APPALACHIAN STORYTELLING &
THE JACK TALES TRADITION
Jerry Harmon, Cultural Bearer & Master Storyteller Preserving an Appalachian Oral Tradition Passed Down for Generations
Jerry Harmon’s storytelling is rooted in a documented Appalachian oral tradition that predates recorded American folklore. As the last direct descendant of Council Harmon, the man credited with bringing the Jack Tales to America and settling in Western North Carolina, Jerry carries a lineage that has shaped American storytelling for over two centuries.
This work exists not as performance alone, but as cultural preservation—the continuation of a living tradition passed down through generations by word of mouth.
The Legacy of the Jack Tales in America
The Jack Tales are among the most enduring folk narratives in American culture, tracing their origins to Celtic and English storytelling traditions. Council Harmon introduced these tales to Appalachia in the late 1700s, where they evolved into a uniquely American form through generations of family storytellers.
Jerry Harmon stands as the final direct link in this unbroken oral chain.
His late cousin, Ray Hicks, was nationally recognized as a Master Storyteller, a National Heritage Fellow, and a cultural treasure of the Appalachian Mountains. Together, their family became synonymous with authentic Appalachian storytelling, studied by folklorists, historians, and cultural institutions across the United States and abroad.
With Ray Hicks’ passing, this lineage now effectively ends with Jerry Harmon, making his work singular in its historical importance.
Storytelling as Cultural History, Not Performance Art
Unlike modern storytelling or entertainment-driven folk performance, Jerry Harmon’s work exists within a historical and educational framework. These stories are shared as they were traditionally told—rooted in memory, rhythm, language, and place.
His storytelling is frequently presented in: Cultural and heritage festivals, Universities and academic settings, Libraries and literary festivals, International storytelling festivals, Educational and archival programs.
This work is recognized as intangible cultural heritage, preserving not only stories but the way they are told—an element often lost in written records.
Grammy-Nominated Storytelling
Jerry Harmon’s storytelling has been nominated for a GRAMMY Award, a rare distinction within the world of traditional oral narrative. This recognition places his work within a broader cultural and historical context, acknowledging storytelling as a vital American art form alongside music and literature.
The nomination underscores the national and international significance of this tradition and its preservation through Jerry Harmon’s voice.
Appalachian Oral Tradition in a Global Context
Jerry Harmon has shared this tradition internationally, bringing Appalachian storytelling to audiences across Europe, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and beyond. These performances highlight the global roots of the Jack Tales while reinforcing Appalachia’s role in shaping American folklore.
His work bridges: Old World storytelling traditions, Appalachian mountain culture, Contemporary cultural preservation.
Why This Storytelling Matters
As oral traditions disappear worldwide, Jerry Harmon’s storytelling represents a rare, living archive. It offers audiences, educators, and institutions access to an authentic American folk lineage that will not be replicated.
This is not revival.
This is continuation.
BOOK JERRY HARMON
Born into a deep Appalachian musical tradition in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Jerry Harmon’s upbringing was steeped in sound. His earliest musical memories include strumming a homemade banjo crafted by his Uncle Gene, while radio broadcasts of Hank Williams Sr., Flatt & Scruggs, and Ray Price shaped his lifelong love of authentic American music. By age 12, armed with a Sears & Roebuck Truetone guitar and tireless determination, Jerry began teaching himself to play using a lesson book by famed North Carolina guitarist, Arthur Smith.
These formative years—combined with decades of touring, recording, and storytelling—have shaped Jerry Harmon into what fans affectionately call “The Smoky Mountain Storyteller.” Now based in Kemah, Texas, Jerry brings his signature blend of Americana, country, folk, and storytelling to local venues, private events, festivals, bars, and waterfront stages, gathering audiences the way mountains gather clouds—naturally and together. Jerry’s studio album Walk Softly, named a Country Magazine highlight, pairs him with acclaimed producer Pat Holt (Dr. Hook, Keith Bryant, Darlene Austin) and bridges classic country songwriting with a modern edge. The fan-favorite track “Grandmas Are Sexy Too” offers a playful, heartfelt nod to life, love, and lived experience.
Now booking live music performances in Kemah, TX and surrounding coastal communities, Jerry Harmon offers an unforgettable live show rooted in history, heart, and world-class musicianship.
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