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Life In the Carolina’s Podcast — Arts
Life In the Carolina’s Podcast

Welcome to the Life in the Carolinas Podcast. Our show features a blending of stories that are primarily based on the syndicated TV show, Carl White’s Life in the Carolinas and newspaper columns written by Carl White.

Like Carl often says, “It’s never a bad time for a good story!”

The podcast is hosted by Carl and features specials guests as they share the stories behind the stories. All too often we simply do not have enough time to share everything we would like during broadcast. This podcast will allow us the opportunity to share more information and allow our viewers and readers a chance to get to know our guests more intimately.

The Carolinas offer some of the finest people, landscapes, and opportunities to explore.

We have traveled to the high elevations for the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games which are considered to be among the best in the nation.

We discovered the beauty of the brackish Waccamaw River and learned about the massive live oaks that predate the founding of America.

In Gold Hill, NC we made a connection with the past and learned about the early days of gold mining in America.

We were more than intrigued with a visit to the historic Wilcox Hotel in Aiken, SC and the stories of the Roosevelt Suite. Are the stories true? It’s fun to think about the possibilities.

Did you know Edgefield, SC was the home of ten South Carolina Governors and that the world-renowned Jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie was from Cheraw, SC?

What about those mysterious Brown Mountain Lights in the North Carolina Mountains? They have kept people guessing for hundreds of years. Do you know what they are?

The stories are abundant and only limited by how many tomorrows we have for their telling.

Join us as we share our stories, traditions, charm, and southern hospitality.

Latest Episodes:

Talking Coffee Mar 13, 2019

Show notes

Our guests on this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast are Jim and Kathy Kozak, owners of Talia Espresso on Main Street in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina. Jim and Kathy were first introduced to North Wilkesboro by a friend from Detroit, where they lived, who retired in the North Wilkesboro area. They visited her a few times and were captivated by the community and the natural beauty of the region, so when they felt the need to move their family away from the bustle of city life, they immediately settled on North Wilkesboro. Though their exposure to the area had been minimal, they both felt a peace from the Lord about moving their family to the region.

They quickly felt at home in North Wilkesboro and their kids got plugged into local schools. Shortly after they arrived, Jim and Kathy teamed up with a young couple from Seattle to research and plan for a potential business endeavor. After a time of prayer, Kathy felt led to name the business Talia, which has roots that mean “lift me up.” The younger couple backed out in the late stages of planning, but Jim and Kathy kept the momentum going and started a mobile coffee business which evolved into the storefront on Main Street. They found that this was the perfect way to blend their business backgrounds with their passion for serving people, and they have felt such support from the community, even during the difficult financial times of the Great Recession.

Jim and Kathy enjoy being very involved in the day-to-day operations of Talia, but they have also invested in several employees and a general manager who are bought in to the mission of the business and give Jim and Kathy peace of mind during their days off. They greatly enjoy greeting and meeting everyone who walks through their doors, from locals and large groups to traveling businessmen. They recently installed a brand-new sign for Talia on Main Street which has been well-received and appreciated for its tastefulness in the historic district.

To contribute to the musical community of North Wilkesboro and the region, Talia has begun hosting Sounds and Grounds events once per month, and they are excited to see the impact that these events can have on local culture.

Connect with Jim and Kathy:

http://www.taliaespresso.com/

https://www.facebook.com/talia.espresso

http://instagram.com/taliaespresso

https://www.facebook.com/SoundsAndGrounds/

https://www.instagram.com/soundsandgrounds_/

Radio Talk with Francene Marie Mar 08, 2019

Show notes

On this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast, Carl joins his friend Francene Marie on her home turf to reminisce and discuss her career in radio broadcasting. Carl and Francene Marie first met more than 10 years ago, before the Life in the Carolinas tv show existed, when they were involved in events called Celebrations of Relationship Building. These events were simply opportunities to get to know each other and use the common action of sharing a meal together to learn more about different cultures.

Francene Marie has worked in the broadcasting industry for 23 years, and she is notably the first African-American woman to host a program not targeted towards African-Americans. She has dedicated her career to creating a show that is a comfortable place for people to share their stories and a consistent figure in the lives of her listeners. She and Carl agree that their mission in telling stories is to highlight the good side of life and celebrate the human elements and characteristics of their guests.

Over the years, Francene Marie has become more seasoned and experienced in broadcasting and life in general, and her perspectives have been broadened. Over her career, she has conducted almost 5,000 interviews, and she is committed to putting love into each and every interview. Some may call her a “purposeful people pleaser” because she has a way of bringing out the best in those she talks to. She isn’t afraid of disagreement, however, because she sees the benefit in appreciating the diversity of opinions that exist. This past Christmas, Francene Marie was a part of “The Magic of Christmas” at the Knight Theater, and she came alive in her role. Carl also sought to tell the story of Christmas magic by doing television specials at Tryon Palace, Kings Mountain, and The 1915 in North Wilkesboro.

Carl talks about his personal journey of mindfulness and self-nurturing since his health scares with A-fib and sleep apnea. It taught him to be confident in his hope and to be grateful in the moment. He also mentions his book “This Week’s Words”, which is a compilation of some of his weekly columns over the years. He then touches on the first interview he did for the Life in the Carolina’s television show with the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation at the time.

Carl and Francene Marie agree that their jobs are primarily to listen to, help, assist, and laugh with they people they come across, and generally just celebrate who we are. They also stand firm in their convictions of the intrepid relevance and value of radio, television, and newsprint in this digital age.

Connect with Francene Marie:

https://www.francenemarie.com/

https://www.instagram.com/franmariemedia/

Connect with us:

http://www.lifeinthecarolinas.com/

https://www.lifeinthecarolinaspodcast.com/

Liam Purcell Makes Music Feb 21, 2019

Show notes

On this episode of the Life in the Carolina’s podcast, Carl is joined by 16-year-old Liam Purcell, a talented musician with a passion for playing, writing, and creating music. Liam got his start at the age of 6 learning guitar through the JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) program after school. By the time Liam was in 3rd grade, his parents realized that his talent needed to be nurtured, so they began home-schooling him to free him up to pursue his music more seriously. He is now taking some on-campus classes at Wilkes Community College and touring with his band. While he plans to pursue a musical degree at a college or university later on, Liam states that once he turns 18, his goal is to begin touring full time.

Liam grew up in Deep Gap, North Carolina, and while his music has taken him all over America and even to Argentina, he will always consider this pocket of Western North Carolina home. He feels that this region of the Appalachian mountains is an excellent place to learn about old time and bluegrass music from musicians whose skills and knowledge of music have been passed down for generations. Liam has been exposed to many other genres of music and he has dabbled in some, and he has come to realize that learning old time and bluegrass music first has allowed him to easily acclimate to other genres more easily.

When Cane Mill Road was given the opportunity to represent American bluegrass music at the World Music Festival in Argentina, Liam’s eyes were opened to the grand diversity of music around the world and he was also affirmed because of the incredible support the band received from the representatives of the other countries. It was during this trip that Liam committed to reading music so his skills could be more beneficial for his future endeavors in composition and music theory.

Liam plays the fiddle, mandolin, banjo, guitar, bass, lap steel, dobro, electric guitar, and electric bass, and over the years he has learned that music is the same regardless of the instrument. The breadth of his instrumental knowledge and mastery has been crucial to his arranging and songwriting pursuits as well as his ability to teach younger kids how to play. This passing down of knowledge is what makes the music scene in the Carolinas unique. Liam emphasizes the importance of the community building that occurs at local jam sessions as well as the collective push towards continual improvement that comes in formal and informal settings.

Liam’s career so far in music has taught him valuable life lessons as well in the areas of relationship building and maintenance as well as the development of internal motivations to keep improving. Liam’s band, Cane Mill Road, has put out 2 studio albums and 1 live album, and he is grateful for his parents and brother for supporting him every step of the way.

Connect with Liam:

https://canemillroad.com/

Connect with us:

http://www.lifeinthecarolinas.com/

https://www.lifeinthecarolinaspodcast.com/

Carl@lifeinthecarolinas.com

Liam Purcell appeared on Life in the Carolinas in 2015 at the age of 12.

This is the segment:

https://youtu.be/EGt0I6dY3I0

Heart to Heart Feb 11, 2019

Show notes

On this special “Heart Month” episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast, Carl is joined by local cardiologist, Dr. Julian Thomas. Dr. Thomas tells listeners about the three main types of heart disease. These three types are blockages and stenosis of the coronary arteries (plumbing), heart muscle and valves which can contribute to congestive heart failure (pumping), and irregular heartbeat or atrial fibrillation (electrical).

Carl shares his own experiences over the past 2 years, from first learning that he had A Fib and sleep apnea through his ongoing treatment. He tells of that which led him to first go to the emergency room; the extreme fatigue and shortness of breath and the feeling of being smothered while trying to sleep. Once he received his diagnoses, he found that he was overwhelmed emotionally. That was until he began talking with others who also had A Fib, sleep apnea, and other heart related issues. These conversations provided support and encouragement.

Through this journey, Carl has learned a considerable amount about his heart health. Thanks to Dr. Thomas and his other doctors, he has started using techniques such as mindfulness, maintaining a healthier diet, and regularly exercising in addition to his prescribed medications. He also has been using a CPAP machine and has noticed a drastic improvement in his sleep as well as his peace of mind.

Dr. Thomas describes the symptoms and impacts of conditions like A Fib and sleep apnea, revealing that the two are – in fact – linked, and can even cause strokes if left untreated. He encourages listeners to know their bodies and take action if they notice anything that doesn’t feel right, especially concerning heart palpitations or shortness of breath. Seniors and those with genetic predispositions are most vulnerable and should be vigilant about remaining healthy and discus any concerns with their doctor. A Fib feeds off of aggressive nervous energy and becomes particularly active during times of concurrent illnesses and in individuals who heavily consume alcohol. If your partner frequently complains about your snoring or tossing and turning at night, it is a good idea to see a doctor for sleep apnea testing. The treatment for sleep apnea is simply using a CPAP machine, and this easy action can save your life.

For more information:

https://www.heart.org/

https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation

https://www.sleepassociation.org/sleep-disorders/sleep-apnea/obstructive-sleep-apnea/

Connect with us:

https://www.lifeinthecarolinaspodcast.com/

Furniture and Design Perspective Jan 23, 2019

Show notes

Our guest on this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast is Bill Evans, a Mocksville native who has spent a lot of his life in Charlotte and North Wilkesboro. In fact, his grandfather purchased a tract of land in Davie county that belonged to Daniel Boone’s father, and now Bill’s cousin lives in the original Boone family cabin, which he has renovated.

Bill was inspired by his grandfathers and his uncles to be creative, classy, and functional in designing clothing and furniture, and you could say that he has made a living doing just that. He has made swimsuit coverups for runway shows out of umbrella material, upholstered couches with heavy English wool, and is currently working on updating a cruise liner with marine grade vinyl.

A lifetime expert on the furniture business, especially in North Carolina, Bill has noticed a few trends that are leading to a resurgence of furniture manufacturing and upholstery in our area:

Consumers’ expectation of sustainable and durable materials
Interior designers becoming more of a presence at the High Point Furniture Market
The necessity for ordering smaller lots of furniture than Chinese factories are equipped to produce
An evolution of and increased appreciation for the craftsman industry
The desire for the highest value for the dollar
Millennials’ propensity to move frequently and not accumulate furniture
Millennials’ desire to purchase unique or sentimental pieces that will last – not full sets
The trend towards industrial style furniture, which is rustic and durable

He also touches on the phenomenon of online shopping. While it doesn’t make much sense to Bill that someone would be willing to purchase a couch without ever seeing it in person or sitting on it, he understands that this is the way the world is moving, and the convenience factor of free shipping and free returns outweighs the uncertainty of an untested item.

At the end of the episode, Carl and Bill discuss their common cardiac issues and their gratitude for the high-quality healthcare they have been able to receive. They emphasize the importance of taking an active role in your own health by making small choices to walk more or take the stairs.

Connect with Bill:

https://youtu.be/jaWrKqmx84Q

https://designworksstyle.com/tag/bill-evans/

LITC website:

www.Lifeinthecarolinas.com

Carl White:

Carl@lifeinthecarolinas.com

Moonshine and Copper Jan 08, 2019

Show notes

On this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast, Carl is joined by George Smith, co-founder of the Copper Barrel moonshine distillery in downtown North Wilkesboro. Several years ago, George was a member of the Charlotte Bourbon Club and he became aware that the popularity of craft spirits was on the rise. From his previous work experience with IBM and Fresh and Easy Neighborhood Market, he knew that retail growth is cyclical, and he would be wise to make the leap into a business venture early. He knew that he wanted to venture into the craft spirits realm because of his passion for the history, culture, and community surrounding moonshine, as well as his personal affinity for it.

He began actively looking for a location for his distillery, and after doing site surveys in 12 towns, he was left convinced that Wilkes County was the perfect place. It had the rich history and the natural resources that he needed to be successful, and during a tour of the town with the mayor, he was informed that Wilkes County was also home to a resource he didn’t know he needed: Buck Nance. Buck may or may not have been making his own moonshine for the past 50 years and been an active participant in NASCAR during the 1970s and 1980s to that end. Regardless, after meeting Buck, George realized that he would need Buck’s knowledge and experience in order to create a superior and unique product.

The main obstacle that George and Buck continue to face is the perception of moonshine among the general public. They are working to overcome this obstacle by providing samples at festivals, encouraging people to tour the distillery, and by partnering with restaurants for Shine and Dine events that feature their moonshine. George views the entire Copper Barrel company as an ambassador for Wilkes County and the history it fosters, and they are able to make a positive impact on the community by supporting charities such as The Fallen Outdoors. George also sees the value of giving the platform to Buck’s hard work and heritage that he never had before, and he is glad for the opportunity to help the community celebrate him as well.

Looking toward the future, George is excited for the new products and new locations that may be on the horizon, and he is committed to changing people’s perceptions of moonshine until it is a point of unparalleled pride and connection.

Connect with Copper Barrel:

https://copperbarrel.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CopperBarrel

https://www.instagram.com/copperbarrel/

https://linkedin.com/commpany/CopperBarrel

https://pinterest.com/CopperBarrel

https://twitter.com/copperbarrel

http://thefallenoutdoors.com/

https://youtu.be/SkyNYGwjed4

Connect with us:

https://www.lifeinthecarolinaspodcast.com/

The Fiddle Maker Bob Kogut Dec 31, 2018

Show notes

Our guest on this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast is Bob Kogut, a northern native who has proudly called North Carolina home for the past 20+ years. He and his wife knew that they belonged in Lenoir during their first visit, and they have gotten plugged into the community in many ways.

Bob’s life changed when he was in his late 20’s and his brother took him to a bluegrass festival where they were front and center for the Bill Monroe and The Bluegrass Boys concert. Bob had never heard of bluegrass before and he had certainly never heard anyone play a fiddle like that, and he was captivated immediately. Within the week, he had essentially traded in his rock and roll guitar for a mountain fiddle, and he soon found himself at every fiddle and bluegrass festival and convention he could get to. He gleaned as much wisdom as he could from the old-timers who would give him their fiddle-playing secrets, and all of these unofficial lessons paid off.

At the request of a friend, he started playing in the live bands at contra dances, and he found that this was the perfect fit. At these dances, there is no audience because the dancers and the musicians are both performing and feed off of the energy of the other, which is invigorating.

He soon started his quest for his “holy grail” fiddle that could become his voice, as the best instruments do, by buying, selling, and trading anywhere he could. Along the way, he was introduced to Bob Bragg, a world-renowned fiddle expert who dedicated his life to repairing and restoring violins that he acquired. Bob K. began going over to Bob B.’s house every Saturday to learn from him and he was able to get to know fiddles in a way that didn’t previously seem possible. Eventually, Bob K. began helping Bob B. with fiddle repairs, starting simple before progressing to the most intricate restorations. Without Bob K. realizing it, Bob B. was preparing him to build violins himself with all of the knowledge and experience he had gained through his time spent repairing them.

Bob B. soon told Bob K. that he was never going to find the perfect fiddle until he built it himself, so that’s what he set out to do, with a lot of guidance and secrets from Bob B. in the realms of tone production. Bob K. sold his first fiddle to one of his work clients in exchange for the tools and materials he would need to build his second one. Bob K. was very pleased with his second fiddle, and when he saw and heard it, Bob B. kept it because he knew that if Bob K. kept it, he would be satisfied to never make another fiddle. He was right, and now Bob K. is on fiddle #218. Along the way, he did finally make his “holy grail” fiddle for himself, and he has been pleasantly surprised by the global popularity of his handmade fiddles.

Bob emphasizes the importance of local festivals and jam sessions like MerleFest, the Pop Ferguson Festival, Carolina in the Fall, and events at The 1915 in the development of community around such a deeply emotional but non-controversial activity. Perhaps Bob’s attitude towards music and fiddle making is best summed up in the inscription he found inside an 18thcentury Italian violin: “Silent in life, in death I sing.”

Connect with Bob:

https://www.youtube.com/user/MrFiddlemaker

Photo Credit: Fiddler Magazine

http://www.fiddle.com

LITC website:

www.Lifeinthecarolinas.com

Carl White

Carl@lifeinthecarolinas.com

The Lost Soldier Dec 12, 2018

Show notes

Our guest on this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast is Chris Hartley, a Wilkes county native and author of 4 historical books. As an adolescent, Chris’ parents took him to American historical sites and encouraged his love for history and reading through books. In high school, his teachers often told him that he was a talented writer, so he began his journey towards being a published author then.

Chris’ first book came about out of curiosity. He wondered if there was a bigger story behind the historical marker in front of the North Wilkesboro hospital, and it turns out that General James B. Gordon had quite a story indeed. Since this was before the days of the Internet, he had to do countless hours of manual research in local and state archives and conduct interviews with descendants of Gen. Gordon to bring the story to life. Several years later, he revised and republished another edition of this book under the same name: “Stuart’s Tarheels”.

His third book is entitled “Stoneman’s Raid” and follows another Confederate officer through his experiences during the Civil War. Next, he began working on his latest book, “The Lost Soldier” about his wife’s grandfather’s time in the European Theater during World War II. While this is the story of a specific soldier, it could be broadly applicable to many soldiers of the time and has had wide-reaching impacts on the families who lost soldiers during the war. He was inspired to write the story of Pete Lynn after his wife’s grandmother showed him the bundles of returned letters that she had written to her husband that were never delivered to him before his tragic death. Through the process of writing this book, Chris came to understand the power of love and the impact that a sacrifice for freedom has on the loved ones back home, torn between sorrow for their loss and gratefulness for the cause for which they died.

Chris has been recognized by the North Carolina Society of Historians for his historical storytelling through his books. He works full-time in marketing for the Blue Rhino propane company and spends all of his free nights and weekends speaking about his books and researching for his next one.

Connect with Chris:

http://www.hartleybooks.com/

LITC website:

www.Lifeinthecarolinas.com

Carl White

Carl@lifeinthecarolinas.com

American Legion World Series Dec 04, 2018

Show notes

Our guest on this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast is Jim Quinlan, former National Director of American Legion Baseball. During his 30 years in the position, the national American Legion World Series tournament was held in a different city every year, which involved a bid review process and also and orientation process for each new city. Understandably, this took considerable time and effort, in addition to the logistical challenges, so Jim and the others in leadership decided to find a permanent home for the American Legion World Series. Because of their enthusiasm and resources, Shelby, NC, quickly rose to the top of the lot of cities being considered, and the commitment of Eddie Holbrook and the 600-700 annual volunteers ultimately made Shelby victorious in their quest.

There are 4,000 high-school aged teams in the American Legion baseball league, and during the playoff tournaments at the district, sectional, state, and regional levels, 8 teams earn the opportunity to come to Shelby for the national tournament every summer. The teams are housed in local hotels for a week and hosted by community and church groups who organize events and local trips for the players and coaches during their off-times. ESPN-U broadcasts the games live and hundreds of volunteers help the events run smoothly and with the ultimate southern hospitality. Fans come from all over the Carolinas to watch the games as well as the families and friends of the players and coaches from across the country, and there is a special emphasis on honoring veterans throughout the week. Eddie Holbrook works hard to raise funds to improve the facilities every year, and the whole experience is first class.

Connect:

http://americanlegionworldseries.com/

How the American Legion World Series Made Shelby NC Home Base

https://youtu.be/TAqyLAJ0vaY

A look at how it all comes together

https://youtu.be/OvenfLS6D80

A Friendly Visit and the Colors of War Nov 26, 2018

Show notes

On this episode of the Life in the Carolinas podcast, we are joined by Bob Ricketts, a retired Carolinas dentist, and Francois Gauthron, a WWI and WWII historian and battlefield tour guide from France. Several years ago, Bob and his wife Nancy went to France to celebrate their 40th anniversary, and while they were enjoying all that France has to offer, they decided to book a private tour of the beach at Normandy. Francois came highly regarded and recommended in their research, and they thoroughly enjoyed their tour filled with stories of D-Day, military history, and the comradery they found in Francois. They have kept in touch over the past several years, and when Francois’ book tour brought him to the eastern US this fall, Bob and Nancy jumped at the opportunity to host him during his time in the Carolinas.

Francois began contemplating writing a book filled with all of his historical stories of WWI and WWII at the recommendation of another American who went on a battlefield tour with him a few years ago. Anita Bryan was a Mississippi school teacher who was close to retirement, and she mentioned to Francois that if he ever decided to write a book, she would love to help him through the process and be his editor. That project came to life after a lot of hard work on both of their parts, and they are proud of the final product (available on Amazon at the link below).

Francois has found that looking back at the battles that have shaped the world brings Americans and Europeans alike together on the common ground of gratefulness to our ancestors who fought for our freedom and mutual respect for the cooperation between our countries on so many occasions. There are so many things that make our countries and cultures different, but at the same time, we have so much in common and can share in the bonds that unite us.

Connect with Francois:

https://smile.amazon.com/Colors-War-Black-White-Nuances/dp/2956370111/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542759264&sr=8-1&keywords=colors+of+war+-+not+black+and+white+but+nuances+of+gray

https://www.facebook.com/Francois-Gauthron-D-Day-Tours-727966447246233/

https://www.francois-gauthron-military-historian.com/

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