Patti Ecker kids & family: Raves

South Elgin native builds career by combining music, history
Mix music and history and you've got Patti Ecker.
A native of South Elgin, Ecker grew up in the village's historic Peaslee cobblestone home.
Recently converted into a museum by the South Elgin Heritage Commission, the house represents a unique style popularized by men who built the Erie Canal. As a child, Ecker found her historic home filled with antiques collected by her mother, Mary. Each summer the family would travel to places such as Gettysburg, Jamestown and Williamsburg in search of pieces to add to their home.
Ecker credits these trips with broadening her appreciation for American history. But, there's also another side to Ecker - her interest in music and entertaining.
As a young girl, Ecker loved the vintage American songs she heard in grade school. She also fondly remembers sitting on the lap of her father, Paul, listening to lullabies and folk songs.
Ecker says she always loved to entertain and, as a child, this sometimes took the form of pantomime shows done at her home with her sisters Sarah and Paula and brother Chris.
Even when doing the dishes, she said she enjoyed singing three-part harmony with her sisters. "We even did a little dance when we sang 'Michael, Row the Boat Ashore,'" Ecker says.
As a teen, Ecker and three girlfriends once did a parody of "Sh-boom" for a talent show at Kimball Junior High, now Kimball Middle School, in Elgin. "It was exhilarating. I was hooked," she says of the experience.
Ecker got her first guitar in 1969, an instrument she taught herself to play. "I was first asked to play at a local church coffeehouse. I had just learned some songs from the Woodstock album, and was eager to try them out, so I thought, ‘Why not?’" she says.
From here it was on to the Colloquy Coffee House, a church-sponsored night club for Elgin-area young people of the era. "It was a great hangout and the first place I ever heard live music," she says. "I decided then that I wanted to be a singer and songwriter, and my mother, who is a writer, always encouraged me."
After high school, Ecker attended Elgin Community College for two years. She heard of an art teacher, Mike Scaccia, who played the banjo and guitar for his students. "I signed up for his class, and jammed with Mike and some other students. "I learned the banjo and some great old-timey songs in the process," she says.
Ecker then left the Elgin area and headed to Florida for a time.
"That's where I learned my chops and developed my style," she says. About 15 years ago, Ecker came back to Illinois for a party. Instead of returning south immediately, she remained in the area for several months. Within a year, took up residence again permanently.
Ten years ago Ecker took a position at the Grove National Historic Landmark in Glenview doing pioneer history and campfire programs. "This is where my interest in music and history really coalesced," she says.
Since then she has been involved with the Chicago Historical Society family programs, and the Old Town School of Folk Music's "Global Roots" outreach program.
As the unofficial artist in residence for the Des Plaines library, Ecker puts on a variety of programs for the institution. She gives performances for schools and park districts, and acts as a guide for field trips at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum.
The banjo, Irish drum and spoons are also among her repertoire of instruments.
Earlier this year, Ecker produced a CD titled "Prairieland," which contains many of the songs that have become her mainstay.
These include 15 longtime favorites, such as "Sweet Betsy From Pike," "El-A-Noy" and "The Wabash Cannonball."
Words and background for each song are provided for those wanting to know a bit of history or just singing along. Ecker recently performed at the Streamwood Festival and the South Elgin Riverfest.
She will appear at the Elgin Fine Arts Festival, the Fox Valley Folk Fest and the Elgin Area Historical Society.
"My music is for people of all ages and backgrounds, and is really all about having fun and sharing good times," Ecker says.
"If I am able to teach the audience some history while we're together, that's an added bonus."
For details on Ecker, visit her Web site at www.pattisongs.com.

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