I stepped out the back door and plopped down on the top step. Our back stoop had just three concrete steps leading down to the sidewalk, which ran along the rear of the house to the gate. There, my faithful, hairy companion Track arrived and rested his head in my lap. He was a cross […]
Randall Franks (second from left) reviews his musical enhancements in the studio with director Craig Dominey (left) and audio engineer Henry Howard. (Randall Franks Media) Appalachian entertainer/actor Randall Franks, JMA Musician of the Year – Fiddle, adds his original musical accompaniment to a new episode of the heralded folklore podcast The Moonlit Road. “Storytelling and fiddling has long gone […]
Life is a stage, and as we play our parts, we face the sudden and lingering exits of those we hold dear. The first loss we experience is often a relative, sometimes a friend. As a young child, I was deeply affected by the death of my Great-Uncle Jadie Harris, though I don’t recall the […]
Oftentimes in life, we concentrate our efforts on paying the next bill, dealing with a loved one’s problems, or chasing the next goal. I recently saw a meme of a man in three stages of life pursuing money flying through the air: In the first, he has none; in the second, an armful; and in […]
One of the standout banjo players at Chattanooga’s 2025 IBMA World of Bluegrass was Gena Britt, a founding member of the powerhouse band Sister Sadie. With a stellar solo reputation spanning over 30 years, this acclaimed picker—nominated again for IBMA Banjo Player of the Year—has teamed up with Mountain Home Music Company for her first […]
Chattanooga, Tennessee, transformed into Bluegrass Central, the ultimate destination for pickers, stars, and fans. The city buzzed with the ring of banjos and a sawing of fiddles as the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) brought its World of Bluegrass to its new home at the Chattanooga Convention Center for a five-day celebration. Unless they were […]
When I was a small boy, like many up-and-coming business folks, my parents sought a getaway near the city—a haven from the hustle and bustle, but not too far for quick trips filled with camping, fishing, and swimming. For my older brother and me, this sounded wonderful. He’d already experienced more rustic life on the […]
The musty scent of old books, vinyl records, and mothballed clothes greets you at an estate sale, where the remnants of someone’s life spill across makeshift tables, counters, and shelves. Clothes, tools, knickknacks, furniture, jewelry, even leftover cleaning products and unused hardware—each item whispers a story. I’ve spent many pleasant afternoons rummaging through these sales, […]
The Share America Foundation, Inc. proudly announces 16-year-old singer and mandolinist Wyatt Ellis of East Tennessee as the 2025 recipient of the David Davis – Pearl and Floyd Franks Scholarship, honoring students who excel in Appalachian musical arts. This scholarship commemorates bluegrass legend David Davis, mandolinist and leader of the Warrior River Boys for 40 […]
As we ease our way toward the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026, it’s worth pausing to reflect on the profound sacrifices that birthed our nation. On July 4, 1776, 56 delegates gathered in Philadelphia to adopt the Declaration of Independence, a bold assertion of liberty that ignited a revolution. […]
