Reelfoot Forward

Fulton Winery, located in Fulton, Kentucky, is a proud veteran-owned small farm winery and wine bar, specializing in sweet, fruit-flavored wines. Owned and operated by father-son duo Roger and Prentice Colson, the winery currently offers 13 distinct flavors and provides a welcoming space for wine lovers to enjoy a glass, try a sample flight, or take home a growler.

In this episode, we explore what brought Roger and Prentice to the small Western Kentucky town and the inspiration behind turning their passion for winemaking into a business. From Roger’s early memories of his father making wine to the Colsons’ journey of opening their own winery, we’ll dive into how this family legacy has come full circle.

Al Santos is the founder and Head Singer of Ottertrail, a celebrated Southern style drum group that has played a vital role in the Native American powwow world and beyond. With Ottertrail, Al has won a Grammy, performed at major events across the country and appeared in the final episode of the Marvel series Echo on Disney+. Most recently, you can see him and Ottertrail in the powwow scene of the Apple TV movie Fancy Dance, where Al also composed all of the powwow music, further cementing his influence in both the powwow and entertainment worlds.

In addition to his musical contributions, Al has also made his mark in professional wrestling entertainment as “The Arab Legend” Al Farat. In this episode, Al shares his journey from the powwow grounds to the big screen, and he gives us a glimpse into his dual life as a professional wrestler. He also talks about his upcoming role as emcee at Discovery Park of America’s 2024 Northwest Tennessee Native American Educational Powwow and what it means to bring this event to the community.

This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.

Jason Reeves is the curator of the University of Tennessee Gardens at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Jackson, Tennessee. His influence can be found in landscapes across the region in the form of distinct plant combinations and his signature garden art. Through his popular Facebook page, Reeves takes followers on virtual trips to experience gardens of all types around the country. In this episode, he shares his personal story of how he discovered a passion for plants and he provides valuable tips for landscapers and gardeners who want to make the most of their gardens.

This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.

Wildlife biologist Bob Ford is executive director of The Hatchie River Conservancy, a West Tennessee organization with the mission of conserving and sustaining the natural integrity and the scenic beauty of the Hatchie State Scenic River and its watershed. The Hatchie River is the longest free-flowing tributary of the lower Mississippi River; it harbors the largest forested floodplain remaining in Tennessee and is the only river in the state that is designated as a State Scenic River in its entirety. As Ford shares in this episode, many see the Hatchie as a restorative, soul-nourishing sanctuary—a sacred place to feel connected to something larger than themselves. It is an ancient, beautiful, biologically rich, uniquely wild river that courses its way through six counties in West Tennessee. Ford also shares a bit of the history of past efforts to protect the Hatchie along with conservation initiatives taking place today led by The Hatchie River Conservancy and others.

This episode is sponsored by Moustos Pasta & Grill.

The Davy Crockett Hunting Club is a waterfowl hunting club in Northwest Tennessee. It began in the 1940’s when respected duck hunt guide and chief clerk of Union City’s Davy Crockett Hotel, Ralph Morton, came up with the idea of forming a club for the many hunters that came to the region each year to hunt. The hunting exploits, innumerable anecdotes, tales, accounts, truths and fabrications about the club have become the stuff of Tennessee legend. Morton’s vision and his passion to share the sport of waterfowl hunting with others has evolved into one of the oldest and most respected hunting clubs in the nation. Jon Nesbitt, who began hunting with the club as a young boy, has been researching and writing about the history of the club along with the joys and challenges experienced through the years by those who enjoy the sport in West Tennessee. In this episode, he shares his personal story, a bit more about the club and how he went about gathering memorabilia, research materials and personal stories about the club.

In Discovery Park’s new, permanent exhibit, “Duck, Duck, Goose: Waterfowl of the Mississippi Flyway,” discover how a combination of federal land protections and private land conservation unites the government, landowners, hunters, scientists, conservationists and other nature lovers to protect and restore waterfowl populations and the land needed for them to thrive.

This episode is sponsored by The Hatchie River Conservancy.

In 1954, twelve-year-old Jerry Schilling wandered into a Memphis touch football game, only to discover that his team was quarterbacked by nineteen-year-old Elvis Presley. Elvis was still an unknown, but his first record, "That’s All Right," had just debuted on Dewey Phillips’ popular WHBQ radio show "Red, Hot & Blue." That chance encounter with the future King of Rock ‘n’ Roll began an adventure for Schilling that continues to this day. In this episode, Schilling, who later became a successful talent manager, shares stories of how Elvis’s friendship has been an inspiration his life and career. Then, Alicia Dean, from Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. joins to provide a behind-the-scenes look at Graceland and Elvis Week today.

Jerry Schilling’s book, “Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley,” is available on Amazon.com.

This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.

Kirstan Blanchard is a social media influencer from Symsonia, Kentucky. During the 2020 pandemic, Blanchard took advantage of her time in quarantine to launch a successful lifestyle blog. She has since grown her following on TikTok to over 21,000 and over 26,000 on Instagram. Kirstan uses her platform as an online lifestyle brand centered around affordable fashion, mental health awareness and cultivating confidence.

Blanchard recently stopped by Discovery Park as a guest for an AAF West Tennessee event. In this episode, she shares some tips and tricks of creating an online community, lessons learned while creating content and more.

This episode is sponsored by the Hatchie River Conservancy.

Grant Saum has dedicated his career and life to agriculture, driven by a deep-seated passion for multiple sectors of the field.

Saum is the co-owner of Saum Show Stock of Ramer, Tennessee and is the owner of Reelfoot Meat Company of Union City, Tennessee. His love for the show ring started at a very young age and has continued into adulthood as he works to inspire the next generation of sheep lovers and showmen.

As the Mid-South Regional Communications Manager for the Cotton Board, Saum ensures that stakeholders throughout the mid-south are informed about the Cotton Research and Promotion Program. In this episode, we discuss Grant's love for animals and the everyday work he does for the "Fabric of Our Lives."

This episode is sponsored by Moustos Pasta & Grill.

Ted Franklin Belue, a 2021 winner of the Western Writers of America’s prestigious Spur Award, has written numerous books including “Finding Daniel Boone,” “The Hunters of Kentucky” and “The Long Hunt.” He edited two Boone biographies, including Lyman Draper’s landmark “Life of Daniel Boone”—the classic reference on Boone and trans-Appalachian Long Hunters—and published more than 100 essays in trade and scholarly publications. He has served as consultant/commentator for the INSP Network’s “Wild Americans” and Outdoor Channel’s “SHOOTING USA,” History Channel (doubling on-screen in various 18th century guises), A&E, BBC, NBC, and NPR. He “survived” the French and Indian War as a Hollywood extra in “The Last of the Mohicans.” In this episode, Belue shares more about the inspiration for his passion for American history, long hunters and early settlers like Daniel Boone.

This episode is brought to you by Leaders Credit Union.

Martin, Tennessee native Brady Weldon is a man of many hats. Minister, consultant, author and life-coach to name a few. Brady has helped start a few churches and sits on the board of several. He’s learned a lot during his 35 years of ministry, but one of his greatest discoveries was realizing he could impact people in the areas of both faith and creativity.

In this episode, we take a journey back to Brady’s long West Tennessee line of entrepreneurship and helping others, as well as his journey back to another passion of his, music.

Another hat on the bald head of Brady Weldon is the hat of a musician. Though this hobby was put to the side for many years, Roy Barberi of the Roy Band finally got the mic for singing back in Brady’s hand.

Roy Band is Nashville’s live tribute to the best in 1980s hard rock, pop-rock and glam rock music. Brady Weldon often lives up to the nickname he earned in Nashville, Rock ‘n’ Roll Reverend, and joins them on stage.

This episode is sponsored by Leaders Credit Union.