From his role in the birth of alt-country to his tragic death at age 26, we explore the life and legacy of Florida’s own Gram Parsons on the eve of his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Known for his work playing with The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, in addition to launching the career of Emmylou Harris, Parsons is considered the founding father of country rock and alt-country. His preferred label was "Cosmic American Music," a genre-jumping style that blended R&B, folk and rock with traditional country. As one of 18 inductees this November, Parsons joins a class that includes Phil Collins, Fela Kuti, Iron Maiden and Queen Latifah. We talk to the Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist and author Bob Kealing about his definitive biography of the groundbreaking musician.
Guest: Bob Kealing, journalist and author of Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock
Paw-Paw potion
He’s been called one of “Florida’s earliest and more successful snake-oil salesmen” and “America’s most colorful medical huckster,” but his signature elixir continues to captivate customers. Munyon’s Paw-Paw liqueur has been reanimated by two entrepreneurs and beverage industry veterans, who dug into the checkered but colorful history of Dr. James M. Munyon, a turn of the (last) century wellness guru and self-made millionaire (though never a doctor). Their new aperitif kindles the taste and ambiance of earlier times, without the original product’s secret ingredient: THC. We talk to the reporter who recently profiled the product and its creators in Flamingo Magazine.
Guest: Steve Dollar, freelance journalist, artistic director of the Tallahassee Film Festival
8th wonder
A storied after-school and summer program receives the largest grant in its 35-year history. The $250,000 gift from the Ponte Vedra Beach-based philanthropy the Warren and Augusta Hume Foundation will allow Sanctuary on 8th Street to upgrade its facilities and expand its offerings. Established in 1992, the 8th St. program has grown from a dozen participants in after-school and summer camp programs to hundreds of kids over the years. The facility, which caters to children ages 5 to 17 in the Eastside/Springfield area, plans to use the funds to create a "sensory, development and play" space and launch a new summer nourishment program. We talk to its executive director about what else the nonprofit needs and how the community can help.
Guest: Rick Cartlidge Jr., executive director at the Sanctuary on 8th Street
Topics and guests subject to change.