Derrick Doty is an author, composer, and historian who enjoys preserving and sharing traditional music of the Flint Hills and Kansas. Derrick plays the fiddle in Tallgrass Express String Band, which showcases Annie Wilson’s songs about the flora, fauna, and culture of the Flint Hills. He also plays with Fiddler’s Dream, an old-time dance band arrangement featuring Bob and Melissa Atchison, Robert Rosenberg, Alice Boyle, and Carl Reed.

Mr. Doty's presentation, The Magic Lantern, includes a slideshow of Kansas-related images from early 20th-century. Mr. Doty tells the stories of the slides as sharing them and the slides contain some images that have not been seen anywhere else. Following the historic images, Mr. Doty will play a variety of instruments while sharing about Kansas’ rich musical history.

This event is FREE and open to the public!

“Derrick’s gift of researching and finding those hidden “gems” is remarkable. His tireless effort to tell a historical story to its fullest is commendable. Whether it’s on the history of the Santa Fe Trail, Flint Hills, or of his vast knowledge of early music and instruments, his programs enlighten his audience and takes them back to a simpler time with his music and research. I’m not sure there is a musical instrument that he cannot play! Derrick has been a part of the “Kaw Mission Councils” lecture series, and we look forward to having him participate again in the future.”

~Mark Brooks, Site Administrator of the Kaw Mission and Last Chance Store Museums on the Santa Fe Trail