David Holt in Concert

Release Date: 3/15/2000. Expired: 4/1/2000

David Holt brings a lot to a one-man show.

He is a master story-teller, one of the best old-time banjo players, proficient at a half-dozen stringed instruments as well as harmonica, jaw harp, squeezebox and can even find music in bottles, spoons and paper bags.

“The best minstrel-storyteller is David Holt,” says Vogue magazine. “His songs bubble like water from an Appalachian spring. The best of the best,” says Parents Magazine. “David Holt’s work is marked not only by vigor and charm, but by particular craftsmanship... He is one of the best of the new generation changing America,” says Esquire.

Holt brings his unique show, “A One Man Celebration of Stories and Songs,” to The Renaissance Center in Dickson Saturday, April 1, 2000. The Grammy winner’s show begins at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 60 and over and $5 for children 12 and under.

The Gatesville, Texas, native now lives in the mountains of western North Carolina. He received a Grammy for storytelling in 1996 and also was nominated in 1995 and ’92. He was inducted into the National Storytelling Association’s Hall of Fame and is a three-time winner of the FRETS magazine readers poll as the“ best old-time banjoist.”

Holt has penned three books: “Spiders in the Hairdo: Modern Urban Legends,” (1999), “Ready-to-Tell Tales” (1994) and “The Storytellers Guide” (1996), all published by August House Publishers.

He has recorded seven albums of stories, including the Grammy-winning “Stellaluna.” He has four music albums including “Grandfather’s Greatest Hits” (1992) which was nominated for a Grammy for best traditional folk recording and won Parents Magazine’s award for best in children’s entertainment.

Holt hosted the “Folkways” series on PBS (1997-98 and 1982-86) and was host of TNN’s “Fire on the Mountain,” “Celebration Express” and “American Music Shop.”

Some of the songs and stories are familiar, while others are obscure delights gleaned from years on back roads and front porches. He learned his art firsthand from southern mountain masters.

“David Holt is charming, thoughtful and very entertaining,” says Entertainment Weekly.