A new album of twelve 19th-century campaign songs, "Abraham Lincoln and the Election of 1864," explores the popular media that helped influence political history in the United States before the 24-hour cable news cycle, Twitter and presidential debates broadcast on YouTube, says American Pioneer Music Director of Research Stuart Schimler.

"Political campaign songs were a central part to how citizens perceived candidates in presidential elections, and the songs of 1864 give us insight into the critiques of Abraham Lincoln before he became a legend," says Schimler, whose company is the only record label to exclusively tackle this distinctly American folk and political history.

"Many of the themes expressed during 1864 are still relevant to today's topics, including the gold standard, income taxes, war profiteering, civil liberties and continuing a war that began to lose favor with the public."

To say the least, "Abraham Lincoln and the Election of 1864" is unusual - even for a concept album, says Schimler, who researched and selected the songs for the project.

Catchy campaign songs were an effective way of spreading messages. Promoters, politicians and supporters matched set their lyrics to popular Irish and Scottish melodies, minstrel songs and ballads.

In this compilation, American Pioneer Music offers a collection of interpretations of authentic songs from the political campaign of 1864, from both the Republican and Democratic parties. The powerful 19th century lyrics, with their accurate depiction of themes, language and sentiments of America at its critical juncture, are even more controversial in the 21st century.

Most 19th Century minstrels songs, such as "oh Susannah," "My Old Kentucky Home" and "Camptown Races" have offensive lyrics removed during recording sessions. American Pioneer Music decided to release the album with its original language as to not change the meaning of the songs. To fully understand the political culture of the time, listeners must be aware of the original lyrics. "Modern audiences can gain valuable insight into a heated presidential campaign," Schimler says. "This album is perfect for adults that want to experience American history."

About American Pioneer Music

American Pioneer Music L.L.C. was founded in 2013 to produce songs from the American experience, with an emphasis on presidential campaign tunes. The company is a one-of-a-kind entrepreneurial effort for a largely forgotten genre in both U.S. history and folk music. Its first release "Abraham Lincoln and the 1864 Election" is currently available on iTunes.

A genius hero with a ridiculously long nose and a passion for poetry and love will have crowds roaring with laughter during Cyrano de Bergerac, July 11 - 13 and 18 - 20 at 8:00 p.m. The 18th annual production, directed by Richard Barker and starring Jason Alberty, will be one of the largest productions in the history of the Classics at Brucemore. The natural amphitheater near the estate's pond will provide an encompassing backdrop as sword-wielding brawls erupt amidst the audience and romantic verses gush on stage. The gates will open at 7:00 p.m.; audiences are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnics, and beverages to enjoy pre-show revelry.

Cyrano de Bergerac is an unabashed historical romance set in the 1640s featuring a swashbuckling hero. While first and foremost a passionate love story, the plot develops as a comedy with fast-paced action and a tragic ending. Despite his bravado, Cyrano suffers through unrequited love for Roxanne, whose eyes only see the dashing Christian. Many widely known adaptations have been made, including the film Roxanne, starring Steve Martin.

Advance tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for Brucemore members and students. All tickets at the gate are $20.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.brucemore.org, by calling (319) 362-7375, or by visiting the Brucemore Store located in the Visitor Center.

Sponsored by Rockwell Collins and media sponsored by The Gazette, KCRG-TV9, and Hoopla, Cyrano de Bergerac features a cast of the area's finest actors. Ten return to the Classics stage, including Jason Alberty, Angela Meisterling Billman, Andrew Clancey, Brett Engmark, Steve Ginsberg, Larry Hansen, Scott Humeston, Matthew James, Jim Kropa, Bill Lammers, Rob Merritt, David Morton, Marty Norton, Len Struttmann, and Cherryl Thomason. Making their Classics debut are Jon Day, Taylor Foster, Paul Freese, K. Michael Moore, Angie Toomsen, and Steve Worthington. For additional information, please visit the Brucemore website, www.brucemore.org.

The Classics at Brucemore began as collaboration between Torchlight Theatrics and Brucemore in 1996, thus launching outdoor theater in Eastern Iowa. The Classics celebrates a rich history of quality live theater, from Greek tragedy to Shakespearean comedy and twentieth century American drama. Much more than a play performed outdoors, the Classics fully utilizes the site as the natural amphitheater provides a lush backdrop and the outdoor environment is incorporated into the action ? actors emerge from the woods, get dunked in the pond, and help themselves to the audience's picnics.

I was never a fan of the cocktail party-variety networking scene. I will never be one to dart around a room shoving business cards into people's hands. I prefer meaningful conversations with people, getting to know them and vice versa.

But social media networking? That's something different altogether. Done right, it's never a hit-and-run. Rather, it consists of building relationships over months and even years by sharing information - both professional and personal - through posts, comments and responding to questions in various online communities.

What's the return on investment, the ROI, for putting that kind of time into social media? Actually, it's called the RON - the "return on networking."

And for me, it's huge.

I've been on Facebook for five years; I also have Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn accounts, among others. All totaled, I'm now approaching 100,000 friends, followers and connections. Those followers expose my name and message to their audiences every time they "like" one of my posts or share one of my links. Recently, someone re-tweeted something I'd shared on Twitter - he had 130,000 followers! That's a potential audience of 130,000 people I likely would have never reached otherwise.

Talk about exposure!

Who knows how many of those people may someday become my clients? Who cares? I'll still consider the exposure a good return on networking. Here's why.

The RON of social media isn't always tangible, not immediately, anyway. By establishing a continued presence online through regularly sharing content of use to my followers, I'm building my platform and my reputation as an expert. That grows in surprising ways - and it lives in surprising places.

A recent case in point: Late last year, I got a call from a prominent New York City hair stylist, the director of a salon in one of that city's premier department stores. He wanted to talk about some publicity needs and what my company could do to help him.

When I asked how he got my name, he explained he'd written some books over the years with a co-author, and she'd heard me at a speaking engagement.

Well, that made sense. Speaking at conferences is still a great way to get your name out while also building credibility.

But the next thing he said came as a complete surprise.

"So, then I contacted the corporate office (of the department store chain) and asked what PR agency they would recommend." And they recommended me and my company!

I don't know a soul in the corporate offices of that high-end retail chain. I can only guess they learned of me through social media.

Just being on Twitter or Google+ isn't enough, of course. You have to make a diligent effort to regularly post content that people find valuable, including links to informative articles, tips relevant to your topic, and/or informed insights on topics in the news.

You also have to "be a human," as our lead social media strategist, Jeni Hinojosa, likes to say. She and our other social media producers encourage clients to send photos when they go on vacation, celebrate milestones or engage in hobbies. Posting those photos with a comment adds a personal touch that allows followers to connect on a more emotional level.

Our social media producers also make sure clients' personalities shine in their posts, showing their sense of humor and letting followers in on the other things they care about, whether it's victims of a natural disaster or a favorite charity.

Interaction is equally important. Strive to respond to every comment or question posted on your networking sites. Interacting is engaging, and people who are engaged tend to be happy followers. The more you take part in conversations via comments and responses, the more lively and visible your presence becomes.

The RON includes increased traffic to your website; increased trust in your brand and what you're selling; and greater word of mouth than you could ever hope for by attending a cocktail party or even a speaking engagement.

About Marsha Friedman

Marsha Friedman is a 23-year veteran of the public relations industry. She is the CEO of EMSI Public Relations (www.emsincorporated.com), a national firm that provides PR strategy and publicity services to corporations, entertainers, authors and professional firms. Marsha is the author of Celebritize Yourself and she can also be heard weekly on her Blog Talk Radio Show, EMSI's PR Insider every Thursday at 3:00 PM EST. Follow her on Twitter: @marshafriedman.

WELCOME

Tim Heim

Senior VP of  Sales & Marketing, Innkeeper Hospitality Services, LLP

&

Kristin McDaniel

Chief Marketing Executive, Royal Neighbors of America

They join current Board Members:

Frank Mitvalski, Board President, Califf & Harper

Jane Bahls, Secretary, Freelance Writer

Marty Kurtz, Treasurer, The Planning Center

Linda Bowers, LinguiSystems

Chad Ervin, US Bank

Suni Leinart, Vital Support Systems

Carol Ann Watkins, Arts Supporter