FEATURED ARTISTS
FEATURED ARTISTS
ELIZABETH ROSE was introduced to the world of storytelling by her
family in the traditional way, by sitting around the table and on the
front porch sharing stories and episodes of life growing up in the small
southern town of Etowah, Tennessee. She also made a grade-school field
trip to the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough.
Her stories include a blend of traditional southern folklore, fairy tales, ghost stories, and folktales of many cultures and all around the world. Her ability to transport her listeners to other places and times has thrilled children and adults alike in classrooms, festivals, and conferences around the country.
Elizabeth taught elementary and middle school for 19 years, and is currently the Principal at Dyllis Elementary School in Roane County, TN. She has worked with children of all ages, teaching them to appreciate the art of storytelling and to make the art their own by telling the stories themselves. She has used the "Power of Storytelling" in her daily curriculum and conducts workshops for other educators on how to use storytelling in the classroom. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville with a BA in Early Childhood and Curriculum & Instruction. She also has a Master’s degree in Education and an Educational Specialist degree (Ed.S.) in Supervision and Administration.
She conducts custom workshops across the country for other educators and storytellers. Titles include" Storytelling and Language Development," "Teaching Kids to Tell," "Coaching Beginner Storytellers," and "The Basics of Storytelling."
Elizabeth Rose has appeared at festivals across the country, including the St. Louis Storytelling Festival (St. Louis, MO), the Ocoee Storytelling Festival (Cleveland, TN), the National Storytelling Conference (Bellingham, WA), the Cumberland Gap Storytelling Festival (Tazewell, TN), and many, many more.
Learn more about this talented artist at her web site. Contact her by email at elizabeth_rose@hotmail.com.
MOLLY
CATRON describes herself as “storyteller, keynote speaker, and change
agent.” She has twenty years of experience in the corporate world, where
she functions as a manager and organizational development consultant,
studying various aspects of organizational behavior. In those roles, she
uses story for leadership development, change management, corporate
strategy development, root cause analysis, market research and other
areas to help organizations become more effective.
She observes that as people focus on accomplishing things, something is lost in the process. She looks to “find a place for ourselves where every moment feeds a part of us that leaps with joy at each sunrise.” She summarizes her thoughts by saying that “the body carries us, the mind teaches us, the heart warms us, the spirit inspires us. When they are united, we are passionate, joyful and committed.”
Molly has a Masters of Arts in Storytelling from East Tennessee State University. In addition to performing story, she is also interested in developing an understanding of the dynamic of story in communication in order to put this powerful form of communication back into its rightful place in the human culture. She is particularly drawn to gathering, crafting stories, and performing stories that teach, transform and inspire others.
She is a member of the National Storytelling Network, the Storytelling in Organizations SIG, The International Storytelling Center, the Network of Biblical Storytellers, and is a performing member of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild.
She and her husband live on a farm in East Tennessee, along with a herd of goats, three cows, three dogs and a bird. She has five grandchildren and loves to play the guitar, make jewelry, sew, and sit on the porch.
Learn more about this talented artist at her web site. Contact her by email at mwc@mounet.com.
JOE
KEENAN is a retired speech pathologist, folksinger, actor, writer
and storyteller, who has been performing "almost forever." His tales
and anecdotes are as varied as his life: funny and sad, personal and
traditional, original inventions and carefully preserved heirlooms.
And always there are songs with guitar or psaltery. Sample his
holiday programs, when folks come together for love, laughter, and
family fun. Listen to inspiring stories of courage, honor, kindness
and struggle. Relive the old days of America in the '30s and '40s.
Enjoy some foolishness and dern fool ditties. Joe's programs are
great for young and old – audiences of all ages give him
enthusiastic welcomes, and love to sing along.
Have you talked with a Tennessee mule lately? Tested your wits
against a leprechaun? Faced down a bandit? Played a duet with a
bird? Consoled a weeping bucket? Those are just some of the
adventures Joe leads you on with his stories and songs and ditties.
Out of a lifetime of entertaining, teaching and traveling, Joe has
collected and crafted programs to touch your funny bone, touch your
heart, revive memories, and awaken new possibilities. He has
programs such as:
► Memories. Stories of growing up in the South in the ‘30s and ‘40s.
► Fools & Foolishness. The messes we do get ourselves into—and how
we try to get out.
► The Narrow Path. Stories of generosity, courage, grit and hope;
the hard but worthwhile choices.
Joe brings his unique style to Seniors in retirement, civic and
social clubs, college classes, school kids in elementary and middle
grades, and to family groups at festivals. He has twice been
featured at the annual conference of the Tennessee Storytelling
Association, and has performed four times at the Tennessee Festival
of Books. He has entertained at the Saturday night concert of the
VASA Gathering, the TaleSpin Festival in Chattanooga, and was
featured at the First Annual Hoggs Falls Storytelling Festival,
Owensboro, KY.
Joe is a member and a past officer of the Tennessee Storytelling
Association and is an Elder member of the National Storytelling
Network. He has published a storybook, Old Tales—New Tails (1998),
and a CD, There Were 3 Crows (2004). The CD is available at CDBaby,
storyteller.net and stortellingproducts.com. Email Joe to order his
book or CD direct.
AKIBA
SHABAZZ works as a librarian in the Crenshaw Branch of the Memphis
Public Library, Earlier this year she kicked off the summer reading
program for the libraries in Wynne, Arkansas. She was also the featured
performer at the Family Reading Nights at the Hernando, Olive Branch,
Senatobia, Tunica, and Oxford Mississippi Libraries.
Akiba tells stories from a tradition that goes back as far as Africa. Her tales are steeped in Southern tradition and delivered in a recipe with world-acquired seasonings. Some of her stories are from books, some from listening to stories that have not as yet been written down, and some are her own original works. She uses handheld musical instruments and a variety of props to compliment and punctuate the performance.
She has spun her magical tales from Mexico to Canada, in Paris, France and Naples, Italy and many, many other sites around the world. Anansi, John, John Henry, and many more voices tell their tales through her presentations.
Contact this teller at shabazza@memphis.lib.tn.us.
No discussion of storytelling over the past three decades would be
complete without talking about DOC McCONNELL. His "Old Medicine Show" has appeared on
radio and network television and
in cities and towns all across the country, at venues large and small, from
regional fairs and celebrations
to stadiums.
Doc is a founding member of both the national and Tennessee storytelling associations. The National Storytelling Association has recognized him with its Circle of Excellence Award, presented to artists recognized by their peers as master storytellers who have demonstrated over a significant period of time a commitment and dedication to this language art. The group has also awarded Doc a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Doc's engaging show recalls the old time "pitch men," recreating the traveling medicine shows of a century ago, with his gaily painted and outfitted wagon, copper bracelets, music, and entertainment. He tells stories in a distinctly Southern style with a mountain flavor, looking at the American culture with wit and insight.
In addition to his performances, McConnell offers seminars and lectures on storytelling skills, and his approach to better understanding people and their culture through the process. His workshops help storytellers of all experience levels improve their techniques and develop their imaginations and approaches.
His traditional stories, tall tales and reminiscences are appropriate for people of all ages, and always in good taste. The show is fast-moving and guaranteed to bring a laugh to most, and at least a smile to all the rest. The chant of the medicine show man peddling his roots, herbs, barks and brews, the magic tricks charming the children, the trained flea act, the old time music, and colorful costume, are sure to bring enjoyment to every member of the family.
Doc McConnell's "Old Medicine Show" has appeared at the Minnesota State Fair, 1982 World's Fair, Country Music Hall of Fame, Tallahassee Museum, Milwaukee Rodeo Days, Albuquerque Balloon Fest, State University of N.Y., Tennessee Valley Fair, Stone Mountain Georgia, National Storytelling Fest, National Barbeque Festival, and the Novello Festival of NC, just to name a few.
Recordings of Doc's Medicine Show are available on a number of CDs available at his web site. In addition, he has released Doc McConnell's Vienna Sausage Cookbook – everything you have always wanted to know about Vienna Sausage.
Contact this teller at docmcconnell@bellsouth.net.