Kentucky Historical Society
Storyteller Mitch Barrett to Present Songs and Stories of Appalachia

Frankfort, KY (July 20, 2009)—Mitch Barrett, a performer, storyteller and songwriter from Berea, Ky., will demonstrate his command of traditional Appalachian stories and songs during a workshop Saturday, July 25  at  2 p.m. at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort.

This story-to-song workshop is the first in a series of concerts and workshops related to “Made to be Played: Traditional Art of Kentucky Luthiers,” an exhibition dedicated to showcasing the art of people who make or repair stringed instruments. The exhibition is presented by the Kentucky Folklife Program, a partnership of the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Arts Council.

During the hour-long workshop, Barrett, an award-winning songwriter and storyteller, will discuss homemade music. This hands-on event is appropriate for all ages. 

Barrett, who comes from a long line of storytellers and musicians, dispels stereotypes relating to Appalachia during his performances.  He attributes most of the stories he tells to his grandfather, Bunk Gay, who was known throughout the region for regaling audiences large and small with his tales.  

 “You don’t have to write hit songs,” said Barrett. “You can just write stories and songs about your family.”

“Made to be Played” features the rich and fascinating history of Kentucky luthiers—people who make or repair stringed instruments—and tells the stories of Kentucky master luthiers and their handcrafted guitars, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, dulcimers and other original stringed instruments. The exhibition will remain on display until closing festivities on Sept. 26.

Admission, which includes all exhibitions on the Kentucky Historical Society history campus, is $4 for adults, $2 for youth (6-18), and complimentary for children five and under. KHS members receive complimentary admission. 

“Made to be Played” was developed through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and is on display thanks to the generosity of the Dupree family, in memory of Clara Galtney Dupree. The exhibition is dedicated to the memory of Homer Ledford, a Kentucky luthier and musician who was renowned for the quality, beauty, and uniqueness of his works. 

To find out more about programming and artifacts related to “Made to be Played,” visit the luthiers page of the KHS Web site.