Every town has a story (or two). That is why every town needs a storyteller.

In any community blending heritage tourism, leisure tourism, adventure tourism and business tourism assets can be a powerful component of economic development. Even more important, linking these assets and telling the story behind them will ensure a strong sense of community. And that illustrates the importance of the storyteller.

My adopted hometown of Kingman, Arizona has quite a story. The cast of characters includes Henry Lovin, Buster Keaton, Louis Chevrolet, Edsel Ford, Pamela Anderson, J. Anne Butler, Charles Lindbergh, and Clark Gable. It is also linked to an infamous domestic terrorist, a couple of serial killers, several presidential candidates, a Hualapai hero of WWII, and several chapters of Hollywood history.

The history of Holbrook, Galena, Kansas or Elkhart, Illinois may not be as celebrity rich as Kingman, but each has a story to tell. They just need a storyteller that bring the history to life, make it relevant, and make it a marketable commodity.

My Hometown

My (adopted) hometown is a storyteller’s dream. It is one of the towns forever linked to Route 66 because of a catchty tune about getting your kicks … Other links to that storied highway abound in Kingman.

There is an original Bob Waldmire mural. In 1933, the U.S. Highway 66 Association held its annual convention in Kingman, Arizona. To honor one of the towns favorite sons, in 1955, on a special episode of This Is Your Life, Front Street, the Route 66 corridor, was renamed Andy Devine Avenue. The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona, the first state association dedicated to Route 66 preservation, is headquartered in Kingman. The 2014 International Route 66 Festival that spawned the annual Miles of Possibility Conference and the first European Route 66 festivals was held in Kingman.

But as with every town along the highway corridor, Route 66 is just one chapter in a rich and colorful history. And that is why every town needs a storyteller.

Welcome to Kingman

Telling people where to go. Sharing America’s story. Those are the tag lines for Jim Hinckley’s America. And they also hint of my proclivity for storytelling.

Some years ago a writer reviewing one of my books called me America’s storyteller. I apprectiate that. Still, I feel that this this is a bit of a stretch.

Being labled as Kingman’s storyteller is a better fit. I have been filing stories about this fascinating old town in my head for sixty years. And with development of the Kingman Main Street/Talisman Magic Marketing self guided and narrated Kingman Tours project, I got the chance to put all of those stories to good use.

And I discovered the truth behind an old adage. The more I learn the more I realize how little I know.

Telling Stories For Fun and Profit

I have been professionally telling stories for fun and profit since 1990. It has proven to be quite a rewarding adventure.

Last month at AAA Route 66 Road Fest in Tulsa, I was privileged with an opportunity to take the stage and tell stories with legendary author Michael Wallis. I would cast a vote thathe be proclaimed America’s storyteller.

On August 6, I will be the keynote speaker at the Local First Arizona Rural Policy Forum. This years forum will be held in Kingman and the theme will be the Route 66 centennial. Would you like to take a guess what will be the focus of my presentation?

Wanted: Storyteller

If your town doesn’t have a storyteller, perhaps a search should be launched. Every town needs a storyteller.

That thought sparked an idea. Perhaps what is needed is a speakers bureau but for storytellers. It could serve as a central hub for folks that have storytelling talent. And it could streamline the search for a storyteller.

Do you know of a gifted storyteller? Is there a town that is an example of why every town needs a storyteller? Do you know of a town that used a storyteller to transform their community?