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Memberships
Jonesborough Storytellers Guild
Barter Theatre Storytellers Abingdon
Va.
Beaver Creek Storytellers
Bristol VA-TN
Birthplace Of Country Music
Alliance
Bristol, TN-VA |
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G. Lee Hearl
is truly an authentic Appalachian storyteller, having been born and
growing up in the mountains of Southwest Va.
He was born and grew up during the years of the Great Depression when
times were very hard and his family couldn't even afford a radio. About
the only kinds of entertainment available were reading books, listening to
oral stories and mountain music..
G. Lee loved all of them and at an early age taught himself to play the guitar and
fiddle and later learned other instruments.. He combines his musical
talents with storytelling, making for a program which is original and
refreshing.. Audiences find themselves singing and laughing at the same
time as he performs his original songs..
 Audiences
are surprised when G. Lee Hearl announces he is going to play the
guitar with his Big Toe but they soon learn he does just that!
A few years ago his right thumb and a couple of fingers were
severed in an accident and surgeons used his toe to make a new
thumb.. The love of music caused him to change his style in order
to
continue playing.. He has written songs such as "The Ceiling Fan
and Sunday Dinner". "My Biscuit Bakin' Baby", "I Ain't Goin' Back
to Bristol" and several others..
G. Lee writes all of the stories and songs which he performs
except a few old mountain ballads. After one of his performances a
senior lady was heard to say, "I haven't laughed so much in years,
that did me more good than a dose of medicine!" |
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