SYNOPSIS: Leah Song of Rising Appalachia joins us this week to talk about music, activism and bringing people together in difficult times. Leah and her sister, Chloe Smith, founded the band nearly 20 years ago and have combined an embrace of many strands of Southern music — from Appalachian string-band to Gospel and soul — with a commitment to social justice. Also: The troops are coming to Memphis. President Donald Trump last week announced a deployment of the National Guard to Tennessee’s largest, Blackest and poorest city, with the enthusiastic support of Governor Bill Lee and the state’s Republican senators. We take a look at the history of military deployment in the South, and why this mission is different from those after the Civil War and during desegregation. And we check in on Fiesta, this weekend’s celebration of Hispanic and Latino culture in Birmingham, Alabama.

SHOW NOTES: Rising Appalachia

“Trump Deploys National Guard to Memphis” Associated Press

“Trump’s Use of National Guard in Los Angeles Was Illegal, Judge Rules” BBC

Fiesta 2025 Birmingham, Ala.

“Immigration Will Likely Save Our Birmingham Region” Comeback Town

CONTACT: Jesse Mayshark [email protected] (865) 214-7764