"A Humorous Slice of American History" and Stories Under The Stones"

Max Donaldson is a professional speaker who has entertained a wide variety audiences across the US - - part comic, part showman, historian, and entertainer who provides an unusual insight into Americana.

This unique assemblage of historical trivia, of the famous and infamous, began in 2001 when he discovered an engraving error on a tombstone of jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker's grave marker in Kansas City. The inaccuracy of "Bird's" legacy inspired his very first rubbing (a graphic reproduction of the actual tombstone).

This private collection of grave rubbings, combined with a plethora of historical trivia, along with historical background, has grown to include frontier legends, film stars, musicians, authors and many other notable historical figures.

His extensive collection of celebrity grave rubbings are included in his show titled "Stories Under The Stones" - a delightfully and insightful account of history that includes subtle trivia along with the "truths and lies" (after the fact) of a multitude of memorable American celebrities.

Are you ready for a presentation that is fresh, humorous and fun?

About Max Donaldson

Native Kansan Max Donaldson, moved to the rocky mountains from the west coast, where he was an entertainer and musician performing in Nevada and California. He has also played with the U S Navy band and three symphony orchestra's. Max performed with Lawrence Welk, Frank Zappa as well as the Safari's, while writing comedy for a national TV show one season. His local credits include co-producing the critically acclaimed and successful Denver Jazz on Film Festival for many years.

So, what has Max been up to lately? He is considered the top collector of celebrity grave rubbings in North America, and uses these as a point of focus delivering his rib-tickling, out-of-whack look of our country's history.

His award winning multi-media talk is designed for both fun and a close inspection of the impact famous people have made, in a talk called... "Stories Under the Stones: A Humorous Slice of American History."

- P r e v i e w of C e l e b r i t y T o p i c s -
" A Humorous Slice of American History"
" Stories Under The Stones"
by Max Donaldson

What ever happened to...? ...and the truth and lies about...

Authors-
O. Henry
Chet Huntley
D. H. Lawrence
Willa Cather
Ernest Hemingway
Ogden Nash
Walter Winchell
Carl Sanburg
Robert Frost
Grant Wood
Will Rogers
Edgar Allan Poe

Frontier Legends-
Casey Tibbs
Kit Carson
Pat Garrett
Smiley Burnett
Jeremiah Johnson
Frank James
Stonewall Jackson
Calamity Jane
William Anderson
Meriwether Lewis
Ethan Allan
Bob Ford
Tom Mix
William Clark
Jesse James
Wild Bill Hickock
Capt. Wm Quantrill
James Bridger
Wiley Post
Daniel Boone
Johnny 'Appleseed' Chapman
Doc Holliday
Cole Younger
Alfred Packer
Annie Oakley

Hollywood Celebrities
James Dean
Lee J. Cobb
Charles Bronson
Bette Davis
Phil Silvers
Gene Autry
Alfalfa
Marilyn Monroe
Sandra Dee
Buster Keaton
Walter Matthau
John Wayne
Cecil B. Demille
Dean Martin
Errol Flynn
Charles Laughton
Rod Steiger
Sharon Tate
Fred Mac Murray
Stan Laurel
Charles Boyer
Gorge Raft
Walter Lantz
Bela Lugosi
Jayne Mansfield
Ann Sothern
Rita Hayworth
Jimmy Durante
Claude Rains
Wm Buster Brown Ray
Lucille Ball
Charlie Chan

Mobsters, Comics & Jocks
Clyde Beatty
Carl Hubbell
Emmett Dalton
Jim and Marian Jordan
Joe Bonanna
Factory Reject
Mel Blanc
Leroy Satchel Paige
Morey Amsterdam
Payne Stewart
Freddy Prinze
Felix Adler
Sam Kinison
Emmett Kelly
Ernie Kovacs

Musicians
Andy Gibb
Frank Sinatra
Johnny Hodges
Bob Wills
Liberace
Buddy Rich
Charlie Parker
Robert Johnson
Joe Boatner
Frank DeVol
Roy Acuff
Warne Marsh
Frank Mantooth
Scatman Crothers
Bing Crosby
Hank Snow
Shelly Manne
Bennie Moten
Jack Teagarden
Shorty Rogers
Cole Porter
Johnny Mercer
Sonny Bono
Hoagy Carmichael
Lawrance Welk
Louis Satchmo Armstrong
Meredith Willson

Native Americans
Chief Sitting Bull
Sacajawea
Chief Red Cloud
Chief Plenty Coup, Crow
Geronimo

More recently, Max wrote his first book titled, "More Stories Under the Stones"

What People Are Saying:

"Max, thank you for your wonderful presentation to the Model T Ford club. I have heard from members that have called to tell me how much they enjoyed your show."
-- D. Holdaway

"Max Donaldson visited the North Jeffco Parks and Recreation District and presented "Stories Under The Stones" which was so well received. He was so well prepared, engaging, and the audience really fell into his presentation. I would welcome the opportunity to have Max back, soon."
-- D. Verhag, Recreation Coordinator, North Jeffco

"At our annual Buffalo Bill Commemoration this year, we very much appreciated how you tailored your presentation to our context with information about celebrities of the 'Old West'. As one of the audience members, I further enjoyed the manner in which you made the presentation both witty and informative. Thank you so much for your part in making our Buffalo Bill Commemoration a great success."
-- S. Friesen, Director, Buffalo Bill Museum

"We are so grateful for your help with our 'Toys for Gods Kids Fund Raiser.' Your infectious enthusiasm is a gift all on it's own...the crowd went wild, now everyone is clamoring for an encore! Thanks again for a wonderful and memorable presentation last evening."
- The Dorhouts.

"A real showman, Max Donaldson knows how to captivate an audience. His unique presentation about celebrities that we all knew and grew up with is full of astonishing factoids and touches on brilliance. Full of wit, wisdom and sheer entertainment he will leave a joyful and lasting impression."
-- Lissa Ann Forbes, founder - The Elemental Press

" What a magnificent show. I was riveted by the bios. Wonderful information not commonly known. And the rubbings, spectacular! I would not have thought of grave rubbings as an art form before viewing your work."
-- B. Montgomery, Denver

"Mr. Donaldson gave a presentation, "A Humorous Slice of American History" at theEnglewood Meridian Retirement community this month, and offered his grave rubbings as communication of history through bits and pieces of Americana."
-- Elaine H. Dir. Events/Meridian

"I had the pleasure of seeing Max's 'Gravestone Hit Parade' or, as he calls it, "StoriesUnder the Stones" in Kansas City recently. He puts on a great show, with very good quality computer images and his stories are unique and delivered in a professional and funny manner. An experienced long-time showman that makes his audience comfortable. BOFFO!"
-- Joan Hancock, atty. Raytown, Missouri

"Thanks, Max, for joining us with a great presentation at Denver's Gyro Club. The group absolutely loved it, and we'd like you back very soon."
-- Geoff Graham, V/P Denver Gyr

" If you want your audiences to be entertained, educated and inspired, you must book Max Donaldson! His presentations bring history to life! His personality delights audiences of all ages. Schedule Max for your next meeting, you will be the hero of your organization."
-- Joe Sabah, Founding President Colorado Speakers Assn.

" Max Donaldson gives a humorous slice of American History, illustrated with grave rubbings of famous people. Laugh your way through historical anecdotes of well known celebrities."
(Aurora History Museum, Aurora, CO)

"What a joy you brought to the residents of the Mondell House, and they talked about your show for days afterwards! Thank you Max for the delightful way you presented your unique program, and kudos to you for your kindness and personal interaction with our residents. Wishing you continued success with 'Stories Under the Stones' and expressing hope you will return to regale us with your tales another time."
-- Karen Bennett, Mondell House, Surprise AZ

" A very big thank you for coming to Paradise Valley and giving us a wonderful show, which was well presented, well spoken, interesting as well as informative. Two thumbs up!"
-- Margaret Abrams, Paradise Valley, Phoenix AZ