After more than 40 years as one of the most popular and recognizable voices in country music, during which he earned a pile of Grammys and a rightful place in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Randy Travis is a household name who has inspired legions of fans. A few weeks ago I was fortunate to sit down with Randy and his wife, Mary, at their home in Nashville and to hear their incredible—and incredibly difficult—story. After a near-fatal stroke impaired his ability to speak and stole his singing voice in 2013, Randy had to overcome serious odds to rebuild his life and career. Now, thanks to his longtime producer, Kyle Lehning, and the advances of AI technology, Randy Travis has gotten his voice back. The bond he and Mary share is a big part of what’s made his comeback possible, and it also helped us to have this conversation about their life together. Sid talks to Randy and Mary about his new song, “Horses in Heaven,” the new biopic based on his life, Forever and Ever. Amen, and how he’s reaching the next generation of fans.
For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam
Biscuits & Jam is produced by:
Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living
Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer & Editor/Producer
Jeremiah McVay - Producer
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46:05
Encore: The Indigo Girls Are Full of Gratitude
Episode Description: Since 1985, Emily Sailers and Amy Ray have been known as the Indigo Girls, and they’ve never once stopped making music or sharing their message of acceptance. The two met when they were kids in Decatur, Georgia,, and once they started playing together in high school, it didn’t take long for their unique sound to find an audience—first regionally, then nationally, and eventually worldwide. Last summer, when their hit song “Closer to Fine” was featured prominently in the movie Barbie, they seemed to catch fire with a whole new generation, and now they’re back with a slew of new projects. A documentary called It’s Only Life After All delves into their lives, their struggles, and their activism; a rom-com called Glitter & Doom is set to their music; and of course there’s some new songs. Sid also asks about Emily’s longtime passion for food and cooking, the bar in Atlanta where they got their start, and what it’s been like to endure as openly gay artists in the South and the music industry.
For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam
Biscuits & Jam is produced by:
Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living
Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer
Jeremiah McVay - Producer
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44:55
Craig Morgan's Journey from the Army to the Opry
Craig Morgan is that rare country artist who actually grew up around Nashville, but he also breaks the mold in a lot of other ways. After finishing high school in Kingston Springs, just west of downtown Nashville, Craig joined the Army for what would become a long, intense, and distinctive military career. As a member of the 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions, he parachuted into the jungles of Panama and fought sex traffickers in Thailand, among other dangerous assignments. But despite his commitment to the armed services, he always had a yearning to play music. Craig found himself writing songs based on his experiences, and thanks to the encouragement of a Colonel who thought he had an extraordinary talent, he made the leap to the music business. Now, he has a successful career, a dedicated fan base, and a body of work largely defined by his commitment to God, Family, and Country—which happens to be the name of his memoir. Sid talks to Craig about how much he loves his mom’s biscuits and gravy, his new EP called American Soundtrack, and the way a family tragedy led him to write a song that’s touched so many people.
For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam
Biscuits & Jam is produced by:
Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living
Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer & Editor/Producer
Jeremiah McVay - Producer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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44:06
Bless Your Heart, Landon Bryant
Landon Bryant stopped by the Southern Living offices recently, and it was for the staff to meet him in person after a couple of years watching his hilarious videos on our accents, traditions, quirks, and why we have endless recipes for potato salad. Landon was born and raised in the small town of Laurel, Mississippi, a close-knit community that was made famous in recent years by past guests Erin and Ben Napier—whom Landon happens to know. His great-grandmother was a major influence on him, but it was his wife, Kate, who encouraged him to start sharing his opinions about Southern identity on Instagram. Now, he’s come out with a new book, Bless Your Heart: A Field Guide to All Things Southern, that distills his unique perspective into a clever, smart, and deeply entertaining guide to the culture. Landon talks to Sid about the time he went to high school in a Walmart, his experience as an art teacher, his openness about struggles with ADHD, and just what exactly got him in hot water when talking about deviled eggs and grits.
For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam
Biscuits & Jam is produced by:
Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living
Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer & Editor/Producer
Jeremiah McVay - Producer
Isaac Nunn - Recording Tech
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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45:58
Wright Thompson’s New Book About Emmett Till Is a Must-Read
Wright Thompson grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, before going on to write for ESPN, The Atlantic, and the New York Times, among other publications. In 2018, he created the travel documentary show, TrueSouth, which is now in its 8th season on the SEC Network; and in 2020, he came out with a terrific book called Pappyland: A Story of Family, Fine Bourbon, and the Things That Last. Wright’s latest book, The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi, examines the lasting impact and legacy of the Emmett Till murder, as well as the extraordinary efforts by some to obscure or distort the facts. It’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time, incredibly well researched and reported, and told with the insights that only a Mississippian could bring to the story. Sid talks to Wright about the remarkable journey of Emmett Till’s cousin, Wheeler Parker, who was there the night of the abduction; the strong connection between the Mississippi Delta and Chicago; and why it took so many decades for the secrets of this horrendous crime to come to light.
For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam
Biscuits & Jam is produced by:
Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living
Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living
Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer
Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer & Editor/Producer
Jeremiah McVay - Producer
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In the South, food and music go hand in hand. They define much of what we think of as Southern culture, and they say a lot about our past, our present, and our future. Each week, Sid Evans, Editor in Chief of Southern Living, sits down with musicians, chefs, and other Southern icons to hear the stories of how they grew up, what inspires them, and why they feel connected to the region. Through honest conversations, Sid explores childhood memories, the family meals they still think about, and the intersection of food and music in their lives. Always surprising, always engaging, Biscuits & Jam is a celebration of the South—and the people who are moving it forward every day. New episodes every Tuesday.
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