Everyone has a story to tell.
A locally known husband and wife team are making sure those stories get their chance to be heard.
Chris Jay and Sara Hebert’s “All Y’all” Podcast is going from digital to as analog as it gets with a series of live storytelling events.
“There are so many people in our community that have done insane things, and no one knows about them because no one asks,” Hebert sad.
“Shreveport-Bossier is rich with characters that have really good stories,” said Jay, with Hebert adding, “And some of them are so weirdly interconnected.”
The “All Y’all” podcast has been gestating between the pair since they first began dating roughly a decade ago. They took the plunge last year with their joint birthday party/hotdog grill.
“We had always wanted to do a podcast together, and mine and Chris’ birthdays are three days apart — we always have a giant birthday-palooza — so our house was filled with people we loved and we thought it was perfect time to start our podcast,” Hebert said.
The self-proclaimed hotdog geek, Hebert, had attendees bring their favorite type of hotdog with over 300 of the assorted meat concoctions being prepped. The pair used the gathering to make the rounds and get opinions on A) What is the best hotdog? and B) What are the best condiments are for said hotdog?
“Everyone has an opinion on their favorite hotdog and what should go on it,” Hebert enthusiastically explained.
“It was a real sausage party,” laughed Jay.
Jay has also contributed an episode where he attended a garage sale in Sarepta, La. and tried to sell a framed, autographed headshot of early 90’s rap star and 00’s reality TV celebrity Vanilla Ice.
“I got him to sign it at a bar in Monroe called Cooter Bay when he played there in 1999. I tried to sell it for $25,” Jay said. “And the conversations I had with people were so funny, I just recorded them and strung them together.”
A future episode sees the pair interviewing their former boss, Judy Williams, about the time she was sent to California to direct Orson Wells for a bank commercial.
“We’re trying to find stories like that and bring them to light,” Jay said.
With the pair dedicated to giving the stories of Shreveport-Bossier’s residents their day in the sun, it was only natural to let those stories live and breathe at a live event. That day is set for March 8 with the first-ever “All Y’all” live storytelling event at 7:30 p.m. at 1510 Fairfield Avenue in Shreveport – the former home of Fairfield Studios.
Every live event will feature a theme, with the March 8 edition being “New ‘Round Here” — stories of first times, relocations, revelations, arrivals, and more.
Nine locals will tell true stories lasting 10 minutes or less, without notes, in front of a live audience. Stories will be recorded and may be included in future episodes of the “All Y’all” Podcast.
“We’ve wanted to do live storytelling in Shreveport-Bossier for so long, so it’s great to do that in 2014,” Jay said.
Highland’s own Nate Treme, of the hip-hop duo Blood Punch, will provide live musical interludes. Admission is $10, with any proceeds from the evening being put towards future live storytelling events.
To tell your story, send Chris and Sara an email at hello@allyallblog.com or contact them on Facebook at facebook.com/allyall.
The pair’s previous podcasts can be found at allyallblog.com.
-Sean Green