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
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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). -
"The Snake That Ate the Glass Egg" sounds like a tall tale. William swears it’s true. -
Andy Brooks and Dan Wood began playing together in the spring of 2021. It didn’t take long to realize the special blend of old-time banjo and fiddle magic between them. Their debut project, *For to Lay This Body Down*, released in June 2024, is quickly earning acclaim from the old-time community. Andy, a multi-instrumentalist focusing on the fiddle and vocal on this project, won the South Carolina State Fiddlers’ Convention in 2016 and the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award in 2019. He lives with his wife, Laura, in Tamassee, South Carolina.Dan, an award-winning instrumentalist, featuring old-time banjo and vocal, has judged the State Fiddlers’ Convention for the past five years and is a former member of the Blue Ridge Rounders. He resides with his wife of 51 years, Rosalind, in Travelers Rest, South Carolina. -
”My stories are true and promote good values -many about growing up on a farm in the NC Mountains with 5 sisters and one brother. I relive the stories as I tell them!”Cynthia is a mountain girl originally from Western North Carolina . Many of her stories are about her childhood and family life from simpler times. These days she makes her home in Bynum , N.C. where she is the host/producer of the historic Bynum Front Porch Storytelling Series. Cynthia Raxter | Facebook -
Donna Washington is an internationally known master storyteller, artist educator, and published author who has performed for audiences of all ages for over thirty-four years. She is renowned for her storytelling for both children & adults from poignant & funny fables about the human condition to racy relationship stories to spine-tingling tales of terror. She has been featured at numerous festivals, schools, libraries, theaters, and other venues worldwide including Canada, Peru, Argentina, and Hong Kong. She presented over two hundred shows and workshops virtually online during the pandemic. "Two Monks Walk" is a Zen tale that teaches us to live in this moment and let go of the past. -
Jess is a South Carolina homegrown spoken word and visual artist. She builds dreams out of words, rhythm, and recycled and re-purposed materials. Jess’s mother conjured up this haunted story to keep her children safe for a nearby lake, “Some say, if you see a crooked tree like that there’s a witch buried underneath. You have to be careful going close to those trees, especially in the afternoon, after school.” -
Larry combined a successful 30-year career in sales, sales training, and public speaking with teaching spiritual classes and acting as a Minister for Emissary Ministry. Recently Larry has performed at Tellabration, The Tarheel Teller’s Festival, Roadhouse Inn, and The Old North State Storytelling Festival and placed first at the Mad Robot Storytelling Slam -
Kyra Freeman writes poems, tells stories, and dances in the kitchen in Morganton, North Carolina. A former school librarian turned massage therapist, she was raised in Vermont not too far from the Appalachians. She lives with her family and infamous pets and goes outside as much as possible. She is a member of the Asheville Storytelling Circle and the N.C. Storytelling Guild. A collection of her poetry and photographs entitled: Second Life: Poems of Re-emerging will be released by Redhawk Publications in the summer of 2021. -
Donna Washington is an internationally known master storyteller, artist educator, and published author who has been performing for audiences of all ages for over thirty-four years. She is renowned for her storytelling for both children & adults from poignant & funny fables about the human condition to racy relationship stories to spine-tingling tales of terror. She has been featured at numerous festivals, schools & libraries theaters, and other venues worldwide including Canada, Peru, Argentina, and Hong Kong. During the pandemic, she has presented over two hundred shows & workshops virtually online.
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Elena Diana Miller, folk musician, historian, and storyteller performs throughout the region at concert halls, festivals, libraries, and schools, Elena was recently inducted into the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Traditional Artist Directory in 2020 for her contributions to perpetuating folk traditions. She won the Southeast National Park Service Interpreter’s Performance Award twice and the National Award for ‘Best Interpretive Arts Program’ in the United States National Park Service for the encouragement of folk traditions and dynamic performances.
