Storytelling & Authenticity VI - Dick Leith

Dick Leith - 'Authenticity' and 'Ownership: How to Shut People Up'

Dick sees storytelling as enjoyment (as a teller) and connects authenticity with struggle and suffering. That is, experience with folk tales illustrates own life. Famous singers like Jeanie Robertson & Harry Cox epitomise struggle and, consequently, authenticity. And so, Dick didn't feel entitled to sing songs by people like Jeanie and Harry.

Scottish travellers embody continuity in folkmusic and storytelling. How much/to what extent is authenticity imposed on by outside world/forces? Can we talk about authenticity as the relationship between the performer and their material?

I think this comes back to making the story or song your own, and only choosing material that

1. speaks to you, and
2. suits your style of performance

As Jess Smith told me, it's all about believability, if you don't believe in your characters then no-one else will.