Hmmm, I may get in deep doodoo for this but ... I'd say Jeff Foxworthy is carrying on a tradition in some ways. I really mean to be serious. IMO, he is funny and talks about modern Appalachia.

I am not from those parts, but I would say that the oral tradition has changed a lot in order to reflect our media-saturated society. I do notice that some in my family are very good storytellers, just as a matter of course. My grandparents told some neat stories, and so does my older sister. But it's not quite as ubiquitous as it used to be, I wouldn't think.
Teresa