A National Treasure , Gary Carden

The following letter is from Elizabeth Hay of Andrews, NC

Gary Carden appeared Friday, October 17, at the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center in Andrews NC as the centerpiece for their annual week long Chautauqua event. He had the audience completely entranced with his presentation of "Blow the Tannery Whistle," a series of short stories of his childhood experiences and memories.
No one can capture and/or portray the Appalachian character like Gary can. The man should be declared a national treasure. He had the audience totally captivated, but more to the point, the man is authentic. He understands and conveys mountain ways without making fun or getting a cheap laugh.
We have had our Chautauqua for seven years now, and have had one of Gary's plays every year.He was kind enough to come in person this year. I don't know how we are going to top that one. We are honored that he would come, and he walked away with our hearts, as he always does.

To get your own DVD of Gary's stories, contact him at:gcarden@aol.com or click here

Chatauqua-AVE in Andrews NC

Chatuaqua - AVE begins October 11 - 19 in Andrews, NC. Click http://www.chautauqua-ave.org/ and look at the Calendar to learn of all the events planned during this time. On Friday Ocober 17 Gary Carden will be telling his famous stories.


Blow the Tannery Whistle

an Evening of Storytelling with Gary Carden


Ron Rash, author of “One Foot in Eden,” says, “Gary Carden is one of Appalachia’s greatest treasures. No one I know understands the culture better; add to this Carden’s storytelling ability and you have an artist of the first order.” Carden’s writings have received awards from the University of North Carolina, the North Carolina Arts Council, the Appalachian Writers Association, the North Carolina Society of Historians, the North Carolina Writers Association, North Carolina Humanities Council and others.