Around 1990, Chris set out to transcribe two old manuscripts of poetry left behind by his grandfather, George Albert Leddy (1883-1967). He had little appreciation for or understanding of poetry. But that all changed when he discovered that poetry is a performing art.
He realized that the poems were poetic ballads best appreciated when memorized and recited dramatically from-the-heart. He started memorizing and performing the ballads as a storyteller around Vermont after retiring from IBM in 2000. Audiences loved it, and he was encouraged.
In 2008, he self-published The Poetry of George Albert Leddy.
In 2017, a cancer was found on one of his vocal cords; surgery helped. But in 2022, the cancer came back, and he had to have a complete laryngectomy.
Although he can no longer perform as a storyteller, he is still driven to bring his grandfather's poetry to light.
After retiring from IBM in 2000 at age 50, Chris started performing his grandfather's poetry around Vermont at nursing homes, senior centers, coffee houses, festivals, at all types of venues.
He took advantage of Public Access TV to develop his performance skills. His "fifteen minutes of fame" came in 2005 as a guest on WCAX-TV program Across the Fence with Tony Adams.
In 2008, he published The Poetry of George Albert Leddy featuring Tales of the Rugged Trails, with illustrations by Jason W. Clark.
Now, he's seeking professional guidance and services related to the production, publication and marketing of digital media based on his grandfather's poetic ballads.