Southern Americana

University of Arkansas alum and Razorbackology founder Ben Larsen is a life-long Arkansas Razorback sports fan. Ben discusses the latest happenings withing the Razorback sports program, along with tailgating suggestions for fans visiting Fayetteville.

John T. Edge is a prolific, award-winning Southern food writer, TV host, Writer-In-Residence at the University of Mississippi, and a visiting professor at the University of Georgia.  As a graduate student in 1998, Edge helped organize the Southern Foodways Alliance, an organization he led until an unforeseen and unnecessary controversy motivated him to retire in 2021.  Edge is a contributing editor for Garden & Gun magazine and a former New York Times and Oxford American contributor. He also writes and hosts TrueSouth, an SEC Network TV series that profiles people and restaurants impacting the region's food scene. Currently, Edge is writing a memoir scheduled for publication in 2025. He's written numerous books, including The Potlikker Papers: A Food History of the Modern South. Edge lives in Oxford, Mississippi, with his wife, Blair Hobbs, an acclaimed author and university instructor.

Kevin Elliott fell in love with Panama City, Florida, in the late 1980s as a 13-year-old military transplant. Today, not only does this entrepreneur host one of the Emerald Coast's most successful film festivals, but he's also an ardent supporter and the city's "unofficial ambassador." After spending a couple of decades on the corporate merry-go-round, Kevin exercised his creative energy by founding Wewa Films, a company specializing in commercial film work and documentaries. Concurrently, Kevin saw an opportunity to highlight both Panama City’s downtown and documentary films by co-founding the Redfish Film Fest in 2024. Kevin explains the history of Panama City, the devastation caused by two major hurricanes, and how a fledging downtown gained new life throuhg the vision of local and transplant creatives.

Los Angeles-based Denny Tedesco is an award-winning documentary producer and director. His credits include The Wrecking Crew, which showcases his father, Tommy Tedesco, and the LA session players such as Glen Campbell, Leon Russell, Carol Kaye, Hal Blaine and many others who recorded thousands of hit records and soundtracks from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. Denny's most recent project, Immediate Family (available on Amazon), features the session musicians (Waddy Watchel, Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Danny Kortchmar, Steve Powell) who played for James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Phil Collins, Stevie Nicks, and Linda Ronstadt, among others. Both of these documentaries are "must-sees" for any music fan.

Most everyone enjoys a cup of coffee to jumpstart the day. Jeff Daniels, the Director of Sales at Non-Fiction Coffee, provides insight on making a better cup at home or knowing what questions to ask your local barista. Based in Pelham, Alabama, Non-Fiction Coffee strives to roast the best coffee while dignifying the coffee producers they work with and buy from worldwide. Jeff describes how Non-Fiction selects their growers and the details behind the roasting process, including tips on brewing or purchasing better coffee.

The Currys, an Americana-flavored musical trio formed of two brothers and a cousin in 2013, continues developing a fan base outside their southern roots. This episode was recorded at SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, FL, before their Camp Helen State Park performance. I hope you have as much fun listening to this episode as we had while recording.

David Dunavent grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, along the banks of the Mississippi River, and in the heart of "Blues Country." Not only is David an accomplished singer-songwriter who tours extensively across the Southeastern U.S., he also has an incredible knowledge of Blues history. Recorded in SOWAL House, in Rosemary Beach, FL, join us as we talk about how the Blues originated and its impact on all genres of music and musicians.

A native of Jackson, Tennessee, Taki Brown writes and delivers original rhymed and narrative poetry. After meeting at SOWAL House Creative Studio in 2022, I sat down with Taki to discuss our Tennessee background and his creative work. When not writing, he donates his time to community service projects, mentoring youth, and hosting jazz and blues events. You can follow Taki's Instagram page at taki_brown.

Regarded as one of the South's best chefs, John Currence made a name for himself in the 1990s when he opened City Grocery in Oxford, Mississippi. Today the City Grocery Restaurant Group also includes Boure, Snack Bar, and the fast-growing chain Big Bad Breakfast. I sat down with Chef Currence in his Oxford home on a fall evening to chat about all things Southern, including the hospitality industry, his favorite dishes, SEC football, and bourbon. A Louisiana native, Currence was named the Best Chef South in 2009 by the prestigious James Beard Foundation. He also won the Charleston Wine and Food Festival's Iron Chef Challenge that same year. His three cookbooks are "Tailgreat," "Big Bad Breakfast," and "Pickles, Pigs, & Whiskey."  No trip to Oxford, MS, is complete without visiting one of Chef Currence's establishments. Big Bad Breakfast restaurants are located throughout the South.

There is no question that Mary Alayne Long (@thealabamahousewife) is a "Southerner" through and through. After hearing her read at an Emerald Coast Storytellers gathering, I knew I had to meet her. After all, true Southerners can spot each other a mile away. Born and raised in Heflin, Alabama, Mary Alayne married in her early twenties and began raising her two wonderful children. Along the way, she nurtured a love for writing, which led to writing for Good Grit Magazine. Anyone who encounters this genuine Southern Belle will quickly discover her captivating humor, wrapped tightly in an engaging personality that captures the essence of "Southern Hospitality." Mary Alayne Long is the obvious choice for any U.S. President to name an Ambassador for the South. I sat down with Mary Alayne at SOWAL House, a creative studio in the heart of Rosemary Beach, FL, to discuss our shared admiration for all things Southern and her plans to launch a magazine highlighting her absolute favorite region, the Southeast United States.

Emmanuel Kemiji became only the 12th American to achieve the rank of Master Sommelier and one of nine to pass the exam on his first attempt. Born in the United States, Kemiji grew up in Spain and lives in Puerto Rico. He obtained degrees in Spanish Literature and Economics from the University of California at Davis, where he also studied Viticulture. Formally the Director of Wine & Spirits at the Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco, Kemiji is currently a managing partner at Clos Pissarra winery in Priorat, Spain, and the proprietor of Miura Vineyards in Santa Rosa, CA. While in town for the 30A Wine Festival, Kemiji sat down with me in the podcast studio at SOWAL House in Rosemary Beach, FL, to discuss his wines, the wine industry, and how to enjoy fine wine and food best.

At 17, Western Australian native Jaimen Hudson suffered a devastating injury that paralyzed him from the armpits down. Today he's a world-drone photographer, husband, and father with an astonishingly positive outlook. The documentary "From Sky to Sea" profiles Jaimen's story. This podcast originated from a recorded interview for a cover story in 30A.com's Beach Happy magazine.

Maria D'Souza is an international artist who lives near Nashville, TN. Her beaded skull art is coveted by western enthusiasts and designers across the U.S. Maria has been featured in Cowboys & Indians and Belle Meade Lifestyle magazines.

Sergeant First Class Will Summers retired from the U.S. Army in 2013. Along with a handful of his Special Forces buddies, today, they promote Horse Soldier bourbon.  Summers and 11 of his fellow Green Berets were featured in the movie "12 Strong," as the first group of soldiers to fight the Taliban after 9/11.  I sat down with Will, along with Horse Soldier sales manager Merrick Mirabella at SoWal House in Rosemary Beach, FL, to talk and taste Horse Soldier's three award-winning bourbons.

Heidi Newfield always colors outside the lines. It's apparent in her songwriting and stage presence, whether blowing blues harmonica or singing her chart-topping lyrics. She grew up in rural California before moving to Nashville and joining Trick Pony. In 2008 she embarked on a solo career that continues to resonant in Country and Americana circles. Listen as Heidi shares many of her fondest memories and future dreams.

Annie McFarland is awesome! Actually, Annie is the Director of Awesome at Piper Lou Collection, an awesome online retailer of caps, tumblers, t-shirts with the most incredible slogans anywhere. Months after her husband passed away from cancer, Annie received her own diagnosis. Determined not to allow these setbacks to deter her, Annie forged ahead to the "awesome" job she has today. Check out her awesome posts on all the major social media platforms.

Anthea Turner is an entrepreneur and the owner of Anthea Le Jardin, a European-inspired boutique at The Hub on 30A near Watersound, Florida. Before opening in February 2020, Anthea spent 20 years in the jewelry industry, including three years working on cruise ships. Her unique boutique features one-of-a-kind jewelry, gift items, art, and clothing rarely found along 30A. Anthea is a true renaissance woman whose elegance is reflected in her personal style and creativity.

Mike Ragsdale and his family moved from Birmingham, Alabama, to Florida's 30a area in 2006. Within a few years, Mike created The 30A Company and 30a.com, one of the nation's most popular lifestyle brands. The light blue and yellow 30A stickers and their beer and wines labels are now seen throughout the country. Mike discusses his path to Florida's Emerald Coast and the bumps and bruises he endured before hitting it big on 30A.

Devon Allman has quickly established himself as one of Southern Rock's best frontmen. He began his musical journey as a teenager, meeting his dad, the legendary southern rocker Greg Allman, at 16. Along with Duane Betts, the son of Allman Brothers band member Dickey Betts, they formed The Allman Betts Band. The group's soulful, blues-based sound is reminiscent of their father's yet contains an original vibe not felt in years by true Southern Rock fans. I caught up with Devon while working on projects in his St. Louis area studio between tour dates. In late July, they begin the Spirit of the South Tour with Blackberry Smoke. Their latest album, Bless Your Heart, was released in 2020.

Kameron Marlowe grew up in Kannapolis, North Carolina. His love for music evolved while listening to talented country vocalists such as Ronnie Dunn and Travis Tritt. Both had a considerable influence on the singer’s style and voice inflections. During his formative teen years, he started singing and writing songs and playing in local bands. From The Voice to Nashville, Kameron Marlowe will be playing near you soon, so check out his music and listen to our conversation.