The Brown Bomber, The Ghost Capital and The Day The Stars Fell on Alabama

In Episode 21, Mike takes us back to Alabama with more stories from the Heart of Dixie. First you’ll hear the story of the day the stars fell on Alabama - the day the Hodges Meteorite smashed into a house in Sylacauga. Then comes the story of Old Cahaba, Alabama’s first State Capital, now little more than a ghost town. From there, travel to the Free State of Winston, a Unionist region in the hill country. Next you’ll hear the story of boxer Joe “The Brown Bomber” Louis, one of the greatest to ever step into the ring. Finally comes the story of Claudette Colvin, a 15 year old high school student in 1955, when she defied Montgomery’s segregation laws and inspired Rosa Parks to do the same 9 months later. Music for this episode comes from Mobile native Hannah McFarland and special guest Tommy Ike Hailey.

Episode 21: The Brown Bomber, The Ghost Capital and The Day The Stars Fell on Alabama

Michael W. Harding

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Frontier Justice, Bloody Monday and the Diamond Hoax of 1872

In this episode, Mike heads deep into Kentucky to bring you these stories from the Bluegrass State. My Old Kentucky Home is Kentucky’s State Song and a wonderful old ballad by America’s first professional songwriter Stephen Foster. This episode starts with his story. Then we’ll hear about an old west legend: Judge Roy Bean, the Law West of the Pecos. Next up is the tragic story of the Bloody Monday Riots in Louisville in 1855. Then we’ll hear about one of the greatest hoaxes in American history, the Great Diamond Hoax of 1872. Finally we’ll hear the fascinating story of the legacy of boxing great and humanitarian Muhammad Ali, both inside and outside the ring. Music recorded live at the Rosine Barn Jam in Rosine, Kentucky (for more information click HERE)

Episode 12: Frontier Justice, Bloody Monday and The Great Diamond Hoax of 1872

Michael W. Harding

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