produced by Jennifer Davick & Authentic US
Allan Benton is the god of bacon and slow cured hams. Since 1973, he has operated from a modest, green-painted cinderblock building just off Highway 411 in Madisonville, TN. His bacon, ham and prosciutto are sacred and used in the kitchens of Thomas Keller, David Chang, and Sean Brock to name a few.
produced by Jennifer Davick & Authentic US
Alabama fashion designer Natalie Chanin, founder of Alabama Chanin, shares her philosophy and motivation for growing organic (non-GMO, non-treated) cottonseed in her native state of Alabama. Also featured is Jimmy Lentz, the local farmer who helped Chanin grow the cotton.
produced by Jennifer Davick & Authentic US
James Beard Award-winning Chef Ashley Christensen of Poole's Diner in Raleigh, NC, shares her food philosophy.
produced by Jennifer Davick & Authentic US
In the small town of Wilsonville, AL, Frank McEwen moves through a fine cloud of grits dust. For more than 10 years, he has stone-ground organic white, yellow and blue corn. His mill sits just a few miles away from 270 acres of land his family has farmed since the 19th Century. These days, however, Frank and his sons are transforming it into a small sustainable farm.
produced by Jennifer Davick & Authentic US
James Beard Award finalist Chef Steven Satterfield of Miller Union in Atlanta shares his food philosophy.
Produced by Authentic US
"Which Way Shall I Go" is Blues artist Little G Weevil's account of his girlfriend kicking him out of her apartment. He's waiting on the train...in the rain. And he's got Jesus on his mind. Classic Blues. Thing is, the train he's trying to catch is the East Croydon heading out to London's Gatwick Airport. Not quite classic Blues. Little G was born in Hungary and lives in the Atlanta suburbs. When he sings he sounds like he's been filtered through the bayou and dropped down on Beale Street in Memphis. When he speaks, though, he's all Budapest.
Listen to Authentic US Episode 2: Hungarian Blues for more.
produced by Authentic US
Philip Mortillaro of Greenwich Locksmiths in NYC has been a locksmith and metal artist for almost 50 years. He's made keys in his tiny 7th Avenue shop in the West Village since the late 1970s. He says the neighborhood around him has completely changed.
Produced by Tanner Latham & WFAE
Getnet Marsha shines shoes at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. He grew up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and came to the U.S. in 1992 as a refugee. He now tries to send part of his earnings back to his hometown to support various street children who live there.
Produced by Authentic US
Birmingham, AL singer-songwriter Josh Vasa honors his family's Indian roots by naming his band Sanyasi. It means "monk" and is also the nickname his grandmother gave him when he as young. Here he performs "Eight Miles" in the city's Railroad Park.
Listen to Episode 8: Singer-Songwriter Josh Vasa for more.
produced by Jennifer Davick & Authentic US
Stan Wright, from Bayou La Batre, Ala., describes the first time he ever chewed tobacco.