South of Scruffy with Ben Fields

Most people don't know that Louisville, Tennessee manufactures more aftermarket Ford Bronco chassis than anywhere else in the world. Starting from tinkering in his own garage, Thomas Kincer built the industry leading company for those who want to build an early year model Ford Bronco or convert their old Ford truck to 4-wheel drive. Thomas walks Ben through how he built an automotive company that...

The Wilson Springs Hotel is an Americana Folk quintet from Richmond, VA. While passing through Knoxville during Big Ears Festival, TWSH found their way to the South of Scruffy shop to chat through their rapid rise as new stewards of the sounds of Appalachia.

Tori Olsson is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in American History at the University of Tennessee. Tore takes Ben on a thorough tour of many regionally and nationally relevant topics. The TVA during Jim Crow; how Tore garnered national attention by using a video game to teach a college course; getting "The Guy" to voice your audiobook. All of these topics are covered here.....

Austin Glover is a professional photographer and standup comedy afficionado. Austin and Ben weave through Austin's photography career and how he strives to live up to the creative expectations his brother Curtis has inextricably linked to their last name.

Cory Smith is the Marketing Director for Bonnaroo and other music festivals promoted by festival giant C3 presents. Cory and Ben share their love of Bonnaroo, the music festival Rolling Stone called one of the "Top 50 Moments that Changed Rock & Roll". Cory is also the rythm guitarist and vocalist for the 90's country band "Neon Rainbow".

Matt Morelock is a banjo player, multiinstrumentalist, radio host and event promoter. Matt's banjo has taken him to 5 continents where he studied the origin of the intrument. Matt has been spreading the origin story of the banjo through Appalachia and the world via his book and his banjo exhibitions for nearly 20 years. Using anecdotes of playing with the worlds best banjo players and folk musicia...

Christopher Mitchell is a writer and director whose debut film “An Awful Thing Has Gone and Happened” was just released on streaming services. After his 2 decades of working in television, Christopher, with his wife Deborah Mitchell, collaborated to create this dark comedy. Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU4jayoUKgY

Brian Peery has hustled hard over the last decade to secure the chops to direct film. Now a director of true crime television series and short films, Brian spills the story of his rise on on SOS.

Charles Ellis is the General Manager and operator of Yee Haw Brewing's brew and pub campus in Knoxville. Charles' 2 decades in the beverage industry has culminated in him opening of one of the most experience-forward brew pubs in the southeast.

Wayne Bledsoe, Steve Wildsmith, and Rusty Odom are all decorated music journalists. Steve Wildsmith just became the newest inductee into the East Tenenssee Writer's Hall-of-Fame, joining Wayne Bledsoe and many others. Rusty Odom just announced and launched "The Knoxville Mix" a quick hitting guide to Knoxville's Music calendar as a partnership with Compass Knox, and his own publication Blank Newsp...

Courtney Bergmeier is the Executive Director of the Bijou Theatre and former talent buyer for AC Entertainment. Throughout her career Courtney has programmed concert venues like the Orange Peel, Marathon Music Works, The Ryman Auditorium, The Tennessee Theatre, and many more. This episode is sponsored by the Bijou Theatre in Downtown Knoxville. Upcoming events at the Bijou Theatre: March 13th, 14t...

Doug Griffey is the Vice President of Production at Loch & Key Productions. Doug has directed and lensed many award winning short form commercials, t.v. shows like "Snapped", and was the Chief Engineer for the production juggernaut Jupiter Entertainment.

Since Beau Patton's last visit to the SOS shop in late 2020, much has changed. After a few uncertain years in the industry, Beau and Ben share a figurative sigh-of-relief as they catch up on the state of film and television production in Knoxville. Beau's triumphs have been many since we last heard from him, but he's admittedly had to learn alot of hard lessons recently; both personally and profes...

After spending over a decade as the lighting director for the Marshall Tucker Band, Randy Read set off on a path that would make him a pivotal player in building the foundation of the production marketplace in Knoxville, TN. After meeting television mogul Ross Bagwell at the 1982 World's Fair, Randy would go on to have an outsized impact on the trajectory of the film and television business at Cin...

With the 10th Annual Mike McGill Christmas Spectacular upon us, Mike stops by the shop one more time to chat through the upcoming "Spectacular" - and his journey to becoming one of the most well known singer songwriters in East Tennessee. Mike McGill is hosting his 10th annual Mike McGill Christmas Spectacular at the Bijou Theatre on Sunday 12/18/2022 - you can purchase tickets at: https://www.tic...

For Six Pack with Zack #4, Zack Roskop brings Aaron McClain on his first visit to the SOS shop. Aaron's Crafty Bastard brewery is widely regarded as on of the top craft breweries in Knoxville. Aaron's experimental brewing practices have helped Crafty Bastard happen upon stalwart beers that have challenged conventional craft beer trends and standards. Zack and Aaron indulge Ben's curiosity on the l...

At 20 years old Casey Cheatham's virtuousity behind a jazz drum set has already been well rewarded. The youngest member of the band Kingfisher, Casey's contributions can be found on their debut studio album "Grip Your Fist, I'm Heaven Bound". Casey and Ben amble through Casey's musical journey that allowed her to effectiively have her pick of which prestigous music school she wanted to attend for...

Anthony Palmer is the host of Wake. Dad. Drink. Repeat., and the principal at Palm Tree Pod Co. Anthony and Ben talk through the circuituos route that led Anthonoy to being a content creator, podcaster and a thought leader in the world of defining today's modern dad. https://open.spotify.com/show/47vdO6wRLxrUkx0xnQYzZT?si=a948747a233043f0

Talking to singer-songwriter Mac Comer is impossible to do without a smile on your face. Mac and Ben talk through Mac's first album release in 10 years and what his career has looked like since the release of his 2012 album "Hyperbolic Length". Seeing his music career as a passion, Mac then spent 14 years teaching elementary school students as the "Dean of Fun" A.K.A. the coolest elementary school...

In a rare triple-header episode, the final 3 Second Bell Festival interviews are packed into this episode of SOS. Along with a "Liberal Redneck" hootenanny with WellRED Comedy Tour comics Corey Ryan Forrester and Drew Morgan, this episode moves to chats with Las Vegas based comedy magician Matt "The Mind Noodler" Donnely, and child-prodigy concert promoter Tyler Larrabee.

Curtis Glover is arguably the most prolific public artist in Knoxville, TN. Curtis' work in Knoxville is ubiquitous, but his murals continue to pop up in cities across the state of Tennesseee year after year. Curtis and Ben touch on the threats that Artificial Intelliigence is posing to artists communities across the world; and they arrive at a verdict on whether or not Curtis is subject to being...

Tyler Hays is the owner of Vessul Creative. While uncovering Tyler's life journey from South Korea to Knoxville, Tyler and Ben dig into the new ways companies are leveraging video content to reach broader audiences.

In another episode of SOS recorded at Second Bell Music Festival, Ben finally caught up with Andre Block, Jonathan Williams, and Justin Hazelet from the Unity Ride. Hours after completing their 4th cross country cycling trip, Andre, Jonathan, and Justin explain how their different ideals and belief systems continue to be the reason they ride together. After traversing the US on bicycles for the 4t...

Recorded in an Airstream camper at Second Bell music festival, Ben talks with J. Roddy Walston and Charlie Glenn about the genesis of their new-ish band, "Palm Palm", and how they handle the waves that the band can't stop making. / Eric Fortaleza has created a monster with his band/music collective "Pitch Meeting". After creating a not-for-profit band 6 months after migrating to the United States...

Chad Cunningham is a director who has directed hundreds of hours of television show for networks like Discovery, Lifetime and Oxygen networks. You can find Chad's recent work on "Fatal Attraction", and "In Pursuit with John Walsh". Chad and Ben dig deep into their respective directorial styles, and how Chad's narative fiilm work is starting to take center stage; both in his career, and at film fes...