Cap’s Off to You! – Gwenda LedBetter (Posthumously) and Celebrating Story

Gwenda LedBetter was more than a storyteller—she was a living story herself, layered with wonder, wit, and grace. Known affectionately as Asheville’s “Story Lady,” she carried generations of tales in her voice and wove them gently into the hearts of listeners. Whether in a library corner or on a national stage, she had the rare gift of leaving people “feeling hopeful, and happy,” as storyteller Chuck Fink recalled. “She told like none other.” Her storytelling wasn’t performance—it was communion. It was an invitation to remember what it means to be human.

Her friendship was a quiet, radiant force. She cast “a beautiful light wherever she smiled,” Chuck Fink said. She sang in the Temple choir even though she wasn’t Jewish. She co-created community across differences. Kiran Singh Sirah called her “a very special woman, kind and big-hearted with a powerful soul.” He shared memories of sandwiches, poetry readings, and deep philosophical conversations—one of which even included Gwenda pondering what Roosevelt might say if he joined their front-porch chat. “Her excitement for learning was truly infectious.”

Even near her 95th birthday, Gwenda was deeply engaged. Connie Regan-Blake shared that when she visited in February 2025, Gwenda immediately asked her to tell a story from a recent festival—still hungry for connection, still living with vibrant purpose. “She is so engaged with life,” Connie said, “and missing interaction with other storytellers and friends.” Gwenda longed to stay in touch with the storytelling world, even inviting cards and letters from anyone who had a moment or a story to share.

Her red rocker became legend—immortalized in her TV segment Tales from the Red Rocker on WLOS-TV and echoed in her live performances. Over a 50-year career, she inspired and mentored countless others. Terry Rollins credited her with helping shape the North Carolina storytelling scene, saying, “She led that workshop which focused on stepping outside our perceived boundaries and having fun.” She was a founding member of the North Carolina Storytelling Guild and sat in the very first circle that gave it life. Her generosity, creativity, and wisdom helped guide the Guild’s vision and spirit.

Gwenda wrote daily poems, often sharing them with friends by email. She marveled at geese from her window and believed there was always something more to learn. Tim Lowry once said she inspired him with the simple phrase: “Surely there is something to find out about.” He turned it into a poem about curiosity, which captured her essence more than any biography could. “Some people spend their time…on other things…but they never say, I must learn.”

Her stories, as Madeleine L’Engle once said, “touch the core of my strongest feelings.” And an unnamed audience member perhaps said it best: “Your stories make me proud to be human.” In honoring her life, we are reminded not only of the power of story—but of the power of listening, of loving, and of living curiously.

In her lifetime, Gwenda was awarded the ORACLE Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Storytelling Network in 2006 and again celebrated by the North Carolina Storytelling Guild with their own Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. Her name became synonymous with excellence in storytelling, but she wore these honors with humility, always more excited about your story than her own spotlight.

Gwenda LedBetter now joins the ancestors, but her voice echoes still—whenever we pause to tell a story with heart, or simply look out a window and wonder.

If you have links to add – video, audio, articles – please share by emailing info@storycrossroads.org or commenting on this blog post.

You can see more details on Gwenda LedBetter with the Story Artists Memorial.

The following video features Gwenda LedBetter (click on picture or link):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2ax19o7K8E

Do you know a Story Artist who has passed on and want others to remember them? Memories? Pictures? You can submit names and memories of Story Artists who have passed on through our online form. 

I appreciate Gwenda LedBetter, Asheville’s beloved Story Lady, whose stories made us proud to be human. She shared wonder from her red rocker, lighting up libraries, festivals, and front porches with grace and curiosity. I imagine her now among the ancestors, still spinning tales and sipping tea.

Gwenda LedBetter still has a story. You have a story. We all have stories.

Cap’s Off to You! – Brian Jackson Fetzer (Posthumously) and Celebrating Story

Brian Jackson Fetzer was a master of many crafts—storyteller, filmmaker, composer, director, and musician—who lit up Utah’s creative community with heart and imagination. He was especially known for bringing stories to life through character, song, and spectacle, like when he donned a wizard’s hat and performed alongside a trio of singing witches at the Salt Lake Freedom Film and Storytelling Festival. Together, they delighted audiences with “We’re the Welcoming Witches! And we’re welcoming!” and playfully spooky songs like “Don’t Get Funny with a Mummy.” Whether charming families or crafting original productions, Brian infused every performance with humor, wonder, and sincerity.

His love for story and sound intertwined seamlessly. With songs like “Pi, the Song,” Brian found joy in teaching through music, turning math into melody for students across Utah. His award-winning composition “Bethlehem Merchant,” performed in the Salt Lake Tabernacle and aired on PBS, showed his ability to move audiences with spiritual depth. For the Olympus Chapter of the Utah Storytelling Guild, he wrote the beloved anthem “Weave Us All a Story,” which for years closed guild meetings in harmony and unity. Brian generously gave permission for others to sing his songs—as long as credit was given—ensuring that his work could live on in the voices of many.

Brian’s films gave visual shape to mystery and memory. His documentary Ghostly Guardians, an artistic exploration of haunted Fort Douglas, combined historical intrigue with lyrical storytelling and received widespread media acclaim. With Pieces of the Wind, he compiled a lifetime of music and stage performances into a cinematic tapestry, featuring concert hall debuts and songs of heartfelt resonance. Critics called him “another Gershwin” and praised his work as “an exquisite glimpse into eerie narratives of the metaphysical”—but those who knew him personally simply saw a man driven by beauty and truth.

At his core, Brian was a spiritual artist, rooted in faith and family. His mission to Austria earned him the nickname “The Singing Minstrel,” and his devotion to service endured throughout his life. Whether performing at church socials, composing sacred music, or singing in retirement homes, he never stopped using his voice to uplift others. The harmony he nurtured with his wife, Jill, and the joy he found in storytelling at the family cabin in Emigration Canyon mirrored the very themes he expressed in his work: love, legacy, and light.

To those who knew him, Brian was more than a performer—he was a creative soul who made others believe in the power of story, film, and music to change hearts. Fellow tellers remember his generosity, his laughter, and his spirit of collaboration. As he wrote in the chorus of his treasured song:

“Oh let us weave a wondrous story / Before our dreams grow cold.
Oh now let us weave a story / That never shall grow old.”

And indeed, through every song, every frame, every tale—Brian Jackson Fetzer has left us stories that never shall grow old.

If you have links to add – video, audio, articles – please share by emailing info@storycrossroads.org or commenting on this blog post.

You can see more details on Brian Jackson Fetzer with the Story Artists Memorial.

The following video is one of many songs that Brian Jackson Fetzer created. You can watch many more at his YouTube Channel.

Do you know a Story Artist who has passed on and want others to remember them? Memories? Pictures? You can submit names and memories of Story Artists who have passed on through our online form. 

I appreciate Brian Jackson Fetzer, who was generous beyond measure. He often invited me as well as others with the Utah Storytelling Guild to perform alongside him. Carol Esterreicher and Brian often went to a ski resort to share spoonerisms and music together. So, I know he’s in the heavens leading all sorts of music and stories while capturing it all on “heavenly video.”

Brian Jackson Fetzer still has a story. You have a story. We all have stories.

Cap’s Off to You! – Leslie Miller Buie (Posthumously) and Celebrating Story

Leslie Miller Buie was a storyteller of uncommon warmth, wit, and wisdom—a man who didn’t just tell stories but lived them in a way that lifted the lives of all around him. His presence in the storytelling community was both foundational and inspirational, especially in Texas, where he helped establish the Rockwall Storytelling Guild and served with distinction on the Tejas Storytelling Association Board. “Be a friend, and bring a friend,” he would say, a motto that perfectly captured his generous spirit and desire to build community through narrative and fellowship.

A founding member and Treasurer of the Rockwall Storytelling Guild, Leslie brought a sense of purpose and joy to the art of storytelling. When Viveca Deanes dreamed of a family-friendly storytelling circle, Leslie was not only the first to champion the idea but immediately set things in motion: “That sounds like a good idea. Let’s do it! May I invite some friends?” From that first gathering, the Guild grew into a thriving nonprofit, fueled by Leslie’s unwavering support. His thoughtful mentorship guided many new tellers, offering advice only when invited and always leading by example.

Leslie’s influence reached beyond stories told from a stage. He served as Volunteer Coordinator for the Texas Storytelling Festival, lending his humor, steadiness, and welcoming presence to countless events. As Michael Brundy, President of Tejas Storytelling Association, reflected, “His energy, warmth, and unwavering commitment helped shape the heart of our gatherings.” Leslie had a unique way of making everyone feel heard and valued, whether they were a seasoned teller or an audience member hearing their first story.

In addition to his storytelling legacy, Leslie led a life of public service and integrity—first at NASA, then as Inspector General for the Southeast Audit Division of the EPA, and later auditing grants in Georgia. He also served the Rockwall Rotary Club with passion and pride, holding titles such as Treasurer and President. “He was the best,” said Diego Bianco. “A patriot and local treasure,” added Mark Kipphut. Whether in professional roles or community circles, he modeled service, humility, and kindness.

Leslie’s stories—like “Pillars of the Church” and “Fishing with Bees”—sparked laughter and wonder, and even now, his tales echo in the memories of those who heard them. Ginny Ryan said it best: “His storytelling always left an impression on all.” While the storytelling world mourns the loss of this gentle giant, we take solace in the legacy he left behind: a life of leadership, laughter, and love, etched into the hearts of many. We join with his family, the Rockwall and Tejas communities, and all who knew him in honoring Leslie Miller Buie—a master storyteller, a loyal friend, and an irreplaceable spirit.

If you have links to add – video, audio, articles – please share by emailing info@storycrossroads.org or commenting on this blog post.

You can see more details on Leslie Miller Buie with the Story Artists Memorial.

The following video involves many wonderful storytellers including Leslie Miller Buie for the Tejas Storytelling Association’s 2022 TELLABRATION!. He starts at the 30:41 mark, which this video is set to start at. Feel free to start at the beginning and continue on after Leslie’s featured story.

Do you know a Story Artist who has passed on and want others to remember them? Memories? Pictures? You can submit names and memories of Story Artists who have passed on through our online form. 

I appreciate Leslie Miller Buie, who knew how to light up a room with a tale and a twinkle in his eye. He lifted others not only through his storytelling but through his unwavering support and belief in the power of community.

Leslie Miller Buie still has a story. You have a story. We all have stories.