Shows
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 216: Stephanie Riley: Design, Entrepreneurship and Building a Creative CommunityOn this episode of Reelfoot Forward: A West Tennessee Podcast, Stephanie Riley, founder of B3 Creative Agency in Jackson, Tennessee, shares her journey from early graphic design training and freelance work in college at UT Martin to starting — and successfully growing — two advertising agencies in West Tennessee.
The conversation traces the evolution of graphic design from traditional tools like rub-on type and amberlith to today’s digital platforms, along with the power of networking, chamber involvement, and small-town relationships in building a sustainable business. Stephanie also discusses her passion for team culture, mentoring young creatives, and why she believes smaller commun...
2025-12-1641 minReelfoot ForwardEp. 211: Kasey Muench: Discovering Northwest TennesseeIn this episode, Kasey, executive director of Northwest Tennessee Tourism, takes listeners on a verbal tour of some of the people, places and waterways that define this nine-county region. From the formation of Reelfoot Lake during the New Madrid earthquakes to the stories of the first settlers and the region’s thriving small towns, Kasey, Scott and Zac discuss what makes Northwest Tennessee a hidden treasure for travelers.
Listeners will also discover can’t-miss attractions, unique festivals and the best local diners and dives. Whether you love history, outdoor adventures or small-town hospitality, this episode paints a vivid portrait of our...
2025-10-1458 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 202: Eric Sanford: Crafting Community One Pint at a TimeIn this episode, you’ll discover the story of Eric Sanford, founder and co-owner of Reelfoot Brewing Company. Originally from Milwaukee, Eric brought his passion for small batch brewing to Northwest Tennessee, first opening in Trimble before expanding to a new location in the heart of downtown Union City. Eric shares the inspiration behind his move, the challenges of launching a brewery in a small town, and the role craft beer can play in revitalizing communities. You’ll hear how Reelfoot Brewing is creating a space where families and friends gather, local businesses collaborate and visitors experience the unique flavors of T...
2025-07-2337 minReelfoot ForwardEp. 201: Amos Smith and Pete Morgan: Surviving Reelfoot“Surviving Reelfoot” is a locally grown reality competition inspired by Survivor that has captured the imagination of fans around the world. What began in 2014 with 11 friends in a backyard has evolved into a full-scale, eight-day game set on a 300-acre property near Reelfoot Lake. With cast members from four countries and over a million views on their most recent season, Surviving Reelfoot has become a standout in the world of “live reality games.” In this episode, Amos Smith of South Fulton, Kentucky and Pete Morgan of Hornbeak, Tennessee, the creators behind the game, take us behind the scenes and reveal some of...
2025-07-1549 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 201: Amos Smith and Pete Morgan: Surviving Reelfoot“Surviving Reelfoot” is a locally grown reality competition inspired by Survivor that has captured the imagination of fans around the world. What began in 2014 with 11 friends in a backyard has evolved into a full-scale, eight-day game set on a 300-acre property near Reelfoot Lake. With cast members from four countries and over a million views on their most recent season, Surviving Reelfoot has become a standout in the world of “live reality games.” In this episode, Amos Smith of South Fulton, Kentucky and Pete Morgan of Hornbeak, Tennessee, the creators behind the game, take us behind the scenes and reveal some of...
2025-07-1549 min
Southern GothicThe Legends of Reelfoot LakeAlong the northwestern edge of Tennessee sits Reelfoot Lake. The only natural lake in the state, it's a flooded cypress forest that has more in common with the bayous of the deep south than other more open and expansive lakes of the surrounding area.Yet this lake dates back only two centuries and owes its creation to the massive New Madrid earthquakes that rocked the area in 1811-1812 and caused the Mississippi River to temporarily flow backward. Yet according to local legend the cause of those earthly upheavals was more than simply nature. Legend says that the o...
2025-03-3133 minReelfoot ForwardEp. 191: Dave Dunn: Reelfoot CrittersEach year, Discovery Park of America’s Southern Artist Showcase highlights a unique artist with roots in the region. This year, metal sculptor Dave Dunn brings his Reelfoot Critters collection to life, blending movement, whimsy and storytelling through welded found, repurposed and new metal objects. Inspired by summers spent with family in Hickman, Kentucky—on the banks of the Mississippi River and at Reelfoot Lake—his work captures the essence of the wildlife and landscapes that shaped his childhood.
In this episode, recorded during the opening reception on February 27, 2025, Discovery Park's senior director of exhibits and collections, Jennifer Wildes, conducts a brief in...
2025-03-2723 minReelfoot ForwardEp. 191: Dave Dunn: Reelfoot CrittersEach year, Discovery Park of America’s Southern Artist Showcase highlights a unique artist with roots in the region. This year, metal sculptor Dave Dunn brings his Reelfoot Critters collection to life, blending movement, whimsy and storytelling through welded found, repurposed and new metal objects. Inspired by summers spent with family in Hickman, Kentucky—on the banks of the Mississippi River and at Reelfoot Lake—his work captures the essence of the wildlife and landscapes that shaped his childhood. In this episode, recorded during the opening reception on February 27, 2025, Discovery Park's senior director of exhibits and collections, Jennifer Wildes, conducts a brief in...
2025-03-2723 minReelfoot ForwardEp. 187: Betty Ann Tanner: Tennessee Traditions and National PoliticsBetty Ann Tanner has spent years at the intersection of Tennessee tradition and national politics. Her husband, John Tanner, served as the U.S. representative for Tennessee's 8th congressional district from 1989 until 2011. Betty Ann’s journey has taken her from small-town roots to the heart of Washington, D.C. With an innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life, Betty Ann became more than just a political spouse—she is a key force behind the scenes, balancing life in the nation’s capital while staying deeply engaged in her West Tennessee community. Whether hosting dignitaries, championing local causes...
2025-02-1035 minReelfoot ForwardEp. 186: Melinda Meador: Strange FruitMelinda Meador is an attorney with a passion for history. The Gleason, Tennessee native has served as felony prosecutor for the Obion County office of the 27th Judicial District Attorney; as a judicial clerk, assistant district attorney and criminal defense lawyer on the Texas Court of Appeals; and in several leadership positions at the FDIC's headquarters Washington D.C. Today she is in private practice with the firm of Lowe, Yeager & Brown PLLC.
Meador’s family was among the original settlers of Weakley County, and she lives on a farm that has been in her family for 195 years. In this ep...
2025-01-2757 minReelfoot ForwardEP 185: Patrick Bishop: Artificial IntelligencePatrick Bishop, an assistant professor in the Department of Management, Marketing and Information Systems at the University of Tennessee at Martin, joins us to answer all our burning questions about artificial intelligence. In this episode, we explore what AI really is, how it has been used for many years, practical applications for daily life and the ethical issues surrounding its use.
This episode is sponsored by Jerry Ward Autoplex.
2025-01-1654 minReelfoot ForwardEP 184: Jeff Sellers: The Tennessee State CapitolHistorian Jeff Sellers, director of education at the Tennessee State Museum and the state capitol, has compiled images from archives and private collections to showcase the history of the Tennessee State Capitol. He also introduces us to the individuals who have breathed life into what has become known as the people's house.
This episode is sponsored by Jerry Ward Autoplex.
2024-12-1242 minReelfoot Forward183: Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Randall Clemons and Brian May: From Rural Eyesore to Tourism Eye CandyThe 2024 Alabama-Mississippi-Tennessee Rural Tourism Conference was held in Obion County, Tennessee, in the beautiful Reelfoot Lake region in the northwest corner of the state. In this panel discussion, hosted by Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams during the conference, three Tennessee tourism superstars took attendees behind the scenes of their own rural destinations and shared their inspiration for success. Listen in as Williams discovers how the magic is made with: Sonia Outlaw-Clark, executive director of Visit Brownsville and director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center; Randall Clemons, one of the founders of the Wilson County Tennessee State Fair and a...
2024-11-291h 07Reelfoot Forward182: Josh Collins: Main Street MentorJosh Collins is the founder and CEO of Main Street Mentor, a purpose-built organization serving the critical yet underserved Main Street, Chamber, and tourism economies of America’s most beloved places. With more than 25 years of experience in tourism and marketing, Collins has been a trusted guide and strategic partner for some of Tennessee’s favorite destinations. In this episode, you’ll discover his inspiration for starting a small business, tips and tricks for those who want to make things happen in their industries, and ways destinations in rural communities can grow and expand their customer base.
More about Main Street...
2024-11-2050 minReelfoot ForwardEP 181: Berkley Bryant: Miss Volunteer America 2025Berkley Bryant, the reigning Miss South Carolina Volunteer, captured the prestigious title of Miss Volunteer America 2025. The organization honors young women who demonstrate a genuine commitment to making a positive impact in their communities through volunteer work. Bryant was selected because she embodies and exemplifies the values of service, compassion and leadership. As Miss Volunteer America 2025, she assumes the role of national ambassador for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and national brand ambassador for The Salvation Army. She is a 23-year-old honor graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in marketing and a minor in biological sciences. Wh...
2024-11-1424 minReelfoot ForwardEP 180: Ross Houghton: Simply the BestRoss Houghton is the marketing manager for Visit Brownsville, the destination marketing organization that promotes Haywood County, Tennessee. It’s the home of Billy Tripp’s Mindfield, award-winning barbecue, the Hatchie River, the blues of Sleepy John Estes, and the birthplace of Tina Turner. In this episode, Houghton shares how a little boy from Bulgaria grew up in West Tennessee, then traveled to more than 25 countries as an ambassador with Up with People, an organization with the mission of preparing youth to succeed as global citizens, employees, entrepreneurs, and changemakers. He also shares how travel and tourism inspired him to take...
2024-11-1135 min
Reelfoot ForwardEP 179: Cole Bizwell: Life on the Mississippi RiverCole Bizwell, a fourth-generation towboater from Rives, Tennessee, is carrying on a family legacy on the Mississippi River as a senior deckhand with Ingram Barge Company. Although he initially set out to pursue a career in aviation, the COVID-19 pandemic led him to reevaluate his path. When he stepped on a towboat for the first time, he knew instantly it was where he was meant to be.
In this episode, Cole reflects on following in the footsteps of his grandfather and great-grandfather and shares how he’s using social media to document his experiences on the river. You can follow mo...
2024-10-2131 minReelfoot ForwardEP 178: Jenny Gillihan: The Obion River Regional LibraryTennessee’s regional library system is composed of nine multi-county regions—named for major local rivers— serving 211 small and medium-sized public libraries throughout the state. Jenny Gillihan is executive director of the Obion River Regional Library, serving nine counties in Northwest Tennessee where she and her team provide access to a wide range of educational, cultural, and informational services. In this episode, Gillihan shares more about her path to the library, her passion for sharing a love of reading and the rewards of living and working in rural communities.
This episode is sponsored by Jarred Mayo: Allstate Insurance.
2024-10-1531 min
Bogota Boys PodcastEp. 29 - Reelfoot Lake Duck Hunting w Ronnie CappsBack by poplar demand, we bring Ronnie Capps on the podcast again to discuss history and tradition of duck hunting on Reelfoot Lake. Ronnie has over 50 years of experience of chasing waterfowl on Reelfoot. We are convinced that no one does it better so sit back and enjoy this episode!
2024-10-151h 30Reelfoot ForwardEP 177: Brooke Simmons: First Love FarmsBrooke Simmons is an agtrepreneur from Hickman, Kentucky who has incorporated her family’s farm into numerous businesses. The most recent is First Love Farms featuring pick-your-own-flowers, a pumpkin patch and more. In this episode, Simmons what it was like growing up on a farm outside Hickman, her inspiration for starting new businesses and some of the tips and tricks she’s learned along the way.
This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.
2024-10-0726 minReelfoot ForwardEP 176: Jessica Duncan: How Does Your Garden Grow?A row of buttercups growing along a fence row at her new house in Newbern, Tennessee inspired Jessica Duncan to create her very first small business, Lily’s Garden. Her pick-your-own flower farm began with an idea she then nurtured by spending months of research and then trial and error in the garden that continues today. In this episode, she shares what she’s discovered while literally getting her hands dirty starting an agribusiness in her small town, and how Lily’s Garden has impacted her life and career.
This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.
2024-09-3025 min
Ryloh's Quack chat duck calls and duck huntingTalking to Ryan Doering about the Reelfoot call makers CompetitionSend us a textIn this episode I talk to Ryan Doering about the Reelfoot Call Makers Com and Reelfoot.
2024-09-251h 00Reelfoot ForwardEP 175: Derek Giffin: The Fifth Generation of Giffin FarmsDerek Giffin is a fifth-generation farmer who, alongside his wife Micayla, runs Giffin Farms in Union City, Tennessee. The Giffins manage over 1,000 acres, growing corn, soybeans, wheat and hay on land that has been in the family for over a century. To create a more sustainable operation, they added cattle, and their innovative farming techniques have cut the land, water and energy required to produce healthy beef by 50%.
In this episode, Derek shares his journey of farming on a Tennessee Century Farm and the steps they’ve taken to adapt and thrive in the modern agricultural landscape. We also discuss th...
2024-09-2424 minReelfoot ForwardEP 174: Bill Gray and Darren Doss: A Passion for the History of the Twin CitiesBill Gray is an educator, real estate guru, auctioneer and much more. The Gray family has been in the auction and real estate business since 1950. Bill has been licensed in the business since 1979 and has carried on the values and skills he learned from his father ever since. Aside from his professional work, Bill has also become a collector of unique artifacts, including items that once belonged to famed lawman Buford Pusser. Bill retired from teaching after 43 1/2 years at South Fulton Middle and High School, but he remains active in the real estate and auction world.
In this episode, Bill...
2024-09-171h 14Reelfoot ForwardEP 173: Roger and Prentice Colson: Fulton WineryFulton Winery, located in Fulton, Kentucky, is a proud veteran-owned small farm winery and wine bar, specializing in sweet, fruit-flavored wines. Owned and operated by father-son duo Roger and Prentice Colson, the winery currently offers 13 distinct flavors and provides a welcoming space for wine lovers to enjoy a glass, try a sample flight, or take home a growler.
In this episode, we explore what brought Roger and Prentice to the small Western Kentucky town and the inspiration behind turning their passion for winemaking into a business. From Roger’s early memories of his father making wine to the Colsons’ journey of o...
2024-09-1022 minReelfoot ForwardEP 172: Al Santos: From the Powwow Grounds to the Big ScreenAl Santos is the founder and Head Singer of Ottertrail, a celebrated Southern style drum group that has played a vital role in the Native American powwow world and beyond. With Ottertrail, Al has won a Grammy, performed at major events across the country and appeared in the final episode of the Marvel series Echo on Disney+. Most recently, you can see him and Ottertrail in the powwow scene of the Apple TV movie Fancy Dance, where Al also composed all of the powwow music, further cementing his influence in both the powwow and entertainment worlds.
In addition to his...
2024-09-0235 minReelfoot ForwardEP 171: Jason Reeves: A Passion for PlantsJason Reeves is the curator of the University of Tennessee Gardens at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson, Tennessee. His influence can be found in landscapes across the region in the form of distinct plant combinations and his signature garden art. Through his popular Facebook page, Reeves takes followers on virtual trips to experience gardens of all types around the country. In this episode, he shares his personal story of how he discovered a passion for plants and he provides valuable tips for landscapers and gardeners who want to make the most of their gardens.
This episode...
2024-08-2642 minReelfoot ForwardEP 170: Bob Ford: The Hatchie State Scenic RiverWildlife biologist Bob Ford is executive director of The Hatchie River Conservancy, a West Tennessee organization with the mission of conserving and sustaining the natural integrity and the scenic beauty of the Hatchie State Scenic River and its watershed. The Hatchie River is the longest free-flowing tributary of the lower Mississippi River; it harbors the largest forested floodplain remaining in Tennessee and is the only river in the state that is designated as a State Scenic River in its entirety. As Ford shares in this episode, many see the Hatchie as a restorative, soul-nourishing sanctuary—a sacred place to feel co...
2024-08-1947 minReelfoot ForwardEP 169: Jon Nesbitt: The Davy Crockett Hunting ClubThe Davy Crockett Hunting Club is a waterfowl hunting club in Northwest Tennessee. It began in the 1940’s when respected duck hunt guide and chief clerk of Union City’s Davy Crockett Hotel, Ralph Morton, came up with the idea of forming a club for the many hunters that came to the region each year to hunt. The hunting exploits, innumerable anecdotes, tales, accounts, truths and fabrications about the club have become the stuff of Tennessee legend. Morton’s vision and his passion to share the sport of waterfowl hunting with others has evolved into one of the oldest and most r...
2024-08-1236 minReelfoot ForwardEP 168: Jerry Schilling: Me and a Guy Named ElvisIn 1954, twelve-year-old Jerry Schilling wandered into a Memphis touch football game, only to discover that his team was quarterbacked by nineteen-year-old Elvis Presley. Elvis was still an unknown, but his first record, "That’s All Right," had just debuted on Dewey Phillips’ popular WHBQ radio show "Red, Hot & Blue." That chance encounter with the future King of Rock ‘n’ Roll began an adventure for Schilling that continues to this day. In this episode, Schilling, who later became a successful talent manager, shares stories of how Elvis’s friendship has been an inspiration his life and career. Then, Alicia Dean, from Elvis Pres...
2024-08-051h 19Reelfoot ForwardEP 167: Kirstan Blanchard: Creating an Online Lifestyle BrandKirstan Blanchard is a social media influencer from Symsonia, Kentucky. During the 2020 pandemic, Blanchard took advantage of her time in quarantine to launch a successful lifestyle blog. She has since grown her following on TikTok to over 21,000 and over 26,000 on Instagram. Kirstan uses her platform as an online lifestyle brand centered around affordable fashion, mental health awareness and cultivating confidence.
Blanchard recently stopped by Discovery Park as a guest for an AAF West Tennessee event. In this episode, she shares some tips and tricks of creating an online community, lessons learned while creating content and more.
This episode is sponsored...
2024-07-3052 minReelfoot ForwardEP 166: Grant Saum: The FlockstarGrant Saum has dedicated his career and life to agriculture, driven by a deep-seated passion for multiple sectors of the field.
Saum is the co-owner of Saum Show Stock of Ramer, Tennessee and is the owner of Reelfoot Meat Company of Union City, Tennessee. His love for the show ring started at a very young age and has continued into adulthood as he works to inspire the next generation of sheep lovers and showmen.
As the Mid-South Regional Communications Manager for the Cotton Board, Saum ensures that stakeholders throughout the mid-south are informed about the Cotton Research and Promotion Program...
2024-07-2446 minReelfoot ForwardEP 165: Ted Franklin Belue: Bringing History to LifeTed Franklin Belue, a 2021 winner of the Western Writers of America’s prestigious Spur Award, has written numerous books including “Finding Daniel Boone,” “The Hunters of Kentucky” and “The Long Hunt.” He edited two Boone biographies, including Lyman Draper’s landmark “Life of Daniel Boone”—the classic reference on Boone and trans-Appalachian Long Hunters—and published more than 100 essays in trade and scholarly publications. He has served as consultant/commentator for the INSP Network’s “Wild Americans” and Outdoor Channel’s “SHOOTING USA,” History Channel (doubling on-screen in various 18th century guises), A&E, BBC, NBC, and NPR. He “survived” the French and Indian War as a Hollywood...
2024-07-1043 minBogota Boys PodcastEp. 17 - Way of Life on Reelfoot w Ronnie CappsOn this very special episode the Bogota Boys are honored to have Mr. Ronnie Capps as a guest. Ronnie has lived on Reelfoot Lake his whole life and his roots run very deep amongst the banks of Reelfoot. He shares his passion for the outdoors, and ultimately the way of life on Reelfoot Lake. Enjoy!
2024-07-0256 minReelfoot ForwardEP 164: Brady Weldon: The Rock ‘n’ Roll ReverendMartin, Tennessee native Brady Weldon is a man of many hats. Minister, consultant, author and life-coach to name a few. Brady has helped start a few churches and sits on the board of several. He’s learned a lot during his 35 years of ministry, but one of his greatest discoveries was realizing he could impact people in the areas of both faith and creativity.
In this episode, we take a journey back to Brady’s long West Tennessee line of entrepreneurship and helping others, as well as his journey back to another passion of his, music.
Another hat on the bald...
2024-06-2538 minReelfoot ForwardEP 163: John Watkins: Planting Seeds of DiscoveryJohn Watkins has been planting seeds and watching them grow at Discovery Park since the 50-acre heritage park was first built in an empty field more than a decade ago. In this episode, he shares stories of his earliest meetings with Robert Kirkland where Discovery Park’s founder laid out his vision for the landscaping. Watkins also provides details about the future plans for the new Farm Credit Mid-America Education Pavilion, the vineyards and the upcoming All American Selections Display Garden.
This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.
2024-06-0639 minReelfoot ForwardEP 162: Chef Dylan Costantino: What’s Cooking at the Lodge at Paris Landing State ParkChef Dylan Costantino has prepared meals in kitchens from Colorado to Mackinac Island to Nashville. Here in Northwest Tennessee, we’re lucky he’s now calling Paris home. Costantino is the executive chef at the Lodge at Paris Landing State Park in Henry County. The new 91-room lodge provides hotel resort-style vacation rentals on Kentucky Lake near Land Between the Lakes. In this episode, Chef Costantino shares some of the exciting things happening in their kitchen including Murder Mystery Dinner. Also discussed is some of the history of Henry County hospitality and the current location of their first tourist attraction, Sulp...
2024-05-1536 minReelfoot ForwardEP 161: Sean Kenney: Lego ArtistA collection of 19 sculptures created by Lego artist Sean Kenney will be on display throughout Discovery Park’s 50 acres from May 3 to Sept. 2, 2024. This version of the award-winning traveling exhibition, “Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects® Made with LEGO® Bricks,” sponsored by Leaders Credit Union, was specially curated to enhance a visit to Discovery Park. Included in the collection is a monarch butterfly built with 60,500 LEGO® bricks that took 377 hours to build, a life-sized gardener built with 37,400 LEGO® bricks that took 320 hours to build and various plants, animals and insects. In this episode, Sean Kenney takes us behind the scenes from his Amsterdam stu...
2024-05-0226 minReelfoot ForwardEP 160: The 2024 Discovery AwardsOn Saturday evening, March 2, 2024, Discovery Park of America honored four individuals who, like the museum and heritage park, inspire others to see beyond. Proceeds from the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Discovery Awards benefit the Kirkland Scholarship Fund that provides free admission for student groups to Discovery Park. The event was attended by a sold-out crowd from around the country who joined Discovery Park in celebrating the honorees Dr. Nick Dunagan, former UT Martin Chancellor; Deanie Parker, non-profit executive and champion of the arts; David Ring, businessman and developer and Elizabeth Taylor, community activist and philanthropist. In this episode...
2024-04-281h 17Reelfoot ForwardEP 159: Norma Pruitt: Piloting Economic GrowthNorma Pruitt is the “Pilot” of the board of directors of the organization that oversees the operations of the Mississippi River Parkway Commission. The multistate organization works collectively to preserve, promote and enhance the scenic, historic and recreational resources of the Mississippi River. In the episode, Pruitt shares some fascinating insight into The Great River Road that stretches for 3,000 miles through and beside 10 states. The Great River Road National Scenic Byway is the longest and one of the oldest such designated roadways. It has also been named one of America’s All-American Roads. Discovery Park was added an interpretive center for Th...
2024-04-2047 minReelfoot ForwardEP 158: Dr. Elaine Harriss: A Musical LifeDr. Elaine Harriss, a professor in the University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Music and recent inductee into the Steinway & Sons Teachers Hall of Fame, has been teaching piano for more than 50 years. She began teaching music as an undergraduate student in Nashville and continued in Monroe, Louisiana where she taught in an all-Black school during the early days of integration. In this episode, she shares inspiring stories from her award-winning career along with tips for parents who want to discover ways they can incorporate music into the lives of their children.
This episode is sponsored by the Reelfoot...
2024-04-0336 minReelfoot ForwardEP 157: Derek Purvis: The Ballad of Davy CrockettFilmmaker Derek Purvis is the producer-director of the just released action pic “The Ballad of Davy Crockett.” In this episode, Purvis shares a little about the early inspiration that led him to a career in filmmaking along with a few stories that take listeners behind the scenes of his production. Filmed in Tennessee, “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” is an action-packed Western featuring William Moseley who is known for his portrayal of the fictional character Peter Pevensie in the “The Chronicles of Narnia” trilogy. Set in 1815, the film focuses on Crockett’s fictional adventures while fighting his way through the wild frontier...
2024-03-2138 minReelfoot ForwardEP 156: Randall Kendrick: The Steel Garden: A DocumentaryDocumentary filmmaker Randall Kendrick grew up in Brownsville, Tennessee in the shadow of The Mindfield, a “you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it” outdoor art installation created by Tennessee outsider artist Billy Tripp. The artist has been constructing a massive steel sculpture for the past 33 years, and is finally setting his sights on retirement. In his documentary, “The Steel Garden: A Documentary” Kendrick examines Tripp’s life and work as he builds one of the final pieces of his ever expanding sculpture. In this episode, Kendrick shares more about the inspiration for his documentary, the process he went through to get the story on film and the early...
2024-03-1149 minReelfoot ForwardEP 155: Sean Gasaway: Changing Young Lives with MusicSean Gasaway is an entertainer who wears many hats. His titles include songwriter, producer, music mogul, record producer, actor and entrepreneur. On this episode, the two-time Native American Music Awards Song of the Year winner shares more about using music to change young lives as education coordinator with the Mississippi Songwriters Alliance and some of the exciting things happening with arts and entertainment down in the historic Mississippi Delta. You can find out more about Sean at seangasaway.com.
This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.
2024-02-2745 minReelfoot ForwardEP 154: Ann Martin: Path to Patti’sAnn Martin is a leader of one of the most unique attractions in the nation, Patti’s 1880’s Settlement in Grand Rivers, Kentucky. A cancer survivor, businesswomen, entrepreneur, and recent TikTok star, she led the organization through a devastating fire, the many negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and now, unprecedented growth. In this episode, she shares the inspirational story of how their attraction’s restaurant— now serving over one million dollars in pork chops every year—began when one courageous woman, the late Patti Tullar, transformed her love for cooking and family into an award-winning business in a tiny town of 35...
2024-02-1555 minReelfoot ForwardEP 153: Jeremy Powell: Cultivating HopeJeremy Powell, a pastor and teacher in Union City, Tennessee, was born with an autoimmune deficiency that rendered his body incapable of defeating bacterial and fungal infections. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread around the world, Powell contracted fungal meningitis. Given only an 18% chance of surviving the infection, his doctors at the National Institutes of Health recommended a bone marrow transplant as a last-ditch effort to clear the meningitis and save his life. Powell survived the transplant, and his rehabbed immune system even fought back the infection in his spine and brain. He was healed of his autoimmune deficiency and the...
2024-02-0653 minReelfoot ForwardEP 152: Rodney McConnell: Bike Life, Episode 2 of 2In this second two-part episode about road and mountain biking in Tennessee, we welcome Rodney McConnell, founder of the popular Ride the Fault Line bike ride. Participants on this ride explore attractions and experiences along the New Madrid Fault Line in Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky and Tennessee in just seven days.
This episode is sponsored by Obion County Tourism.
2024-01-1941 minReelfoot ForwardEP 151: Jenni Veal: Bike Life, Episode 1 of 2We kick off a new year of podcast episodes from Discovery Park with a special two-part look at road and mountain biking in Tennessee. Jenny Veal, rural destination development manager with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, shares more about Bike Tennessee. The initiative will feature four to six curated routes in each of the nine regions of the state. Each route will be named, rated for difficulty, and will include mileage, climb, scenic information and points of interests. All Bike Tennessee cycling routes will be mapped and downloadable in the Ride with GPS app.
This episode is sponsored by...
2024-01-1225 min
Living The Dream OutdoorsKen McBroom on Reelfoot LakeJoin Living the Dream Outdoors Podcast host Bill Cooper and the Rambling Angler, Ken McBroom, on gorgeous Reelfoot Lake in western Tennessee. They are both guests of Jeremy Mattingly’s On the Hook TV Show and Blue Bank Resort. It’s a grand crappie media camp with several attending notable outdoor writers, crappie guides and innovative products manufacturers. It’s a fun show and your mouth is sure to water as Bill and Ken discuss the fine Southern style meals served up by the Blue Bank Resort kitchen crew.
2023-12-0644 min
Living The Dream OutdoorsGandG Outdoors at Reelfoot LakeLiving the Dream Outdoors Podcast host Bill Cooper talks crappie fishing at Reelfoot Lake with GandG Outdoors guides Greg Kaiser and Jim Garret. All three were attending a crappie fishing media event put on by Jermey Mattingly of On the Hook TV. The three day event took place at the beautiful Blue Bank Resort. Big crappie, big stories and big plates of fabulous foods served up by the Blue Bank Resort staff made for a memorable event that all participants will long remember. Magazine articles, TV shows and podcasts s[urned from the event will entice viewers, listeners and readers t...
2023-11-2241 minReelfoot ForwardEP 150: Sarah Conley: Access to Art in a Rural CommunityAs chairperson of the Arts Council of Crockett County, Tennessee Sarah Conley champions fine arts in the rural community named in honor of David Crockett. In this episode, she shares details from her journey so far including a childhood in Bells, Tennessee and early theatrical training with nationally acclaimed teacher of high school speech and drama, Freda Kenner. Today, Conley enthusiastically works to make certain people of all ages have access to arts of all kinds.
This episode is sponsored by Parker’s Outfitting.
2023-11-0249 minReelfoot ForwardEP 149: Tosha Gurley and Michael Avery: Southland SafariTosha and Chris Gurley’s love story began with their “first child” Jack, a pet black-capped capuchin monkey. After Chris sold his cattle and goats, he decided to buy five buffalo. Next came the zebra, kangaroos and giraffes. It quickly grew from there into what is now Southland Safari in Clarksburg, Tennessee. Along for the ride with Tosha and Chris from the beginning, was their friend and legendary tour guide, Michael Avery. In this episode, Tosha and Michael share more about their story and the big commitment they made to leave their full-time jobs to run a zoo and luxury destin...
2023-10-1226 minReelfoot ForwardEP 148: Dr. Yancy Freeman: UTM ChancellorOriginally from Memphis, Dr. Yancy Freeman is the new chancellor at the University of Tennessee at Martin. In this episode, we discuss his path back to West Tennessee and the guidance he provides for today’s students.
After completing his undergraduate, masters and doctorate from UT Chattanooga, Dr. Freeman served at the university for the past 25 years in various admissions, recruitment and enrollment roles.
“West Tennessee has always been near and dear to my heart,” Dr. Freeman expresses as he reflects on being back in the part of the state that feels like home.
This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit...
2023-09-2836 min
Reelfoot ForwardEP. 144: Stacie Overman: Lavender KissesStacie and Larry Overton visited Tennessee and discovered what Stacie calls “heaven on earth.” After purchasing a farm in Hollow Rock, they embarked on an inspiring journey that resulted in Lavender Kisses Farm. Located between Memphis and Nashville, visitors to the farm can experience fields of lavender, shopping, hayrides and a small herd of shaggy Highland Coos, a Scottish breed of rustic cattle. In this episode, Stacy shares details about her life as a widow, career as a talent agent, years on reality television, traveling around the country in an RV and how it all led to a field in Tenn...
2023-08-1041 min
Tennessee WildCastTW 354 - Reelfoot Folk Art JourneyDive into the enchanting world of Reelfoot folk art, where waterfowl and wildlife come to life on canvas! 🦆🌿💫 Tony Childress takes us on a journey of art, culture, and the untold stories behind these masterpieces. #FolkArt #ReelfootLake #HiddenGems #tnwildlife #gooutdoorstennessee #tnwildcast
2023-08-0829 min
Reelfoot ForwardEP 140: Steve Watkins: Champion of Authentic Southern CultureSteve Watkins has spent time as a journalist, capitol hill press secretary, rancher, publisher, marketer, author of two award-winning books and is an excellent chef of “down-home cooking.” His work has garnered him a reputation as a champion of authentic Southern culture. Steve and his wife Dana have recently moved into the Discovery Park neighborhood, making their home on Reelfoot Lake in Samburg, Tenn. There, he’s building a hunter’s lodge and planning a weekend retreat for writers Sept. 21-24, 2023. In this episode, Steve shares how a letter from Jimmy Carter he received as a child started him down the path...
2023-06-1442 min
HISTORIC DUCK HUNTING STORIES THE GOLDEN AGE OF DUCK HUNTINGE24 SLINGSHOT CHARLIE TAYLOR REELFOOT LAKEEver since Slingshot Charlie Taylor—his real name was Charles Bell
Taylor—was a young boy in Hornbeak, Tennessee, he had shot a slingshot with
uncanny accuracy. When he was a barefoot tyke of seven, he began using the
slingshot in hills around his home to hunt meat for the family pot because it
was simply necessary. “I learned the hard way on rabbits, squirrels, coons and
possums. It was hit or go hungry.”Slingshot grew up learning how to blow a duck call, able to bring ducks
to within 20 yards of his slingshot. He was considered one of the best...
2023-05-2327 minReelfoot ForwardEP 138: Lisa Smartt: Making People LaughLisa Smartt of Dresden, Tennessee loves to make people laugh. A motivational humorist and writer, she travels nationally speaking to groups on a variety of fun and interesting topics. In her own words, “I'm always open to designing new talks to meet a group's needs as long as they don’t need insight into algebra, organizational skills, map reading or pet counseling.” She’s also a writer who has published a number of books and a popular newspaper column. In this episode, Lisa shares stories from her childhood, how she discovered her talent for public speaking and tips to use when lis...
2023-05-1836 minReelfoot ForwardEP 137: Chase Treece & Morgan Goodman: Making a Difference in Young LivesThis week's episode features two guests who have the unique opportunity to impact the lives of young people every single day—Chase Treece, the current youth pastor for Crosswind Church and NWTN Young Life Staff Associate for Union City, Tenn., and Morgan Goodman, the NWTN Young Life Staff Associate for the Martin, Tenn.
They both share a passion for connecting with students in the most transformational times of their lives—middle and high school.
Chase takes us on an adventure into the great outdoors, sharing his love for hunting in the region, specifically Reelfoot Lake. He also shares his insights on t...
2023-05-0349 minReelfoot ForwardEP 135: Al Claiborne: The Odyssey of a Norman LaneOn the morning of Friday, April 5, 1968, West Tennessean Norman Lane, a recent casualty of the Vietnam War, lay in repose in a government-issued casket at the Brownsville, Tennessee Funeral Home. On the same morning, at the R.S. Lewis Funeral Home in Memphis, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lay in repose in a temporary bronze casket. The world knows the story of Dr. King’s life and his legacy. Now, thanks to the research and work of Al Claiborne, the world will discover the sacrifice of Lane.
In this episode, Claiborne, Brownsville native and Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry at Wake Fo...
2023-04-1943 min
Tell Me a Hunting StoryBilly Blakley - Blue Bank Resort - Reelfoot lake TNBilly Blakley joins the show to talk fishing, waterfowl hunting, turkey hunting, deer hunting, cooking, guiding, and much more. If you want to go catch some fish with Billy out on Reelfoot lake go to bluebankresort.com or give them a call at 877-258-3226
2023-04-1347 min
Reelfoot ForwardEP 133: Scott Guymon: Baseball, Legacy and CultureAre you ready to dive into the fascinating world of baseball history and heritage?
In this episode, we sit down with Scott Guyman, the owner of the Fulton Railroaders, as he explores the intersection of baseball, legacy and culture.
The Fulton Railroaders is a small-town league that invites players from across the country to play a 40-game schedule during the summer, all with a wooden bat. Guymon outlines the important role that baseball has played in shaping our West Tennessee communities and the history of the Fulton Railroaders. He takes us on a journey through the history of baseball as...
2023-03-2222 min
Reelfoot ForwardEP 132: Jacob Dublin: Powerhouse LeadershipIn this episode, we welcome Powerhouse Athletics owner, Jacob Dublin. We hear about Dublin’s affinity for being a new business owner and a mentor to the young people of West Tennessee.
Dublin shares his transition from student to coach and the values he learned from his own experiences as an athlete at Bryan College. He discusses how his belief in humility, hard work and a practical outlook has led him to a leadership role and how these practices guide and inspire him in his work with high school athletes.
This episode is sponsored by Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge.
This podca...
2023-03-1527 minRyloh's Quack chat duck calls and duck huntingWhat happend to me and the long lost Reelfoot interviewsSend us a textIn this episode i talk about where I have been, I also released the Reelfoot interviews.
2023-02-1940 min
Reelfoot ForwardEP 131: Katie Burke: Ducks Unlimited, Conservation and Duck Duck GooseMuseum curator Katie Burke was a key member in the development and design of the Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center located in Bass Pro Shops' superstore in the Memphis Pyramid. Today, she is director of the interactive museum that raises awareness of wetlands and waterfowl conservation, emphasizes the importance of rivers and wetlands to society and illustrates the role that hunters play in conserving wildlife habitat and the waterfowl resource. In this episode, Burke discusses the career path that led her to Ducks Unlimited, the importance of wildlife conservation and her involvement in the upcoming Discovery Park exhibit “Duck, Duck, Go...
2023-01-3045 min
Living The Dream OutdoorsFishing Reelfoot Lake with Military VeteransJoin Living the Dream Outdoors Podcast host Bill Cooper as he joins two military veterans on the gorgeous ReelFoot Lake in western Tennessee. Air Force veteran Frank Houdeshek and Army Veteran Kevin Bean met at a fishing event several years ago. They hit it off and have been fishing together ever since. Howdeshek is from Kansas and Bean ias from Tennessee. This splendid crappie fishing team talks about crappie fishing and the healing results of spending time in the outdoors.
2022-12-0747 min
Living The Dream OutdoorsReelfoot Lake Adventure with Kyle Beckman Join Living the Dream Outdoors Podcast host Bill Cooper and two time Crappie Angler of the Year Kyle Beckman as they discuss the tremendous crappie fishery at Reelfoot, they delve into the super accommodations found at Blue Bank Resort where they stayed during the three day On the Hook TV media camp. Cooper and Beckman agreed that the southern style dishes served by the Blue Bank restaurant crew would match the best cuisine found anywhere.
2022-11-2345 min
Living The Dream OutdoorsCrappie Fishing Reelfoot and Truman LakeJoin Living the Dream Outdoors Podcast host Bill Cooper and two time Crappie Angler of the Year Kyler Beckmann and Cory Weaver of JB’’s Fish Sauce as they cover the On the Hook media camp at Blue Bank Resort on Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee. Too, they discuss the ins and outs of crappie fishing on Truman Lake in Missouri. It’s a great episode packed with great information which every crappie angler will want to hear.
2022-11-0950 minSouthern GothicThe Legends of Reelfoot LakeAlong the northwestern edge of Tennessee sits Reelfoot Lake. The only natural lake in the state, it's a flooded cypress forest that has more in common with the bayous of the deep south than other more open and expansive lakes of the surrounding area.Yet this lake dates back only two centuries and owes its creation to the massive New Madrid earthquakes that rocked the area in 1811-1812 and caused the Mississippi River to temporarily flow backward. Yet according to local legend the cause of those earthly upheavals was more than simply nature. Legend says that the o...
2022-09-1442 minRyloh's Quack chat duck calls and duck huntingTalking to Ron Davis about Call making and the Reelfoot call showSend us a textIn this episode I talk to Ron Davis about Call making and The upcoming Reelfoot call show.
2022-08-281h 11
Lily’s Field JournalNight Riding Around Reelfoot LakeThe episode art is a photo of Captain Quentin Rankin. Sources: https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/42623074.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3A0f01556869dc2ae5dde5e55ddcca760d&ab_segments=&origin=&acceptTC=1https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/38958189/quintin-rankinhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/60374168/robert-zachary-taylorhttps://www.tnmagazine.org/reelfoot-lake-dark-history-night-riders/
2022-06-0918 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 120 Connor Rinker: Full Stop AviationFrom a young age, Connor Rinker spent countless hours among the clouds. His love for aviation was passed down from his father, Mike Rinker, a commercial pilot and renowned aerobatic pilot. In this episode, Connor shares how he applies his passion at the flight training school, Full Stop Aviation, at the Everett-Stewart Regional Airport in Union City, Tenn. Conner’s goal is to inspire others to pursue a passion for flying. He and one of his students, “Reelfoot Forward” producer, Luke Johnson, also share details on learning to fly, more about what makes the regional airport in Union City so unique...
2022-06-0740 min
Hunting Roots PodcastFinal Run at Reelfoot - The False Start SpecklebellyWe made the final run at Reelfoot Lake to wrap up the waterfowl season with the youth and veteran's hunts. These are always some of the best hunts of the year, making memories with good friends and family. We've got the kids in the hot seat answering the tough questions, as well as a conversation with one of our veterans that jumped the gun and killed his first specklebelly goose. www.bluebankresort.com Episode Notes Questions with the kids / why they like duck huntingWho's the best Duck Caller?Honey Bun or...
2022-02-1634 minHunting Roots PodcastDuck Blind Stories with Legendary Reelfoot Lake Guide, Billy BlakleyThis episode was recorded straight from the duck blind on Reelfoot Lake. It delivers duck blind stories and expert advice from legendary hunting/fishing guide, Billy Blakley. He's been doing it a long time, and you won't find another man like him. Check out his story here. Hunting/fishing roots for Billy BlakleyReelfoot Lake HistoryDuck Blind MishapsWhy Billy Hauled a Hunter Back to the BankReelfoot TornadoThe difference in men and women when hunting and fishingwww.bluebankresort.com The Hunting Roots Podcast is powered by...
2022-01-1240 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 100: In the BeginningFor the 100th episode of “Reelfoot Forward,” host Scott Williams welcomes two special guests who were part of the creation of Discovery Park from the beginning. Senior director of education, Polly Brasher, and senior director of exhibits, Jennifer Wildes, recently celebrated ten years with the museum and heritage park. They were there even before the doors were first opened on Nov. 1, 2013 and have experienced firsthand the remarkable growth and success. They’ve watched millions of children and adults benefit from the big idea of Robert Kirkland and the community of Union City, Tenn., to create a place where inspiration would happen...
2021-10-1248 min
Gamekeeper PodcastEP:37 | The Reelfoot Lake TragedyIn late January, the duck hunting community was shocked when the news broke out of Reelfoot Lake that two duck hunters had been killed, and a manhunt for the alleged killer was underway. Rumors ran rampant, especially when the body of the suspect was recovered. Now that the dust has settled, we've learned the truth is different than what rumors led most hunters to believe. But the murders still leave many unanswered questions. The Gamekeeper Podcast welcomes Outdoor Life Senior Deputy Editor Natalie Krebs, who interviewed the only witness, and other Reelfoot hunters, to write a very compelling story...
2021-05-1153 min
The Outdoor Life PodcastWhat Really Happened to the Duck Hunters Who Were Killed on Reelfoot Lake?In late January, a small-town crime made national news and shook the waterfowl hunting world to its core. During the final week of Tennessee’s duck season, two hunters were shot and killed on Reelfoot Lake. A third hunter—suspected of killing both young men—was missing for nearly a week before his body was discovered. One witness survived.
All four men involved in the incident were loved and highly regarded by their friends and families. None of them had a criminal record. This week, we take an in-depth look at what the investigation has uncovered about this t...
2021-04-2730 min
Back to the LodgeA Community Comes Together After Reelfoot Lake TragedyWhen tragedies or disasters strike close to home, we look for ways to avoid the anxiety they produce — sometimes by withdrawing or tuning out, and sometimes by turning our attention to lurid or unimportant details. But that sort of avoidance doesn’t help the victims of a tragedy, or the community, heal. In the aftermath of an event that shakes up our confidence in the order of things — such as what happened here at Reelfoot Lake — it’s vital for communities to come together to reestablish a sense of trust and collective efficacy. Being present to confront the difficult reality of l...
2021-02-0934 min
Fireside OutdoorsEpisode 03: Reelfoot Lake, Ammo, GuidebookWhat is going on with hunter's today? A double murder on Reelfoot lake brings outdoor enthusiasts to question the resolve of our hunters and anglers across the nation.
Where is the Ammo? A discussion on what is happening in the ammo industry.
Missouri's Natural Wonders Guidebook - where to go in Missouri to find nature, family, and our creator.
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2021-02-0420 min
The Staggering TruthDouble Murder On Reelfoot Lake; Killer Still UnlocatedOn January 25th, on Reelfoot Lake, two men, Zack Grooms and Chance Grooms were reportedly gunned down by a local prominent businessman. The search for the suspect is ongoing.
2021-01-3009 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 72 Ben Parker, Parker's OutfittingAs a fourth generation hunter from Samburg, Tennessee, Ben Parker created Parker's Outfitting to provide hunting and fishing adventures in the region. Recording from his lodge at Reelfoot Lake, Ben talks about his time on the professional fishing circuit and how he developed the idea to provide outdoor excursions in his hometown.
2020-11-2334 minReelfoot ForwardEp. 71 Casey Allen, From the Classroom to the Rodeo ArenaIt's not every day you get to hear firsthand what it's like to ride into a rodeo arena. In this episode, Casey Allen, a graduate student and member of the rodeo team at the University of Tennessee at Martin, shares about the thrill of barrel racing and break-away roping. When she is not in class, she is practicing and competing in rodeos across the country. Raised just outside of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Casey began competing against professional barrel racers at the age of 14. Listeners will enjoy hearing about the day-to-day activities of a rodeo star in this episode of "Reelfoot Forward."
2020-11-1635 minReelfoot ForwardEp. 70 Charles Choate, 30 MinutesCharles Choate, the host of “30 Minutes,” a community affairs program from the Thunderbolt Broadcasting Company, turns the tables on “Reelfoot Forward” host, Scott Williams, to find out more about Discovery Park of America’s new exhibit on innovation in agriculture. By 2050, agricultural production must increase dramatically to support an estimated global population of 10 billion. In this episode, you’ll hear more about how “Agriculture: Innovating for Our Survival” explores how food, fuel and fiber is being grown for an increasing population while using less of our shared natural resources. Opening Dec. 5, 2020, the exhibit tells the story of farming innovation in the past, presen...
2020-11-0929 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 46 Tara Dowdy, Advocate for All Things OutdoorsIntroducing kids and adults to the wild outdoors is exhilarating for Tara Dowdy, who is a Refuge Ranger for the National Wildlife Refuge on Reelfoot Lake. As you listen to this episode, you will hear the passion in her voice and she describes the amazing migratory waterfowl that come through on the Mississippi Flyway, as well as the stories she shares about taking visitors on a Bald eagle tour and a third grader who had never played in the mud. Dowdy's love for the outdoors is evident as she talks with Scott about her dream job as a refuge ranger...
2020-04-2731 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 31 March to the Beat of Your Own Drum - Micah BarnesHere’s an episode that will inspire anyone who hopes to march to the beat of their own drum while living in a rural community. While his friends were out duck hunting and fishing on Reelfoot Lake, Micah Barnes was teaching himself to play a number of instruments and perfecting his musical talents. He eventually studied bass at the famed Interlochen Center for the Arts, started the world fusion jam band 27bstroke6 and carved out a niche as a utility musician, writing, performing, and recording with numerous groups in various genres on an array of instruments. He later focused his cr...
2019-12-1825 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 24 What It's Like Working at Discovery Park of America featuring Mary Nita BondurantHave you ever wanted to know what it was like behind-the-scenes before Discovery Park of America even opened? In today’s episode, Katie Jarvis stands in as the guest host of Reelfoot Forward and interviews Mary Nita Bondurant, who is the marketing director for the park. She gives some insider information on how it was working with Robert Kirkland as Discovery Park was being built, the team that was formed at the beginning, some insights on tourism for this region in Northwest Tennessee and advice for those seeking a career in marketing and advertising.
And later, Andrew talk with Nathaniel Ne...
2019-10-2226 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 17 Dr. David Coffey: A Historic ConversationDr. David Coffey is chair of the department of History and Philosophy at the University of Tennessee at Martin. If the Civil War is one of your passions, you’ll love this episode where just one of the many topics is the six-volume American Civil War: The Definitive Encyclopedia and Document Collection to which Dr. Coffey contributed more than 40 entries. He also touches on other books, West Tennessee music, his contribution to Discovery Park and the favorite history-related vacation spots frequently visited by he and his wife, Dr. Julie Hill, when they aren’t working on their new historic event venu...
2019-09-0744 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 7 - Reelfoot Forward - Danny Walden and The Missing River TownThe history of the “Minglewood Blues” is as long and complex as the difficult-to-locate Menglewood, the West Tennessee river town it was named after. Danny Walden, president of the Dyer County Historical Society, shares the origin, location and details of the town that was the site of the Mengel Box Company.
Walden also sheds light on the history of the song written by Noah Lewis then first recorded in 1928 in Memphis by Cannon’s Jug Stompers. A version titled “New, New Minglewood Blues,” was recorded by the Grateful Dead in 1967 for their first album and both the song and the Tennessee...
2019-06-1738 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 6 - Reelfoot Forward - Marti Doss: Obion County Native with A Story To TellTake a step back in time as Scott talks with Marti Doss, who was in on the action when the first conversations were had about the wild idea to build a 100,000SF museum in the middle of a cornfield in Union City, Tennessee. Marti lets us in on how the Obion County Museum played a big role in the development of Discovery Park of America. She is now a volunteer artist at the park, and talks about the importance of art in the lives of children.
Later, Andrew has a conversation with David Heathcott that will surely “spark” your imagination. They...
2019-06-1137 min
Y'all ShowReelfoot Duck Hunting; Vince Gill and 'Okie'; 3-Point MoveReelfoot Lake (Tenn.) duck hunter extraordinaire Russell H. Caldwell visits with Cleve Marsh in the latest installment of "Marsh Land: Out In The South." Vince Gill's forthcoming album "Okie" features the melodic track "I Don't Wanna Ride The Rails No More." Plus, a Florida man goes bonkers in Upstate New York.
2019-06-071h 39
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 5 - Reelfoot Forward - Kathy Dumont: Do Quit Your Day JobIf you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to quit your job in the city and create a whole new world in a friendly rural community, you’ll love hearing Kathy Dumont’s story. After searching for a place that would offer a simpler, more peaceful life, she and husband, Michael, found what they call “paradise.”
In addition to their 400-acre hobby farm, complete with restored farmhouse, where they raise baby doll sheep, Australian shepherds and rescue horses, they’ve acquired and restored many properties in Linden, Tennessee. Their renovations, including an inn built in 1939 now named the Commodore Ho...
2019-06-0431 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 4 - Reelfoot Forward - Jireh Breon Holder: Writer on NBC's “New Amsterdam”Jiréh Breon Holder, born and raised in Memphis, Tenn., is currently a writer on NBC's hit show “New Amsterdam.” Holder talks about how he made it from Memphis to the Yale School of Drama, then on to Hollywood and New York and how his grandmother helped him come up with the idea for his award-winning off-Broadway play, "Too Heavy for Your Pocket." In the play, Holder takes us back to Nashville in the summer of 1961 as the Freedom Riders are embarking on a courageous journey into the Deep South. In the episode, Holder shares his own thoughts about choosing to—or...
2019-05-2838 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 4 - Reelfoot Forward - Jireh Breon Holder: Writer on NBC's “New Amsterdam”Jiréh Breon Holder, born and raised in Memphis, Tenn., is currently a writer on NBC's hit show “New Amsterdam.” Holder talks about how he made it from Memphis to the Yale School of Drama, then on to Hollywood and New York and how his grandmother helped him come up with the idea for his award-winning off-Broadway play, "Too Heavy for Your Pocket." In the play, Holder takes us back to Nashville in the summer of 1961 as the Freedom Riders are embarking on a courageous journey into the Deep South. In the episode, Holder shares his own thoughts about choosing to—or...
2019-05-2838 minY'all ShowMemorial Day Movies; End Of School Fun; Reelfoot Lake"Summertime Blues" is a Rockabilly favorite first made famous in 1958 by Eddie Cochran. Jon Rawl gets the summer fun started with the help of nine-year-old son, Nolton, who just completed third grade. Cleve Marsh returns with an "Out In the South" feature of Reelfoot Lake (Tenn.) sportsman Rob Caldwell. Also, a glance at new movies hitting theaters this Memorial Day weekend.
2019-05-241h 39
Reelfoot ForwardEp. 3 - Reelfoot Forward - From Prom Queens to Drag Queens and Everything in BetweenPaige Burcham Dennis, a fashion entrepreneur based in Union City, Tenn., welcomes entertainers, celebrities, pageant contestants and others from around the world to Joann’s, her shop where “glitter runs through their veins.” She helps dress and style customers, most who become close friends, for their appearances in everything from music videos and movies to pageants and proms, and anywhere else making a fashion statement can make a difference.
She talks about her own first beauty pageant that launched her mother, the shop’s founder Joann, on the path to eventual success in the gown business, growing up in a small to...
2019-05-2036 minReelfoot ForwardEp. 3 - Reelfoot Forward - From Prom Queens to Drag Queens and Everything in BetweenPaige Burcham Dennis, a fashion entrepreneur based in Union City, Tenn., welcomes entertainers, celebrities, pageant contestants and others from around the world to Joann’s, her shop where “glitter runs through their veins.” She helps dress and style customers, most who become close friends, for their appearances in everything from music videos and movies to pageants and proms, and anywhere else making a fashion statement can make a difference. She talks about her own first beauty pageant that launched her mother, the shop’s founder Joann, on the path to eventual success in the gown business, growing up in a sma...
2019-05-2036 min
Reelfoot ForwardEp.1 - Reelfoot Forward - Goose Calling Champion Kelley Powers Turned BusinessmanKelly Powers turned early success as a much-celebrated professional goose caller into a popular retail and mail-order catalog business. Final Flight Outfitters Inc, in Union City, Tenn. was founded with his brothers, Jon Ed and Tripp, and grew from a storage trailer in 1998 to a 25,000-square-foot showroom that contains a large selection of outdoor gear and hunting supplies.
Powers talks about how, in spite of phenomenal growth, the brothers and their close-knit staff maintain their goal of growing a relationship with each customer. Powers also explains the importance of the Reelfoot Lake region to their business and the role of...
2019-04-1838 minReelfoot ForwardEp.1 - Reelfoot Forward - Goose Calling Champion Kelley Powers Turned BusinessmanKelly Powers turned early success as a much-celebrated professional goose caller into a popular retail and mail-order catalog business. Final Flight Outfitters Inc, in Union City, Tenn. was founded with his brothers, Jon Ed and Tripp, and grew from a storage trailer in 1998 to a 25,000-square-foot showroom that contains a large selection of outdoor gear and hunting supplies.Powers talks about how, in spite of phenomenal growth, the brothers and their close-knit staff maintain their goal of growing a relationship with each customer. Powers also explains the importance of the Reelfoot Lake region to their business and the...
2019-04-1838 min
Campground of the WeekCampground Review: Reelfoot Lake State ParkTennessee’s Reelfoot Lake State Park is a scenic spot for outdoor recreation, thanks to its location along the shores of the 15,000-acre Reelfoot Lake. Visitors come to toss in a line, to boat and paddle across the lake, and to take in the natural beauty.
We know we can always count on Casita Dean to share with us the best state park campgrounds of the South, and this week, we are thrilled to have him back on the show to tell us all about Reelfoot Lake State Park. Dean and his wife, Laura, greatly enjoyed their vi...
2019-04-0331 min
On The X - Fishing, Waterfowl & MoreOn The X Podcast: "What is The Best Gun Case For Airlines, Concealing a Pit, and Duck Hunting and History of Reelfoot Lake"In this episode of the On The X podcast, the guys start off talking about about Memorial Day and what they like to eat on Memorial Day. Then, J Paul gives you his recommendation on what gun case works best with airline travel. After that, the guys talk a little about concealing and camoeing a pit blind. Finally, the guys finish talking about duck hunting history and geological history of Reelfoot Lake.
2017-05-301h 20