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The freedom of nothing left to lose

It seems so much of our life is spent working to prove something to someone else. In our early years, we aspire to gain the approval of our parents or key mentors that wish to see us succeed in education, sports, music or whatever dream they hold for us or share with us. Sometimes, it’s […]

Carefree days of youth

I opened the door and the thickly painted white screen door slammed behind me. I seldom noticed the sound it made as I bounded down the three steps from our front stoop. Once down on the sidewalk, I was hidden from the street behind the huge green box hedges fronted by azaleas. Once I was […]

Reaching up from the depths

Sometimes there are points in life when one reflects on topics that bring worry, sadness, concern or even depression. They can pile up on our mind like leaves falling from the trees in autumn covering the roots that feed our soul.

If dust collects, find a broom

I covered the cloth in furniture polish and pushed it across the top of the wardrobe, removing each object perched there and giving it a good going over. When I was a boy, I always wondered what was on top of the wardrobe because I couldn’t see it. Now I wish I didn’t. Dust seems […]

Randall Franks inducted in Tri-State Gospel Music Hall of Fame

Appalachian fiddler, humorist and actor Randall Franks, “Officer Randy Goode” of “In the Heat of the Night,” was inducted into the Tri-State Gospel Music Hall of Fame Aug. 6, 2022, at Parkway Baptist Church in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Franks was included in a class of inductees including Kelly Nelon, the late Rex Nelon, Peg McKamey Bean, […]

77 YEARS OF AMERICAN MUSIC – Randall’s Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree

77 YEARS OF AMERICAN MUSIC – Appalachian Actor/Entertainer Randall Franks and his Hollywood Hillbilly Jamboree recently celebrated its 77th Anniversary Performance at the Colonnade in Ringgold, Ga. for the North Georgia EMC. The show was started as one of the several stage productions operated by Grand Ole Opry and Western Film star Ramblin’ “Doc” Tommy […]

Could I borrow a cup of chiggers?

That may sound like a strange question but after you already have a whole hoard move in on you, what’s a few more? I was filming a movie outside Nashville when I noticed that I had an extreme need to reach down a scratch my leg again and again. I wasn’t even filming outside where […]

A Shell, the Porch Swing and a Screen Door

 I reached down and pulled out a freshwater oyster shell from the branch next to Washington Road and ran up to my grandma who was leaning on a fence post nearby. “Is there a chance I can find a pearl?” She looked at it and said, “You already got one, and she’s your mother.”      As […]