2012 Story Telling

Storytelling Schedule & Bios
 

Emcees: Larry & Gayleen Kelley

Storytelling Schedule:

Saturday Oct. 29, 2011

11:00-11:30                Larry & Gayleen Kelley                

11:30-12:00                Chad Bogart

12:00-12:30                Mary Jane Kennedy

12:30-1:00                 Michael Reno Harrell                   

1:00-1:30                   Bruce Montgomery

1:30-2:00                   Michael Reno Harrell                                   

2:00-2:30                   Chad Bogart

2:30-3:00                   Mary Jane Kennedy  

3:00-3:30                   Bruce Montgomery    

3:30-4:00                   Larry Kelley

4:00-4:30                   Gayleen Kelley

Sunday Oct. 30, 2011

1:00-1:30                     Larry & Gayleen Kelley                                

1:30-2:00                     Michael Reno Harrell                                   

2:00-2:30                     Gregg Harrell

2:30-3:00                     Larry Kelley

3:00-3:30                     Michael Reno Harrell   

3:30-4:00                     Gregg Harrell

4:00-4:30                      Gayleen Kelley

MICHAEL RENO HARRELL,   Morganton, NC

Michael Reno Harrell’s self pinned stories and songs have been delighting audiences across the United States and Europe for over forty years, and for good reason. He can tickle the funny bone and touch the heart of just about any age group. Michael hails from the mountains of Western North Carolina, but his programs resonate far beyond his Appalachian home. His wit has been described as being like your granddaddy’s pocket knife…well worn and familiar, but razor sharp and with a point.

Michael has won many awards for his songs [Gold and Platinum Records], and his humorous storytelling has garnered such apt descriptions as “Andy Griffith with an edge”. Michael’s lifelong interest has been not only in the music of the people, but in their lives and oral history, both sung and spoken. His music and songs are just plain fun and he is happy to share a little bit of that “Appalachian grit and wit”.

"Michael Reno Harrell is one of those natural born Southern storytellers filled with wit, Charm and surprises. Whether the story is in song or narrative, Michael will draw you in and entertain you, all the while making you feel right at home." David Holt-four time Grammy winner and nationally acclaimed storyteller.

BRUCE MONTGOMERY, Johnson City, TN

Bruce Montgomery has been telling stories all of his life, whether it was in the pulpit, the classroom, or just for fun. Only in the past three years has he come to call himself a storyteller. Bruce loves to tell stories to make people laugh, imagine, and encourage. For the past fifteen years he has been a professor of communications at Milligan College, where he is working toward creating an emphasis in storytelling.

CHAD BOGART, Elizabethton, TN

Chad Bogart is a lifelong resident of Carter County, TN. He is employed by Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area in Elizabethton, TN as a historic interpreter. Chad is a co-founder of the Homespun Storytelling Guild and the Front Porch Storytellers.  Chad’s background in Living History Interpretation and Music combined with a large dose of family morals and humor make his storytelling style one you’ll love time after time.

MARY JANE KENNEDY,  Elizabethton, TN
Mary Jane was born in Des Moines, Iowa. She is a retired teacher from Orlando, Florida, and shares wonderful stories through her talents as a musician, archivist and historical researcher. Mary Jane is the co-founder of the Homespun Storytelling Guild in Elizabethton. Her musical talents include vocals, playing piano, hammered dulcimer, lap dulcimer, Native American flute, bodhran drum and tin whistle.

GREGG HARRELL, White Pine, TN
Gregg is a local boy who was raised in the hills of East Tennessee and wandered the North Carolina hillsides with his cousins. (Most of the time doing things that young boys laugh at and their mothers frown at but oh well…) Because of this he likes to tell stories about the south and country folk: stories that sometimes stretch the truth, stories that peak the imagination but stories that have stood the test of time, folktales. And besides, with that much of a southern accent what else would he tell? People have always said that Gregg has the “gift of gab” which just means he is a talker from way back. Gregg would like to thank both his wife Tamera for putting up with him and all of you for listening.

GAYLEEN KELLEY, Chuckey, TN

Gayleen was born in Killeen, Texas in the back of an Army ambulance on the way to Fort Hood Hospital. This adventure and many others as an Army Brat was early evidence that she was destined to become a storyteller. In 1996, Gayleen began sharing stories and has loved the journey ever since. In 1999 she won 2nd place in the National Storytelling Competition in Hillsboro, Ohio. Gayleen enjoys sharing inspirational, personal and historical stories. She often uses her beautiful singing voice in her performances.

LARRY KELLEY, Chuckey, TN

Larry Kelley has a knack for getting people of all ages to fall in love with the art of storytelling. Some get hooked by his hilarious tales of humor. Others get captured by his inspirational or historical stories. Sometimes it is his unique style of delivery that convinces folks that listening to stories is the best family entertainment around. Larry has been entertaining and educating audiences for over eighteen years. His original Appalachian humor, stories from real life, children’s stories, Christian stories, and unique twists on old favorite fables and yarns, always make him a crowd favorite. Larry often performs in tandem with the love of his life, Storyteller Gayleen Kelley. Larry has a Master’s Degree in Storytelling from ETSU where he has served as a part-time adjunct storytelling instructor for ten years. His goal is to share performance spirited stories that entertain, enlighten, and uplift all listeners.