Andy Offutt Irwin is joyful. As a storyteller, humorist, singer, songwriter, and musician, Irwin’s goal is to entertain and educate his audience. But the foundation of his vocation – the spark that ignites each performance – is the sharing of joy. And when he is on stage, Irwin finds that his joy is contagious. The pleasure he takes in bringing happiness to others has made Irwin a perfect partner for the Keep It! Campaign.
In February of 2011, Irwin attended a presentation at Emory University’s Oxford College in Oxford, GA by Keep It! founder and fellow storyteller, Bob Tryanski. Irwin was intrigued by the concept of social entrepreneurship. In addition, Irwin was captivated by the happiness he saw on the faces of Keep It! supporters as they worked to make a difference – and on the faces of Ivory Park residents whose lives were being transformed. “One of the things I love about Keep It! is the joyful countenance surrounding it,” Irwin says. “You can see it on the Web site, through the presentations, and in the volunteers working with the program. It is a spirited and fun way of giving back.”
Irwin is a long-time supporter of literacy development and was especially interested in helping to fund the new library in Ivory Park. As a way of contributing to the Campaign’s drive to stock the library shelves with 6,000 new books, Irwin will be donating proceeds from downloaded copies of a cut from his newly released CD, Risk Assessment. The selection was recorded at the 2010 National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, TN and features Irwin along with storytellers Bil Lepp and Kevin Kling. Irwin explains that the cut is not a selection that storytelling aficionados have come to expect. Instead, it showcases the three humorists as they attempt a comedic improv performance. While Irwin notes that storytelling remains his area of expertise, he wanted to include the improv cut because it makes him laugh. “We are not doing what we do best. Yet, we are diving in. Taking the leap. Throwing ourselves into the fray,” he says. And as with all Keep It! supporters, Irwin’s efforts are filled with joy – a joy that he is now sharing with the people of Ivory Park.
“Andy’s contribution to our project is like everything he does as an artist- it’s elegantly clever,” Tryanski says. “It’s the perfect illustration of how the simple principle of multiplication can have a significant, sustainable, scalable impact. Every time someone downloads the CD or the mp3 recording of the final track, it will help to put more books on the library’s shelves. Now that’s a great story!”
Irwin’s generosity is an ideal example of the Keep It! Campaign’s challenge to reach globally by acting locally. His ingenuity and willingness to share his talent coupled with the support of his fans will have a lasting impact on thousands of kids in Ivory Park. The Keep It! Campaign is also grateful to Bil Lepp and Kevin Kling for their enthusiastic support of Irwin’s idea. We can’t think of a better reason to add Risk Assessment to your CD collection!
To learn more about Andy Offutt Irwin – award-winning storyteller, humorist, musician, and educator – visit www.andyirwin.com.
To download Risk Assessment, Irwin’s most recent album featuring cut #7 to benefit Keep It!: The Campaign for Ivory Park, visit www.andyirwin.com or www.cdbaby.com/Artist/AndyOffuttIrwin.
