David Holt

Grammy award-winning host David Holt is a musician, storyteller, historian, television host, and entertainer, dedicated to performing, preserving, and promoting traditional American music and storytelling. In addition to hosting Riverwalk Jazz, Holt is well known for his television and radio series. He served as host of the Nashville Network's "Fire on the Mountain," "Celebration Express" and "American Music Shop," and PBS' "Folkways." He was also a frequent guest on "Hee Haw," "Nashville Now" and "The Grand Ole Opry." Holt says, "Television can help keep traditional music alive in the modern world by reminding people what a wonderful treasure this lore is." In 1997 and 1998, Holt also hosts a new series of North Carolina Public Television's "Folkways."

Holt plays 10 acoustic instruments and has released numerous recordings of traditional mountain music and southern folktales. His most recent music recording, "I Got A Bullfrog: Folksongs for the Fun of It," features great American folksongs that he has collected over the last 20 years and has garnered many awards.

David Holt is recognized as one of the nation's foremost storytellers. He won a 1997 Grammy award in the "Spoken Word for Children" category for his recording of the best-selling children's book, "Stellaluna." Competing in the same category were such notables as Robin Williams for "Jumanji," Carl Reiner for "The Prince and the Pauper" and Michael York for "Treasure Island."

A High Windy Audio recording, "Stellaluna" has received the American Library Association's highest recognition, the ALA NOTABLE, and the Parents' Choice Award.