COOKEVILLE — It is not unusual for young children to excitedly repeat stories they have heard.
Donald Davis, who grew up in North Carolina in a family “full of stories,” has never really stopped.
“I started hearing stories and retelling them without even thinking about it,” Davis said.
When he was a child, Davis would listen to tall tales his family, especially his Uncle Frank, told and then go to school and retell the things he had heard.
“Most of them were tall tales about people, things that they never could have really done,” Davis said.
Through his adult life, more than 20 years as a Methodist preacher and now as a well-loved professional storyteller traveling all over to share his tales, Davis says the things that make a good story haven’t changed.
On Saturday, April 25, Davis will be in Cookeville for the second annual Storyfest in the Park in Dogwood Park to share some of those stories.
“My stories are about common things, with an element of trouble,” Davis said. “A good story also builds points of identity.”
When people hear Davis’ stories, they often think of things that they have experienced.
“The most fun is watching people’s faces when they have heard something that reminds them of their own lives,” he said.
In those moments when his audience is leaning over, whispering to their friends or family there with them, saying “that reminds me of that time…” or “that sounds just like aunt…” Davis knows he has struck a chord.
After his performances, people often approach Davis to share their own stories, even offering to let Davis tell their stories to his future audiences, but all the stories Davis tells are original and based on things he himself has experienced.
Although Davis and his stories originate in Southern Appalachia, his stories resonate with people across the country and all over the world as Davis travels to concerts and festivals all over.
“The same stories work all over the place,” Davis said. “We all have similar experiences.”
Story Fest in the Park begins at 9 a.m. and continues through 6 p.m., with seven different storytellers and an open mic opportunity. For more information and a full schedule of the day’s events, visit https://www.facebook.com/cookevillehistory.