Due to time restrictions, my interviews have to be edited to a little less than 30 minutes for broadcast on Blues and Roots Radio. However, I've cleaned up the audio file and shared the original unedited version of my interview with Scottish storyteller Eileen Budd. It comes in at about 45 minutes. Enjoy!
Storyteller, author, and artist Eileen Budd was raised in Perthshire in a family that treasured the art of oral storytelling. Eileen learned this art from her parents and grandparents and has gone on to become a much sought-after storyteller in schools, museums, and other public venues. She's a "story archaeologist" who uncovers the stories behind historical objects and customs. Eileen is also the author of Ossian Warrior Poet (Wide Open Sea publishers) a reworking of the poet's material for a twenty-first-century generation.
One of my early interviews, done while I was living in Forres, Scotland, with local storyteller and poet Margot Henderson.
Margot is a Scots Irish poet, storyteller, songwriter and community artist. I see my work as celebrating our connection to nature, place, community and heritage. I write and devise performance pieces for festivals, conferences and cultural events, including Is This It and Tae Absent Friends. I have produced a number of poetry collections and CDs of poems, songs and stories.
As well as creating my own work, I lead workshops for people of all ages and abilities, cultures and ethnicities in a wide range of settings, including schools, museums galleries, prisons, hospitals, homeless shelters, theatres, festivals, fields, forests, beaches and conferences. (from https://www.scottishbooktrust.com/authors/margot-henderson)
Noa Baum is an award-winning storyteller, author, coach and public speaker presenting internationally for diverse audiences ranging from the World Bank, prestigious universities and congregations, to festivals, government agencies and schools. Born and raised in Jerusalem Noa offers a unique combination of performance art and practical workshops that focus on the power of stories to heal across the divides of identity and build bridges of peace. Photo courtesy of Sam Kittner (www.noabaum.com)
Paula Cowie is a storyteller and environmental activist. At the time of this recording (2015), Paula was the Development Manager for the Sustainable Communities Initiative and an Outdoor Facilitator for Wolf Ways, an initiative that offers children activities based in nature. She continues to work as a storyteller telling tales that integrate her passion for environmental education.
This episode is my first "field recording". Scottish storyteller Tim Porteus and I were literally walking through a forest and across a field when I recorded our conversation. I loved the relaxed quality of the conversation and it seemed to allow for a genuine flow of storytelling from Tim. In this episode, Tim shares a "Broonie" tale and some rich anecdotes drawn from his life as a father.
Tim lives in Prestonpans in East Lothian, Scotland. The "Pans", as locals call it, is situated on the Firth of Forth, the waterway that reaches inland from the North Sea. The town has a rich history of fishing and mining, although sadly, much of that is gone. It's storytellers like Tim, however, who keep the history and stories alive, celebrating its people and pastimes. Tim has also been a regular contributor to the East Lothian Courier where you can find his "Tim's Tales" every week (https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/20603104.tims-tales-chest-stories/).
In this episode, host Michael Williams meets Scottish guitarist and composer Tom Richardson. He invites Tom to tell the story behind his new album "Beatrice by the Spey". Consisting of 15 guitar instrumentals, Tom draws on Scottish folk traditions of fiddle and bagpipe music. Yet he also exhibits his love of bluegrass and jazz genres. "Beatrice by the Spey" is a brilliant album from an eclectic and talented performer and composer; it is also a musical project rooted in Tom's response to being locked down during the COVID pandemic. Judging from this album, there's no doubt we'll be hearing from Tom again in the near future. A brilliant star in the constellation of Scottish folk music.
Storyteller Nootauau Kaukontuoh ("she who hears crow") tells tales in the tradition of the Narragansett people of Turtle Island. Based in Vermont, U.S.A., HearsCrow, as she is familiarly known, is a storyteller of Longhouse tales, which she also signs in Native Sign Language. During COVID, she has become a popular teller on social media: you can often find her "Tales from the Longhouse" being streamed live on Facebook. Learn more about HearsCrow and her stories at http://storyteller.eenantowash.org/.
Host Michael Williams speaks to American storyteller Kevin McMullin from his home in Wisconsin. While recovering from the death of his father as well as brain surgery, Kevin has found light in the darkness through his storytelling. Listen to Kevin talk about his life, his struggles, and how he transformed them into a dramatic stage show and book: "Into the Black Sea: Stories of Darkness and Light". Enjoy his telling of Robert Service's classic "The Cremation of Sam McGee". Previously broadcast on bluesandrootsradio.com.
Indian journalist and activist Sudha Umashanker uses her skills as a storyteller to empower women and address issues of social justice. Join host Michael Williams as he enters into conversation with Sudha about her life and work and listens to her share one of her favourite stories. Learn more about Sudha at https://tinyurl.com/y545ubnm.
A few years ago, British storyteller Claire Obermark transplanted herself in Arizona, U.S.A. but it didn't take her long to establish herself there as the seasoned storyteller that she is. Join me as I enter into conversation with Claire about her past, her life in Scotland and her new life in Arizona as well as listen to her share one of her favourite stories. And, by the way, if you ever in Sedona, you have an invitation to join her at a local storytelling club and share a story or two.