Since starting Historical Peformances in 1996 RD and Barb Melfi have traveled the US educating and entertaining, Corporations, Museums, Fairs, Rodeos, Living History Events, Historical Societies, Children's Events, Chautauqua, with excited audiences every where they go.
Barbara Clement Melfi was born in Denver, Colorado. Her Family for generations have made Colorado their home. Barbara attended The University of Michigan and Oakland University. Barbara has had a strong interest in various facets of Western History since she was a little girl.
Her family has ties to farming , Hereford ranching, saddle making, and performance arts ( she has a family connection to the famous cowboy star Tom Mix). Her great grandfather was commissioned by Abraham Lincoln as a commander of Black Troops during the Civil War. After the war he became famous for his design and construction of Military Forts during the Indian Wars.
Barbara has a passion for presenting the true stories of the characters she performs. She has won many National honors for her portrayals.
RD Melfi was also born in Denver, Colorado and his family has also lived in Colorado for many generations. RD attended the University of Northern Colorado and The University of Colorado. He taught American Literature and History.
His love of history began as a young boy reading and studying all his Western heroes. His main hero was Buffalo Bill and he spend many Saturdays at The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave.
RD too has a background of ranching from his Uncle Dave and his ranch in Eastern Colorado.
Telling the true stories of the characters of American West makes both Barbara and RD prolific and renowned Historians and Biographical Actors.
In 2004 they both were named by The Colorado Legislature as the official Buffalo Bill and Annie Oakley for The State of Colorado and cited for Keeping The Old West Alive!
In 2010 RD was honored as The National Buffalo Bill Cody Champion by winning a National Competition at The Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph, MO. This was to remember the 150th Anniversary of the Pony Express. His portrayal and performance overshadowed the 25 other competitors from all over the U.S.