Randy Tyree was born in Carthage, Tennessee, in 1940. Son of a tobacco farmer and the local high school football star. After graduating at 18 he left home to work for the FBI in Washington DC for 4 years. He became a police officer in Knoxville and later became police commissioner. He was the city's youngest candidate ever to hold the office of mayor, defeating Republican incumbent Kyle Testerman. He was re-elected to a second four-year term, and presided over the city during the 1982 World's Fair. Tyree unsuccessfully sought to again become mayor in the 1987 election.

Country Road Detours

S2 Episode 2: Randy Tyree, The World's Fair Mayor

Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling, Former WATE-TV News Anchor Gene Patterson and WVLT-TV News Anchor/Managing Editor Ted Hall were once the legendary Bowl Brothers. Like the famous Blues Brothers, they too had a mission. Not to get the band back together but to follow the University of Tennessee football team to every bowl game they played in. The Bowl Brothers were a hit in every bowl game city they visited. They often ran into famous coaches like Jimmy Johnson and Johnny Majors. Now for the first time since their glory days, they reunite on Country Road Detours to swap stories never told before. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Bob Kesling ask for support for The United Way - www.unitedway.org Ted Hall - The Dream Connection- www.dreamconnection.org Gene Patterson - Children's Museum of Oak Ridge - www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org

S2 Episode 1: The Bowl Brothers Reunion

In this is special episode of Country Road Detours, we wanted to take you back in time to an old time radio show hosted by our special guest host and friend.... Donnie Pitchford.  Pitchford, a retired high school teacher, cartoonist and founder of the National Lum and Abner Society introduces us to the Lum and Abner radio show which ran from 1931 to 1954. Today you will hear their famous Christmas show originally aired in 1938. Chester Lauck played Lum Edwards and Abner Peabody, played by Norris Goff are owners and operators of Pine Ridge, Arkansas' own "Jot 'em Down Store." It was a general store which served the zany town residences. The immensely popular show ran for fifteen minutes and took the listeners back to the feeling of a rural America. The Andy Griffith Show was based on Lum and Abner. We hope you enjoy this episode and we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

S1 Episode 6: Christmas Special: Lum & Abner hosted by Donnie Pitchford

You may remember her as the 92 year old lady from Knoxville who made the national headlines when she voted for the first time in her life in the 2016 Presidential Election. Beada Corum became an overnight news sensation as she was very vocal about her choice for president. Donald Trump was so impressed that she chose him that he had to meet her. He did in both in Nashville and Knoxville, Tennessee. But that is just one side of Beada Corum. Listening to Beada talk about life on the farm and growing up during the hard times is an education in itself to understanding how life was in East Tennessee for many folks. She share's a lot of humorous moments too. She went drag racing down Tazewell Pike with her cousin, discovered a "Horney Head" fish in a creek, assisted her husband who encountered snakes in the outhouse! She shares what Christmas was like in 1930's. Her folks took her to see an unknown Dolly Parton performing as a little girl in her coat of many colors. Please join us as we listen to Beada's last interview before she passed 4 weeks later. This interview was recorded March 22, 2018.

S1 Episode 5: Life and Times of Beada Corum

Former co-anchor, Bill Williams, for WBIR-TV's in Knoxville, TN is regarded as one of the most respected broadcast journalists ever in East Tennessee. He retired in December 2000. He made a difference in the lives of many special needs children who appeared on "Monday's Child" segment. The show helped place over a thousand children in loving homes. Ken Schwall started out as a serious journalist and news director for WBIR. He eventually developed a news segment called "Schwall's World" (later called "Positively Schwall") by visiting some of East Tennessee's most curious places or events while bringing out the funny in the folks he interviewed. We hope you enjoy this delightful and insightful conversation with Bill and Ken, the True Gentlemen of Journalism. Be sure to visit www.CountryRoadDetours.com

S1 Episode 4: Bill Williams & Ken Schwall

Bradley Reeves is considered one of the South's leading archivists. For many years he has found the most unique sounds and visuals uncovering Knoxville's diverse music culture. Who knew the "Scruffy Little City" had some of the hottest Jazz clubs in the South! Join Bob Longmire as he steps into Bradley's time machine exploring the past as early as 1920! Hear stories about Cas Walker, Carl Butler, Dolly Parton, Mary Costa, etc! Also... hear details about an upcoming event October 24th!!! Bradley will share all! www.CountryRoadDetours.com

S1 Episode 3: Bradley Reeves' Time Machine

Ross Bagwell Sr. is former associate producer with NBC Television Network. He. is known for his work as Chairman and CEO of Bagwell Communications, Inc./Cinetel Productions, which was the largest independent cable network program production company in the United States in the early 1990s, with contracts to produce over 3,500 television shows across seven national cable networks - The Discovery Channel, Arts & Entertainment, Nickelodeon, The Learning Channel, ESPN, The Travel Channel, and The Nashville Network. He also gained notoriety working with iconic singing cowboy actors Roy Rogers and Gene Autry for a number of years throughout his career. Adina Chumley is a news journalist who co anchored with Carl Williams on the Morning News program at NBC affiliate, WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee several years ago.

S1 Episode 2: Ross Bagwell Sr. & Adina Chumley

Today's guest host, author and storyteller Bill Landry (The Heartland Series) interviews "Big" Jim Haslam, founder of Pilot Corporation and a former University of Tennessee football player who was recruited by legendary coach General Neyland. Big Jim shares his simple secrets to achieving success in business along with stories of legendary figures of the past and present. www.countryroaddetours.com

S1 Episode 1: Bill Landry & "Big" Jim Haslam

Country Road Detours podcasts airs new episodes on the 1st and 15th of every month. We go on the road to find stories that will inspire, intrigue and illuminate you. A little nostalgia can’t hurt anyone these days. So kick back, relax, grab yourself some sweet ice tea and listen in from the front porch of the South.

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Country Road Detours

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