Performers

2009 Featured Storytellers

Charlotte Blake-Alston Philadelphia-born storyteller Charlotte Blake-Alston was raised on the rich stories and poems of African American writers such as Paul Lawrence Dunbar. With a 21 year career in teaching, Blake-Alston now performs lively traditional and contemporary African and African American tales, enhanced by a variety of traditional instruments such as the 21-stringed kora, which she learned from the highly respected Senegalese griot, Djimo Kouyate.	Donald Davis Appalachian-born teller Donald Davis virtually absorbed stories during his growing-up years on the family farm. With inspiration from his Uncle Frank, “a man who talked in stories,” and through years of study, ministry, and parenting, Davis developed keen insights into family and community dynamics - insights he masterfully shares with grateful audiences through physical antics, telling facial expressions and an underlying love for his fellow men.	Carmen Agra Deedy Brilliant and silly storyteller and picture book author Carmen Agra Deedy brings the spice and grace of her Cuban and Southern upbringing to the storytelling stage. Placid and hyperactive, Deedy draws upon both joyful and trying experiences to share hilarious and often tender moments in the lives of the people and characters she plays.
Heather Forest Heather Forest is both an author of numerous children’s picture books and an award-winning recording artist. Forest excels in adapting familiar folktales, including Beauty and the Beast and Aesop’s Fables, by enlivening them with sing-along music and creating performances that are fun and creative – captivating both young and old alike.	Bill Harley Two-time Grammy award winner Bill Harley is a show-stopping favorite for all ages. With his heart-warming songs and boisterous stage presence, Harley brings to memory our own squeamish recollections of classroom antics, childhood blunders and youthful realizations. In addition to tender parenting stories, Harley shares the best of his coming-of-age stories that will lead you on a laughter-filled meander down memory lane.	David Holt Storytelling musician David Holt began his own tale while traveling in the Appalachian Mountains meeting folk musicians, listening to old-timer’s yarns, and learning to play a variety of their instruments – from slide guitar to paper bag. His participatory performances capture the rich spirit of folk music and traditional storytelling, and help preserve a window into the life of a changing culture. Engaging and entertaining, Holt brings spirit and rhythm to audiences of all ages.
Syd Lieberman No other storyteller can resurrect so poignantly and accurately the stories of history like Syd Lieberman. Through fascinating narratives, Lieberman reveals characters as alive today as they were in the days of the American Revolution, the Johnstown flood, and the recent landing of the Mars Lunar Rover. Through extensive research and a sincere desire to tell their stories, Lieberman creates unforgettable performances of real people and events, including Chicago city life, Jewish tradition and his own personal stories of family.	Bil Lepp Five first-place wins in the West Virginia Liars Contest jumpstarted Bil Lepp’s career into the world of tall-tale telling. From his extraordinarily strong Basset Hound, Buck-dog, to his half-witted hunting friends, Lepp’s hilarious fabrications of amazing life adventures bring tear-induced audiences to the edge of their seats and leave them happily exhausted at tales’ end.	Angela Lloyd Not many people can boast virtuosity on a washboard, but storyteller and one-woman-band Angela Lloyd does so masterfully along with the autoharp, tenor guitar, spoon and bell. Her story-songs are witty and insightful, and compare to the gentle and intriguing styles of A.A. Milne and Carl Sandburg, giving pleasure to audiences of all ages.
Barbara McBride-Smith Barbara McBride-Smith is a sassy-tongued woman of many talents – teacher, librarian, theology instructor, writer, native Texan and traveling storyteller. Her dynamic style, inspired by the animated communication of her two deaf sisters, includes subject matter ranging from tweaked Biblical stories and homespun tales, to hilarious mythological retellings.	John McCutcheon Johnny Cash once called consummate storyteller and musician John McCutcheon, “the most impressive instrumentalist I ever heard.” A musical favorite and powerful songwriter with more than 20 record album releases, McCutcheon reveals the heart of the individual, shares ideals of family bonds, and presents societal issues with surprising humor and insight.	Connie Regan-Blake From the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, comes one of storytelling’s central figures: Connie Regan-Blake. In more than 30 years of performing, Regan-Blake has traveled throughout the world teaching, telling and promoting the art of storytelling. With warmth, humor and charm, she unites her listeners through traditional mountain folktales and touching real-life drama.