Ozarkian Folk Chronicles - Your Podcast About the Ozarks

In 1880, Thomas Campbell was digging a well when he discovered the petrified body of an infant girl in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The baby was an instant sensation, and within a year, she was being shown around the country and attracting curious viewers . . . at thirty-five cents a peek. Who or what was this petrified baby? Kylee Cole, co-host of the Chronicles, has dug deep into the story of the E...

Melissa Carper, Rebecca Patek, Brian Martin, and Joe Sundell make up the one and only Sad Daddy, one of the most beloved roots bands in the Ozarks, and they are on the Chronicles! Their songs are a trifecta of strong melodies, whimsical lyrics, and heart, and we are proud to host them and their music on this special episode. In addition to their music, we also have in-depth interviews with each of...

Jeremy Lynn, long time law enforcement officer with the Sheriff's department in Polk and Greene counties, tells the horrific story of the Young Brothers Massacre. From petty theft to grand larceny to the deadliest attack on officers in American history before 9/11, the Young Brothers are among the most notorious criminals in Missouri history. Join the Chronicles at the Wire Road Brewing Company fo...

The Rockaway Beach Riot of 1965 has become legendary in these parts: A police car overturned, windows smashed, 180 arrests, and law enforcement called in from all around the area. Steve Harter, a lifelong Rockaway resident, was there that night, and he tells another less sensational story. Steve not only presents a different perspective, but he also frames the events of that night in the overall h...

From data centers to Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations to population growth, Ozarks water and waterways are under persistent threat. Michael Kromrey, Executive Director of the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks; Loring Bullard, author and former director of the Watershed Committee; and Todd Parnell, author, retired president of Drury, and co-founder of the Upper White River Basin Foundation an...

The word "cult" has become controversial, perhaps because of the misuse of the word with regard to legitimate religions and perhaps because of the stigma that attaches to those who escape. Nevertheless, Tony and Susan Alamo were cult leaders, and justice demands our opprobrium. They used the Gospel to manipulate their followers, lived lavishly by exploiting their labor, and violated every good ten...

Officer Terry Bible has decades of experience under his belt, and he came to the Chronicles with a fistful of stories. Join us as Terry recounts his experiences confronting a 6'7", 425 pound mountain of a man; saving a drunk driver from herself; and talking with an addict with multiple arrests who listened to Terry and turned his life around. Our conversation with Terry is a great reminder of the...

Connie Yen, Greene County archivist, began to research the story of Emma Molloy, nationally recognized 19th century temperance speaker and evangelist, for a history class at MSU. She quickly became fascinated with Emma and her alleged role in the murder of Sarah Graham in Brookline, Missouri. Emma was acquitted, but her bigamist son-in-law, George, was not, though he never stood trial. What happen...

The Wire Road Brewing Company is Battlefield's first brewery and pub, and Jeff Birchler graciously invited the Chronicles to record our first ever live podcast in their beautiful biergarten. Our topic? Why, nothing other than the Old Wire Road itself! Abbey Waterworth, one of Springfield's most popular singers, songwriters, and artists, joins the discussion and performs some of her favorite number...

Mary Parler, professor of English at the University of Arkansas and wife of Vance Randolph, was an extraordinary folksong and folktale collector in her own right. Dr. Justin Hunter, an ethnomusicologist at the University of Arkansas, is determined to see Mary take her place in the Pantheon of Ozarks folklorists. Join the Chronicles for a glimpse into the life of this fascinating woman, and you'll...

Kylee Cole has done her homework on one of the strangest, unsolved mysteries of the Ozarks: a rash of cattle mutilations that took place in Arkansas during the 1970s and into the 80s. When a makeshift altar was discovered near one of the mutilated animals, the hysteria reached a fever pitch--and rightfully so. Ranchers would go out to discover a previously healthy cow with her blood drained, her u...

As editors, writers, and publishers of the "Ozark Homesteaders Almanac" and the "Ozarks Agrarian News," Destiny Homer and Jeffery Goss have dedicated their lives to studying and practicing agricultural in light of the phases of the moon and the positions of the stars. Passionate about natural living and organic farming, Destiny and Jeffery share their years of experience in gardening here on the C...

Back in 2010, Hayden sent the script and lyrics for a musical version of Shepherd of the Hills to longtime SDC music director, Stan Beard. Stan caught the vision, and how! In a marathon of musical composition, Stan wrote the melodies for Hayden's songs, and Shepherd the Musical was born. Then came the journey: From the stage of Gittinger Auditorium at College of the Ozarks to the magnificent home...

For a time in the early 20th century, Garber, Missouri, was the epicenter of tourism in the Ozark hills of Taney County. All that's left now are a few shabby buildings returning to the soil. However, John Fullerton, local historian and popular entertainer, has immersed himself in the history of Garber and is able to bring the town back to life through master storytelling. Join John on the Chronicl...

Warning: This episode has drug references, violence, and some language. It is intended for a mature listening audience. When Russ Mack posted a reply to our episodes on Dave McElyea and Ralph Baker, we knew we had to have him join us to get his perspective! Russ was Dave's brother, and he was part of the whole marijuana moonshining scheme in Madison County. Join the Chronicles for yet another pers...

Gary Groman has written under the pen name of the Ole Seagull for over thirty years in Branson newspapers. During that time, Gary has seen leadership come and go and witnessed great change over more than three decades in the area. Join the Chronicles for our in-depth interview with Gary for his insights into Branson's political machinery and his recommendations for the future of Branson. Brush Arb...

Reverend Nicholas Inman is a force in his community of Marshfield, Missouri. He is not only the Executive Director of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, but for over twenty years, he has led the production of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Nicholas and his team bring celebrities, historical figures, and descendants of Presidents together in the only celebration of its kind in the...

Abbey Waterworth is an Ozarks original. From her incredible vocal talents and guitar work to shaving Wilford Brimley, her rabbit, and spinning his fur into yarn, Abbey infuses all her art with a passion for the traditions and culture of the Ozarks. Abbey is also an artist, and she has begun creating prints of Ozarks turtles, birds, and mushrooms. We know you'll enjoy meeting Abbey on yet another s...

Our two part series with Jason Harmon about his book, When Money Grew on Trees: The True Tale of a Marijuana Moonshiner and the Outlaw Sheriff of Madison County, turned out to be one of our most popular yet, and a major reason was the outlaw sheriff himself, Ralph Baker. Baker served Madison County for over 20 years, keeping the law, bending the law, and, according to the legends, breaking the law...

The one and only D.A. Calloway has entertained a generation of visitors to Silver Dollar City. With talent, good humor, and happy enthusiasm, D.A. plays the piano as if it were intended for joy. Join the Chronicles in this celebration of ragtime music, old time jazz, and a life given over to making people happier than they were before they sat down to listen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

Dr. Joanna Dee Das is associate professor of dance at Washington University, and she seems to have talked with everyone who's anyone in Branson. The result is her new book, Branson: Faith, Family, and Flag. Enlightening, entertaining, and sometimes controversial, Joanna's book surveys Branson's music history from the early days of Shad Heller and the Toby Show to the virtuosity of contemporary gro...

Travis Holt, historian, author, and storyteller extraordinaire, takes us to the wild and woolly hills of Newton County, Arkansas. With an unforgettable cast of characters from Aunt Vestie to Cousin Leon, Travis peels back the curtain on bootleggers, moonshiners, and Saturday night fighters. Join the Chronicles for another great episode with Travis! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

Dr. Tom Kersen, associate professor of sociology at Jackson State University, came to the Ozarks in the '70s as the teenage son of Back-to-the-Landers. His experience was often grinding and sometimes grueling, but he became fascinated by the characters and quirks of folks coming to the Ozarks. Out of that fascination came his new book, Where the Misfits Fit; part sociological study and part memoir...

Eric Bogwalker, Dez Dino, Amelia LaMair, and Destiny Homer create the one and only Creek Stink sound at Flotsam Farm in the heart of Ozark County. Join the Chronicles for our discussion of life, farming, and music in an intentional community. In an age when everyone is bemoaning the sad effects of isolation, these folks go out of their way to create community, way out of their way! And they don't...

Dr. Jason McCollom, Associate Professor of History and Department Chair of Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences at Missouri State University-West Plains, discusses the recently founded Ozarks Heritage Research Center, their current holdings and programs, and their plans for the future. You'll be inspired by Jason's passion for the Ozarks and his commitment to our history and culture! As long as...