Pretty Good Stories at The Sound Room – Oakland, CA

In the mood for a good true story? How about five? Look no further.

Pretty Good Stories is… …stand-up for artsy people …entertaining oversharing …deep dives into moments that shape our lives, both small and large …all coupled with some live music to smooth the edges.

Please join us at the Sound Room (note: excellent food and drink). We are thrilled to bring you true-life stories from Diane Amos, Kimberlli Joy Walker, Craig Byrne, and ourselves, as well as original songs from Jon Smear. It’s a packed show, and we’re looking forward to it.

At Pretty Good Stories, Hosts Beau Ryder Davis and Tom Darci bring you a selection of the best storytellers from the Bay Area and beyond to present true stories in longer form. Come sink in to these stories that make you laugh, cry, and feel connection to all that makes us human. Plus, there’s music.

About our guests:

Diane Amos: Diane is a stand-up comedian, actress in film and television, and one of the most recognizable brand spokespeople in television history. In that role, she has become a trusted cultural icon while redefining authority, confidence, and representation in American advertising. If you’ve ever heard her voice and instantly felt like things were about to get handled… that’s Diane. Today, storytelling is where her heart truly lives. Diane’s stories are funny, insightful, deeply human, and often unexpected—pulled from lived experience, cultural observation, and a lifetime of being both seen and heard on stages large and small.

Kimberlli Joy Walker: Kimberlli Joy has been weaving the truth into humorous stories for as long as she can remember. She is a familiar face at Redwood Nights Storytelling under the Stars and has entertained audiences at In a Nutshell, StorySlam Oakland, About Last Night, and The Marsh. She was also the co-host of the Gem Tales podcast.

Craig Byrne: Craig has been tearing up the story scene with his unique approach and take on life ever since discovering public storytelling in 2021. He has graced the stages of Simply Said, The Moth, StorySlam Oakland and Alameda StorySlam. He is also in the process of setting up his own open mic storytelling experience at A Great Good Place for Books in Oakland.

Jon Smear: Jon is a singer songwriter with many performances and recordings to his name. He brings us songs that tell stories from his unique vantage point, lightening the evening and giving us all a welcome reset between stories.

About your hosts:

Beau Ryder Davis: Moth Grand Slam champ and winner of multiple Moth StorySLAMs. Featured at Redwood Nights, In A Nutshell, Simply Said, StorySlam Oakland, Alameda StorySlam and so many more. Comedian and seasoning-packet hawker.

Tom Darci: Moth StorySLAM winner. Featured at Simply Said, StorySlam Oakland, Conundrum Chronicles, Alameda StorySlam. Shakespeare lover, pickleballer.

They created Pretty Good Stories to give the room for experienced storytellers to showcase longer, more in-depth stories. Some are funny. Some are moving. All are pretty good. Join us.