Ozarkian Folk Chronicles - Your Podcast About the Ozarks

Join Curtis and Hayden as they welcome special guest, Mike Luster, folklorist, educator, and amanuensis for Bob Cochran's biography of Vance Randolph. Mike visited Vance in the nursing home and faithfully recorded his conversations and stories; as a result, Mike is supremely qualified to talk about the "patron saint" of the OFC. Mike is also an acclaimed folklorist in his own right with many a sto...

Join Curtis and Hayden as they talk with Rodney Dillard about his and the Dillards (aka "the Darlings") meteoric rise to fame on the Andy Griffith show, the release of their pivotal Wheatstraw Suite album, and his ongoing career as one of the best known names in bluegrass. Included in this special episode are tracks from Rodney's albums that exemplify his influence on contemporary music. Hosted on...

Join Curtis and Hayden when they talk with Todd Wilkinson, Project Manager of the James River Basin Partnership and self-described Itinerant Folklorist. Todd has devoted his career to restoring and preserving the James River, which has been transformed from an algae infested tributary to a beautiful stream. Todd discusses the importance of preserving our Ozarks folk culture for both locals and tou...

Join Curtis and Hayden and the Shortleaf Band, Michael and Tenley Fraser, for some rip-roaring fiddling and high-country singing. Michael talks about his lessons with legendary fiddler, Bob Holt, and Tenley sings both old songs and new ballads. You don't want to miss this talented duo!  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Curtis and Hayden for a cultural and historical tour of the most unusual and perhaps the loveliest town in the Ozarks, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Drawing on the work of Jared Phillips and Mike Luster as well as other historians, your hosts explore the conflict between the "hipbillies," led by Edd Jeffords, and the "boosters," led by the rancorous preacher Gerald L.K. Smith, and the little...

Join Curtis and Hayden with their guest, Larry Sifford, long time Ozarker, preacher at the Sycamore Log Church, and all around great guy! Larry shares stories from his childhood, talks about playing with the bluegrass band Missouri Boat Ride, describes the beautiful and rustic Sycamore Log Church, and most of all, conveys his love of the Ozarks. It's good conversation full of good humor! Hosted on...

Join Curtis and Hayden as they discuss the story of Paralee Collins, who was punished by a mob of men for supposedly riding naked through the town of Horton. What was her motivation? Was the story even true? And if the story wasn't true, why did the mob punish her? The story of Paralee is a study in how history becomes folklore and how folklore often reveals dark truths about our humanity. Hosted...

Join Curtis and Hayden as they talk with Dwight Glenn about his association with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils. Dwight shares stories from their legendary past, their resurgence in the present, and their plans for the future. You don't want to miss this one! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Curtis and Hayden for their interview with author and speaker Tom Koob, who describes one of the most horrific episodes of violence in local Ozarks history: the Enon Massacre, as some have called it. Tom wrote the extremely popular book, Buried by Table Rock Lake, and this may be the wildest story that he rescued from the rising waters. You'll also learn why dancing was forbidden in Omaha, Ar...

In this episode, Curtis and Hayden interview Terry Cunningham, retired Forest Manager of the Pioneer Forest, and David Stokely, Board member of the L-A-D Foundation and member of the Ozark Riverways Foundation, about the important standard in sustainable Ozarks forests that Leo Drey established nearly 70 years ago and continues through the important efforts of the L-A-D Foundation. The goals of th...

In this episode, Hayden and Curtis discuss the backstory of the truly Ozarkian folk ballad, "The Ballad of Floyd Eddings," also known as "The Boy Who Burned in the Berryville Jail." Emalee Flatness-Combs returns for her rendition of the ballad. Curtis and Hayden relay information from Ozarks scholars, Rachel Reynolds, Blake Perkins, and Brooks Blevins, as well as introduce the audience to the late...

Join Curtis and Hayden as they search for the truth behind the Belled Buzzard of the Ozarks. Was this strange bird legendary or factual? An even more pressing question is, why did folks care so much? This episode will take you back to a green time before social media, nuclear bombs, and algorithms, a time when a tinkling sound overhead would be the most astonishing occurrence of the year.  Ho...

Join Curtis and Hayden when they sit down with songwriter, singer, performer, and jingle writer par excellence, Nick Sibley. Dubbed "one of the Ozarks most creative musical talents" by KY3, Nick will share some of his songs, talk about his time with the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, and discuss the inspiration for his lyrics. His songs celebrate the Ozarks with their warmth, wit, and whimsy.  Ho...

Join Curtis and Hayden for their second sit-down with Keith Thurman, in which he talks about his days with Si Siman, Wayne Carson, Hugh Walpole, and other Ozark producers and musicians. Keith describes what it was like to be a part of the rock'n'roll scene in the late 1960's and early '70's, both here in Missouri and across the USA. This is part 2 of two. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Curtis and Hayden talk with Keith Thurman, former longtime director of the Shepherd of the Hills outdoor drama, about the Harold Bell Wright novel that created Branson tourism and shaped the culture of the Ozarks for well over a century. This is part 1 of a two part series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hayden and Curtis interview Barry Bergey and Julia Olin. In the early 1970s, Julia and Barry were part of the Missouri Friends of the Folk Arts (MFFA). They traveled into the Ozarks of Missouri to record music from fiddle players, ballad singers, and other Ozarks musicians, whom have long since past. The result of their efforts is a timeless album called I'm Old But I'm Awfully To...

In this episode, Hayden and Curtis interview Barry Bergey and Julia Olin. In the early 1970s, Julia and Barry were part of the Missouri Friends of the Folk Arts (MFFA). They traveled deep into the Boston Mountains of Arkansas and the Ozarks of Missouri to record music from fiddle players, ballad singers, and other Ozarks musicians, whom have long since past. The result of their efforts is a timele...

In this episode, Curtis and Hayden discuss the folklore of missing and amputated limbs with Abby Burnett, author of Gone to the Grave: Arkansas Burial Customs, 1850-1950. They are also joined by Emalee Flatness Combs who sings the Jimmy Driftwood song, "Straighten Out My Laig," and lastly, by Michael Galloway who contributes his own bit of tomfoolery. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

In this episode, Curtis and Hayden talk about an attempt by an Arkansas man to raise his mother from the dead in Reeds Spring, Missouri in 1978, and interview a family that witnessed the event, and a man that put music to the song, "Resurrection Sunday," that immortalized the event. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week's episode, Hayden and Curtis visit with Mabel Phillips. Mabel was raised in Newton and Boone Counties of the Arkansas Ozarks and tells what life was like growing up in the rural Ozarks before the family farm acquired electricity as late as the 1950s. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hayden and Curtis interview Pastor Sam Kaunley.  Kaunley served several years as a State Trooper in Christian, Stone, and Taney Counties, as well as a pastor in the Ozarks.  From patrolling the hills with legendary lawman, Sheriff Buff Lamb, to heartwarming stories of inspiration, Pastor Sam Kaunley tells some incredible tales. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...

In this episode, Curtis Copeland and Hayden Head discuss superstitions, spells, and rituals of the Ozarks that were used for a multiple of purposed. From encouraging crops to protect chickens, superstitions in the Ozarkian Folklore run deep. Curtis and Hayden are joined by a special guest to discuss the curious nature of some of these superstitions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

In this episode, Curtis Copeland and Hayden Head are joined by the talented musicians, David Scrivner, Emily Garoutte, and Hawken Boldman, sharing old time Ozark Music on instruments such as twin fiddles, claw hammer banjo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Curtis Copeland and Hayden Head discuss Hunting Lore written by Silas Turnbo and Michael Galloway, co-author of Vance Randolph's Mildred, Quit Hollering. This episode features special guest, Michael Galloway. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Curtis Copeland and Hayden ahead are joined by Travis Holt, an Ozarkian historian who shares several tales of the Ozarks curated Travis through asking questions and chasing rabbit holes. Hunker down to listen to some true crime tales with some embellishments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.