Disney in August – Lane's Family Update Lane shares highlights from his family's recent trip to Walt Disney World during peak August heat. 

Devil's Bathtub Adventure Dustol recounts a weekend trip to the Devil's Bathtub swimming hole. Lane reveals his family's land sits just miles from the trailhead, sparking a brief reflection on growing up near nature and how those places matter as you age.

Tribute to Dolly Parton A sincere moment honoring Dolly Parton. The hosts reflect on her legacy beyond music—her philanthropy, consistent kindness, and grace in the public eye. She modeled authenticity for generations.

Education & Careers The hosts shift gears to talk about local education pathways and career opportunities in the area. 

Local Sports & Broadcasting Superpower (?) of an antenna. A discussion the challenges of getting games streamed or broadcast regionally. The hosts talk about why it matters to cover high school and amateur sports, what tech tools make it easier today. 

Dustol and Lane return from a brief hiatus as Lane shares a recent health scare, recovery, and gratitude to caregivers and supporters.

They recap summer events around Kingsport — Fun Fest highlights, Taste of Tri-Cities, local sports, food trucks, minor-league baseball, and an upcoming merch drop.

The conversation also covers family travels (New York, Kiawah, Disney plans), the value of community, and plans to resume regular episodes.

This week, Model City Rewind brings you the complete interview with friend of the show and local legend, Jeff Fleming, former City Manager of Kingsport, Tennessee. After 35 years with the city (including 5 years as City Manager), Jeff shares his remarkable journey from first-generation college student to becoming one of Kingsport's most influential civic leaders.

Jeff Fleming

In this episode of The Model City Rewind, the hosts shoot the bull about life changes, local sports, and everything in between. Lane shares the whirlwind experience of moving back from Charlotte, including the chaos of a moving sale and the realization that experiences matter more than stuff.

The conversation quickly turns to the links and the diamond. The guys dive into Tiger Woods’ career trajectory, debates Michael Jordan’s tenure as Hornets owner, and compares the sports scenes in the Model City versus the big city. They also touch on local changes, including the closure of Sullivan North High School, the future of the Axemen stadium, and exciting news about the Nashville Stars MLB expansion.

Plus, they tease upcoming interviews with the winningest high school football coach in Tennessee history and friend of the show and local expert and civic leader, Jeff Fleming. Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or just love a good chat about hometown changes, this episode has something for everyone.

Connect with us:

Support the show by picking up the "Appalachian Alien" album at Southern City’s Band Camp.

In this week's episode of The Model City Rewind Dustol & Lane Kick Off the Podcast + share the first Model Memory: Mary the Elephant

Dustol, a lifelong Kingsport resident, and Lane, a longtime friend who left 16 years ago and is now boomeranging back to the Tri-Cities from Charlotte, introduce their podcast, The Model City Rewind, focused on Kingsport’s and Southern Appalachia's past, present, and future.

They outline a conversational format with weekly discussion, community engagement, and guests ranging from historians and small business owners to expats and everyday locals, welcoming corrections when they miss details. Topics will include sports, schools, economic development, housing, music, arts, and culture, and so much more; with an emphasis on storytelling and learning from history, including fun, interesting, and sometimes uncomfortable parts.

The first “Model Memory” recounts the 1916 incident involving circus elephant Mary and they ask listeners for more information about the event.

00:00 Meet the Hosts

00:53 Why Lane Came Back

02:06 Starting the Podcast

04:05 What Model City Rewind Covers

04:41 Guests and Community Voices

05:29 How Episodes Are Structured

06:06 Join In and Fact Checks

07:54 Downtown Then and Now

09:17 Model Memory Segment

10:47 Supporters and Partners

11:49 Mary the Elephant Story

17:38 Why Start With Mary

20:12 Looking Ahead and Wrap Up

In this inaugural teaser episode, Dustol & Lane reconnect in The Model City after a 15+ years to launch The Model City Rewind. Listeners get a candid glimpse into why the two friends decided to sit down together again: Dustol’s deep‑roots experience living in the Tri‑Cities and Lane’s recent “boomerang” return from Charlotte after a decade away.

The conversation weaves personal history with a broader mission—capturing Appalachia’s rich narratives for both longtime residents and newcomers. They discuss the influx of out‑of‑state arrivals, the evolving identity of Kingsport, and the value of preserving oral history for posterity. Listeners hear reflections on how the city has changed over the past two decades, the challenges of being an “expat” returning to familiar streets, and the excitement of building a platform that gives voice to a diverse array of community members—from multigenerational locals to recent transplants.

Throughout, the hosts emphasize their commitment to:

First, a huge thank‑you to Southern Cities for their generous support and providing the music that frames every episode of The Model City Rewind. Be sure to check out their Bandcamp page that has the intro track, Appalachian Alien, and all of their music for purchase. 

The Model City Rewind reunites two longtime friends—Dustol and Lane—who haven’t regularly sat down together in 15+ years. Now, with microphones and a shared love for Kingsport’s rich Appalachian heritage, they meet regularly to explore the city’s past, dissect its present challenges, and imagine bold futures for the region. Each episode blends lively conversation with insightful interviews, inviting local historians, business owners, artists, and civic leaders to add depth and color. While the discussions are grounded in research and community‑driven ideas, the chemistry between the hosts keeps the tone relaxed and fun, turning every recording session into a spirited gathering that celebrates Kingsport’s story and sparks fresh possibilities for its next chapter.