Previous Storytellers

David Massengill

Bio:
David Massengill is a master songwriter and storyteller. Hailing from Bristol, TN, he made his way to New York City where he has become a shining star in the folk scene. David bases his stories and songs on real events. His affectionate remembrance of rural, Southern upbringing is shared through his delightful stories and songs.

Cave Run Storytelling Festivals(s) Performed: 1999

Jim May

Bio:

Jim is a storyteller who speaks in the natural, matter-of-fact style of the fathers, horse traders, and small-town raconteurs who populated rural McHenry County, Illinois where his family has lived since the 1840's.

For adult audiences, he tells original stories of growing up in the tiny Catholic farming community of Spring Grove. These stories that are at once hilarious and touching range from, "How to Become 'Most Valuable Altar Boy' (MVAB)", to horse trading tales and heart-warming memories of family life.

For children he offers stories from traditional sources. These folk tales, myths, legends and ghost stories from various cultures worldwide have the humor and wisdom of the great tales that have been preserved in every culture and handed down orally from one generation to the next.

Jim May's stories have taken him across the United States and Europe. He has told at schools, corporations, professional groups, and festivals across the land. Chicagoans know him from his appearances on WGN's Roy Leonard Show and from the Studs Terkel radio show on WFMT-FM. He received a 1989 Chicago Emmy award for a WTTW-Channel 11 production of his original story, "A Bell For Shorty."

Cave Run Storytelling Festivals(s) Performed: 2003

Barbara McBride Smith

Bio:
Barbara makes the most of her Texas drawl when she tells Greek Myths or family stories. Her Bible stories allow us to recall the original version as new characterizations keep us laughing. She says part of her goal is "to infuse each story with my own spirit, emotions and energy".

Cave Run Storytelling Festivals(s) Performed: 2004 ,  1999

Don McConnell

Bio:
Southern storytelling with a mountain flavor describes Doc McConnell's performances. His tall tales, lies, and mountain yarns appeal to all ages. He is a seasoned performer who often uses the banjo and guitar to enhance his stories. He has been featured on the Today Show, Hee Haw, and A Prairie Home Companion. Doc is a true crowd pleaser wherever he performs.

Cave Run Storytelling Festivals(s) Performed: 2002

Alice McGill

Bio:
Alice McGill, storyteller, author, keynote speaker, and actress has been a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN. The Wolf Trap Foundation commissioned McGill to travel to St. John Island in order to find and write an original story, Bomba Circle, for its Face of America Series. Also a featured teller for the National Geographic Presents: Stories of North America video, McGill has continued to seek many approaches to the spoken word. She has traveled to tell and collect stories in 41 states, Canada, other islands of the West Indies, and South Africa. Currently, an award winning author of four books—Molly Bannaky; Miles’ Song; In the Hollow Of Your Hand; Here We Go Round, all published by Houghton Mifflin Company, McGill continues to write for children and young adults. Alice McGill has received many awards for her authentic one-woman performance: Sojourner Truth Speaks. She was awarded the First Day of Issue of the Sojourner Truth postage stamp. As a keynote speaker on various subjects McGill has worked for numerous venues including libraries associations, literacy programs, book festivals, corporations, and colleges and universities A native of North Carolina and current resident of Columbia, MD, McGill holds a Master’s Degree in Education and taught school for many years. Using print, film, and radio, she preserves the spirit of American History. In addition to her award-winning books, McGill is the recipient of many other awards—notably, Presidential Citation from the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education First Day of Issue Sojourner Truth Commemorative Postage Stamp

Cave Run Storytelling Festivals(s) Performed: 2006

Waddie Mitchell

Bio:
Twenty-five years as a working cowboy on some of the most desolate spreads in Nevada can give a man time to think. Such is the case with Waddie Mitchell. A common sense approach to life and stories set to thyme that have been passed down through generations of working cowboys will entertain and inspire all ages.

Cave Run Storytelling Festivals(s) Performed: 2002

Bill Mooney

Bio:
Bill Mooney starred 13 years as Paul Martin in the ABC daytime series, "All My Children" and received two Emmy nominations for that role. He has performed on and off Broadway, in movies and on television shows. He has written and starred in numerous one-man shows and has authored several books.

Cave Run Storytelling Festivals(s) Performed: 2006 ,  2000 ,  1999