MP3 Scott Hill Bumgardner - The Funky Bunkie Gators

Scott tells fun Louisiana stories the whole family can enjoy. His down-home storytelling is inspired by his youth in Bunkie Louisiana and driven by an imagination that is out of control.

9 MP3 Songs
SPOKEN WORD: Comedy, SPOKEN WORD: Poetry



Details:
In 1991 after one of my horses fell on me, breaking my pelvis, I began writing cowboy poetry and short stories to keep from going stir crazy. Many of my presentations focus on old Texas and cowboy history, spiced with poetry and quotes to bring it to life. In addition to poetry I perform a wide variety of stories, ranging from funny to scary. You may find me performing historical stories or outrageous tall tales. I'll even take you on a sentimental journey to grandmother's house. During my presentations, one motto I go by is, "if it is boring, it is no good.".

My imagination is fueled by a lifetime of experiences growing up in Houston and Bunkie, Louisiana. Other influences are my career policing Houston, studying Texas history, working with cattle and horses, and as a big city landlord.

Affiliations- Past President & Official Guild Storyteller- Houston Storytellers Guild * Life Member and Speakers Committeeman - Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo * Member - Academy of Western Artists * Honorary Member- San Jacinto Chapter, Sons of the Republic of Texas * Member- Texas Folklore Society * Member- Tejas Storytelling Association, Louisiana Storytelling Assoc., & National Storytelling Network.

Performance Highlights- The Grand 1894 Opera House, Galveston, Tx. 2004 * Houston Society for Performing Arts, 2003 &2004 * South Texas Ranching Festival, Kingsville, Tx.- 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003 * Shanghai Days, Wharton, Tx. 2001, 2003 * Houston Storytellers Guild- perform at most events and Liars Contest * Tejas Storytelling Festival, Denton, Tx. 02 & 05 * Mo Ranch, Hunt, Tx. Performed and taught 7 hr course of Texas and cowboy history for Elderhostel 2002 * National Cowboy Symposium, presented paper & performed Lubbock, Tx. 2002 * Texas Folklore Society, presented paper Victoria, Tx. 2002 * Crosby Cowboy Gathering, Crosby Tx. 2001 * Red Steagall Cowboy Celebration, Richmond, Tx. 1997, 1998, & 1999 * I have organized and performed at a number of small cowboy gatherings & storytelling events. As a storyteller and rodeo speaker I have entertained thousands of students and adults over the years.

Related Activities- Hired by the Society For The Performing Arts and the Houston Public Library to conduct Cowboy Poetry Workshops for kids. Awarded the Jo Ann Melton Award in 2001 for commitment to storytelling by the Houston Storytellers Guild. My poems are published in two anthologies, "Nature's Echoes" and "The Big Roundup". Several articles and poems have been published in, "The Texas Mason", "Texas Horse Talk", and "Cowboy Sports and Entertainment". I am the former publisher and writer for the quarterly of the Cowboy History and Performance Society. The Academy of Western Artists has nominated my CDs and work for awards several times over the past few years. I am listed on the Texas Commission on the Arts, Touring Artists roster for 2003-2005, and on the Heartland Arts Fund Artist Roster.

Comments & Reviews

We were surprised and amazed that you had such a wide variety of stories and told different ones at each session... The story of the gator festival was great! There was so much excellent description that I felt like I was right there!.. I was grateful for your tie-ins to reading by suggesting that many other stories could be found in the library and even pointing out specific books in which students could read similar stories. Your comments about the use of imagination for not only storytelling but envisioning one's own future and then striving to reach that vision is much needed. Ann Dude, Blocker Middle School 2004

...the director of education for the museum passed through and listened to you for a while and said you were very entertaining and a great performer. We will certainly look to have you back with us in the future...Cody Hoya, Program Coordinator, Bayou Bend
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston 11-03

What a way to start a day:  listening to your engrossing new CD.  I was enlightened and inspired by your stories and poetry, and I look forward to listening again and again... The production was flawless, and I found myself carried along with the well-woven stories and poems and the judicious music selections. Margo Metegrano, CowboyPoetry.com 2002

Your poetry is, as always, so poignant and I just want you to know how lucky I feel to know you personally. Mary Catherine Webb 2002

I heard good things about the workshops.  I hope you don't mind if we add your name to our resource list for future programs. Hellena Stokes, Houston Libraries 2001

Great story funny entertaining and engaging. This man looks a bit goofy on his exterior and this was a funny goofy joke around kind of story. It fit incredibly well... His voice was alive and fun... I thought it was great... Faith Stephens 2001

Great story well developed. He made the story almost believable because I could see the story developing. Connie Alexander 2001

I would kill for Scott's voice. He uses it well. Loved the story. Tom Burger, Past President Houston Storytellers 2001

I love this story and your presentation. I know next to nothing about cowboy life, but I can always visualize the action in your stories. Alice Evergreen 2001

Wonderful imaginative tale, lots of fun. Jay Stailey, U of Houston professor & professional storyteller 2001

It is my pleasure to inform you that, after reading and discussing your poem, our Selection Committee has certified your poem as a semi-finalist in our 1994 North American Open Poetry Contest. Howard Ely, Editor- National Library of Poetry 1994