An oral history captures the legend of Knoxvillian Cas Walker
Knoxville’s Cas Walker was, among other things, a grocery store mogul, a local TV star, and a polarizing, larger-than-life politician. “Whether scattering freshly ground JFG Coffee beans along his store…
Doug Kershaw’s memoir is as wild as they come
Country music scholars can agree on a few things about Doug Kershaw: He is one of the most famous Cajun musicians of all time; he survived a rough upbringing in…
Four orphans search for answers in William Kent Krueger’s This Tender Land
Odysseus “Odie” O’Banion can’t imagine how life could get worse. He is an orphan. He’s punished by his school’s headmistress almost daily, and his beloved harmonica is in constant peril…
A young woman seeks to unravel her family’s dark secret
Life for the Thaumas sisters should be great. They live in a beautiful estate called Highmoor, their father’s military career made them famous, and they can buy the most fashionable…
Terry Klefstad chronicles the life and legacy of musician Bill Pursell
Most pop and country music fans are likely aware of the controversy surrounding Lil Nas X’s song “Old Town Road.” The African American rapper from Atlanta rocketed to popularity when…
Filmmaker Michael Ford’s love for Mississippi takes a new form
In 2016, I won a free drink ticket for doing the Wobble at the Othar Turner Memorial Goat Roast and Picnic in Senatobia, Mississippi. While a significant personal accomplishment, it…
