Episodes

This episode we welcomed world renowned fiddler Billy Hurt (member of the Five Mile Mountain Road Band) and longtime guest Amos Denton, for an incredible show that went all over the place with some good laughs. We discussed the fiddle, of course, but also dove into accents, how to pronounce "App-a-latch-uh", the best liquor in the world, local music, influences, living the simple life, and much, much more. This one was a blast to record and you'll get that throughout the conversation. We appreci...

For this special episode we set up in The Morris Hotel for the Franklin County Come Home to Christmas event and welcomed a plethora of former guests, along with some awesome new ones, for a wide range of discussions in multiple segments. It was the most fun we've had to date, and once you listen you'll understand why. We were joined by Moonshiner Henry Lee Law (Moonshiners on Discovery Channel/Law's Choice Distillery), Robynn Jaymes (Billboard winning DJ for B99), Don and Kelly Johnson (Beyond t...

In part 2 with Thad Montgomery (Melvins Farm to Fork Store), Amos Denton (Blackwater Building and Custom Woodworking) and Chris Montgomery (Foggy Ridge Cattle Company) we discussed more of the recent impacts on farming, The Homestead Creamery, the regulations that keep prices up, where your food comes from, why farmers get cut out, fuel price, struggles, and much much more. Please share, give us a follow, leave a review, and you can support us on Patreon on the link in the show notes! http://ww...

In this show we brought on Thad Montgomery (Melvins Farm to Fork Store), Amos Denton (Blackwater Building and Custom Woodworking) and Chris Montgomery (Foggy Ridge Cattle Company) to have a show featuring some of the best farming minds in our region. We discussed the local impact of farming, the regulations that keep prices up, why farmers don't live like kings, the food you actually eat, along with a bunch of good laughs, and much much more. Please share, give us a follow, leave a review, and y...

This is part 2 of our sit-down with Brian and Darnell Moore, well respected citizens of our community, and speaking for the black community on todays show. If you jump in and are confused, go back and listen to part 1 (Sept 27th, episode 79) to get caught up, as it was a long, interesting show. We certainly appreciate Brian and Darnell coming on, being candid, answering all questions, and engaging in discourse. Hopefully this show will bridge some gaps and fill in some holes for folks, but alway...

In this episode we were joined by legendary Ferrum Baseball Coach Abe Naff, along with Carter Chitwood and CJ Arrington, to talk about some of the best athletes to grace our corner of Appalachia. We heard stories of recruiting MLB players Eric Owens and Billy Wagner, Chris Warren, Hank Norton, along with Thomas Meeks, some historic names, deep playoff runs that built legends, and much more. Please like and share, as we certainly appreciate it. http://www.patreon.com/getontap https://www.appalac...

In this episode we sit back down with Phillip Bane (The Morris Hotel) to discuss his vision for Rocky Mount as a Town Council Candidate. Even if you have no skin in this game, give it a listen because we bring up questions you can use to hold your town managements feet to the fire. We dive into the new conference center, thoughts on the Harvester, tourism in small towns, housing issues, and much more. Please give it a listen and share it, give us a follow, and leave us a review. http://www.patr...

In our second part with Bryan Hochstein, Rocky Mount Burger Company , we pick up where we left off in our last show, as we question the Economic Development Agency (EDA) and they ties into town doings. We also go over conflicts of interest within town employees, salaries, former employees and accusations, as well as the CTE center now potentially costing taxpayers an extra 50 million or so, and much more. http://www.patreon.com/getontap https://www.appalachianpodcast.org https://www.facebook.co...

In this episode we sat down with Bryan Hochstein, owner of Rocky Mount Burger Company & The Early Inn, to take a deep dive into the mismanagement of The Harvester Performance Center, a staple in town that operates at the starting point of the Crooked Road Music Trail. The issues plaguing the venue go far beyond neglecting local acts and ridiculous vaccine passport requirements, as you'll find out it goes much deeper. We, using public documents and FOIA requests, go over the convoluted mess of LL...

For the first time I was flying solo, so bare with me, but wanted to get this out to the listeners. It has been a very continuous few shows, and politics is an ugly game, but despite my anarchist (anarcho capitalist) views I understand that government is our reality, That being said I want to, at the least, find the best possible way to bridge gaps. I make no apologies about my distaste for government bureaucracy and red tape nonsense, but going to the Town Council Meeting was a necessary evil a...

In this show we sit down with Holland Perdue, Mayoral Candidate for Rocky Mount, to discuss an array of topics. We talked about his vision for Rocky Mount, why he decided to run, to lay his roots here, and issues that the town currently faces, as well as some of his plans to increase transparency and get the residents more involved. After our conversation with him, Simon and Billy revisit the recent episode with Phillip Bane, the controversy surrounding it, the reaction, and the alleged arrest o...

In this show we get down to brass tacks and put on our comedic twist, as we bring on Phillip Bane, local entrepreneur and candidate for Rocky Mount Town Council. More importantly, he's dealt with multiple, unnecessary, roadblocks by the town that has prohibited him from moving forward with his boutique hotel (The Morris Hotel), that would almost certainly breathe new life into a dying downtown area. With that we also get into absurd salaries of town employees, information from FOIA requests, was...

We finally made this one up as we were once again joined by Darnell and Brain Moore, brothers, who represent Black Lives Matter in our little corner of Appalachia. The first show was a great time and conversation, but the audio file completely vanished, so we made sure to do this again because it's a necessary discussion that needs to be had...over and over. Brian and Darnell are both very active in our community, and much like us are working towards bettering our community, so they have earned ...

This show we were joined by Don and Kelly Johnson, a team of "ghost hunters", for a term some might recognize. Put aside your preconceived notions, because this was one hell of a show. We talked about some of the strangest things they've encountered in their 10 years of research, along with how a lot of the spiritual world applies to every day life, and much more. You really just need to listen because it's difficult to explain how good this show was. Give em a follow on Facebook, as well as us,...

This was a special show, **with bonus content at the end**.. In this episode with sit down with a familiar guest, Chris Williams, and his father Orbreyn, on the main drag leading to Martinsville Speedway, for some great stories from the patriarch of the Williams family. Living outside of the speedway has produced a ton of memories for the family, but that's only the half of it. Obrey was also a pioneer in the world of sponsored tournament fishing in Virginia, a Dale Earnhardt souvenir manager, a...

This show we're joined by Brian Maxwell, as he prepares for his next bout for BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) in Great Falls, MT this weekend. Brian is a product of the FCHS Wrestling program, so we talked about growing up in rural Virginia, his path to the MMA, fighting childhood hero Chad "Ocho-Cinco" Johnson, and plans for the future. Plus, we quickly learned we had a lot of the same influences growing up, in culture and in school, so the conversation went to differently awesome lev...

In this episode we take a different turn as we're joined by Tara Riddle (wide of Host Billy Riddle) and Karen Winstead, as we discuss the options when bringing a precious life into this world. Karen is a midwife at the New Life Birth Center, and we (Riddles) were recent recipients of their services for the birth of our son. Many families out there aren't aware of their options, or know there is an alternative to corporate medicine, so give this show a listen for some valuable information and goo...

On this show we sat down with former guests, and friends of the show, John Clements and Thomas Meeks to look back at some of the best stories we've been fortunate to hear on this show. We played back a handful of clips, with reactions, to highlight some of the best moments on the show. You'll find clips from Jared Stout, Tyler Godsey, Jimmy Hensley, and more in this episode that's sure to make you laugh. Please like, share, and leave us a review. https://www.appalachianpodcast.org https://www.f...

This show was up there with the best of em. We sat down with the legendary "Ferrum Flash" Paul Radford, who at 90 years old is still as sharp as a tack. Tune in to hear stories of bootlegging, tangling with Earnhardt, running from the law, historic racing stories, and so much more. Don't want to give any away, just go listen. We promise the stories rival anything you'll hear on the Dale Jr Download. https://www.patreon.com/getontap https://www.appalachianpodcast.org https://www.facebook.com/App...

This was a special show, as we completed our first "Swapcast" with former NASCAR Driver and Fox Sports Analyst Hermie Sadler, Senator Bill Stanley, and Shep Moss in Hermie's RV, turn 3, of famed North Wilkesboro Speedway for the return of racing to the North Carolina short track. We discussed the SMART Modified Tour impact on local tracks, SS Racing which is owned by Hermie and Senator Stanley, their historic win with Ryan Newman, their fight against the State of Virginia overreach on small busi...

On this episode we speak with Steve Mowry, Bellator, as he prepares for his August 12th bout with Valentin Moldavsky on Showtime. We talked about his foray into the Mix Martial Arts world, some of his influences, and some opinions on the big names of the fighting world. We also got into a based conversation about the state of our society, and how the government is essentially a useless entity. Check it out, and check out Steve (links below), and join us in watching the fight August 12th. Also, p...

This is our first official "Swapcast" as The Appalachian Podcast introduces the "Deez Lug Nutz" Podcast, a new venture we're pursuing as true fans of short track racing. We recognize the passion our audience has for racing, and we want to connect the big names of short track racing with the fans who keep the sport going. Hosts Billy Riddle and Jeff Taylor will be joined by Dean Motley and Julian Austin to discuss racing from Friday to Sunday, dirt to Asphalt, SMART MODS, CARS Tour, Franklin Coun...

In this episode we speak with Libertarian Party, and Libertarian Party Mises Caucus, members Andrew Kimble, Paul Bracco, plus Matt Lucas about how individualism is sweeping across the country, and how we can apply that to Appalachia Culture. Each guest on this episode brings a different perspective of liberty, from their personal communities, with ideas on how to bring simple concepts of freedom to our towns and counties. This show will walk you through the historic run the LMPC made to reform t...

In this show we welcome back Emmette Bird and Casey Brannon to discuss the last cowboys of U.S. Army, the Appalachian boys of the 1032nd TC, for the week of July 4th in 2003, based in Balad Iraq. There were some phenomenal stories that painted a realistic picture of serving in Iraq during the year of the invasion, and how that week turned the tone of our war. We also went into details of the invasion, mortar attacks, defying authority, a little take on current affairs, and so much more. Please l...