The Appalachian Podcast

This is a special show for a special week, as we welcomed one of the biggest legends of Franklin County Speedway Gerald Compton, winner of the first dirt and asphalt race at FCS with over 400 wins, on to the show with SMART Modified Tour Director Chris Williams, to tell some great stories of our past. With the SMART Modified Tour ascending on Callaway this weekend for their Kenny Minter Classic, t...

This show was pretty epic for episode 55, as we got to officially talk about our beloved Franklin County Speedway with the man behind the madness, Langley Austin. The memories for so many go on and on with this place, and we've mentioned it countless times on previous shows. From legends of yesterday, to the SMART Modified and CARS Tours blazing the track today, history continues to write its...

This show was a treat as we got to sit down with Racing Legend, "The Virginia Gentleman", Jimmy Hensley, in a roundtable discussion with Chris Williams and JB Cole of the SMART Modified Tour.  Jimmy was a childhood hero, and to get him to tell stories of his racing past was on another level of awesome. We got to talk about his jump into racing, his Busch Series run, putting the #3 Car on...

This was a special show, as we were on location at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Forest, VA to sit down with owner James Griffin. We discussed his venture into owning one of the hottest dessert shops in the country, featuring milkshakes that you couldn't imagine existing, along with his vision to better the community we are supporting , and much more. It was a really fun conversation, with...

In part 2 with Rick Houston we jump into the 1992 Hooters 500, arguably the best race in Cup history, which was the inspiration for his book "NASCAR's Greatest Race". We talked about the amazing run by Bill Elliott, Davey Allison overcoming multiple disasters, Alan Kulwicki and his improbable Championship, the last ride of Richard Petty, the rise of Jeff Gordon, along with the safet...

This episode we welcomed journalist (Winston Cup Scene), author (NASCAR's Greatest Race: The 1992 Hooters 500, Dale vs Daytona, Second to None) and podcast host  (The Scene Vault Podcast) Rick Houston , and it was an amazing conversation with a man who has covered the biggest names, and events, in racing. We discussed his writing for Winston Cup Scene, his work with Dirty Mo Media, the intere...

For our 50th Episode we were fortunate enough to have on Tyler Godsey, Director of 5 Points Music Sanctuary, and it couldn't have worked out better for this special occasion. It's difficult to put into words how powerful this show was, because Tyler articulated it in a way that is hard to express through text. Ironically enough Tyler, and his children, faced hearing loss issues which mak...

In the second part of our show, with Crawford and Power members Jake Crawford and Ethan Power, we jump right in to talking about the plethora of amazing musicians who call Franklin County home. We spoke about the influences on our lives and our crafts, the respect you earn, going on tour with artists like Willie Nelson & Luke Combs, their upcoming tour with Frank Foster and Travis Tritt, along...

We're back at the WoodShop with our most kick-ass Franklin County episode yet, as we bring on Jacob Crawford and Ethan Power (Crawford and Power )hot on the heels of their tour with Travis Tritt and Frank Foster. These guys are about to, once again, put Franklin County on the map, and we got a chance to sit down and really get to know em. We were also joined again by Josh Grice (Harwell Grice...

In part 2 of our show with Steve Post, MRN Radio Pit Reporter,  we go into his passion for racing up north, talk more short track racing, the SMART MODIFIED TOUR and his plan to attend the Franklin County Speedway race, making the best of the past two years, music, good breweries, the things he enjoys aside from racing, and so much more.  https://www.appalachianpodcast.org https://www.facebook.com...

Our TURNN3 Series returns with a familiar voice to race fans. Steve Post of MRN Radio, and Steve Post Communications, joins us to talk all things racing. We had intentions of letting Steve tell his story, but we quickly found ourselves in a great discussion about racing. We went into the Earnhardt Legacy, NASCAR then and now, the ever evolving sport, our ideas on changes we'd like to see, sho...

In this episode we talk with GMS Racing newest NASCAR CWTS Driver Jack Wood about the upcoming season and the expectations set for him. We also go into his start into racing, journey from California to Carolina, the track scene out west, his relationship with Mike Beam, his big break, and much more. It will be exciting to watch this young man get his feet wet in one of NASCARs top series, as he&ap...

In part two of our show featuring NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and Young's Motorsports, Driver Jesse Little we jump back in with the wild stories between him, Brad, and Kris from their K&N Pro Series days. We also talked about his upcoming season in the Truck Series, the expectations set forth, and how the world of racing isn't rainbows and butterflies, but a gritty, expensive,...

In part one of our show featuring NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, and Young's Motorsports, Driver Jesse Little we surprise him with former crew members Kris Bowen (JGR) and Brad Pruitt to share stories of their days rising through the ranks of the K&N PRO Series. Jesse was barley a teenager when they got together, and although they might of not had the funding of other teams they found...

Immediately dismiss your preconceived notions, this ain't the one. We thought the same. American Idol, 22 years old, generation gap, how will this work? Caleb is the real deal. He's got a powerful voice, a great sense of humor, and is as cool as he is humbled. We got to hear stories of his start in Georgia bars, making his way through the ranks, his time on American Idol, Luke Bryan run...

In this episode we speak to Whey Jennings, kick ass artist and grandson of Legendary Outlaw Country Singer Waylon Jennings. What an awesome, awesome guy to have on and talk about life, along with his unique twist to a familiar sound. We discussed his musical career, the struggles, redemption, family, friends, the Dukes of Hazzard, upcoming shows, the farts in a jar "industry", and much m...

This show we're joined by Robynn Jaymes, who now DJs for B99.9-Southern Virginia's Country Station. You may also recognize her from her time in Lynchburg, and Roanoke, and she's brought us some hilarious stories. We discussed her upbringing in Cincinnati, how she got into radio, the fun times, the hard times, and even a story from the toilet of Garth Brooks. Catch her on air, weekda...

This is a special episode that we decided to do out of nowhere, in honor of the veterans who deal with traumatic issues on a daily basis. For the duration of their deployment, the soldiers of the 1032nd TC were essentially set up for failure in Iraq from lack of supplies, resources, or sound leadership beyond a company level. However, these soldiers preservered and are here to talk about a day tha...

Our TURNN3 Series picks back up with Barry Nelson, owner of Nelson Motorsports and CARS TOUR Championship Owner of the #22 Nelson Motorsports Chevrolet, driven by Bobby McCarty. Barry is a man of many hats, and we discuss a lot of that in this episode. We go into his love for baseball, building a nationally recognized college program, the car business, his jump into racing, and much more. Give it...

This episode was our most entertaining yet, and for good reason. We told some great stories of Alan from days of old. We also got to hear the most legendary Nissan Altima story of all time, and introduce Heather, Simons wife, onto the show. This is one that'll have your stomach hurting. We recommend going back to Part 1 if you haven't.  We dedicated this one to our friend Alan Arant, wit...

Our TURNN3 Series continues and in this  episode we got a chance to speak to a member of Appalachia's Royal Family of NASCAR with Jon Wood of Wood Brothers Racing. We talk about Franklin County Speedway, crazy times with previous guest Paul Hall, racing in his younger days, winning the Grandfather Clock at Martinsville, the future of Wood Brothers Racing, and much more. https://www.appalachia...

First off, mind the language. Secondly, this episode went on for so long that we had to split it up. This first part we introduce Simon Winch, hear his story from the UK to Callaway, stories from the high seas, and why he decided to put down roots in the heart of Appalachia. We also got into some good, old, stories with Amos and John that set our paths in our youth. This was a blast, and look for...

In this episode we're joined by Melissa Gaona, who tells a fascinating story of her journey into the News World, and our little corner of Appalachia. We talk about her growing up in Texas, her time in the Army, living in Southwest Virginia, and planting roots in the Roanoke Valley. We also discussed her involvement in Street Ransom, which is a non-profit that empowers victims of sex trafficki...

In this episode we're joined by Travis Wells, WDBJ7 Sports Director and Sports Caster. We take a big dive into sports that matter in the Roanoke Valley while we discuss his basketball playing days at Radford University, his move into the TV world, local sports, J.J. Redick success story, dealing with the Sports world over the last two years, The Barber Twins, and much more. https://www.appala...

Our TURNN-3 Series continues with a twist this week, as this episode we're joined by Senior Manager of Sales for NASCAR Mark Clements, a Franklin County native making his way through the corporate racing world. We tell stories of Franklin County Speedway, old Nascar Drivers, prepping a speedway for the President of the United States, and much more. https://www.appalachianpodcast.org https://w...