Brooke: I met you, Br. John, after attending 3 of your KC Fringe Fest 1-man shows and becoming a fan (I’ve seen more since then!). Then we participated on a panel together at the AWP Writer’s Conference, and now you’re joining the HLMF as our Storytelling event Emcee. Clearly you have a variety of creative modes. What other types of events and venues do you perform at regularly and how do you choose where or for whom to share your craft?

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Br. John: I present a variety of spoken and music. I am the lead vocalist in two classic music tribute bands as well as perform solo “Classic Music Tribute Concerts" for senior Independent Living, Assistant Living and Memory Care communities. I also showcase several Motivational Storytelling/Oral Historical concerts from African Folktales, Contemporary Tall Tales to biographical personalities (e.g. African American Equestrian "Tom Bass," African American Civil War Officer "Lt. Patrick H. Minor," etc.). These latter events are for all ages/family friendly.

 

Brooke: When preparing for a 1-man show, what is your process? Do you write your script first? How do you determine your topic and theme for each different piece?

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Br. John: Usually it's something intriguing about that biographical personality or topic that I can really connect or relate to that motivates me. This determines my topic or theme. Something that particularly reaches out and grabs me. If it’s a show that involves music (especially a song from someone I am tributing), I wanna know the background inspiration behind the song. Or the "Who, What, When, Where, Why," behind it. Even if it's a particular quote. I can build my story around it.

 

Brooke: Tell us about one of your favorite storytelling or performance experiences. What made it so meaningful to you? 

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Br. John: From the over 30 years’ experience as a motivational storyteller, there have been many memorable moments. However, one comes to mind right now. I was at an elementary school performance. I was presenting one of my Cultural Oral Historical showcases for a group of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. After the session as the students were exiting, a 5th grader came up to me and asked, "So, Brother John, all those stories you told were true?" I replied, "Yes, everything I told (according to my research) is true." He glanced back at my supportive material display at the front of the audience area. He quizzed me again. "So, what you're saying is that you read about those events and people inside books." I responded, "Absolutely!” The student slowly nodded his head like in a contemplative, affirmational mode. "Okay. I Thank you!" That event was over a decade ago and that student is now a grown adult. I don't know what he was exactly thinking at that time. However, I could sense his mental wheels were really turning. I also strongly sensed I had somehow made an enlightening, indelible impression for his love for creative, factual, history and presenting oral storytelling.

 

Brooke: Do you have any specific creative influences? Who or what inspires you? 

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Br. John: Bobby Norfolk is one of my mentors. He is an award-winning recording artist, storyteller, comedian, social activist and close, dear friend from St. Louis. He's been in the oral arts game a few years longer than me. Before I met him at a storytelling fest, I was always told by many that I am like the Bobby Norfolk of Kansas City, my hometown. Also gotta send shouts out to my other oral arts mentors, like Jim "Two Crows" Wallen, Evestor Roper, Tracy Milsap. They are the ones who hands on showed me the "ropes of the game." Music vocalist wise, I have always been enamored by the voice and talent of the late Al Jarreau. Throw in Bob Marley, Sam Cooke, and Marvin Gaye to name a few.

 

Brooke: The theme for this year’s HLMF storytelling event is That Might Be the Scariest Thing That Ever Happened to Me. Without spoiling the story for us, can you give us a tiny hint about your topic? 

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Br. John: On a dark, cold December night, I'm held up (at point blank gunpoint). I was unable to get a clear look at the assailant's face. He was wearing a ski mask. But I never forgot the sound of his distinctive voice. However, the next day, I got a chance to see his face when surprisingly, he confronted me again. This time with a rather unusual request, and it wasn't for my wallet and cell phone.

 

Brooke: Why do you think it’s important to bring your brand of storytelling into the Ozarks at a music festival?

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Br. John: I love bringing my style of immersive, interactive element of storytelling to the participants. I believe and agree with another (late) storytelling friend and mentor, Steve Otto: "Storytelling is for everyone and should be enjoyed by all and everyone!"

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 John "Br. John" Anderson website:  brjohnrajpa.com