Old Kentucky Tales

Brent and Jason return for a 7th season!  Our first 4 episodes were recorded before OKT went on hiatus in March with the rest of the planet; the last 6 episodes were recorded 5 months later. They talk to Alexander Watson, author of the book River Queens: Saucy Boat, Stout Mates, Spotted Dog, America. Joined by his partner and intrepid shipmate, Dale Harris, they detail their refurbishing of a 1950s wooden Chris-Craft boat, visiting towns and rivers as they sail from Oklahoma to Ohio.  The Fake History Sponsors are the 1915 Cloverport, KY Barbeque and The Modern Hotel of the Cumberland Mountains. Share comments here or on the Apple Podcasts app, iTunes or NPROne.  Old Kentucky Tales is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Jason and Brent look back at the much revered Gettysburg Address through the eyes of someone present with President Lincoln that day, Congressman Edward McPherson.  His account details the moments leading up to the speech, how the crowd reacted at the time and just how Lincoln went about preparing his remarks.  And they take a look at specific fans-of-the-show comments so keep those comments coming!  The Fake History Sponsors are the World War I Trophy Train and the 1956 Ford Station Wagon.  Share comments here or on the Apple Podcasts app, iTunes or NPROne.  Old Kentucky Tales is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Jason and Brent look back at 1980's technology and prices compared to today, including the Commodore 64, large televisions, stereos, VCRs, car phones and interest rates (with some food talk thrown in as well).  And they take note of two random Instagram followers of OKT in an effort to see who is listening!  The Fake History Sponsors are from the 1920's: Shoes With No Nails and a Sunstroke Sale at Merz Brothers.  Share comments here or on the Apple Podcasts app, iTunes or NPROne.  Old Kentucky Tales is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Brent and Jason check out some odd traditional dishes from Christmas advertisements in the early 1900's. Some are just old fashioned and some are hard to imagine ever being eaten.  The Fake History Sponsors are St. Bernard Mining's Company Store Christmas from 1913 and A Lamp For Christmas! at Brown's China Palace during 1900. Share comments here or on the Apple Podcasts app, iTunes or NPROne.  Old Kentucky Tales is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Brent and Jason look at an account of the greatest celebration in the early years of Louisville, built around a shooting contest and cockfighting as told through the words of former slave Harry Smith. They also make an attempt at a dramatic reading of the last scene of the movie Slingblade.  The Fake History Sponsors are 1901's Johnston's Sarsaparilla for Suffering Women and Grape Nuts in 1921. Share comments here or on the Apple Podcasts app, iTunes or NPROne.  Old Kentucky Tales is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Brent and Jason are joined by attorney Johnathan Oliver as they discuss specific curious laws from 1873 and look for parallels with today's regulations.  We also discuss the famed Bloodhound ad that helped propel Mitch McConnell to the Senate in 1984.  The Fake History Sponsors are 1917's Calumet Baking Powder and 1893's Williard's Obesity Pills.  Share comments here or on the Apple Podcasts app, iTunes or NPROne.  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Brent and Jason are joined by teacher and historian Derrick Lindow, who chronicles Kentucky's role in the Civil War, with photos and stories, in his blog at kentuckycivilwarauthor.com.  We discuss the diary of Samuel K. Cox and Derrick's experiences as a reenactor.  The Fake History Sponsors are 1920's ads for children's Christmas toys and good old Dr. Swett's Original Root Beer.  Share comments here or on the Apple Podcasts app, iTunes or NPROne.  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Brent and Jason compare Zachary Taylor and The Battle of Buena Vista with the ancient Greek legend of The Battle of Thermopylae.  This episode also features another cold reading in the Great Unknown Kentuckian Performer Showcase, this time from the Double Jeopardy movie script.

The Fake History Sponsors are 1917's Checkbooks for Wives and 1910's El Tosto brand toasters.  Share comments here or on the Apple Podcasts app, iTunes or NPROne.  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Brent and Jason review 20 suggestions offered in 1912 Kentucky newspapers for husbands and wives.  The first 10 were presented by Rev. W. W. Bustard, followed later by the second 10 as a direct response composed by Mrs. Myra Strawn Hartshorn.

The Fake History Sponsors are Maloney's Wall Paint and Vaseline Hair Tonic.  We also pick a few random online listeners in a bit of fan appreciation.  Share comments here or on the Apple Podcasts app, iTunes or NPROne. OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Jason and Brent listen to a fascinating tale told by 97 year old Field McChesney, a World War II radio operator whose B-17 was shot down during the bombing of Dresden.  

He parachuted into a small German village, only to be taken as a POW in the last months of the war.  This is a concise account of a young soldier's personal memories of his war experience.  You can read more about McChesney's story at the American Air Museum in Britain website.

The Fake History Sponsors are NBA Cigarettes and Moore & Moore Mail Order Whiskies.  We also examine a rarely heard JFK campaign ad.  Share comments here or on the Apple Podcasts app, iTunes or NPROne. OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.