Listen to the songs that inspired the episode: TENNESSEE PLAYLIST

In this episode, Rick K. Jones takes listeners on a vibrant tour of Tennessee, highlighting its historical significance, diverse food traditions, and cultural renaissance. Discover the stories behind the state’s nickname, its musical legacy, and mouthwatering regional dishes.

Key topics:
The origins of Tennessee as “The Volunteer State” and its military history
Tennessee's role in the Civil War and its divided regions
The evolution of country music and Nashville’s musical heritage
Unique regional cuisines: mountain food, meat and threes, and Memphis barbecue
Famous Tennessee dishes: homemade biscuits, moon pies, hot chicken, and more
The growth of Tennessee’s economy and vibrant modern culture
Iconic Tennessee songs like "Tennessee Waltz," "Tennessee Whiskey," and "Rocky Top"

Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Tennessee’s significance
00:35 - Personal connection to Sewanee University and Tennessee's history
01:04 - Tennessee’s role in early college sports and regional landscapes
02:43 - Why Tennessee is called “The Volunteer State”
03:11 - Tennessee's colonial roots and westward expansion
04:09 - Scottish Irish settlement and cultural influence
05:34 - Andrew Jackson’s Tennessee legacy and early American history
06:02 - Civil War divisions within Tennessee
08:53 - Post-war economic revitalization through the Tennessee Valley Authority
09:35 - The birth of country music in Bristol and Nashville
10:03 - The rise of the Grand Ole Opry and Nashville’s musical influence
11:54 - Tennessee’s current renaissance and economic growth
12:32 - Regional cuisines: mountain foods, meat and threes, and Memphis barbecue
13:28 - Signature dishes like chicken and dumplings, biscuits, and country ham
14:51 - Tennessee’s sweet treats: Goo Goo Clusters, moon pies, and banana pudding festivals
16:39 - Memphis barbecue and fried catfish traditions
17:08 - The iconic homemade biscuit — preparation and cultural significance
20:29 - The legendary Loveless Cafe and its biscuits
23:47 - Notable Tennessee eateries: Martin's Barbecue, Jack Daniel’s whiskey distillery, and Elliston Place Soda Shop
28:02 - A curated playlist celebrating Tennessee’s musical legacy, including "Tennessee Waltz" and "Rocky Top"Resources & Links:
Book: "The Tennessee Waltz" (song info)
Grand Ole Opry
Jack Daniel's Distillery
Loveless Cafe
Martin's Barbecue
Uncle Nearest Whiskey
Elliston Place Soda Shop

Connect with Rick K. Jones:
Twitter
LinkedIn

Enjoy this flavorful exploration of Tennessee’s history, culture, and cuisine—an authentic taste of the Volunteer State!

Listen to the songs that inspired the episode: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0XYeeiJgoxO906rbC1nXE2?si=cI0GLcRZTiiqvschAOZYcQ">TENNESSEE PLAYLIST</a>
In this episode, Rick K. Jones takes listeners on a vibrant tour of Tennessee, highlighting its historical significance, diverse food traditions, and cultural renaissance. Discover the stories behind the state&rsquo;s nickname, its musical legacy, and mouthwatering regional dishes.
Key topics:
<ul>
<li>The origins of Tennessee as &ldquo;The Volunteer State&rdquo; and its military history</li>
<li>Tennessee's role in the Civil War and its divided regions</li>
<li>The evolution of country music and Nashville&rsquo;s musical heritage</li>
<li>Unique regional cuisines: mountain food, meat and threes, and Memphis barbecue</li>
<li>Famous Tennessee dishes: homemade biscuits, moon pies, hot chicken, and more</li>
<li>The growth of Tennessee&rsquo;s economy and vibrant modern culture</li>
<li>Iconic Tennessee songs like "Tennessee Waltz," "Tennessee Whiskey," and "Rocky Top"</li>
</ul>
Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Tennessee&rsquo;s significance 00:35 - Personal connection to <a href="https://new.sewanee.edu/" data-ved="2ahUKEwjOwtWF4ZWUAxVmLtAFHX0RCkQQFnoECEYQAQ">Sewanee</a> University and Tennessee's history 01:04 - Tennessee&rsquo;s role in early college sports and regional landscapes 02:43 - Why Tennessee is called &ldquo;The Volunteer State&rdquo; 03:11 - Tennessee's colonial roots and westward expansion 04:09 - Scottish Irish settlement and cultural influence 05:34 - Andrew Jackson&rsquo;s Tennessee legacy and early American history 06:02 - Civil War divisions within Tennessee 08:53 - Post-war economic revitalization through the Tennessee Valley Authority 09:35 - The birth of country music in Bristol and Nashville 10:03 - The rise of the Grand Ole Opry and Nashville&rsquo;s musical influence 11:54 - Tennessee&rsquo;s current renaissance and economic growth 12:32 - Regional cuisines: mountain foods, meat and threes, and Memphis barbecue 13:28 - Signature dishes like chicken and dumplings, biscuits, and country ham 14:51 - Tennessee&rsquo;s sweet treats: Goo Goo Clusters, moon pies, and banana pudding festivals 16:39 - Memphis barbecue and fried catfish traditions 17:08 - The iconic homemade biscuit &mdash; preparation and cultural significance 20:29 - The legendary Loveless Cafe and its biscuits 23:47 - Notable Tennessee eateries: Martin's Barbecue, Jack Daniel&rsquo;s whiskey distillery, and Elliston Place Soda Shop 28:02 - A curated playlist celebrating Tennessee&rsquo;s musical legacy, including "Tennessee Waltz" and "Rocky Top"Resources &amp; Links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Waltz">Book: "The Tennessee Waltz" (song info)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.opry.com/">Grand Ole Opry</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jackdaniels.com/">Jack Daniel's Distillery</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.lovelesscafe.com/">Loveless Cafe</a></li>
<li><a href="https://martinsbbqjoint.com/">Martin's Barbecue</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.unclenearest.com/">Uncle Nearest Whiskey</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ellistonplacesodashop.com/">Elliston Place Soda Shop</a></li>
</ul>
Connect with Rick K. Jones:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://twitter.com/rickkjones">Twitter</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickkjones/">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>
Enjoy this flavorful exploration of Tennessee&rsquo;s history, culture, and cuisine&mdash;an authentic taste of the Volunteer State!

UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA

Welcome to iHeart’s UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA new podcast series. This is part of iHeart’s comprehensive celebration of America’s 250th birthday all year long in 2026 .

For over 400 years, people from all over the world have crossed the ocean and entered the United States through the New York harbor and other Gateway harbors seeking a new life in America.

These people arrived not only with their hopes and dreams, but also with their culinary cuisines, customs, preferences, and talents.

These varied culinary traditions have created our own unique American cuisine with a blend of foods from around the Globe.

iHeart is proud to bring you this series of the best-of-the-best food dishes across America.

For this series and special event, we are visiting each of the 50 states to find one unique dish that best showcases the culinary history of that state. And to find one special restaurant to prepare this dish.

We will also showcase three additional restaurants from each state for wonderful culinary road trips.

These stories will be shared via both video and audio podcasts each week and a special video vignette distributed on iHeart’s You Tube page.

Additionally, each weekly podcast will include a musical playlist of songs from or about that state because like food, music has played such a great role in telling the story of the history of the United States.

It’s UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA exclusively from iHeart.

UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA
Welcome to iHeart&rsquo;s UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA new podcast series. This is part of iHeart&rsquo;s comprehensive celebration of America&rsquo;s 250th birthday all year long in 2026 .
For over 400 years, people from all over the world have crossed the ocean and entered the United States through the New York harbor and other Gateway harbors seeking a new life in America.
These people arrived not only with their hopes and dreams, but also with their culinary cuisines, customs, preferences, and talents.
These varied culinary traditions have created our own unique American cuisine with a blend of foods from around the Globe.
iHeart is proud to bring you this series of the best-of-the-best food dishes across America.
For this series and special event, we are visiting each of the 50 states to find one unique dish that best showcases the culinary history of that state. And to find one special restaurant to prepare this dish.
We will also showcase three additional restaurants from each state for wonderful culinary road trips.
These stories will be shared via both video and audio podcasts each week and a special video vignette distributed on iHeart&rsquo;s You Tube page.
Additionally, each weekly podcast will include a musical playlist of songs from or about that state because like food, music has played such a great role in telling the story of the history of the United States.
It&rsquo;s UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA exclusively from iHeart.

United Tastes of America

Episode 16: Tennessee

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1f5e42da-0f55-4520-a66a-b43a0148ce28/transcript