An overlooked master of weaving song and story is Randy Wilson of Big Creek, Ky. I first heard him on the "Heritage" tape produced by Appalshop, on which his songs alternate with the late James Still's readings of his poetry and Wilson orates, quite authentically, Brother Sim Moberly's sermon from Still's "River of Earth." Since then have heard him tell: The story of Daniel (a character similar to Gregg Brown's "Billy From the Hills," but without Brown's dark portrayal), with which he interspersed a series of hymns that he accompanied with autoharp. A story about one of Daniel Boone's long hunts, woven around a few appropriate songs. The story of pioneer woman Lily Cornett, given a treatment similar to Boone's. Most recently, I heard him open a show with a story about the instrument he was playing (a primitive two-string fretless gourd banjo; its African name escapes me), telling about its first makers' migration, enslavement and subsequent sorrowful travels. His performances are well worth seeing. I understand he'll be in the Chicago area later this year.
Cheryl Wheeler and Rosalie Sorrels are wonderful raconteurs whose stories are major parts of their acts.