Today in Georgia, high temperatures will be in the sixties. But over the past two weeks, the South experienced a stretch of winter cold—and even snow—that surprised us all. But the recent winter storm in Georgia brought Salvation South editor Chuck Reece an unexpected gift. We’ll let him share that with you.

When the great Southern chef, television host and cookbook author Nathalie Dupree passed away last week at age eighty-five, Salvation South editor Chuck Reece remembered his first discovery of her, when he was in his twenties, living in New York City, and feeling hungry for Southern food. 

On this episode of Salvation South Deluxe, we're debunking the Robert Johnson myth. We'll explain how the "deal with the devil" story overshadowed a blues genius and led to exploitation of his legacy.

When President Jimmy Carter died on Sunday, Salvation South editor Chuck Reece remembered the night when he, at age fourteen, first shook the great man’s hand. Chuck has some thoughts about the examples Carter left behind for all Southerners. 

At this time of year, carols and holiday songs surround us. They’re on the radio. They’re in the stores when we’re shopping. And this is true everywhere, all over the world. Thus, we rarely think of Christmas tunes as a Southern thing. But Salvation South editor Chuck Reece today offers four distinctly Southern holiday classics.

On this episode of Salvation South Deluxe: Chuck Reece talks with Peter Guralnick, acclaimed biographer and author of Sweet Soul Music: Rhythm and Blues and the Southern Dream of Freedom, and soul music legend William Bell, about the deep connection between soul music and the civil rights movement. Learn how this quintessential American artform was the catalyst and soundtrack for remarkable social change. 

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 2024. (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 2024. (Part 1 of 2).

Salvation South editor Chuck Reece came from a very large family. His father was the eleventh of twelve children. So every year about this time, Chuck has always wondered how his grandmother managed that huge Thanksgiving dinner. This year, he did some calculations.

On this episode of Salvation South Deluxe: Chuck Reece explores the evolution of Southern fiction through conversations with acclaimed authors David Joy, Tayari Jones, Michael Farris Smith, Chris Offutt and S.A. Cosby. From Appalachian hollows to Atlanta's streets, these authors craft thrilling narratives that challenge stereotypes and confront issues of race, class and justice.