“The pioneers carried only the clothes on their backs and the bare necessities in their wagons, yet they experienced a rich musical life in the wilderness… Each group wove their own thread of music into the colorful and diverse musical tapestry of the American West.” So begins Laura Dean’s historical account of the integral role music played in the Westward Expansion. Her new book explores the diplomatic, practical, and inspirational roles music played in connecting culturally diverse people groups including Native Americans, explorers, cowboys, and pioneers. Links and notes related to this episode can be found at https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/episode134 Connect with us: Newsletter: https://mpetersonmusic.com/subscribe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnhanceLifeMusic/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enhancelifemusic/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpetersonpiano/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicenhances Sponsorship information: https://mpetersonmusic.com/podcast/sponsor Leave us a review on Podchaser.com! https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/enhance-life-with-music-909096 In-episode promo: Heidi Kay Begay and the Flute 360 Podcast https://heidikaybegay.com