StoryCorps Roy
Throughout history, people have used all kinds of aids for stage fright. Booze. Drugs. Meditation and mind control. Being forced out into the open at gun point.
Instead, we had Starbucks when we arrived for our StoryCorps recording. Virgin Starbucks. Shirley Temple Starbucks. And wooden Dad, who eyed the pythonic gadgetry in the Airstream like it might slither around his body and squeeze him to death.
We had one mission: to tell the story of Dad’s role in saving Charlayne Hunter-Gault, the first African-American woman admitted to the University of Georgia, during the race riots at UGA in 1961. But, that story could not possibly fill thirty minutes, particularly when Dad eyed the bulb of mic like it might bite him and refused to talk unprompted.
Thankfully, Dad kept his mostly empty Starbucks to-go cup. A tall coffee. Decaf. Black. As he slid it around the table top, it worked a miracle and somehow transfered its kinetic energy into Roy.
By the time we got to the UGA story, he was in full Regaling Roy Mode. He even went off on a sidebar, and that’s the piece I’ve embedded in this post. Perhaps some of you regular readers will recognize this story from a tale of fiction I wrote a couple of weeks ago.
About an undertaker.
A whole family of story tellers – amazing.
It is a Southern characteristic, I’m afraid.
Great to hear your dad’s voice after all you’ve been telling us about him. Another career in radio, perhaps?
Not for me, but perhaps for Dad.
I was thinking of your dad.
Maybe they’ll pick it up on This American Life. That would be so awesome.
Very good – I like the way Roy tells the tale!
Could you understand him?
Very clearly, Andra!
You got him to drink using decaf coffee? Now that is amazing. Is he still missing his buddy Eugene?
Did you tell any of your stories? Or maybe goad MTM into talking?
Dad never asked me a single thing.
The Roy Show is sure a lot of fun. How will we be able to hear all that was said during your session with Story Corps? Inquiring minds want to know…
It is rather long, but I will put up another excerpt this afternoon.
I loved to hear you and your dad talking Andra. Roy certainly has many stories to tell. I would love to hear the rest of it as well.
Six more minutes this afternoon.
I love it. what a great story and so fun to hear it in his voice.
He does have quite a voice. He thought he sounded like a hick.
How great to hear both your voices
Could you understand him, Fiona? I am always interested in whether a thick Southern accent is decipherable.
Oh yes, no problem. I’ve watched a lot of television…
His accent is pretty thick. And, Central Casting Southern is not quite the same as the real thing.
Scott really really wants the University of Georgia story embedded. He wants to play it for his history classes.
I will put it up sometime this afternoon.
That is so much fun on so many levels! I hope they turn the U of G story into an animated one. Congrats to your dad for finding the magic in a prop, or n a cup of coffee.
I would love it if they did.
I feel absolutely privileged to hear this, Andra! I have long been familiar with StoryCorps, at least in reputation, and your dad is the first person I’ve “known” to participate. And what a great storyteller he is. I think that’s so funny to think that even for a moment he was intimidated, but once he got going…
What are the chances we can ever hear his whole interview? I’ve never followed up on where the stories are archived, and whether or not they are accessible. This was treat! Thank you!
They go into the Library of Congress, and they will send us information when it is archived there. I’m not sure if that is available to the public for listening, but if it is, I will let everyone know where to go. I’m going to do another highlight this afternoon.
The apple does not fall far from the tree… does it?
Nope.
Thank you, Andra. It was a treat to hear your dad’s voice, bringing the stories you relate to another level. There is an art to oral storytelling, and a gift your father has.
Until he gets on a roll and doesn’t know when to stop………….I had to drag him out of a restaurant yesterday………
What a hoot! Clearly, you get your good sense of story-telling detail from you dad–”. . . broke 2 antique lamps . . . .” How fun to hear Roy’s voice!
Hugs,
Kathy
He does have a distinctive voice. I’m glad it will be in the Library of Congress now.
When my Mom and I traveled to Montana we’d find a station in Chicago that would tell stories…the fact that this one was “true” makes it all so much better. Your Dad has a gift, but you knew that already. I thank you for sharing his gift with us. More, more, more…please?
I have one more clip that might be usable. I won’t be able to load it up for about a week, though, but I promise to.