Folk artist visits UNCG as part of lecture series
Cynthia Marts
Issue date: 4/29/08 Section: Campus News
In Room 130 of the Moore Nursing Building, several instruments sat on the table at the front of the classroom. An acoustic and steel guitar, a banjo, a harmonica or two, and several involving sticks, bottles, and strings. Along the side of the desk were perfectly clear black-and-white photos of folk singers, and on the floor was a small wooden square, along with more strange and interesting musical instruments.
This was the stage set for Grammy-winning folk singer David Holt during the BELL forum series' last lecture of the year. Holt is a successful singer and story teller who has spent years preserving the music and stories of Folk culture.
"I wanted to preserve the music," said Holt during his speech. "There is so much music out there that has never been documented, never been photographed, never been learned."
Holt spent many years during and after college traveling to remote parts of the south, searching for the most interesting and unheard of music. During his lecture, he spoke on how he came to be in his line of work and what it took for him to become successful in the arts, as well as including several songs, stories, and explanations of the strange instruments he had brought with him.
"[I recognized him] from my elementary school," said UNCG junior Anthony Hardy about the speaker. "He was preforming a little gig at my elementary school here, Pleasant Garden Elementary School. I was excited to come."
Along with traveling the country singing, Holt has also hosted shows such as N.C. Public Television's "Folkways," and has recorded several albums of his stories, and even appeared in the hit movie O Brother, Where Art Thou in 2000.
Holt answered questions from the audience, also going over his ideas of how to become successful within your own business.
"My philosophy," advised Holt, "is that you need to figure out what you're worth when compared to others who are doing what you're doing. Be unique and figure out why you're special. Be good and get better."
"He's interesting," commented Hardy. "He's multi-talented. I can't even think of a better folk singer than this man here, David Holt."
Holt, along with other local singers and storytellers, will be participating in North Carolina's Story Fest on May 17 here in downtown Greensboro. With shows, workshops, and stories, the event is free and open to the public.
This was the stage set for Grammy-winning folk singer David Holt during the BELL forum series' last lecture of the year. Holt is a successful singer and story teller who has spent years preserving the music and stories of Folk culture.
"I wanted to preserve the music," said Holt during his speech. "There is so much music out there that has never been documented, never been photographed, never been learned."
Holt spent many years during and after college traveling to remote parts of the south, searching for the most interesting and unheard of music. During his lecture, he spoke on how he came to be in his line of work and what it took for him to become successful in the arts, as well as including several songs, stories, and explanations of the strange instruments he had brought with him.
"[I recognized him] from my elementary school," said UNCG junior Anthony Hardy about the speaker. "He was preforming a little gig at my elementary school here, Pleasant Garden Elementary School. I was excited to come."
Along with traveling the country singing, Holt has also hosted shows such as N.C. Public Television's "Folkways," and has recorded several albums of his stories, and even appeared in the hit movie O Brother, Where Art Thou in 2000.
Holt answered questions from the audience, also going over his ideas of how to become successful within your own business.
"My philosophy," advised Holt, "is that you need to figure out what you're worth when compared to others who are doing what you're doing. Be unique and figure out why you're special. Be good and get better."
"He's interesting," commented Hardy. "He's multi-talented. I can't even think of a better folk singer than this man here, David Holt."
Holt, along with other local singers and storytellers, will be participating in North Carolina's Story Fest on May 17 here in downtown Greensboro. With shows, workshops, and stories, the event is free and open to the public.
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