Storytellers headline Wall Street Journal

Subject: Storytellers headline Wall Street Journa
From: Hollowfox
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 11:39 AM

Really.. today's edition (March 5, 2001) of the Wall Street Journal. The center column story on the front page is about the problems cowboy poets are having now that their work is getting popular. It seems that some of the more traditional subjects are more offensive than humorous to some thin-skinned members of the expanded audience; the sort that take offence to performances of "The Cat Came Back". Good article. It turned some heads here at work, though. Not many people crack up while reading the Wall Street Journal.

Subject: RE: Storytellers headline Wall Street Journa
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Mar 01 - 04:52 PM

Thanks, Hollowfox. That is interesting. I'd like to read it. I went to their site, hoping it would be in their free content, but didn't see it. Sounds as though some of those poets ought to stop by the Mudcat and join in on some of the discussions we've had on similar issues.

kat

Subject: RE: Storytellers headline Wall Street Journa
From: Hollowfox
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 01:08 PM

From what I've seen over the years, storytellers have even more problems than folksingers with this matter. The worst example I can think of at the moment is a performer who was interrupted and chewed out by an adult during a telling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Perhaps it's because tellers talk instead of singing?

Subject: RE: Storytellers headline Wall Street Journa
From: MAG (inactive)
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 09:23 PM

Storytelling is AT LEAST as full of people who espect everyone else to adhere to their standards. One Native American teller got it when he told a coyote tale at the national festival. (If you know anything about coyote tales, and you are offended by bodily functions, then you don't listen.)

One person got hit both barrels by a self appointed censor, just as she was coming off stage, for using the word "pissant." A thorough downer.

It's tough. How to respect your audience without getting jerked around.

Subject: RE: Storytellers headline Wall Street Journa
From: Amos
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 09:28 PM

Respect them as sturdy, flexible, humorous, aware individuals and let the Grundies go suck wind. If you can't take a joke in its native context you should leave the room. The rest of the audience is there out of choice.

A

Subject: RE: Storytellers headline Wall Street Journa
From: GUEST,Marymac
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 09:46 PM

Would you guys like me to try to get a storyteller for the radio show? I don't know any cowboy poets, but I know a few storytellers.

Subject: RE: Storytellers headline Wall Street Journa
From: CamiSu
Date: 06 Mar 01 - 10:45 PM

If you don't tell the story because you are afraid someone might take offense, the story will get lost. My Dad took us to see Coyote Builds America, which was dance and telling of Coyote Tales, when my kids were 7 and 8. We couldn't get seats together, so discussion had to wait, but it was sure worthwhile! I did see one mother stalk out with children in tow...but I've also seen a mother and grandmother drag a thoroughly rapt child out of Romeo and Juliet. Go figure. I think the stories want to be told. If you don't want to listen, then don't. I really feel for those tellers who've been harassed. There is nothing better than having an audience in the palm of your hand, and nothing worse than some jerk trash everything.

CamiSu

Subject: RE: Storytellers headline Wall Street Journa
From: Hollowfox
Date: 07 Mar 01 - 11:33 AM

Amen, MAG & CamiSu. It calls to mind my very first actual gig. I was half of a Punch and Judy show for a Catholic school's medieval-theme fair (this was long before the Renaissance Faire boom). It was a traditional Punch and Judy show; everybody got defenestrated, hanged, beaten, etc. by Punch. The parents who dumped their kids at our spot for some clean-cut old fashioned entertainment and stayed a bit to see the show, well, I'll never forget the looks on their faces. *g*