South of Scruffy with Ben Fields

For Six Pack with Zack #4, Zack Roskop brings Aaron McClain on his first visit to the SOS shop. Aaron's Crafty Bastard brewery is widely regarded as on of the top craft breweries in Knoxville. Aaron's experimental brewing practices have helped Crafty Bastard happen upon stalwart beers that have challenged conventional craft beer trends and standards. Zack and Aaron indulge Ben's curiosity on the long term viability of craft breweries, and help answer the "are we too saturated with craft beer options" question.

At 20 years old Casey Cheatham's virtuousity behind a jazz drum set has already been well rewarded. The youngest member of the band Kingfisher, Casey's contributions can be found on their debut studio album "Grip Your Fist, I'm Heaven Bound". Casey and Ben amble through Casey's musical journey that allowed her to effectiively have her pick of which prestigous music school she wanted to attend for University. Now a Jazz and Improvisation student at the University of Michigan's School of Music, Casey wonders aloud whether her professional music career is going to upend her studies.

Anthony Palmer is the host of Wake. Dad. Drink. Repeat., and the principal at Palm Tree Pod Co. Anthony and Ben talk through the circuituos route that led Anthonoy to being a content creator, podcaster and a thought leader in the world of defining today's modern dad. https://open.spotify.com/show/47vdO6wRLxrUkx0xnQYzZT?si=a948747a233043f0

Talking to singer-songwriter Mac Comer is impossible to do without a smile on your face. Mac and Ben talk through Mac's first album release in 10 years and what his career has looked like since the release of his 2012 album "Hyperbolic Length". Seeing his music career as a passion, Mac then spent 14 years teaching elementary school students as the "Dean of Fun" A.K.A. the coolest elementary school educator in Knox County. Mac's new album "Sunny Day" is available on Spotify, and his album release party is being held at Knoxville Visitor Center on Friday, December 2nd, from 6-7pm.

In a rare triple-header episode, the final 3 Second Bell Festival interviews are packed into this episode of SOS. Along with a "Liberal Redneck" hootenanny with WellRED Comedy Tour comics Corey Ryan Forrester and Drew Morgan, this episode moves to chats with Las Vegas based comedy magician Matt "The Mind Noodler" Donnely, and child-prodigy concert promoter Tyler Larrabee.

Curtis Glover is arguably the most prolific public artist in Knoxville, TN. Curtis' work in Knoxville is ubiquitous, but his murals continue to pop up in cities across the state of Tennesseee year after year. Curtis and Ben touch on the threats that Artificial Intelliigence is posing to artists communities across the world; and they arrive at a verdict on whether or not Curtis is subject to being replaced by a robot.

Tyler Hays is the owner of Vessul Creative. While uncovering Tyler's life journey from South Korea to Knoxville, Tyler and Ben dig into the new ways companies are leveraging video content to reach broader audiences.

In another episode of SOS recorded at Second Bell Music Festival, Ben finally caught up with Andre Block, Jonathan Williams, and Justin Hazelet from the Unity Ride. Hours after completing their 4th cross country cycling trip, Andre, Jonathan, and Justin explain how their different ideals and belief systems continue to be the reason they ride together. After traversing the US on bicycles for the 4th time together, their differences are as clear as ever...But so is their willingness to put those differences aside in the name of spreading a message of unity - from coast to coast.

Recorded in an Airstream camper at Second Bell music festival, Ben talks with J. Roddy Walston and Charlie Glenn about the genesis of their new-ish band, "Palm Palm", and how they handle the waves that the band can't stop making. / Eric Fortaleza has created a monster with his band/music collective "Pitch Meeting". After creating a not-for-profit band 6 months after migrating to the United States from Australia, Eric and Pitch Meeting have held host to some of Nashville's most talented emerging musicians.

Chad Cunningham is a director who has directed hundreds of hours of television show for networks like Discovery, Lifetime and Oxygen networks. You can find Chad's recent work on "Fatal Attraction", and "In Pursuit with John Walsh". Chad and Ben dig deep into their respective directorial styles, and how Chad's narative fiilm work is starting to take center stage; both in his career, and at film festivals across the country.