Now You're Talking with Marshall Ramsey

This episode is produced in loving memory of Maggie Hurley, Marshall's mother-in-law and dear friend, who passed the day before this show was recorded.If you haven’t heard by now, a massive music festival has decided to make our capitol city its host for the next few years. The 82nd National Folk Festival will take place in downtown Jackson, Mississippi November 7-9, 2025 but with a kickoff event having gone by and plenty of media coverage the hype is starting early. First presented in St. Louis in 1934, the National Folk Festival is the flagship event of the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) and celebrates the roots, richness, and variety of American culture. Here to tell us more is NCTA executive director Blaine Waide and Department Chair of English at Jackson State University, Dr. Ebony Lumumba.Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. 

There’s a new documentary soon to air on MPB Television and today’s guest wants to tell you about it. Renowned writer Eudora Welty is explored through intimate photographs and in charming interviews of family and friends set against the backdrop of Jackson, Mississippi. A film by Anthony Thaxton, Eudora is a revealing portrait of adventure, daring, humor, and love as we meet a writer we only thought we knew. Anthony is an accomplished artist in several mediums and has taken home a plethora of awards, including an Emmy that is no-doubt on display in his home in Raymond, Mississippi.Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. 

Sometimes you just need a friend, and that’s what today’s guest is to me and so many others. Corinth native Kenneth Williams joins us by phone today to tell some stories about where his life has taken him. He decided in 1977 it would be fun to run a marathon, and that decision has led to the completion of 75 marathons over the ensuing 46 years, many around the world. This includes 23 Boston Marathons, 22 consecutively, and he briefly ranked 3rd in the World Marathon Majors rankings for 80+ year old males. Kenneth is also a poster child for maintaining a family business and civic engagement.Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. 

A native Mississippian, Ross Walton became involved in digital humanities as a way of promoting the Hattiesburg music scene. He began publishing a monthly music podcast, The South Mississippi Music Sampler, in 2005. Wishing to learn more about the oral traditions of storytelling, he started as a volunteer with the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage that same year, taking over production of the Center’s award-winning weekly radio show, Mississippi Moments. He is now the editor and producer of a new World War 2 podcast that we’ll discuss today, Each episode in “Voices of Our People: WWII” features approximately an hour of in-depth analysis by top military historians combined with interviews in the the Center’s archives.Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. 

A proud native of the Mississippi Delta, author Nash Nunnery has peened newspaper and magazine articles for various publications over four decades, including the Clarion-Ledger, Jackson Daily News, Mississippi Business Journal, Clinton News, Mississippi Sports Magazine, Clinton Courier, Vicksburg Post and Rankin County News. He joined the Mississippi Development Authority as a project manager and after being laid off lived his childhood dream of being a groundskeeper for the Mississippi Braves in their final season.Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. 

Patrick Carpenter is Singer/Songwriter from Jackson, Ms. He moved to Nashville full time after being a part of several acts in Mississippi and quickly joined other artists and bands on the Nashville circuit. His First studio album “Chasing Me” debuted at #1 on the iTunes singer/songwriter charts in 2021. Carpenter has amassed over 10 million streams and opened for acts such as Grammy Award Winner and Rock N’ Roll Hall Of Famer, Sheryl Crow. It’s also drive time here at MPB, and we’ll be telling you how you can make a difference during the show.Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. 

Two men that Marshall has known for several years are in the house today to talk about a very cool event. What began as a small church-sponsored afternoon of music 40 years ago is now one of Jackson’s major fall festivals with top musical talent on two stages, food trucks, children's activities, arts and crafts vendors, and more. Since the festival began in 1984, WellsFest has raised more than $1.5 million for local non-profit agencies. Malcom White and Raphael Semmes are here to talk about the festival and this year's beneficiary: The WellsFest CARES Musicians Emergency Fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. 

Bibliophiles rejoice, the annual Mississippi Book festival is here at last. One of the most anticipated state events, this celebration of literary achievement takes place at the capitol every year. Dozens of panelists from around the country will be talking about their books, including yours truly, so my producer Lacey will be asking me some questions about my new children’s book, Saving Sam. We’ll also be chatting with Book Festival director Ellen Daniels and artist Noah Saterstrom.Ellen Daniels served as the festival’s Literary Director from 2019 to 2021, when she then became the Executive Director. Ellen is a fanatic of all things art. In addition to her prior work as a gallery assistant at Fischer Galleries and her own fine art photography training, Ellen also brings more than a decade of experience at Lemuria Books to her leadership position. Noah was raised in Mississippi and educated at Scotland's Glasgow School of Art. His paintings are in public and private collections worldwide. His work has been covered in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and The New York Times. His exhibition "What Became of Dr. Smith" is on view at the Mississippi Museum of Art through Sept 22, 2024, and a book of that artwork will be the subject of his panel at the 2024 Mississippi Book Festival. Marshall Ramsey, a nationally recognized, Emmy award winning editorial cartoonist, shares his cartoons and travels the state as Mississippi Today's Editor-At-Large. He's also host of a "Now You're Talking" on MPB Think Radio and "Conversations" on MPB TV, and is the author of several books. Marshall is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 2019 recipient of the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award.