Old Kentucky Tales

Jason and Brent add yet another Christmas special for the holiday season and look at the story of an early Kentucky Christmas party and dance, best expressed in the photo here. 

Kidstorians discuss those early McDonald's prices.  And Fake History Sponsors include a gift ad of a rolling stand made for early office machines and an 1898 ad for Christmas Whiskey!  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

In this episode, Brent and Jason look at the electoral shift seen in Kentucky from 1980 to the current era.  Kidstorians discuss those early McDonald's prices.  And Fake History Sponsors include 1984 discounted Christmas merchandise and a breakdancing contest at Walmart, also in 1984.  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

In this episode, Jason and Brent look at a very candid letter written by Thomas Stone, an American soldier on the Western Front in France during World War I.  Fake History Sponsors include an ad for 10 big shows of circuses, menageries, aviaries, aquariums and museums all merged together and traveling the country in 1899.  We also hear a 1950's ad for taking out a loan to go on vacation.  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.   

In this episode, Brent invites fellow WKCTC professor David Nickell to tell a story of rural life, cable repairmen and a friendly pet goat.  Jason joins in and speaks with an odd sound to his voice; it turns out his mic was on backwards...  The Kidstorians look at a 1940's gas station and our Fake History Sponsors include a 1975 septic service and 1888's Mustang Liniment for man and beast!  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.   

Brent and Jason speak with special guest author James Markert about his book "The Angels' Share", from HarperCollins Publishing.  We look back at the Prohibition era with stories of its impact on Kentucky.  Then we bounce from Deadwood to The Great Gatsby and the speakeasies in that day.  The Kidstorians check out a photo of an old tank and Fake History Sponsors include 1899 Pabst Malt for teachers and a message to Mr. Bootlegger that prohibition does not work!  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.  You can hear Part 1 of James Markert's podcast interview here: 

http://www.wkms.org/post/old-kentucky-tales-s3-ep12-bonus-what-blooms-dust-interview-author-james-markert

Jason and Brent look at John "Wildcat" McKinney, an early teacher in Lexington, KY, who became a hero and legend for having fought off a ferocious bobcat who entered his classroom in 1793.  Fake History Sponsors include Party Line phone service in 1952 and an 1890's cure-all called Bile Beans, which purported to cure many unfortunate things.  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Jason and Brent interview a special guest, former Circuit Judge Jeff Hines, who was the 1974-75 Student Senate President of Paducah Community College.  We take a look back at PCC's old Smoke Signal college newspaper, with stories such as the World's Largest Banana Split.  And Judge Hines tells stories and memories of people and activities on campus from over 40 years ago.  Fake History Sponsors include PCC Bookstore and Burger Chef ads, both from the 1974 edition of Smoke Signal.  Thanks to Matheson Library and archivist Leigh Ann Paxton for help researching these topics.  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Jason and Brent explore the antics of Kentucky's own Henry Clay, who proves his markmanship skills and a legend begins!  Fake History Sponsors include a 1963 Kentucky Utilities ad to help fight communism and the 1886 Steam Dental Company, offering pain free extractions with "fresh" nitrous oxide.  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Season 4 continues as Brent and Jason talk about Honest Dick Tate, a 1888 Kentucky State Treasurer who absconded with $100,000 of the state's gold and silver coins, never to be seen again!  This impacted Kentucky's politics, including term limits, for decades and made "Tateism" synonymous with corruption.  Fake History Sponsors this time are a new ad from Kurfee's Paint and a bi-centennial time capsule, waiting to be opened in 2176.  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.

Season 4 starts here as Jason and Brent talk with special guest author Richard Parker about his book "The Wild World of the Jackson Purchase."  Richard details 5 crazy true stories about the westernmost region of Kentucky, a sometimes overlooked but vibrant area.  Fake History Sponsors this time are Dust Free Camels and 1898 Lard.  Yes, LARD.  Brent has a new Kidstorians segment and we start with a thumping update to the theme song.  OKT is produced by sound engineer Todd Birdsong at WKCTC's Paducah School of Art and Design.