Scenic Roots

( SoundCorps) A few weeks ago, I visited the Bandwidth stage at SoundCorps Studio here in Chattanooga. SoundCorps supports musicians in this area - and the nonprofit created the Bandwidth program to increase access to training and technology for professional grade live streaming. I sat down with SoundCorps’ Emily Kate Boyd - singer, songwriter, musician and painter - for a livestream conversation...

(UTC Theatre Company) In these times, when the show must go on, it must go online. That’s how the UTC Theatre Company decided to stage its spring production project:  “Vaudevillia.”   Steve Ray is artistic director of the UTC Theatre Company - and the associate head of the Department of Performing Arts on our campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  

(The Tivoli Theatre Foundation) The Tivoli Theatre here in Chattanooga marks its centennial on March 19th, a week from Friday. This past year has been rough for "The Jewel of the South,” Memorial Auditorium and the Walker Theatre - all shuttered by the pandemic.   The Tivoli Theatre Foundation has been raising money through its Recovery Fund to preserve these historic venues and bring them back to...

The Tivoli Theatre Foundation’s Recovery Fund Challenge. Steve Ray of UTC Theatre Company talks “Vaudevillia.”  SoundCorps’ Emily Kate Boyd; Nate Emery of “Valley Sounds.” These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”     

(isisasheville.com) Richard Winham shares a virtual performance by Patrick Landeza - Hawaiian Slack Key guitarist, singer, writer, teacher and chef - from his home in California for the Mountain Spirit Music Series at the Isis Music Hall in Asheville, NC.         

(michaelraytaylor.com) Michael Ray Taylor is the author of the book “Hidden Nature:  Wild Southern Caves.” Earlier this year, his byline appeared on an opinion piece in The New York Times - titled:  “A Ray of Hope in a Slimy Southern Cave.” Michael spoke to us from his home in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. His website is michaelraytaylor.com .     

(purpose-point.org) Purpose Point Community Health opened last year in East Chattanooga. The clinic - a nonprofit founded by Mt. Canaan Baptist Church - serves uninsured patients in underserved communities as an all-inclusive center for health and wellness.   Katherlyn Geter - who is also a Hamilton County Commissioner - is Purpose Point’s executive director.  

(Doug Mancosky / Printing DDD) In Southside Chattanooga, the future of 3D printing is taking shape. A new location for Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union at West 20th St. - now under construction, to be completed in the spring - features the first 3D-printed facade for a building.   Branch Technology here in Chattanooga created the freeform facade. Mitch Lewandowski is Branch’s chief commercial...

Branch Technology’s 3D-printed building facade for TVFCU. Purpose Point in East Chattanooga; author Michael Ray Taylor. Mountain Spirit:  Hawaiian Slack Key guitarist Patrick Landeza. These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

(Jo Chattman) Richard Winham shares a virtual performance by Twisted Pine - a string band based in Boston - from their album label Signature Sounds in Northampton, MA.

(The Ed Johnson Project) In this conversation, Judge Curtis Collier and Eric Atikins discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s intervention in the Ed Johnson case after his lynching on Chattanooga’s Walnut St. Bridge.

(Victor Wooten / Facebook) Richard Winham speaks with bassist Victor Wooten, author and founding member of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, on this week's "Talking Writing."

(thackermountain.com) Among the Sounds of the Southeast that we bring you weekends here on WUTC is “The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour.” It’s a weekly live radio show - from Off Square Books in Oxford, Mississippi - that features authors and musicians from the places we call home.   “Thacker Mountain” airs not only in Mississippi, but also Alabama - not only in Memphis, but also here in Chattanooga o...

Jim Dees, the host of “The Thacker Mountain Radio Hour.” Talking Writing:  Bassist and author Victor Wooten These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”          

Richard Winham shares part one of the first jazz performance of 2021 at Barking Legs Theater in Chattanooga, featuring guitarist Shawn Perkinson and bassist Jon Steele.

(ArchWay Kids) ArchWay Kids is a nonprofit in East Chattanooga that educates children to become entrepreneurs to empower their own lives.      Carlos Hampton is interim executive director of ArchWay Kids.

Long before the pandemic, many people 60 and older struggled with loneliness. Lockdowns, limits on visitations and social distancing only deepened that struggle. The Tennessee Hope Line is a toll-free number staffed by trained volunteers who offer encouragement and hope for lonely older adults.  The number is 844-600-8262 - and it’s open Mondays through Fridays from 10 AM to 4 PM, Eastern. Bevelle...

(UTHSC) A year into the pandemic that feels far more than just a year to so many of us, how do we stay resilient and renew ourselves? Here in Chattanooga, Dr. Mukta Panda has a few thoughts on that.   She is Assistant Dean for Wellbeing and Medical Student Education at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.  

UTHSC’s Dr. Mukta Panda on renewing our resilience. Bevelle Puffer on the Tennessee Hope Line for older adults. Barking Legs Theater:  Shawn Perkinson & Jon Steele. These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”          

(houseofhamill.com) Richard Winham shares a virtual show from House of Hamill - fiddler Rose Baldino and guitarist Brian Buchannan - from their home in Philadelphia for the Mountain Spirit Acoustic Series at the Isis Music Hall in Asheville, NC.

Danny Brown makes farmhouse tables and benches at his store - Cotton Gin Antiques - in Ringgold, Georgia. To create them, he uses a certain type of wood - and as he told us recently, he also celebrated a milestone in his sobriety.

(River City Company) ONE Riverfront Chattanooga is the master planning effort for the downtown Riverfront District. Tomorrow and Thursday, River City Company will host digital community roundtables for the public as the next step in the planning process.      Emily Mack is River City’s president and CEO.

(iStockPhoto) Tomorrow is Election Day here in Chattanooga. Fifteen candidates for Mayor are on the ballot to succeed outgoing Mayor Andy Berke, who is term limited. Twenty-one candidates on the ballot are vying for nine city council seats.   Dr. Chris Acuff is assistant professor of public administration in the Department of Political Science and Public Service on our campus, the University of Te...

UTC’s Dr. Chris Acuff on Chattanooga’s municipal elections. ONE Riverfront Chattanooga; Ringgold’s Cotton Gin Antiques. From Mountain Spirit Acoustic Series:  House of Hamill. These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”       

( StollVaughan.com) Richard Winham shares a virtual session by singer, songwriter and guitarist Stoll Vaughan, recorded in what used to be the barn on the farm where he grew up in rural Kentucky.