John Fowler
This Old Porch Host and Word Stage ProducerJohn started as a volunteer radio announcer in the spring of 1995, spinning vinyl and a brand new media, the Compact-Disc. He recalls, “In those days we had, reel-to-reel recorded programs, and guests crowding around the one mic to perform live - all bundled up into a 2 hour live old-time radio show." Now This Old Porch is three hours of top notch programming with up-to-date technology.
“On top of that nothing has changed,” he said.
When John is not playing his favorite traditional tunes on Sunday afternoon he is busy presenting old-time storytelling and music programs at schools, festivals, college's and special events throughout the region. He also conducts folklore research and workshops for grant development projects. John play's a number of old-time instruments including; banjo, fiddle, harmonica, spoons and auto-harp. "I love the old authentic music, the way it used to sound, and I enjoy playing this music when I'm on-the-air".
johnf@wncw.org
-
Zora Walker (1922-2013) was from the Yellow Branch community of Graham County, North Carolina. She was a wealth of folklore, including stories, jokes, children’s games, traditional folk songs, and ballads.This story, "I Want My Big Toe", has been around for many generations. Folklorist Richard Chase collected and told a version. It’s a classic mountain folktale. -
A native of West Virginia, Donna Marie Todd trained in classical vocal performance at the renowned Peabody Conservatory of Music with Metropolitan opera soprano Marilyn Cotlow and now writes and performs a unique combination of original story woven with artful song. She is a TEDx speaker, recording artist, singer, writer, teaching artist, and retreat leader. She is a multi-faceted artist who delivers perfectly crafted performances that combine her talents as a speaker, writer, storyteller, and singer. The combination of storytelling and singing has earned her the description of “The Singer of Stories.” -
Paul Strickland is a professional storyteller and theater artist based in Kentucky, renowned for his engaging and imaginative tales. His repertoire includes over seven hours of unique, family-friendly stories, ranging from reimagined folk tales and tall tales to whimsical "fairy tales for adults and future adults," and even historical narratives that "just happened to never happen." -
William plays banjo, fiddle, guitar, and other “string-ed things”. He is particularly interested in old mountain folkways, foodways, and humor-- ever eager to swap lies, half-truths, tales, and seeds. There are numerous outlandish Appalachian tales about hunting. This story, William learned from luthier and family friend, Ray Dellinger. -
Naomi is an award-winning storyteller who writes her own material based on her experiences growing up and living in the South-Central portion of the North Carolina Appalachian Mountains. Her stories often involve her family, particularly her Granny. She has a way of pondering the ordinary while highlighting the extraordinary in our lives. She believes that when we listen to each other’s stories we connect in meaningful ways. -
Sheila is the Co-Founder and inaugural Artistic Director of Artists Standing Strong Together (ASST, pronounced “assist”), a vibrant non-profit born out of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. ASST has quickly grown into a thriving community that uplifts the arts and artists, offering exciting digital performance and exhibition opportunities, hands-on workshops, and a crucial emergency support fund. Recognized for their impactful work, Sheila and her Co-Founder Donna Washington received the 2021 Distinguished National Service Award from the National Storytelling Network. -
Doug Elliott is a naturalist, herbalist, basket maker, back-country guide, harmonica master, and storyteller from Rutherford County N.C. Much of his time has been spent learning from traditional country folk and indigenous people. He performs programs at festivals, museums, nature centers, and schools from Canada to the Caribbean. He is the author of five books, many articles in regional and national magazines, and an award-winning recording artist. -
Walt, a Greenville, S.C. native, launched his newspaper career at The Greenville News. After 35 thrilling years at The Tampa Tribune in Florida , he stumbled upon the captivating world of oral storytelling. Now a proud board member of the Florida Storytelling Association, Walt has been enchanting audiences at the Florida State Festival since 2019. Each month, he hosts a lively storytelling night in Safety Harbor, FL. His tales have resonated with listeners at The Moth in Asheville, Hagood Mill in Pickens, and the Stone Soup Festival in Woodruff, S.C. Walt loves spinning tall tales and sharing adventures from his life, like this true story about a dog that loves a good slice of baloney. -
Derrick Phillips is a folksinger, songwriter, storyteller, and multi-instrumentalist from Easley, SC. He has been written up as "One of the upcountry's most dynamic folksingers". He has appeared on NPR and ETV at various times, and his most recent -
Paul Strickland is a storyteller and theatre artist from Kentucky. Many of his stories come from his "Ain’t True and Uncle False" who live in the fictional "Big Fib Trailer Park" in the mythical American South. His humorous and touching tall tales have won "Best of Fest" awards at fringe festivals in the U.S. and Canada. Strickland has performed in theaters, festivals, comedy clubs, and even prisons (as a guest, not an inmate).
