Gary Carden's performance this past Friday night at the PAC was amazing!! He told his story of the Tannery Whistle, a wonderful tale that unfolds like a huge black snake on hot pavement, full of crazy characters and hilarious anecdotes. Gary's stories link together so seamlessly that it is impossible to detect where fact leaves off and fiction begins. And that's the fun of a Gary Carden story, his rare ability to take events from his life and embellish them with wit and insight until they sparkle like a North Carolina stream!
The Performing Arts Center was packed. I was glad to see so many people take advantage of coming out to hear one of the funniest and most gifted storytellers around, as well as one of this area's most prized treasures! Everyone laughed so hard, that when Gary finished, there was not a dry eye in the house. If you haven't heard Gary Carden tell a story, you are missing out on an extraordinary experience. He is a natural teller and delightful humorist. I hope to see more of him on stage soon!
Lonnie Busch
Lonnie,
ReplyDeleteThank you, kindly! If I can save enough out of my social security check, I would like to hire you as my p.r. person. It has always troubled me that people in the region where I live rarely come to hear me tell stories. I'm not going through the hassle of trying to post this with my name. This is Gary, but I will settle for anonymous.
Lonnie; L'm with you on your rave review of Gary Carden's work onstage. There are many layers to his characters. They tend to be outspoken and unvarnished portraits from Gary's past, a past that represents the best-and worst-of southern Appalachia. But he's more than some nostalgia trip. If that were the case, he wouldn't, as you point out, have so many people laughing. A lot of his humor stems from his keen ironic observations from an Appalachia most audience members have only heard about, and most of what they heard are stereotypical potshots taken by mass media and entertainment. Gary's work gives us bits and pieces from a southern Appalachian epic. My only addition to your posting is that in addition to "storyteller," "performer," "author," Gary is also an "historian."
ReplyDeleteSincerely,Just a fan
We need to get Gary to come down to the Clay and Cherokee County area. It seems we are missing something special.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI would love to come to Clay and Cherokee County. Just invite me.
Incidentally, I have been to both counties with "Birdell," and "Nance
Dude." "Prince of Dark Corners" was done at the Folk School and "The Raindrop Waltz" was done in Andrews.
Another Anonymous
Gary, we were priviloeged to hear you as part of a New Year's Eve entertainment in 2001/02. Never to be forgotten! If only you could bottle that talent so it could be spread farther afield!
ReplyDeleteI'm with Lonnie Busch on his May 27th rave review of Gary Carden's theatrical work. There are many layers to his dramatized characters. They tend to be outspoken and unvarnished portraits from Gary's past, a past that represents the best-and worst-of southern Appalachia. But he's more than some nostalgia trip. If that were the case, he wouldn't, as Lonnie points out, have so many people laughing. A lot of his humor stems from his keen ironic observations of an Appalachia most audience members have only heard about, and most of what they heard are stereotypical potshots taken by mass media and entertainment. Gary's work in the theater quilts together bits and pieces of a vast southern Appalachian epic. My only addition to Mr Busch’s posting is that in addition to "storyteller," "performer," "author," Gary is also an "historian."
ReplyDeleteSincerely,Just a fan