An Oxford American Podcast
Exploring the complexity and vitality of the South, its present and its past.
Don’t Cry (Warrior Song)
Can we achieve togetherness in our time?
THE PROLOGUE
The story of Clyde Kennard, the first person to attempt desegregation at the University of Southern Mississippi.
IN CONVERSATION
Sarah M. Broom, National Book Award-winning author of The Yellow House
IN SESSION
A performance from the No Tears Suite, an original jazz composition commissioned by the OA to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the desegregation crisis at Little Rock’s Central High School.
Featuring Kelley Hurt, Chris Parker, Brian Blade, Bill Huntington, Bobby LaVell, Marc Franklin, and Chad Fowler.
The Hurting Kind
John Paul White live from the Oxford American stage
MAGAZINE FEATURE
Julian Rankin, director of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art, visits the artist’s sacred place, an island off the coast of Mississippi, and meditates on the conditions that influenced Anderson’s art.
Read Julian Rankin’s essay “Sacred Place” from the Fall 2019 issue.
IN CONVERSATION
Mary Miller, author of Biloxi.
IN SESSION
A performance by John Paul White.
Working on a Building
Why is country music so white?
THE PROLOGUE
Ken Burns and Rhiannon Giddens discuss the legibility of African and African-American contributions to country music—from the Carter Family to Lil Nas X—and how that influence has been erased in the American consciousness.
Featuring Ken Burns, Rhiannon Giddens, and Julie Dunfey
IN CONVERSATION
Documentarians Julie Dunfey and Ken Burns on the soundscape of Country Music.
IN SESSION
Dom Flemons performs from Black Cowboys live from the Oxford American stage.
A Cemetery Angel
AIDS and end-of-life care in Arkansas
THE PROLOGUE
Known as Arkansas’s “cemetery angel,” Ruth Coker Burks provided end-of-life care for patients with AIDS in Hot Springs during the height of the crisis and buried their remains in her family’s cemetery.
IN ADAPTATION
“Three Encounters” by John Jeremiah Sullivan.
Performed by MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger.
Produced by Spacebomb and Maxwell George
IN SESSION
A Fayetteville Roots Festival performance by Los Texmaniacs.
Mary Ann and One Eyed Dan
Introducing the 21st annual Southern Music Issue
EDITORS’ ROUNDTABLE
OA Editors discuss the upcoming South Carolina Music Issue and share their favorite stories and behind-the-scenes moments. Plus: A preview of the issue’s tracklist.
Featuring Eliza Borné, Maxwell George, Jay Jennings, and Hannah Saulters.
IN CONVERSATION
Deputy Editor Maxwell George with OA contributor David Ramsey.
Read David Ramsey’s essay
“Like a Shovel and a Rope”.
TOP 5
Maxwell George shares his favorite Southern Music Issue moments.