Robert Santelli's "Rollin' and Tumblin': The Importance of Blues in American Music History'" will be presented free of charge in the Midland States Ballroom at Peabody Opera House on September 25th, at 7 p.m.

Robert Santelli was named Executive Director of The GRAMMY Museum in 2006. A noted blues and rock historian, Santelli is also the author of more than a dozen books on American music, including: “The Best of the Blues: The 101 Essential Blues Albums;” “The Bob Dylan Scrapbook, 1956-1966;” “This Land Is Your Land: Woody Guthrie and the Journey of an American Folk Song;” and many others.

Santelli has also contributed to Rolling Stone, Musician, Modern Drummer, Guitar Player, Downbeat, the New York Times, and New Jersey Monthly, among other periodicals. He started the American Music Masters Series and the Oral History Project, and also developed the UK’s first pop music museum, the British Music Experience, which opened in London in 2009. Currently, Santelli is serving as Co-Chairman of "Woody at 100"— a partnership between the GRAMMY Museum and the Woody Guthrie Archives, producing numerous events celebrating Woody Guthrie's 100th birthday throughout 2012 across America and internationally. He currently lives in Los Angeles, California.