Salvation South

There is a word in the English language dictionary that for five-hundred years has been used to describe the food we eat. But in the last century, it became a word used by those who wanted to belittle people from the South. Salvation South editor Chuck Reece is here to tell us why the V-word really deserves a place of honor in this week's commentary.

When Salvation South editor Chuck Reece launched his online magazine about the South, he did not expect it to attract so many writers of poetry. And the sad truth was, Chuck didn’t know much about poetry in the first place. But thanks to those writers, he’s developed a keen appreciation for Southern poems. Here he is to share that appreciation with you in this week's commentary.

In this episode of Salvation South Deluxe, Chuck talks with legendary singer-songwriter William Bell about his origins, and delves into the role religion played in creating Soul Music, one of America's greatest ever contributions to culture.

Salvation South editor Chuck Reece introduces you to—or at least reminds you about—one of the South’s greatest writers, Ron Rash. In this week's commentary, Chuck explains why you should pay attention to Ron’s novels, short stories, and poems because they will teach you how to pay attention to details in life.

As the year comes to a close, we bring you this special episode of Salvation South, where we take a look back on our most popular commentaries aired by GPB Radio in 2023. (Part 2 of 2)

As the year comes to a close, we bring you this special episode of Salvation South, where we take a look back on our most popular commentaries aired by GPB Radio in 2023. (Part 1 of 2)

Have you ever been to a “pounding?” Salvation South editor Chuck Reece was taken to one when he was a child, but he never knew where that name came from. That is, until a writer submitted a story to his magazine about the fading Southern tradition where those who have, help those who don’t. Chuck explains in this week's commentary.

Salvation South Deluxe is a series of extended episodes of the Salvation South podcast that unravel the untold stories of the Southern experience, narrated by the authentic voices that make this region truly unique. In our first episode, host Chuck Reece takes you to Old Fort, North Carolina, where the power of unity has rebuilt a thriving economy for this small Southern town.

Salvation South editor Chuck Reece and his family had much to be thankful for as they celebrated Thanksgiving. But he couldn’t get through the day without adding someone outside his family circle, the former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, to the list of people for whom he was grateful. Chuck explains in this week's commentary.

When our ancestors pass away, we reckon with what they leave us. That can be objects, or money, or land, or a host of other material things. But for some folks, the most important thing bequeathed by an ancestor is the food, the recipes, because in those tastes—sometimes…if we’re lucky—there is magic. Salvation South editor Chuck Reece has a story about that magic in this week’s commentary.