South of Scruffy with Ben Fields

Most people don't know that Louisville, Tennessee manufactures more aftermarket Ford Bronco chassis than anywhere else in the world. Starting from tinkering in his own garage, Thomas Kincer built the industry leading company for those who want to build an early year model Ford Bronco or convert their old Ford truck to 4-wheel drive. Thomas walks Ben through how he built an automotive company that is not only making reliable Ford Broncos that look great, but also helps people recreate their fondest memories among a cult following of automobile enthusiasts.

https://kincerchassis.com/

The Wilson Springs Hotel is an Americana Folk quintet from Richmond, VA. While passing through Knoxville during Big Ears Festival, TWSH found their way to the South of Scruffy shop to chat through their rapid rise as new stewards of the sounds of Appalachia.

Tori Olsson is an Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in American History at the University of Tennessee. Tore takes Ben on a thorough tour of many regionally and nationally relevant topics. The TVA during Jim Crow; how Tore garnered national attention by using a video game to teach a college course; getting "The Guy" to voice your audiobook. All of these topics are covered here...in SOS's first episode of 2024. Tore's new book, "Red Dead's History A Video Game, an Obsession, and America's Violent Past" is available for preorder now at the link below.

https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250287700/red-deads-history

Austin Glover is a professional photographer and standup comedy afficionado. Austin and Ben weave through Austin's photography career and how he strives to live up to the creative expectations his brother Curtis has inextricably linked to their last name.

Cory Smith is the Marketing Director for Bonnaroo and other music festivals promoted by festival giant C3 presents. Cory and Ben share their love of Bonnaroo, the music festival Rolling Stone called one of the "Top 50 Moments that Changed Rock & Roll". Cory is also the rythm guitarist and vocalist for the 90's country band "Neon Rainbow".

Matt Morelock is a banjo player, multiinstrumentalist, radio host and event promoter. Matt's banjo has taken him to 5 continents where he studied the origin of the intrument. Matt has been spreading the origin story of the banjo through Appalachia and the world via his book and his banjo exhibitions for nearly 20 years. Using anecdotes of playing with the worlds best banjo players and folk musicians, Matt weaves Ben through his musical escapades in a poignantly hilarious way.

Christopher Mitchell is a writer and director whose debut film “An Awful Thing Has Gone and Happened” was just released on streaming services. After his 2 decades of working in television, Christopher, with his wife Deborah Mitchell, collaborated to create this dark comedy.

Watch the trailer:

Brian Peery has hustled hard over the last decade to secure the chops to direct film. Now a director of true crime television series and short films, Brian spills the story of his rise on on SOS.

Charles Ellis is the General Manager and operator of Yee Haw Brewing's brew and pub campus in Knoxville. Charles' 2 decades in the beverage industry has culminated in him opening of one of the most experience-forward brew pubs in the southeast.

Wayne Bledsoe, Steve Wildsmith, and Rusty Odom are all decorated music journalists. Steve Wildsmith just became the newest inductee into the East Tenenssee Writer's Hall-of-Fame, joining Wayne Bledsoe and many others. Rusty Odom just announced and launched "The Knoxville Mix" a quick hitting guide to Knoxville's Music calendar as a partnership with Compass Knox, and his own publication Blank Newspaper.

Wayne, Steve, and Rusty, along with many others, have worked tirelessly to promote the 2023 edition of "Waynestock". In it's first installment since the pandemic, Waynestock returns to Relix Variety Theatre from Thursday, February 2nd, 3rd and 4th for it's 11th installment.

Tickets are cash only at the door. Doors open at 6pm on February 2nd. Visit https://www.facebook.com/WayneStockFestival/ for more info

Relix Variety Theatre