Salvation South

On this episode of Salvation South Deluxe: Chuck Reece goes deep into the complicated history of the banjo, from its origin on the shores of the Carribean and West Africa to its rise as a ubiquitous icon of Southern "hillbilly" culture and beyond.

Late last month, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that cities can ban people from sleeping and camping in public spaces, even if the city doesn’t have enough shelter beds. With more people living unhoused than ever in America, and governments struggling to help, providing a little help often falls to people who are willing to do the work themselves. Salvation South editor Chuck Reece has some thoughts about such good samaritans.

Much of today’s political news is filled with discussion and debate about immigration. Which people are coming to America? Which should be permitted to come? And how many should be permitted? Can immigration and Southern hospitality live in the same community? Salvation South editor Chuck Reece today invites you to visit a place where it does.

On this episode of Salvation South Deluxe: Chuck Reece talks with "Rednecks" author Taylor Brown and scholars Gabe Schwartzman and Lloyd Tomlinson. He learns the ugly truth behind the origin of the term 'redneck' -- a shocking story of warfare carried out against American citizens by none other than their own government, which has been suppressed for nearly a century.

This year, people in North Carolina are celebrating the hundredth birthday of one of their most beloved sons, the revolutionary and legendary bluegrass banjo player Earl Scruggs. He defined how most of us believe the banjo is supposed to sound. But the story is a little more complicated than that. Salvation South editor Chuck Reece is here with his tribute to Earl Scruggs.

People from the American South have distinctive ways of speaking. But losing the accent has become big business. It’s easy to find companies that charge big bucks to teach you to lose your Southern accent. Salvation South editor Chuck Reece wonders why you would want to. Our accents, he argues, are as diverse as our region’s population.

In this episode of Salvation South Deluxe: we explore the storied life and career of Southern Baseball legend "Hammerin" Henry Aaron. Chuck Reece discovers the lasting impact of Aaron's legacy, and learns that Hank's yearning for social justice extended to the Baseball field and far beyond.

Many of us could look back at our lives and be astonished at how much time we had spent reading. Hours. Weeks. Even years, for some of us. But fewer people set out to write a story that others might want to read. Our resident Southern storyteller, Salvation South editor Chuck Reece, is here with a few tips to help you give writing a try.

Next Monday marks the beginning of National Teacher Appreciation Week. During this annual celebration, we pay tribute to teachers who make a difference in our lives. And we remind those in power how important teachers are to the future of our nation. In this week’s commentary, Salvation South Editor Chuck Reece is here with a memory of a teacher who helped him find magic in the written word.

The word from farmers around Georgia is that we are somewhere between four and six weeks between an annual cause for celebration. That's the appearance of homegrown tomatoes in backyard gardens and at farmer’s markets. Salvation South editor Chuck Reece says that with these precious fruits comes an opportunity for all Southerners—regardless of politics, philosophy, or faith—to come together.