South of Scruffy with Ben Fields

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...in SOS's first episode of 2024. Tore's new book, "Red Dead's History A Video Game, an Obsession, and America's Violent Past" is available for preorder now at the link below. https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250287700/red-deads-history

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 musicians, Matt weaves Ben through his musical escapades in a poignantly hilarious way.

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 Newspaper. Wayne, Steve, and Rusty, along with many others, have worked tirelessly to promote the 2023 edition of "Waynestock". In it's first installment since the pandemic, Waynestock returns to Relix Variety Theatre from Thursday, February 2nd, 3rd and 4th for it's 11th installment. Tickets are cash only at the door. Doors open at 6pm on February 2nd. Visit https://www.facebook.com/WayneStockFestival/ for more info Relix Variety Theatre 1208 N Central St Knoxville, TN 37917

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, 14th, and 15th - Banff Mountain Film Festival April 8th - Pinky Patel April 13th - David Cross …And more Visit www.KnoxBijou.org for tickets and more!

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 professionally. Beau and Ben reflect on their recent commercial work together and the changes that they see happening in the world of film and video production.

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 Cinetel and Scripps Networks. While he admitedly ruffled some feathers over the years, Randy's commitment to craft and cinematic aesthetic cemented him as one of the most important forebearers of the television industry as we know it in Knoxville.

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.ticketmaster.com/mike-mcgills-10th-annual-christmas-spectacular-knoxville-tennessee-12-18-2022/event/1B005D6EFF638644?irgwc=1&clickid=ymXwpAyCHxyNTBtzQhw-3zc1UkAxtKxhIXANUU0&camefrom=CFCBUYAT253520&impradid=253520&REFERRALID=tmfeedbuyat253520&wt.mcid=affBUYAT253520&utmsource=253520-Youtube&impradname=Youtube&utmmedium=affiliate&ircid=4272

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 long term viability of craft breweries, and help answer the "are we too saturated with craft beer options" question.

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 University. Now a Jazz and Improvisation student at the University of Michigan's School of Music, Casey wonders aloud whether her professional music career is going to upend her studies.

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 educator in Knox County. Mac's new album "Sunny Day" is available on Spotify, and his album release party is being held at Knoxville Visitor Center on Friday, December 2nd, from 6-7pm.

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 replaced by a robot.