Album Notes

People have been enjoying BJ's special style of storytelling since 1983 when she became a charter member of Southern Order of Storytellers in Atlanta and a member of National Storytelling Association. BJ says storytelling is a much welcomed low-tech art in a high-tech world.

BJ grew up Lebanese in the Mississippi Delta and has incorporated into her repertoire some of the voices and dialects she heard growing up. She draws some of her stories from her rich heritage, including "Kibbie," (found on this CD) which is a famous Middle Eastern dish. Eat before you listen; it'll make you hungry! Even if you didn't grow up in an environment like hers, you will hear similarities to your childhood: those cafeteria lunches, your relatives, the people you knew . . . Kids giggle and grownups delight in her character voices and accents, which you'll hear throughout her stories.

In 1998, she received a Master's Degree in Storytelling from East Tennessee State University. While at ETSU, she developed an unusual version of the sinking of the Titanic, told from the perspective of the ship. BJ has told at many venues throughout the Southeast and in Canada, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, and Syria. She was honored to be an official teller of "The Story of Blaze," the 1996 Paralymic Games mascot. In May 2001 BJ began presenting "Tapestry: A Lebanese-Jewish Storytelling Dialogue" in tandem with Audrey Galex. During 2001, she was featured in Southern Living Magazine, The National Storytelling Magazine, Atlanta Magazine, and National Network of Biblical Storytellers' Publication.

Quotes from her audiences:
"I thought there was a whole room of actors in there!"
"I think the rest of her life is an impersonation!"
"She has a special gift for dialect and facial expressions."
"BJ gets the kids in her audience involved so easily, they forget to be shy."
"I heard her Titanic presentation and it was one of the great story experiences in my 30 years of listening."
6th grader: "I saw the movie, 'Titanic.' It was OK, but I like yours better. It kept me on the end of my seat." 8th grader: "Titanic. . the best story I have ever had told to me."

Learn more at http://www.bjabraham.com