Storytelling is a much-loved tradition in Alabama. Storytellers from Alabama include:
Sean Dietrich, aka ‘Sean of the South.’
Rick Bragg, whose best-selling books include Alabama stories.
Sen. Howell Heflin, when he pulled out his wife’s panties thinking it was his handkerchief.
David Azbell, who wrote stories about Alabama politics back to the 1940s.
Alva Lambert, who did voice impressions of Alabama politicians.
Gov. Big Jim Folsom, who told humorous stories, true or not.
Kathyrn Tucker Wyndham, a teller of Ghost stories and Southern lore.
Lobbyists Boyd Kelly, Bob Geddie and Tom Coker. (Some Goat Hill stories can’t be told.)
Columnist Bob Ingram.
The 2025 Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival will continue the Alabama tradition of storytelling. It will take place on January 24 and 25 at two venues in Pike County. The Friday night performance, which includes dinner, is at We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge. Three performances are on Saturday at the Trojan Center Theater on the Troy University campus.
Weekend ticket packages are $55 and include Friday night supper and stories and all three performances on Saturday. Friday night only show and dinner is $30.
For tickets, call or text 334-685-5524.
For the 18th year, Appalachian storyteller Donald Davis will be featured at the festival.
The official trailer says:
“Not only will Donald Davis keep his audience hooting with laughter, in turn, they will be wiping away salty tears. The highly-acclaimed storyteller will also have available copies of his latest book, ‘How They Linger – Stories of Unforgettable Souls.’ And, it’s vintage Donald Davis on every page said Storyteller Kevin Kling, who will share the storytelling stage with Davis and Appalachian teller Kim Weitkamp. The wonderful Celtic scholar, John O’Donahue, once said, ‘Beauty is a homecoming,’” Kling said. ‘Donald Davis is a homecoming and there is nothing, I mean nothing, like witnessing Donald Davis tell a story.’”
The list of storytellers who have performed at the Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival reads like a who’s who among storytellers – Sheila Kay Adams, Donald Davis, Carmen Deedy, Elizabeth Ellis, Michael Reo Harrell, Andy Offutt Irwin, Kevin Kling, Bil Lepp, Barbara McBride-Smith, Kathryn Tucker Windham, Suzi “Mama” Whaples, and regional tellers, B.J. Abraham, Aleta Davis, Brent Holmes and Shelia Jackson.
As a warm-up to the stories, the fest includes pre-show music by traditional performers of Alabama music. Everyone is invited to come early and enjoy bluegrass, country, and Southern gospel music.
The Pike Festival is running a close second to the annual National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
Details and ticket information: https://piddle.org/pike-piddlers-storytelling-festival/
Funny things by funny people make for funny stories in Alabama.
Jim ‘Zig’ Zeigler writes about Alabama’s people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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