Jim May lives in Spring Grove, Illinois where his family has lived since 1849. Raised in this small German-Catholic farming community, he writes and tells stories that resonate with the rural voices of the Illinois prairie. His ancestors said they were "visiting" when telling stories. Stories were an integral part of daily life--a means of weaving the social fabric of the community. An Emmy Award-winning storyteller and author, Jim seeks to re-establish live storytelling as an art form, ideal not only for entertainment and education, but also for the grounding and healing that is needed in complex, modern times.
For centuries telling and listening to stories has been a way for people to enjoy and cherish one another's company. Jim says, "When I tell a story I try to entertain and delight, but also to capture, for a few moments, the kind of direct, soul-to-soul communication that we have all experienced at some time in our lives under the 'spell' of a story."
A touring storyteller, Jim May has been featured across the USA and Europe, performing at schools, conferences, professional groups, and festivals. Chicagoans know him from his appearances on WGN's Roy Leonard Show and from the Studs Terkel radio show on WFMT-FM. He received a 1989 Chicago Emmy award for a WTTW-Channel 11 production of his original story, "A Bell For Shorty." More recently, Jim has helped businesses shape their stories for communication in a changing world.
A favorite performer at the National Storytelling Festival, Jim May has received one of American storytelling's highest honors, the National Storytelling Network's Circle of Excellence award.
"Jim May is a master storyteller."-- "Studs Terkel"
"Jim May tells stories in the fine tradition of Mark Twain and Will
Rogers."-- "Jim Ritchie, Farm Journal Magazine"
"You could call Jim May a modern-day Homer if the Greek had told
stories about farm life."-- "The Chicago Sun-Times"
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