What Folks Said . . .

 

Kind Words about Bill Amatneek's "Acoustic Stories"

"He is a gifted wordsmith and a wonderful chronicler of the life he's known. He's giving voice to a culture. . . I see parallels in his work and the work of the cowboy poet -- both let us see a lifestyle that most of us will otherwise never get to experience. . . I don't know anyone who's doing the work Bill Amatneek's doing: telling funny, sweet, thoughtful, humble, generous stories about the rarefied culture of the folk musician.
The folk music world has found its Homer."
- Milbre Burch, Storyteller
 

" 'Paris Remembers' is a great story!"
- Pete Seeger

"You and your stories are MUSIC to my ears!"
- Mary Carter Smith, Griot

" 'Jazzbeaux' was just extraordinary. You made the evening for me. People were touched. That closing was one of the most powerful I've seen. You did a masterly job with that. It was a really touching story. It was the work of a master; it was terrific."
- Jim Cooke, host, the Marin Story Swap
 
"When I heard you at the National Storytelling Festival, you told a story about performing with Peter, Paul & Mary, and it was absolutely entrancing you struck a chord with everyone in that theater. I knew that your tremendous talents and truly unique blend of stories would be a wonderful addition to WinterTales. My expectations were fully realized for you moved us all with the power of your telling and the depth of your experience. It was a joy and a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with you an experience I will hold dear always."

- Sandy Wright, Director, WinterTales 2000, Oklahoma City, OK

"There are only four performers at my club whose sheer poignancy made me cry: Alan Shamblin telling how he wrote 'I Can't Make You Love Me,' which Bonnie Raitt hit-recorded; Elizabeth Cotton, at age 84, forgetting the words to her song 'Freight Train,' and the audience singing them for her; Ralph Stanley's singing about his departed brother, Carter; And Bill Amatneek, when he came to the end of 'Paris Remembers.' I just burst into tears."
- Jeannie Patterson, owner, the Sweetwater, Mill Valley, California.

"Got your fabulous tape today and am listening to it now...it's terrific. I love the sitar music under your voice in 'Swimming the Oceans' . . . really great. Your voice is fabulous, so warm, and you sound so natural: a natural storyteller. I think you are definitely onto something here . . . all talents in appealing relief. GGRRREAT work."
- Lynne Terry, Paris correspondent, National Public Radio.

"I loved the tape; absolutely loved it. It's so great to hear you tell those stories in that cafe ambience with people's energy there. It was really a treat, and I think they came out fantastic. It was really fun."
- Steve Gorn, bansuri flutist

"Your stories speak to the 60's folk-revival movement, create a bridge to younger generations, and stand alone as pieces of literature."
- Lisa Null, Folk Song Society of Greater Washington.

" 'Layin' Buddy Down' is great material and a perfect, professional specimen of a personal essay -- enough first person, enough research and detail and feeling to hold the whole thing in the road from start to finish. Graceful ending -- grace note -- smart structure, nothing missing."
- Hal Crowther, essayist