Southern Charm | Appalachia, the TVA, and Biscuits

In this month's Southern Charm, Jody and I talk about the challenges facing Appalachia and the pros and cons of the Tennessee Valley Authority before comparing biscuit recipes and topping preferences.

Southern Charm | Studio Craft, Ryman Auditorium, and Fried Chicken

On the latest Southern Charm, Jody and I talk Elvis, the North Carolina craft community, the history of the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and how to make good fried chicken.

Southern Charm | Dolly Parton, Paper Clips, and Hushpuppies

Photo via Vanity Fair

Jody and I begin the episode talking about Dolly Parton and her efforts to poke holes in the hillbilly stereotype while also embracing that part of her heritage. Then we move on to a similar story of the middle school kids in Whitwell, Tennessee who created the Paper Clip Project, a memorial to the Holocaust victims of Nazi Germany. Finally, we wrap up with a recipe for hushpuppies and I learn that they're not just a ketchup delivery mechanism.

Intro Music: "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" by Charley Pride

Outro Music: "Jolene" by Dolly Parton (33 rpm version)

Also featured: "To Make You Feel My Love" by Mike Reid, "Jubilee" by Alison Krauss, and "Swing and Turn, Jubilee" by Carolyn Hester.

Southern Charm | Rodney Crowell, Southern Manners, and Pimento Cheese

In the latest episode of Southern Charm, Jody and I talk about country musician Rodney Crowell, his new album Close Ties, and the interview with him in Texas Monthly. Then the conversation turns to etiquette and the differences between Southern manners and what's considered polite in other parts of the country. Ma'am/Sir, holding doors, handshakes, and eye contact all come up. And finally, we close with Jody's recipe for pimento cheese and I get some homework.

Intro Music: "Kill Jill" by Big Boi, featuring Killer Mike and Jeezy

Outro Music: "Good Enough" by Molly Tuttle

Southern Charm | Shenandoah Road Trip, Defining the South, and Fried Cornbread

Photo from Garden & Gun magazine

In this episode, Jody and I talk about another Garden & Gun article, "Ride Route 11 through Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley" before diving into a discussion of just what geographical areas do we think of as The South, anyway? And what constitutes "Southern music," for that matter? Then the conversation turns culinary as Jody shares his recipe for fried cornbread and we get into variations on that staple side dish.

Garden & Gun article on Route 11

Intro Music: "Ten-Twenty-Ten" by Generationals

Outro Music: "All I Ever Wonder" by St Paul and the Broken Bones

Introducing Southern Charm

My pal Jody Collins is from Knoxville, Tennessee and he wanted to start a podcast that takes a positive look at Southern culture. Since I'm a Southern transplant to Minnesota, he asked if I'd be into joining him for it, and of course I am.

The first episode is out and I think it's pretty great. We open and close with songs by Southern musicians, talk about our individual histories with the South, discuss the work of photographer Jack Spencer, and then Jody wraps up with his recipe for fried okra. If that sounds like your glass of tea, you should give it a listen.

Garden & Gun article on Jack Spencer

Spencer's book is This Land: An American Portrait

Intro Music: "What's She Found" by The V-Roys

Outro Music: "Devil's Teeth" by Muddy Magnolias