PROGRAMS and WORKSHOPS

In addition to general performances that include a variety of music, storytelling, and history, programs can be tailored to your needs, including focus on a specific region, topic or a particular audience. These programs, which are listed below, are available by prior arrangement.

Using songs, stories and a variety of period instruments, such as banjo, harmonica, guitar and washboard. Bill and Kristin lead the audience on an enriching and enjoyable journey through the history of the Railroad in America.

Kristin Morris holds a Master's Degree in Rhetoric and teaches English and Creative writing for Charlotte Mecklenberg Schools. Educational programs include songs and stories performed on a variety of period instruments, such as banjo, harmonica, guitar and can be tailored to the specific needs of the K-12 curriculum. School programs can be provided for any of the programs or workshops, on this page. Hand-outs and/or study guides associated with programs can be provided.

A STORY IS A MESSAGE FROM THE PAST. IT'S LIKE A CHAIN LETTER, YOU RECEIVE IT ADD SOMETHING TO IT AND PASS IT ON.
U. Utah Phillips

Bill and Kristin’s storytelling programs use folklore, history, music and fantasy creating a learning experience that is educational as well as entertaining.

All programs include the use of period instruments such as banjo, guitar, harmonica, whistle and washboard.

• BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE OLD-TIME COUNTRY GUITAR

  Bill teaches old time thumb and index finger guitar techniques (commonly referred to as "Carter" picking), as well as the more modern flat pick bluegrass styles.

• BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE FINGER PICKING GUITAR

  This is a workshop for people wanting to learn the basics of what is normally referred to as the Piedmont Country Blues style. This style (using thumb to carry the rhythm, and the index and middle finger to carry the lead) was passed on to Bill by members of his mother's family from Halifax County, Virginia, located just north of Danville, Virginia in the heart of the Piedmont Blues area.

• BEGINNING AND INTERMEDIATE OLD-TIME CLAWHAMMER OR FRAILING BANJO

  This is a workshop for people wanting to learn the basics of what is normally referred to as Old-Time Mountain Banjo or "Down Picking." The fingernail of the index finger strums down across the strings while the thumb catches the fifth string on the way down. As the index finger travels down across the strings, it eventually hits the head of the banjo causing a percussive sound. Old timers used to call this style "knocking the banjo." No strings are picked or brushed on the way up. Bill learned to play this style of banjo from his grandmother and great uncle when he was 12 years old.

• BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAIN SONGS AND BALLADS

  Bill started his professional career in 1943 when his mother and his aunt taught him parts of Maddie Groves and Barbara Allen to sing for nickels and dimes for the soldiers and sailors in the soda shops and taverns in Asheville, N.C. He was three years old. Bill has a rich history of the ballad tradition in his family on both sides traveling back to Scotland and Ireland. This workshop includes the history of the songs, as well as how to put them across to the public.

  Sheila Kay Adams one of America's best know ballad singers and storytellers. says:

  "Bill is one of the few people of his generation born into the culture that has chosen to preserve the stories, music, and oral traditions of his home. The ballads he sings are Appalachian versions of those from the British Isles; he sings them in the 'old-style,’ much the same as my older relatives did as I was growing up here in Madison County, North Carolina. His renditions of American folk-songs tell the stories of our heritage that are uniquely his own."

• CHILDREN'S CONCERTS & PROGRAMS

  Bill and Kristin introduce children to the songs, stories and skits that mountain people grew up with. Songs and stories that were passed down by their parents and grandparents. Autoharp, banjo, fiddle, guitar and various percussive instruments are used, as well as mountain toys such as a "gee-haw whimididdle," a "limber Jack" and wooden puzzles. Children are introduced to trick stories, riddles, fun songs and games. This is an audience participation program that teaches the children history, rhythm and music. It is both educational and entertaining.

• SONG WRITING and/or STORYTELLING WORKSHOP

  Workshops focus on collecting as well as telling stories. Techniques such as animation, tone of voice and body language are discussed. Kristin has taught creative writing in many workshops and community colleges. Specific areas of focus include writing the blues song and the hero within.