Saturday, February 7 at 7:00
Mill Town Yarns performance series presents:
Back by popular demand--
Michael Reno Harrell, this time with Josh Goforth, extremely popular internationally-known musicians/storytellers, performing together!
Don’t miss this rare opportunity! Due to limited seating, this is a ticketed show, and tickets will go fast!!
Michael Reno Harrell is an award winning songwriter, a published author, a nationally known storyteller and a visual artist. And, he’s from the Southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina where all those things are as much a part of life as breathing. Michael’s talents have taken him to forty-four states and several foreign countries over his over fifty plus year career. His work is based in life experiences that reflect the culture of his mountain roots, which go back eight generations. But Michael’s stories, songs and artworks reflect not only the southern experience, but also American’s story. His work, in whichever form it may take, all comes down to one thing...story.
One could compare Michael's performances to his granddaddy's pocket knife: well worn and familiar feeling, but razor sharp and with a point. His brand of entertainment appeals to a very diverse audience.
Michael's natural knack for storytelling, in print, song and spoken word has earned him praise from not only the music community but from the literary and storytelling worlds as well, having had the honor of being a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival and Teller In Residence at the International Storytelling Center, as well as performing at major music events like MerleFest and the Walnut Valley Festival. Along with his performances, Michael often conducts workshops in songwriting and storytelling as well.
His humor and wit, as well as the emotional depth of his work, keep his fan base growing and staying tuned in for whatever comes next. Don’t miss the chance to experience what those faithful fans keep returning again and again to enjoy.
Josh Goforth is a highly accomplished storyteller and acoustic musician, playing close to 20 different instruments, who has performed in all 50 US states, all over Europe, Asia, and Australia; he’s performed at The Grand Ole Opry, The Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall!
He must have been born musical—he was already playing piano in church at the age of four— but it was an experience he had in the sixth grade that really lit the fuse of his precocious musical career. A performance at Goforth's middle school by Sheila Kay Adams caused him to start thinking about the musical heritage and stories of his native Madison County, NC. Josh was able to listen and learn from local masters like Gordon and Arvil Freeman and Jerry Adams.. After high school he went to East Tennessee State University to study music education,a nd to be a part of ETSU's famous Bluegrass and Country Music Program.
In 2000, he played fiddle for the movie Songcatcher, both onscreen and on the soundtrack. He has toured extensively with a variety of ensembles, including the ETSU Bluegrass band, David Holt, Laura Boosinger, and with several bluegrass bands like Appalachian Trail, the Josh Goforth Trio, the Steep Canyon Rangers and Open Road.
In 2000, 2003, and 2005, he was named Fiddler of the Festival at Fiddler's Grove and, after winning the third title, was designated "Master Fiddler" and retired from that competition. In 2009 he was nominated for a Grammy for his album with David Holt entitled "Cutting Loose". He currently is on faculty at the Academy for the Arts in Asheville and performs all over the world.
“Stories don’t just tell — they transform.”