Reelfoot Forward

On this episode, Houston Kelly, a 20-year-old country and soul singer and student at UT Martin, shares details of his recent experience on NBC’s The Voice. He talks about the long road to The Voice, including three audition attempts, the emotional timing of receiving his callback on the day of his grandfather’s funeral and the unforgettable moment Kelly Clarkson turned her chair during his Blind A...

This episode of "Reelfoot Forward” features a conversation with Curb Records country singer-songwriter Mo Pitney. On July 3, 2026, he will headline the final night of Discovery Park of America’s Rhythm on the Rails concert series and kick off the museum and heritage park’s America 250 celebration. Pitney shares his journey from growing up near Rockford, Illinois, in a family rooted in gospel, coun...

In this episode, Morgan Siebert, owner and executive director of the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois shares how her father, Jim Hambrick, built one of the world’s largest Superman collections from a childhood lunchbox into a museum with more than 75,000 artifacts. She discusses carrying on his legacy, connecting with fans through social media, working with Warner Bros. and DC on movie promoti...

In this episode, Kim Bearden, executive director of Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis shares how a search for a journalism job led her to Elmwood in 1998 and how the cemetery became what she now describes as her second home. Founded in 1852, Elmwood is the oldest active cemetery in Memphis and holds the stories of roughly 80,000 people. Bearden discusses the cemetery’s role in preserving Memphis history...

In this episode, Scott talks with Jordan Campbell, founder of Campbell’s Family Entertainment in Union City. Campbell grew up in Obion County, graduated from Obion County Central High School and studied engineering at the University of Tennessee at Martin. His interest in magic began in elementary school after he watched a YouTube tutorial and taught himself a trick. Later, with encouragement from...

Episode 226: Senad Agusi: Reviving Union City’s Historic Theatre In this episode of Reelfoot Forward, meet Senad Agusi, an architectural designer and engineer who has traveled from Australia to help bring new life to one of Union City’s historic landmarks. Senad discusses the renovation of the Masquerade Theatre, formerly the Capitol Theatre, and the careful balance between preserving a nearly cen...

What does it take to build a thriving arts community? In this episode, Greg Belz, founder of ArtWorks Foundation, shares his story of how one man’s background in television, advertising and promotion evolved into a decades-long mission to support artists and expand access to the visual arts across West Tennessee. Belz shares how he went from working behind the scenes in media and entertainment mar...

This episode features Miranda Fraley Rhodes, Ph. D., assistant chief curator at the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville. Miranda discusses how the museum’s exhibitions and interpretive programming help Tennesseans connect with their shared history through inclusive storytelling and compelling artifacts. The conversation highlights the museum’s new exhibition, "Tennessee Voices, American Stories,"...

In this episode, the conversation turns to one of the most significant commemorations of our lifetime: the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Carrie Tipton, Ph. D., coordinator of Tennessee’s America 250 commemoration, discusses the many ways the state is preparing to mark this historic milestone. Tipton explains the national America 250 initiative and Tennessee’s...

Episode 222: Thomas Batchelor and Fred Bloom: From Tennessee to The Alamo In this episode of Reelfoot Forward, Interpretive Ranger Thomas H. Batchelor and historic interpreter Fred Bloom of David Crockett Birthplace State Park join the conversation to explore the real life, legacy and enduring legend of David Crockett, one of Tennessee’s most iconic figures. The discussion comes at a pivotal momen...

This episode features a conversation with Kevin and Stacie Herrell, the husband-and-wife team behind Higher Ground Coffee Company and Vantage Coffee Roasters. They share how a love of great coffee turned into a nearly 20-year journey of building a specialty coffee business in Union City and Martin. The Herrells reflect on the challenges and rewards of running a hometown business, the importance of...

On this episode of Reelfoot Forward: A West Tennessee Podcast, Mandy Hinson, a familiar voice and face to many in the region from her years at West Tennessee PBS, shares her personal journey from growing up in South Fulton to navigating early college struggles, modeling in Atlanta, and even working behind the scenes during the 1996 Olympic Games. Those experiences eventually led her back home to c...

On this episode Dr. Dexter Davis, sports management professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, shares his journey from coaching and athletic administration to academia, and how that path led to building one of the most exciting experiential learning opportunities in collegiate sports — sending students to work behind the scenes at the NFL Super Bowl. ​Discover how the student program has...

As Discovery Park joins the rest of the nation in kicking off the America 250 commemoration—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—Tommy Young, Vice President of Surveying at L.I. Smith & Associates, joins us for a fascinating conversation about the world of land surveying—past, present and future. With deep Tennessee roots and over 25 years in the field, Young off...

What’s next for Discovery Park of America? In this special Reelfoot Forward episode, CEO Scott Williams sits down with senior collections and exhibits director Jennifer Wildes and manager of marketing and PR Zac Willis for a look at what’s ahead in 2026 at the museum and park. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes preview of upcoming exhibits, major events and cultural celebrations, includin...

On 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 r...

On this episode, Sarah Campbell Drury, vice president of fine and decorative arts at Case Auctions, shares her journey from a career in television news to becoming one of Tennessee’s leading appraisers, known for uncovering rare books, documents, antiques and Southern historical treasures. With stories that range from authenticating overlooked family heirlooms to identifying high-value pieces hidd...

This episode features Dr. Jeremy Tubbs, musician, educator and director of the music program at the University of Memphis Lambuth Campus in Jackson, Tennessee. From his first Apple IIe computer to earning a PhD in music, Dr. Tubbs shares his journey through the evolving world of music education and technology. Listeners will hear how his childhood fascination with sound turned into a lifelong pass...

In this episode, the tables are turned as Zac sits down with Discovery Park CEO Scott Williams and senior director of exhibits and collections Jennifer Wildes for a behind-the-scenes conversation about their shared passion for history, storytelling and the museum experience. Jennifer served as editor of Scott’s latest biography, "Townmania: Marcus Winchester and the Making of Memphis." Jennifer sh...

In this episode, Tyler Ford, Vice President of Workforce at Tennessee Achieves, the nonprofit organization behind the Tennessee Promise Scholarship, shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a small town in Illinois to working at Walt Disney World and eventually helping shape the future of Tennessee’s workforce through mentorship and education. Listeners will learn how Tennessee Achieves con...

In 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 hid...

In this episode, we step into the ring with Greg “The Golden Boy” Anthony, professional wrestler, promoter, and community leader behind Pro Wrestling Mid South. With more than two decades in the ring, Greg has worked with some of the industry’s most iconic names and now runs one of the busiest wrestling promotions in the country hosting weekly family-friendly shows in Ripley and Dyersburg, Tenness...

The Calvert City Drive-In first opened in the 1950s and entertained families for decades until closing after the 2021 season, following the passing of longtime owner Ruth Evelyn Harrington. In 2023, Seth and Tabitha Manea purchased the property and reopened the drive-in, keeping its famous burgers and vintage charm alive for a new generation. In this episode, Seth shares the story of their journey...

In this episode, Jeni Veal, outdoor tourism development manager at the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, and Bob Ford, executive director of the Hatchie River Conservancy, discuss the launch of the new Guide to Birding in Tennessee. This free statewide resource highlights birdwatching destinations across all 95 counties, along with seasonal tips, festivals and conservation practices. Th...

In this special Elvis Week episode, acclaimed music historian Peter Guralnick joins us to discuss his new book, "The Colonel and the King," a deeply researched portrait of the complex relationship between Elvis Presley and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. Guralnick, author of the definitive two-volume Elvis biography (Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love), offers new insight drawn from thousand...