Ep. 286: The Night Rider Tobacco Wars of Kentucky & Tennessee

This is a different one but we think you'll like it. Brent's talking about idioms this week and sharing some of his favorites. If that term doesn't sound familiar, you'll learn exactly what it means "faster than quick can get ready.” You see what we did there? That's a prime example of an idiom. You'll hear how using them at the wrong time can be costly and the origin story of one that's still plowing the ground today. We promise, it's all gonna make sense after you listen to this week's "This Country Life" podcast. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, we hear the remarkable story of fourth-generation farmer and Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame member Mr. Ellis Bell from Forrest City, Arkansas. Mr. Bell tells the story of his heritage and personal journey as a minority farmer, along with the values he learned along the way. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to [email protected] Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brent's cutting the pups loose on this one and they're chasing rabbits. He's talking about the four different ways he grew up hunting them, one of which may surprise you. The way a dog almost immediately knows the rabbit's direction of travel is an interesting deep dive, but don't worry, Brent's already done all the heavy lifting for you. He's also sharing a great lesson through a listener's story and describing a field expedient way to field dress a cottontail. All of that for the low, low price of nada, which is what you'll receive should you want to return this episode after you listen. It's "This Country Life" time, y'all get easy. Check out the Odor Trail Article: https://academic.oup.com/chemse/article/30/4/291/270231?login=false Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Bear Grease Render, join host Clay Newcomb, Gary "Believer" Newcomb, Terrell Spencer, and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker along with special guests Jeff Gardener and Drew Harrington, who are natives of the Black Patch region of Kentucky as they discuss the Tobacco Wars series. Plus, Gary receives a special gift from a listener. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to [email protected] Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In everything, there is a beginning and an end. We can usually control the onset of the things we choose to do, but our final day of participation is sometimes chosen for us. Brent's relating a listener's story about a first squirrel hunt and telling another one that describes a final deer hunt, which had quite an effect on him. Gather up and get easy, it's time for MeatEater's This Country Life podcast. Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease podcast, Clay Newcomb details the events at the turn of the 20th Century in the the "Black Patch" tobacco region of western Kentucky and northern Tennessee. The tension comes to a head as prices paid to farmers by the monopolistic Duke Trust plummet and "The Association" attempts to stand up against it.  The Night Riders resort to beatings of non-Association farmers, raids on towns, and burning Duke Trust's tobacco barns. But the question remains: were they justified? Who were the good guys and who were the bad guys? Listen to interviews with former Kentucky Supreme Court Justice, Bill Cunningham, and recordings of the last living Night Rider, Joe Scott. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to [email protected] Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTubeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cue up the danger music, Reva! Brent’s sharing some risky stories from his youth involving tractors and motorcycles. He’s also narrating a recent event that may be humorous now, but at the time was anything but funny. Make sure your seatbelts are buckled and your tray table is in it’s upright and locked position. This one is gonna get a little bumpy.  Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Bear Grease Render, Crossfit legend Rich Froning and Mayhem Hunt Media Director, Scott Vander Sloot, join host Clay Newcomb, Bear Newcomb, and Josh "Landbridge" Spielmaker, around the fire at deer camp. Rich discusses his journey from being a firefighter to competing in his first Crossfit games and ultimately claiming the title of "World's Fittest Man." Also, he shares what is really important in his life. If you have comments on the show, send us a note to [email protected] Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a common misconception that success is only measured in material or money. But success can be assessed in many ways and to Brent, there's no better measurement than good experiences with good people in the great outdoors. He's gonna talk about his formula for reaping the rewards of a good investment and share a listener's Christmas survival story that you won't want to miss.  Subscribe to the MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Connect with Brent and MeatEater MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop This Country Life Merch Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At the turn of the 20th century as the U.S. production of tobacco was on the rise, a group of disgruntled tobacco farmers in small region of western Kentucky and northwestern Tennessee called “The Black Patch” organized against the monopolizing Duke Trust to help protect the income of so many small tobacco farmers. In this episode of the Bear Grease Podcast, hear the little known story of the largest domestic armed uprising in America that had taken place since the Civil War. Author and former Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court Bill Cunningham shares the unbelievable story of the Night Riders. Dr. Lloyd Murdock of the University of Kentucky talks about the history of tobacco in the region and why is was so important to the people of the “Black Patch.” If you have comments on the show, send us a note to [email protected] Connect with Clay and MeatEater Clay on Instagram MeatEater on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, and Youtube Clips MeatEater Podcast Network on YouTube Shop Bear Grease MerchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.