Lloyd plays studio tracks from his albums inspired by activists in American History and tells the stories behind them. Part 1 of a two-part activist episode. 

New on this episode: Lloyd's first-ever guest on the Sing-a-long History podcast! Lloyd chats with 7th grade teacher Ale Checka about the work and legacy of Cesar Chavez.

Some topics Lloyd covers on this episode:

- Sojourner Truth

- abolitionism

- Women's Rights

- the fight for the right to vote for women

- segregation

- Ida B. Wells

- Lynching

- Activist Journalism

- The Black Panthers

- Cesar Chavez

- migrant worker rights

- the origins of the expression "¡Sí Se Puede!"

- Harriet Hanson Robinson

- The Lowell Mill Strike of 1836

Studio tracks on this episode:

Sojourner Truth - The Deedle Deedle Dees

Time Machine - The Deedle Deedle Dees featuring the IMPACT Repertory Theatre

Do the Turnout - The Deedle Deedle Dees

Live tracks on this episode: 

Theme song of the First Michigan Colored Regiment

¡Sí Se Puede! (the Deedle Deedle Dees song played live by Lloyd)

I Cannot Be a Slave (Lloyd's daughter and her friend sing this song that was sung by the Lowell Mill girls during their 1836 strike based on the music hall song "I Won't Be a Nun")

This podcast is a companion to Sing-a-long History, Lloyd'd new series of albums that use music to teach history. The first volume of the series came out in the spring of 2015. It's called. Sing-a-long History Vol I: Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! It's an intro to the Civil War, abolitionism, and the Underground Railroad for kids. The other volumes of the series will explore a variety of other historical topics.

Lloyd is the founder and frontman of the Deedle Deedle Dees, the critically acclaimed band known for their songs inspired by history, science, folklore, and literature. Volume II of the Sing-a-long History album series will be the first Dees record since 2011. It's scheduled for a fall 2015 or winter 2016 release (but singles and videos will definitely start arriving before the end of 2015).

lloydhmiller.com