Most people don't know that Louisville, Tennessee manufactures more aftermarket Ford Bronco chassis than anywhere else in the world. Starting from tinkering in his own garage, Thomas Kincer built the industry leading company for those who want to build an early year model Ford Bronco or convert their old Ford truck to 4-wheel drive. Thomas walks Ben through how he built an automotive company that is not only making reliable Ford Broncos that look great, but also helps people recreate their fondest memories among a cult following of automobile enthusiasts. https://kincerchassis.com/ https://krawlersedge.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kincerchassis/

The Wilson Springs Hotel is an Americana Folk quintet from Richmond, VA. While passing through Knoxville during Big Ears Festival, TWSH found their way to the South of Scruffy shop to chat through their rapid rise as new stewards of the sounds of Appalachia.

Courtney Bergmeier is the Executive Director of the Bijou Theatre and former talent buyer for AC Entertainment. Throughout her career Courtney has programmed concert venues like the Orange Peel, Marathon Music Works, The Ryman Auditorium, The Tennessee Theatre, and many more. This episode is sponsored by the Bijou Theatre in Downtown Knoxville. Upcoming events at the Bijou Theatre: March 13th, 14th, and 15th - Banff Mountain Film Festival April 8th - Pinky Patel April 13th - David Cross …And more Visit www.KnoxBijou.org for tickets and more!

Pitchwire cofounder Christina Honkonen stops by the shop to talk music, PR, and microexpressions. Christina shares some anecdotes about growing her startup through the pandemic, and how she and her husband Matt are disrupting the worlds of music and podcasting.

Evan Turner, AKA “Headsup” is the reigning Drone Racing League world champion. Evan unpacks his decision to forgo a college education to continue on his already successful career as a professional drone pilot. Evan also founded Five33, a racing drone R&D company that manufactures racing drones and racing drone products.

Tyler Anthony, AKA Cereus Bright, stopped by shop to chat about the rigor of the recording industry in a 2021 climate; and how he is navigating it as a solo artist.

Jandy is a filmmaker and musician who can't help but make viral content. Jandy and Ben recount their pasts together working with their shared mentor, Michael Underwood. The boys share a few stories from their travels together while Jandy drops some wisdom nuggets on how to make content that people can't take their eyes off of.

Jonathan Halley is the owner of the production company Big Slate Media. Jonathan comes by the shop to talk film and TV production with Ben. The boys touch on the disproportionate amount of production work in Knoxville, TN, the first-person drone racing industry, and Jonathan's powered parachute.

Rebecca Ridner returns to the shop to chat television development, Design Therapy and being one more year cult-free. Rebecca and Ben hit on psychics, intuition, and palm reading; while recounting how the pandemic halted what was shaping up to be a very productive year for both of them. After the "Roller coaster ride of vulnerability" that was SOS Episode #2, Rebecca's return to the shop delivers a sequel full of meaningful conversation, and ,of course, more outrageous stories.

Benny Smith has been at the helm of WUTK the Rock (the University of Tennessee's broadcast radio station) for the past 17 years. Dedicating his life to the station, Benny has made a meaningful impact on the lives of countless musicians, students and artists since he worked at WUTK as a student. Benny and Ben talk through Benny's prolific industry career which has been indelibly interwoven with WUTK The Rock.

Andy Wood is a world class guitarist with the street cred to prove it. Andy talks Ben through his humble beginnings picking bluegrass with his grandfather, and how that manifested itself in a career playin guitar and other instruments with some of the worlds greatest touring acts. Andy has become a goldmine of knowledge, and a bastion of guitar chops; both of which he shares with his proliferating following on his YouTube channel "Andy Wood Music."

Charlie DeBevoise is a television veteran whose companies have produced thousands of hours of unscripted programming for television's most prominent cable networks. In the year 2000, Charlie started NorthSouth Productions and has been on the climb since. Charlie remembers how starting modestly and grinding it out early, paid off in a huge way with their hit show "Impractical Jokers"; which is in it's 9th season on truTV.

Sammy McAteer has spent a life in music that led him into a career at his dream music venue. As a talent buyer and promoter, Sam's years of musical training and marketing prowess convened at the perfect time at the perfect place; Open Chord Knoxville. Sammy and Ben chat all things music in this episode, while touching on their brief overlapping careers on the High School Lacrosse team.

Doug Griffey is the Vice President of Production at Loch & Key Productions. Doug has directed and lensed many award winning short form commercials, t.v. shows like "Snapped", and was the Chief Engineer for the production juggernaut Jupiter Entertainment.

For the second time, Cornbred comes by the shop to narrow the gap between what we think we know, and the truth. Jon and Ben also chat about Jon's newfound sobriety and it's benefits.

Joseph Nother has spent a lifetime creating. Creating brands, creating television series, and creating opportunities for others. Joseph comes by the shop to tell the story of how he took a web design company started in a college dorm - to an Emmy winning advertising agency and television studio.

Prolific Knoxville blogger Alan Sims stops by the shop for an update on the new comings and goings in downtown Knoxville. Ben and Alan settle some dust on a few development rumblings in downtown Knoxville, while Alan recounts some highlights of Knoxville's revitalization. Alan also identifies some possible pitfalls as the downtown growth continues. Check out Alan's blog at www.insidofknoxville.com.

Mike McGill stops by the shop to talk about his upcoming benefit concert "The Mike McGill Christmas Spectacular" but got sidetracked telling stories about ending up in jail. Visit https://www.facebook.com/mike.mcgill.777 on 12/18/2020 to get involved with the "Mike McGill Christmas Spectacular" live stream from Big Al Braden's Music Warehouse.

Recording artist Garrett Sale has been making noise under the moniker William Wild for years. After a string of personal tragedies, followed by a meteoric rise via Spotify, Garrett has found new purpose in 2020. Garrett stops by the shop to talk to Ben about the state of new William Wild music, and how past personal experiences have indelibly impacted his music career.

Filmmaker and serial-entrepreneur Beau Patton spends an evening in the shop with Ben. Meandering through topics such as private art collecting and podcasting, Beau fills us in on his new business ventures. Beau's alter ego, @honeybeehusband, also talks moonlighting as a "Glorified Furniture Mover" for his wife's styling and design company.

As a U.S. Marine infantryman, Ryan Whitbeck devoted his life to serving his country; now he has turned his attention to serving his community. Ryan comes by the SOS shop to fill Ben in on the multi-layer problem of homelessness, and how he is helping restore lives in his own backyard.

Wes Roach comes by the shop to talk about his journey from being a talented young local golfer, to playing on the PGA tour. Wes and Ben cover everything from "What's it like to choose a caddy?" to the mental toughness it takes to sink a routine putt with a ton of money on the line.

Creative At Large Chris McAdoo spends an hour in the shop updating us on his ever evolving creative journey. After learning the hard way that he is allergic to bees, Chris shares his new perspective on how to focus on what is most important.

Travis Wyrick comes by the shop to recount the rise of his prolific recording career. Travis has spent the better part of the last 3 decades producing chart topping albums and singles. Travis digs in and talks through some of his biggest music moments.

Since Beau Patton's last visit to the SOS shop in late 2020, much has changed. After a few uncertain years in the industry, Beau and Ben share a figurative sigh-of-relief as they catch up on the state of film and television production in Knoxville. Beau's triumphs have been many since we last heard from him, but he's admittedly had to learn alot of hard lessons recently; both personally and professionally. Beau and Ben reflect on their recent commercial work together and the changes that they see happening in the world of film and video production.

The week before Rusty's inaugural drive-in music festival, Rusty and Ben catch up on a wild year in live music. Rusty has spent his career building big things to enrich his community, and this was Ben's chance to get a peek behind the curtain into Rusty's past and current endeavors.

With A heavy focus on Bonnaroo, Charlie Jennings stops by the shop to outline his savy pivot from concert producer to Covid-19 compliance officer for the film and T.V. industry. After riding the high of a booming concert scene that peaked in 2019, Charlie fills Ben in on the changes that the live music industry is seeing in the pandemic era.

Actor Cylk Cozart darkens the door of the SOS shop to run back through his prolific career in print, film and television. Cylk drops some great anecdotes on his time on set for "White Men Can't Jump" and "Saved by the Bell" while outlining his being discovered by chance on a beach in Miami. Cylk and Ben touch on race issues in 2020 as Cylk provides some perspective on what it's like to grow up as "The Brown Kid" in rural white America.

With gas station craft brews in tow, Zack brings his buddy Grady Milligan by the shop for a chat and a music showcase. While weaving through anecdotes of Zack's new business venture and Grady's new music, the boys set the stage for an in studio performance of Grady's two newest songs. Grady opens up about his recent personal transformation and how his songwriting helps act as an emotional release.

4 time Grammy Award winning recording engineer Sam Thomas stops by the shop to fill us in on his most recent recording effort with Alicia Keys. Sam lets us in on the nuts and bolts of his producing and writing "Me X 7" for Alicia Keys' latest album "Alicia."

The Durf Daddy brings a bottle of wine to the shop and peels back the layers of his 30 year film career. Dipping in and out of shop-talk, Chris and Ben recount their best moments on set together, while lightly brushing against their shared afinity for the Grateful Dead.

Brad and Ben recount the highlights of their nearly 30 year friendship turned working relationship. Stories of their overlapping stints in L.A. provide some good groundwork as they weave into their current creative partnership.

Jon Worley spends an evening in the shop recounting his music career and his heritage. Jon takes the opportunity to announce the launch of his concert promotion outfit "Mad Monk Entertainment".

Marianne invites Ben over for a safely distanced chat on her front porch. In a rare SOS remote interview, Marianne talks Ben through her rise from unassuming theatre kid- to Executive Prodcer at Discovery Inc.

Josh and Ben have jaunt down memory lane while highlighting Josh's decade and a half with the band "Gamenight". Just as things are winding down, the boys discover that Ben can trace the trajectory of the last 10 years of his life to a chance encounter of filling in for Josh on a family trip to Bonnaroo.

After spending over a decade as the lighting director for the Marshall Tucker Band, Randy Read set off on a path that would make him a pivotal player in building the foundation of the production marketplace in Knoxville, TN. After meeting television mogul Ross Bagwell at the 1982 World's Fair, Randy would go on to have an outsized impact on the trajectory of the film and television business at Cinetel and Scripps Networks. While he admitedly ruffled some feathers over the years, Randy's commitment to craft and cinematic aesthetic cemented him as one of the most important forebearers of the television industry as we know it in Knoxville.

After some booking confusion, Jennie and Ben finally sit down on the mic to romp through Jennie's career as a photographer and content producer for Discovery Inc. Jennie drives home the benefits of always saying "yes", while subtly addressing the importance of constantly reinventing yoursrlf as an artist.

Josh Lay comes by the shop on a warm summer night to talk about his transition from New York City to Nashville. Josh and Ben dig into the NYC Corona Virus exodus, and that time Josh got stuck in France for 5 months due to Covid 19.

New York Times Best Selling illustrator Daniel Wiseman comes by the shop to outline his journey from struggling artist, to NYT best seller. Daniel has illustrated a number of children's books. His most recent work, “The world needs more purple people”, was illustrated alongside actress Kristen Bell.

After an abbreviated session last week, Curtis and Ben finish their romp through Curtis’ rise. Just as the boys hit their stride, a storm kicks up, and a tree falls on Ben’s house - bringing some perspective to the grand finalé of this epic 2 part lip-wag.

Curtis Glover stops by the shop for a cup of coffee on his way to paint yet another mural. Part 1 of 2 of Curtis' residency on SOSpod covers the current state of his prolific mural portfolio and a bit of background on how he landed on outdoor art as his focus and passion. This interview goes abreviated, and Curtis and Ben pledge to tell the rest of this story in a second installment coming soon...Maybe even next week.

Brigid KO spent a balmy evening in the shop retracing her footsteps from college art student in Vermont; to avant garde fashion designer; to small-batch jewelry maker. Brigid beat up on breast cancer at 36 years old, to then fulfill her purpose to responsibly create wearable art. After seeing success in the fashion industry, Brigid got her hands dirty crafting small batch jewelry from precious metals and semi precious stones. Brigid makes some of the most uniqly beautiful jewelry you'll see; and you can find it @brigidKO on instagram, or at www.brigidKO.com .

Kent Oglesby and Garrett Thomson stop by the shop to chat about the state of live music, the demise of Rythm & Blooms music festival, and the birth of the Born & Raised Podcast. At it's best, this chat touches on the nuts and bolts of booking and promoting a sold out concert; at it's worst, it waxes poetic on the moral compass of the music and film industries. Either way you take it, it's an enlightening listen.

Unofficial Mayor of Knoxville's creative community, Jody Collins, comes to the shop to share some fun stories and anecdotes with Ben. Jody has spent years cultivating and nurturing a network of like-minded creatives. Jody and Ben talk about how Jody is currently putting that network to work.

Wes stops by the shop to fill Ben in on the current trajectory of his band Moon Taxi. After playing in a high school rock band together, Wes and Ben come together on South of Scruffy to catch up on what they've each been up to since they played their last gig together 18 years ago. Wes pulls back the curtain a bit to give a peek into the undulating trip that is Moon Taxi.

In the first ever SOS podcast not recorded in Ben's shop, Ryan Stasik from Umphrey's McGee sits with Ben to discuss the state of live music in 2020. Umphrey's McGee has built a huge following over the past 20+ years, and Ryan unloads a few anecdotes from the road in this conversation. Ryan also walks us through how he got started with music, what inspires him musically, and the status of his side projects.

With the 10th Annual Mike McGill Christmas Spectacular upon us, Mike stops by the shop one more time to chat through the upcoming "Spectacular" - and his journey to becoming one of the most well known singer songwriters in East Tennessee. Mike McGill is hosting his 10th annual Mike McGill Christmas Spectacular at the Bijou Theatre on Sunday 12/18/2022 - you can purchase tickets at: https://www.ticketmaster.com/mike-mcgills-10th-annual-christmas-spectacular-knoxville-tennessee-12-18-2022/event/1B005D6EFF638644?irgwc=1&clickid=ymXwpAyCHxyNTBtzQhw-3zc1UkAxtKxhIXANUU0&camefrom=CFCBUYAT253520&impradid=253520&REFERRALID=tmfeedbuyat253520&wt.mcid=affBUYAT253520&utmsource=253520-Youtube&impradname=Youtube&utmmedium=affiliate&ircid=4272

Everything started off great when Cruz and Ben started their chat. When Cruz's son Cash stopped by and joined them, things got even better. Cruz recounts his time with Robinella and the CC String Band and The Black Lillies. Cruz then talked Ben through what it's like to sign a record deal with a major label; to then take a leap of faith as a solo artist. That only scratches the surface. Cruz's son Cash then drops in on the conversation to give a window into what that whole trip looks like from the vantage point of Cruz's son. Catch Cruz's upcoming album "Cosmico" being released later this year.

Chris graces Ben with a visit to the shop to talk through Chris' trip on Season 12 of NBC's "The Voice." Growing up the youngest of 7 children, Chris had no shortage of grit and drive. Chris got an opportunity to show that grit to America on primetime television. With Chris now recording a new album, the two talk life after "The Voice" and next steps for Chris' solo career.

Erick Baker spends an evening in the shop catching Ben up on his most recent musical endeavours. Erick Baker has spent his recent years reconciling his love for music and performing, with family balance. After winning an Emmy for his writing on the television show Tennessee Valley Uncharted (which he also hosts), Erick wrote and released his most recent album "Morning Light". Erick and Morning Light are also the subjects of the upcoming documentary "Composing a Stranger" which is on the festival circuit now.