Your Library is hosting a free performance by storyteller and humorist Bil Lepp on Friday, July 25 at 6 p.m. in the Library’s Jones Meeting Center. He’ll share Appalachian-based stories that are both funny and family friendly.
This event is made possible through our partnership with the International Storytelling Center.
Bil Lepp is a nationally-renowned and award-winning storyteller, author, and recording artist who has appeared at the National Storytelling Festival 19 times. His humorous, family friendly tall tales have earned appreciation from listeners of all ages and walks of life.
Growing up in a family where the truth was fluid, Lepp became adept at spinning tales and exaggerating circumstances at an early age. He says, “I come from a family of liars. In our family, you can say what you want; it’s up to the listener to decide if it’s true.”
This upbringing has served Lepp well. As a native of South Charleston, West Virginia, he has won the state’s annual Liars Contest five times for his ability to spin fantastical yarns. In fact, the Liars Contest is where he got his start as a storyteller.
He says, “I had no idea there was anything in the world like a professional storyteller. I had never heard of the National Storytelling Festival. I just told stories locally for about eight years—church dinners and county fairs. But then I got invited to do a 15-minute spot at the National Storytelling Festival’s 2000 Exchange Place, and things took off from there.”
Lepp is the first to admit that his stories may not be completely true; however, they are always honest. All of his work contains morsels of truth that shed light on universal themes in clever ways.
Living in Appalachia influences both the style and content of Lepp’s work. He explains, “While Appalachia didn’t invent the tall-tale, it was perfected here. A lot of front porch and supper table conversations take on a tall-tale element, which certainly creeps into my stories.”
Lepp can find humor in any situation—whether it be a hunting trip, funeral or visit to the dentist—and weave it into an entertaining tale. His hope is that audiences spend their hour with him simply laughing. He said, “I want people to be able to put away their troubles and just have fun for a bit.”
“I also want folks to go get in their cars and say to each other, ‘That reminds me of…’,” Lepp says. “Storytellers always want their audience to go away sharing their own stories with each other.”
Learn more about Bil Lepp and his work as a storyteller, author, and recording artist. For more information about his performance at the Library on July 25, call (423) 434-4454.
Visit our events calendar to find more upcoming opportunities for people of all ages. Follow Johnson City Public Library on Facebook and Instagram to receive updates about Library programs, collections, and services.
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