Podcast 464

Welcome to Tennessee. Live from Bristol, Tennessee – The Birthplace Of Country Music. New Hampshire’s primary is history. Flush with new data and fresh story lines, every satellite news truck and reporter is rolling out of the Granite State headed for South Carolina, the third primary in election 2016. The Bob Davis Podcasts are already in the south, taking a break from the political craziness. Welcome to Tennessee, and to one of the coolest towns in Eastern Tennessee and Western Virginia: Bristol. Part of Bristol is in the Volunteer State of Tennessee and the other part is in the Old Dominion. This is a great introduction to South Carolina, because this part of Tennessee and Virginia are in the Appalachian Mountains, first settled by the Scots-Irish, English and Germans over two hundred years ago. They brought their culture with them including stories and music dating back centuries. Industrial growth from the late 1800’s and beginning of the twentieth century brought change to the people who call this part of the country home. In 1927 a Bristol area musician and performer recommended the town to a recording engineer and talent scout. The scout brought the latest recording technology to town, set up shop in a hat factory, placed an ad in a local newspaper and prepared to record. Ralph Peer’s Bristol Sessions turned out to be seminal in the development of American Roots music and the careers of artists who later became major country music stars. The Bristol Sessions are often referred to as ‘The Big Bang of Country Music’. The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol celebrates the Bristol Sessions and so much more. Take a break from the endless political nonsense going on, to get a sense of the influence this part of the country has had on the rest of the United States, and the gift the people of Appalachia have given us all. Today the south is a major economic, social and political influence, equal or greater to any other part of the country. Get set for surprises after South Carolina votes, and after the mid south primaries on Super Tuesday. (Big Thanks to Renee Rogers and Charlene Baker for meeting me at the Museum office back door on a snowy Monday, and for doing an interview for this podcast.) Sponsored by X Government Cars, Pride of Homes and Luke Team Real Estate.

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Podcast 260

Road Trip Part 2. Kentucky, West Virginia and Virginia. Taking stock in a Shoney’s restaurant in West Virginia, as we become aware; this is a really long trip. The ‘southern strategy’, getting out of the weather up North, meant enjoying a perfect sunny day for the run across horse country, into the mountains of West Virginia and western Virginia finally to central Virginia. The second day after the Grand Jury announced it will not indict a police officer in the shooting death of Ferguson’s Michael Brown. Are the protests across the country really about racism and injustice, or are these people professional protesters? Or, is it possible that despite revised economic numbers for the third quarter, low inflation and lower gas prices, Americans are restive? Maybe we just don’t feel ‘right’. As the ride across the country’s middle stretches out, we find there is much to like about West Virginia. A hunting ground for Indians and settlers in Colonial times, settled by Scots Irish and Germans, split from Confederate Virginia in 1862 and become an energy and mineral powerhouse. You don’t have pretend anything in West Virginia. People are just fine with you, as you are. And these people can drive! Lots of coverage of the ‘crazy uncle’ syndrome this Thanksgiving. Suggestions on how to handle your ‘crazy uncle’. Why is the crazy uncle always a right winger? What about your crazy socialist uncle. He gets a pass? (Editor’s Note: For the record, I am the crazy uncle in my family.) Finally, reaching our destination after 27 hours. Central Virginia, in the middle of nowhere, hunting country, ready to cook Cornish Game Hens, Green Beans and real Mashed Potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner. (Editor’s Note: Yeah, my family is quirky.) Get ready for some Davis family hijinks on Podcast 261. Sponsored by Autonomous Cad. 

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Podcast 210

On The Road. A listener email sparks a discussion about the true nature of technology. “Tech” is nothing more than a tool. Tools can be used for good, or bad. Problems are never completely solved, but they are managed. The constant ‘dystopian’ predictions about the effects of tech on unemployment, and the impending obsolescence of Human Beings is becoming just another meme. It’s time to become a little more realistic about technology in our society and not attach only good, or only bad to it. “What will people do when machines do everything?”. Will we become fat and useless? Or, will we find other, new things to occupy our thoughts. The Bob Davis Podcasts emphatically votes for the positive version of the future. This podcast mixes a response to listener email with some bizarre observations about the continuing trip. This leg included Colorado, Utah and Arizona. Driving through the most impressive landscape America has to offer. Denver and the Rockies with their ski areas (Vail, Aspen et al), switchbacks, tunnels, racing Union Pacific Trains along side the highway, The Navaho Nation, Monument Valley, Arizona, and the final run to Phoenix on Route 89, to Interstate 17. All the weird towns, and the endless search for coffee. This podcast was recorded, mixed and produced in the big booth at Denny’s in Flagstaff, Arizona. The greatest experience of this ‘On The Road’ effort is the ability to produce podcasts and post then from anywhere. Using off the shelf technology, The Bob Davis Podcasts has been liberated from ‘The Man!’, to go anywhere, anytime, and still be able to record, produce and file podcasts. Moreover, as the travel ‘experience’ sinks in, there will be plenty of stories and lessons to share in future podcasts. Its easy to forget how diverse, massive and unique the United States is, especially the Western States. Sponsored by Baklund R&D. 

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