“Hickory Dockery”). Adam Huntsman – a lawyer who lost his leg in war – volunteers to run against Crockett. (“Down A Peg”)
Edgar Allan Poe’s return to town unleashes more tumult. He seeks high minded journalism (“Poison Pens”), but Crockett uses Poe’s negative review of his book as target practice and then blazes deeper into populism to win votes. (“The Betsy Song”).
The Whigs commission a portrait of Crockett with a stuffed Bear. When Crockett falls asleep, the Bear becomes his nightmare. (“A Bear’s Life).
On the day the votes arrive back in Washington City, Mrs. Ball tries to pluck Crockett’s conscience and recall a happier moment. (“I Don’t Need You”)
When the tally is announced, Crockett loses. (“The Song of the Great Licking”) He takes leave of Washington for a new life in Texas with a brazen farewell song (Hell or Texas”).
You can get a CD version of the Congressman Davy soundtrack via Bandcamp right here. Listen to a few of the songs voiced by Robbie Fulks below. On Monday, June 29th, a radio play version of the entire show, weaving the songs into the text of the musical will be available right here: https://congressmandavy.podbean.com/.
