Multi-instrumentalist, composer and music historian Bobby Horton will share the songs and stories of 19th century America during a concert at Troy University on Tuesday.

Horton will perform at 6 p.m. in the amphitheater in Janice Hawkins Park at the Troy Campus. Admission is free and open to the public.

Horton is a familiar face in Pike County having performed for the Johnson Center for the Arts with his group, Three on a String.

“More recently Bobby Horton performed for the ArtBridges Teachers Workshop,” said Vicki Pritchett, JCA executive director. “He is an outstanding musician and a wonderful storyteller.”

Horton has performed twice with storyteller Dolores Hydock at the We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge.

“Bobby Horton provided the music for a Christmas storytelling event and also for a presentation about the people of Sand Mountain,” said Annette Bryan, a member of the Brundidge Historical Society’s storytelling committee. “He is an outstanding performer. We are looking forward to his being back in Pike County.”

Horton, a native on Birmingham, is widely regarded as one of the nation’s leading authorities on the music of the U.S. Civil War era.

Dr. Margaret Gnoinska, assistant professor for history at Troy University, said Horton’s research into the music of the mid-19th century has uncovered literally thousands of period tunes, many of which Horton has recorded in his home studio as part of a 14-volume collection of authentic Civil War music. This acclaimed series of recordings has also led to a career in film scoring, including the Ken Burns documentaries “The Civil War” and “Baseball,” two films for A&E Network and 16 films for the National Park Service.

“Bobby Horton’s knowledge of Civil War songs and music are not only admirable but attest to his commitment to bringing history alive by focusing on the experiences and hardships of both Confederate and Union soldiers,” Gnoinska said. “Having Mr. Horton perform and speak about such songs and music provides a unique opportunity and offers much academic value to our Troy University students, faculty, and the community at large.”

The event is sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Library.

Concert goers are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will move to the Hawkins-Adams-Long Hall of Honor.