 |
| |
|
"Nothing beats a great story told except one that is retold."
-Ronda Rich |
Southern Storytelling
There are many things that are identifiable solely with the South: grits, magnolias, kudzu, incomparable hospitality and a summer humidity that can destroy the most perfectly prepared and lacquered hair.
But undeniably, one of the greatest contributions that the South's people have made to the world is the stories we tell in prose, song and poetry or just by sharing a good tale with good friends. Whether it's sitting around the kitchen table exchanging tales over a cup of coffee, grouping in the church yard after service, congregating at the post office or huddling at the beauty or barber shop, Southerners are prolific storytellers. This, undoubtedly, comes from the Celtic roots of many Southerners since 75% of the Southeast were Celtic descended when the Civil War started.
"To tell a good story," Ronda Rich says, "You must first be able to recognize one. A lot of good stories escape from being told because they seemed too simple and therefore mistaken for being uninteresting. But any story that captures a listener's imagination and taps at her spirit is a story worth telling."
A good story can be found in the simplest of circumstances like a dishwasher that quit, a man who quit his job to follow a childhood dream or the humble woman who one day just up and quit her husband.
Ronda excels in the kind of storytelling for which Southerners are renowned: lyrical, entertaining, thought-provoking and often downright funny.
Ronda has become one of the most sought after speakers in America, deftly packaging humor and solid storytelling together while embedding each presentation with a message.
"If you can make an audience laugh first, then they're willing to go deeper with you," she points out. "And, of course, bring it back to humor so you can leave them laughing."
An 11th generation Georgian, descended from the Scotch-Irish who settled into the foothills of the Appalachians, she inherited her family's sole wealth - a talent for storytelling. Though demonstrated in her best-selling books and weekly syndicated column, she brings her stories to life in front of an audience, holding folks spellbound as she weaves tales of life in general, Southern life in particular and bit and pieces of this and that, including personal reflections of life and people on the NASCAR circuit.
"Ronda's NASCAR stories are awesome!" said one client. "Even if you don't know anything about the sport - and I didn't - you find yourself absolutely wrapped up in stories that are fun, moving and very powerful."
One event planner explained, "Over the loud objections of a board of men directors, I hired Ronda to do a presentation for all male group, one that had never had a female speaker. They told me quite simply that my job was on the line with that call. But I didn't worry. From the moment she hit the stage, she held 500 men in the palm of her hand. When it was over, they were whistling, cheering and gave her a long standing ovation. Many said it was the best program we ever had."
Mixed groups, too, enjoy Ronda's skill for stepping between stories that women will adore and men will appreciate while bringing the audience together in spirit.
"Ronda was the perfect speaker at our Chamber's annual meeting. Her upbeat and energetic musings (or as she would say, "my people call them stories") was a wonderful. You just put her in front of a microphone and let her rip! She makes you feel that you are talking with her one on one! Everyone told me later she was the best program we've ever had!" John Boothby, President, Newton Chamber of Commerce.
An "accidental" speaker who didn't set out to become a professional speaker who does over a hundred events a year, Ronda has very clearly found her calling.
"It all started when I was sent out to promote my first book and was called up to do little programs. Pretty soon I was getting paid and within a couple of years, it was a huge piece of my business," she says. "I am blessed to have the God-given talent that can touch others with a story that makes them laugh or one that makes them think or, most importantly, inspires them in some way. I am very grateful and extremely cognizant that it is always critical to do the best I can in every event."
For more information on booking Ronda or to request a DVD or CD, please email southswomen@bellsouth.net or call (770) 983-2420.
Click Here for a partial list of past keynote events.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Ronda Rich / Rhonda Rich