On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we’re exploring a great work of American literature whose plot rides on a most-peculiar, but beloved pastime of rural America – coonhunting. We’re diving deep into the book “Where the Red Fern Grows” written by Woodrow Wilson Rawls. How did this unlikely author, a one-hit wonder some might say, with such a mysterious past make it into the ranks of the American literary giants? We’ll hear from Professor Sean Teuton of the University of Arkansas as we search out the national impact of the book. We’ll talk with Stewart Peterson who starred in the original 1974 movie produced by Walt Disney studios who actually met Wilson Rawls, and we’ll cut some hounds loose on a starry Ozark night with a man who's been devoted to Redbone hounds his whole life, Ronnie Smith of Northwest Arkansas. The ride is guaranteed to be wild as we search out when coonhunting did a 360-slam-dunk on mainstream culture and they loved it. You’re not going to want to miss this one, boys. 




This is going to be good!




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On this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast we’re exploring a great work of American literature whose plot rides on a most-peculiar, but beloved pastime of rural America – coonhunting. We’re diving deep into the book “Where the Red Fern Grows” written by Woodrow Wilson Rawls. How did this unlikely author, a one-hit wonder some might say, with such a mysterious past make it into the ranks of the American literary giants? We’ll hear from Professor Sean Teuton of the University of Arkansas as we search out the national impact of the book. We’ll talk with Stewart Peterson who starred in the original 1974 movie produced by Walt Disney studios who actually met Wilson Rawls, and we’ll cut some hounds loose on a starry Ozark night with a man who's been devoted to Redbone hounds his whole life, Ronnie Smith of Northwest Arkansas. The ride is guaranteed to be wild as we search out when coonhunting did a 360-slam-dunk on mainstream culture and they loved it. You’re not going to want to miss this one, boys.  This is going to be good! Connect with <a href="https://www.themeateater.com/authors/claynewcomb">Clay</a> and <a href="https://www.themeateater.com/">MeatEater</a>Clay on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/clay_newcomb">Instagram</a>MeatEater on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/meateater">Instagram</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/StevenRinellaMeatEater/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeatEaterTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAaa0mleeU128Ad5iM1RFIg">Youtube</a>Shop <a href="https://store.themeateater.com/collections/bear-grease-podcast">Bear Grease Merch</a> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

The Bear Grease Podcast with host Clay Newcomb delivers compelling storytelling through documentary-style episodes exploring the culture, traditions, and history of rural America. He’ll dive in deep with hunters, biologists, anthropologists, and hillbillies to learn about human nature and our ancient connection to the land. Bear Grease explores unique people, topics, and stories that reveal the incredible value of life lived close to the land. Part of the MeatEater Podcast Network.

Bear Grease

Home to the Bear Grease podcast and Bear Grease Render show with Clay Newcomb, and This Country Life with Brent Reaves.

Clay Newcomb delivers compelling storytelling through documentary-style episodes exploring the culture, traditions, and history of rural America. He’ll dive in deep with hunters, biologists, anthropologists, and hillbillies to learn about human nature and our ancient connection to the land. Bear Grease explores unique people, topics, and stories that reveal the incredible value of life lived close to the land. Follow up with the Render discussion show, where Clay interviews experts and brings together a cast of crew members to explore themes within the Bear Grease show.

Brent Reaves is a lifelong outdoorsman whose family roots go back over 150 years in the river bottoms of rural Arkansas. On This Country Life, he's inviting you into his home to teach you everything he knows about hunting, fishing, and the very best parts of country living. To Brent, country living is about living life on your own terms, or as he says, "beating the system." In each episode, Brent's going to tell you a story about a time he did just that, and teach you a country skill you need to know to do the same. So pull up a chair or drop the tailgate, Brent's got a thing or two he can teach you.

Part of the MeatEater Podcast Network.

Home to the Bear Grease podcast and Bear Grease Render show with Clay Newcomb, and This Country Life with Brent Reaves.
Clay Newcomb delivers compelling storytelling through documentary-style episodes exploring the culture, traditions, and history of rural America. He’ll dive in deep with hunters, biologists, anthropologists, and hillbillies to learn about human nature and our ancient connection to the land. Bear Grease explores unique people, topics, and stories that reveal the incredible value of life lived close to the land. Follow up with the Render discussion show, where Clay interviews experts and brings together a cast of crew members to explore themes within the Bear Grease show.
Brent Reaves is a lifelong outdoorsman whose family roots go back over 150 years in the river bottoms of rural Arkansas. On This Country Life, he's inviting you into his home to teach you everything he knows about hunting, fishing, and the very best parts of country living. To Brent, country living is about living life on your own terms, or as he says, "beating the system." In each episode, Brent's going to tell you a story about a time he did just that, and teach you a country skill you need to know to do the same. So pull up a chair or drop the tailgate, Brent's got a thing or two he can teach you.
Part of the MeatEater Podcast Network.

Ep. 42:  Where The Red Fern Grows (Part 1) - The Peculiar life of Wilson Rawls

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/4e3a6d0a-3ab9-46a5-8ea2-ae4500ac665b/transcript

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