HOST >> THIS TIME ON TENNESSEE CROSSROADS, WE'RE OFF TO KNOXVILLE WITH KEN WILSHIRE WHERE A MUSICIAN CHANGED HIS TUNE TO MAKING BARBECUE.

THEN TO PIGEON FORGE WHERE A MUSEUM CAPTURES THE TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE OF THE TITANIC.

TRESSA BUSH MEETS THE TALENT BEHIND THE COSMIC LEATHER EMPORIUM AND WE'RE OFF TO OLD HICKORY WITH ROB WILDS TO MEET A UNIQUE MATERIAL ARTIST.

IT'S GONNA BE A GOOD SHOW.

OUR TENNESSEE CROSSROADS FOR THIS TIME, I'M JOE ELMORE.

WELCOME.

HOST >> IN OUR NEVER ENDING QUEST TO FIND MORE TOP NOTCH TENNESSEE BARBECUE, WE FOLLOW KEN WILSHIRE TO A PLACE HE FOUND OVER IN KNOXVILLE.

NOW, IT'S RUN BY A MUSICIAN WHO GAVE UP ENTERTAINING FOLKS IN HONKY TONKS TO FEEDING THEM IN WHAT HE CALLS A BARBECUE 2 DIVE.

HERE'S KEN AT SWEET P'S BARBECUE AND SOUL HOUSE.

>> KEN >> YOU WOULD THINK THAT MOST RESTAURANTEURS WOULD CRINGE IF THEY HEARD THEIR BUSINESS REFERRED TO AS A DIVE BUT IT SEEMS THE OWNERS OF SWEET P'S BARBECUE AND SOUL HOUSE IN KNOXVILLE DON'T MIND AT ALL.

>> CHRIS >> YOU KNOW WE DO PATTERN OURSELVES AS A DIVE SO OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE IS GREAT.

>> KEN >> SWEET P'S IS THE CREATION OF CHRIS FORD.

I MEAN IF CHRIS SAID BEING A DIVE WORKS FOR HIM THEN THEY CERTAINLY MEET THE CRITERIA YOU MIGHT EXPECT.

YOU KNOW, PAPER PLATES, PLASTIC KNIVES AND FORKS.

ORDER AT THE COUNTER, SEAT YOURSELF, BUS YOUR OWN TABLE AND PAY FOR EXTRA HELPINGS.

VIDEOGRAPHER MATT EMIGH EVEN HELPED OUT AT THE COUNTER.

>> CHRIS >> YOU GET YOUR FOOD AND YOU'RE KIND OF ON YOUR OWN AT THAT POINT.

YOU KNOW WE DON'T HAVE WAITERS OR WAITRESSES BUT YOU KNOW WE'RE SUPER FRIENDLY.

MY GUYS ARE WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR YOU.

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE HENPECKED.

>> KEN >> SWEET P'S IS NAMED FOR CHRIS'S DAUGHTER PRESLEY.

IT STARTED OUT AS A CATERING COMPANY OUT OF HIS HOUSE.

IT WAS SUCH A SUCCESS HE BROUGHT IN HIS COUSIN JONATHAN TO HELP OPENING THE DINE-IN DIVE IT IS TODAY.

ACTUALLY THEY CALL IT A FAMILY JUKE JOINT AND CHRIS SAID THEY'RE PROUD OF IT.

>> CHRIS >> YOU KNOW I LOVE A FAMILY BUSINESS AND WE'RE REALLY GOOD YING AND YANG, YOU KNOW.

HE'S YOUNGER AND WORKS HIS TAIL OFF AND I KNOW I CAN TRUST HIM YOU KNOW, AND IT'S BEEN A GREAT PARTNERSHIP.

HE'S ONE OF THESE GUYS HE CAN WHIP THE TEAM IN SHAPE AND I'M THE GUY THAT COMES IN AND YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY WANTS TO SLAP -- OH, HEY, CHRIS IS HERE!

LET'S HAVE FUN.

BAD COP, GOOD COP SORT OF THING, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

WE'D MAKE A LOT LESS MONEY IF IT WAS JUST ME RUNNING THIS PLACE.

>> JONATHAN >> THIS IS REALLY CHRIS' BRAIN CHILD AND I WAS HONORED WHEN HE ASKED ME TO JOIN AND LIKE I SAID EXCITED AND I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT HIM EITHER.

HE'S REALLY CREATIVE AND HAS REALLY GOOD IDEAS.

I JUST KIND OF HELP IMPLEMENT SOME OF THEM.

>> KEN >> JONATHAN MANAGES SWEET PS.

HE SAID IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU CALL THE PLACE, THE COMFORTABLE, COZY ATMOSPHERE WILL MAKE YOU DIVE RIGHT INTO THE SWEET P'S DINING EXPERIENCE.

>> CHRIS >> WE LIKE TO KEEP IT SIMPLE, YOU KNOW?

KIND OF GET THAT DIVE FEEL WHEN YOU COME IN, IN A GOOD WAY.

WE KIND OF STARTED THAT WAY AND WE LIKE IT THAT WAY AND I THINK A LOT OF CUSTOMERS APPRECIATE IT AND KNOW WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AND SO I THINK THEY ENJOY IT.

>> KEN >> AND LIKE ITS NAME, SWEET P'S BARBECUE AND SOUL HOUSE, THE FARE IS DOWN HOME, SOUTHERN TO THE BONE, PORK, BEEF AND CHICKEN, TO THE SAUTED COLLARD GREENS AND BANANA PUDDING.

>> CHRIS >> WE LIKE TO, VERY OLD FASHIONED, RUB, LOW SLOW, WHITE OAK, HICKORY, SAUCE NOTHING AND LET THE MEAT AND THE PROCESS SPEAK FOR ITSELF.

OUR RIBS ARE MORE THE WEST TENNESSEE THING.

WE LIKE A DRY RIB.

WE DON'T DO A SAUCED UP RIB.

ALL WE DO IS RUBDOWN THE PORK BUTTS AND SMOKE THEM.

SAME WITH OUR CHICKEN AND EVERYTHING IS JUST SIMPLE.

WE LOVE BRISKET AND I THINK WE DO A REALLY GOOD JOB WITH BRISKET.

AND THAT SORT OF MAKES US DIFFERENT TOO.

YOU KNOW I SEE A LOT OF YOUNGER PEOPLE IN THE BAR B QUE BUSINESS AND IT'S NOT AS MUCH ANYMORE ABOUT TEXAS BEEF, TENNESSEE'S PORK.

I LIKE IT ALL SO YEAH, WE DEFINITELY DO BRISKET AND IT GOES VERY WELL.

>> JONATHAN >> WE JUST ADDED SMOKED TURKEY CLUB, WE SMOKE THE TURKEY IN HOUSE.

AND THEN ALL OUR SIDES, MAC AND CHEESE, PINTO BEANS, COLLARD GREENS, TOMATO AND BLUE SALAD, SIGNATURE ITEM.

BANANA PUDDING, VERY POPULAR SIDE ITEM, AND SLAW.

>> KEN >> AND AFTER YOU FINISH THE TENNESSEE BRISKET OR SMOKING SOUL CHICKEN ALONG WITH TATER SALAD AND PINTO BEANS I MIGHT ADD, IT'S TIME FOR DESSERT.

IT'S A BACON, CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE.

DIFFERENT.

>> CHRIS >> I HEAR SOME OF MY GUYS EXPLAIN IT TO CUSTOMERS KIND OF LIKE YOU KNOW, THE WHOLE SALTY AND SWEET THING AND IT IS.

YOU KNOW YOU HAVE SAVORY AND SWEET AND IT GOES TOGETHER REALLY WELL, ESPECIALLY WITH THE POPULARITY OF BACON.

IT'S A FUN ITEM FOR SURE.

>> KEN >> CHRIS AND JONATHAN SAY IF THEY WERE SPENDING TIME WASHING DISHES AND CHANGING TABLECLOTHS IT WOULD TAKE AWAY FROM FOCUSING ALL THEIR EFFORTS ON PREPARING THE FOOD AND PROVIDING EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

>> JONATHAN >> WE LIKE TO THINK WHEN THEY COME IN THEY EXPERIENCE A FAMILY ATMOSPHERE AS FAR AS TREATED LIKE A FAMILY, FRIENDS, YOU KNOW WE HAVE REALLY GOOD EMPLOYEES AND REALLY GOOD STAFF AND THEY'RE REALLY GOOD AT CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WE LIKE TO THINK THAT'S WHY WE HAVE CUSTOMERS THAT KEEP COMING BACK, BECAUSE NOT ONLY THEY ENJOY THE FOOD BUT ENJOY THE WAY THEY'RE WELCOMED AND THE WAY THEY'RE TREATED WHEN THEY'RE HERE.

>> KEN >> STILL, YOU'LL FIND BARBECUE PLACES JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK.

THE COMPETITION IS TOUGH, SO IT TRULY TAKES SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL TO SET SWEET P'S BARBECUE AND SOUL HOUSE FROM THE REST OF THE PACK.

>> CHRIS >> WE TRY TO DO THINGS WITH A TWIST BUT I THINK IN GENERAL OUR ENTIRE MENU IS REALLY GOOD YOU KNOW, WE DON'T JUST FOCUS ON THE RIBS AND OUR PORK BUTTS BUT OUR MAC AND CHEESE, POTATO SALAD, COLLARD GREENS, EVERYTHING IN HOUSE, MAID FRESH AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT SETS US A PART.

>> KEN >> CHRIS SPENT QUITE A FEW YEARS IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS SO NOW INSTEAD OF SINGING THE BLUES ABOUT BEING ON THE ROAD SO MUCH, HE'S ROCKING AND ROLLING AT SWEET P'S A HIS HEART AND SOUL.

>> CHRIS >> I LOVE HAVING A FAMILY AND I LOVE NOT BEING ON THE ROAD 300 DAYS A YEAR AND PEOPLE SAY TO ME "YOU'RE INSANE.

THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS IS THE HARDEST BUSINESS IN THE WORLD."

I'M LIKE, THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS IS THE HARDEST BUSINESS IN THE WORLD.

I'M ONLY IN THE SECOND HARDEST BUSINESS, YOU KNOW?

IT'S GETTING EASIER FOR ME.

>> KEN >> EVEN THOUGH THERE'S NO FISH ON THE MENU, YEARS AGO THIS POPULAR EATERY WAS A BAIT SHOP, HERE ON PEACEFUL LITTLE RIVER JUST SOUTH OF KNOXVILLE.

STILL, THANKS TO CHRIS, JONATHAN AND THEIR STAFF, SWEET P'S HAS CERTAINLY WORMED ITS WAY INTO THE HEARTS OF THIS COMMUNITY WHERE IT'S BEEN WELCOMED, HOOK, LINE AND SINKER.

>> HOST >> THANKS, KEN.

OUR NEXT STORY IS IN THE SAME NECK OF THE WOODS.

MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO, THE RMS TITANIC STRUCK AN ICEBERG ON ITS MAIDEN VOYAGE FROM ENGLAND TO NEW YORK.

NOW, MUCH HAS BEEN RECOUNTED ABOUT THE ILL-FATED EVENT, IN PRINT AND MOVIES.

HOWEVER TO GET A REAL EXPERIENCE FOR WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE ABOARD THE TITANIC, YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRAVEL TO OF ALL PLACES, PIGEON FORGE.

JOE >> IT WAS THE LARGEST, AND MOST LUXURIOUS PASSENGER SHIP IN THE WORLD WHEN IT LEFT SOUTH HAMPTON IN ENGLAND, BOUND FOR NEW YORK, IN APRIL, 1912.

IT SURPASSED ALL RIVAL SHIPS IN LUXURY AND OPULENCE.

FOUR DAYS INTO ITS MAIDEN ATLANTIC VOYAGE WIRELESS MESSAGES WERE SENT BUT NEVER RECEIVED, WARNING OF ICEBERGS IN THE TITANIC'S PATH.

CAPTAIN EDWARD SMITH WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD WHEN THE SHIP SUDDENLY STRUCK A LARGE ICEBERG RESULTING IN THE DEADLIEST PEACETIME MARITIME DISASTER.

MORE THAN HALF OF THE 2227 PASSENGERS PERISHED IN THE ICY WATERS.

JUST OFF THE MAIN PIGEON FORGE PARKWAY, THE $25 MILLION TITANIC MUSEUM IS A UNIQUE HALF SCALE REPRODUCTION OF THE DOOMED VESSEL.

ONCE INSIDE EXPECT AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE, NOT LIKE A LOT OF MUSEUMS YOU HAVE BEEN TO, AND ONE THAT IS WELL, ALL ABOUT THE PASSENGERS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IN FACT YOU DON'T GET A TICKET WHEN YOU GET ABOARD, YOU GET A REAL BOARDING PASS AND YOU BECOME ONE OF THOSE PASSENGERS.

>> GUIDE >> EVERY SINGLE PASSENGER'S AND CREWMEN THAT WERE ABOARD THE TITANICS NAME AND FACE IS ON THAT WALL JOE >> JOHN JOCELYN IS CO-ONER AND A VETERAN TV PRODUCER, THE FIRST TO FILM THE WRECKAGE AFTER IT WAS DISCOVERED IN THE MID--1980S.

THIS IS A REPRODUCTION OF THE SHIP'S GRAND STAIRCASE.

>> JOHN >> SUPRISINGLY WE HAVE EVERY BIT OF PLANS THAT CAME OFF THE TITANIC SO THE DETAILING HERE, I CAN'T, WE HAVE A HEAD DESIGNER NAMED BOB FLEMING AND HE'S JUST, HE'S A FANATIC ABOUT DETAILS.

PEOPLE COME IN HERE AND THEY GO, WOW, REAL WOOD.

YES, IT'S REAL WOOD.

>> JOE >> WHILE THE MUSEUM IS DEDICATED TO THE THE 1517 PASSENGERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES, THERE ARE ALSO MORE THAN 400 ARTIFACTS IN 20 GALLERIES.

>> JOHN >> THAT LIFE JACKET UP THERE IS THE ONLY LIFE JACKET THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY TIE A PERSON'S NAME TO AND IT WAS MADELINE ASTOR.

>> JOE >> SHE WAS ONE OF THE FORTUNATE SURVIVORS WHO ENJOYED ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE FIRST CLASS SUITE AND THERE'S A REPRODUCTION OF ONE OF THEM.

BUT THERE'S ALSO AN AUTHENTIC REPLICA OF A THIRD CLASS CABIN AS WELL.

THIS GALLERY CONTAINS RARE PHOTOS TAKEN BY A MAN NAMED FATHER BROWN WHO DEBOARDED THE SHIP IN IRELAND JUST BEFORE THE TRAGEDY.

>> JOHN >> LUCKLY HE GOT OFF IN QUEEN'S TOWN AND HE WAS AN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER.

OTHERWISE WE WOULD HAVE VERY, VERY LITTLE ARCHIVED PHOTOS OF IT YOU GO TO THE GALLERY AND YOU LOOK AT THESE PEOPLE AND YOU SEE PEOPLE STANDING ON THE DOCK WITH ONE SUITCASE.

THAT'S ALL THEY OWNED.

EVERYTHING THEY OWNED IN THE WORLD WAS IN THAT LITTLE TINY SUITCASE AND YOU GO WOW, THIS IS A DIFFERENT PLACE.

WHEN YOU GET SUCH A CROSS SECTION OF LIFE, AND THEY CAME FROM EVERY RACE, COLOR, CREED, RELIGION -- THEY REALLY TAKE YOU BACK, THEY DO.

I MEAN TO THIS DAY, I CAN TELL STORIES THAT WILL BRING A TEAR TO MY EYE BECAUSE IT CAPTURES YOU WHAT THE PEOPLE REREALLY HAD TO GO THROUGH.

NOT ONLY WERE THERE VERY RICH AND VERY POOR ON BOARD.

THERE WERE PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH.

THERE WAS A PERSON FROM JAPAN ON BOARD, THERE WERE IRISH ON BOARD.

PLUS YOU HAD CHILDREN, YOU HAD DOGS, YOU HAD A ROOSTER.

IT MADE UP A FLOATING CITY AND NO ONE THOUGHT ANYTHING LIKE THIS COULD EVER SINK BUT IT DID IN FIVE DAYS.

>> JOE >> AND WHILE ON BOARD YOU MAY GET A FEELING OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN WATER CAME RUSHING INTO THE SHIP'S HALLWAYS JUST MINUTES AFTER STRIKING THE ICEBERG.

IT'S ALSO A VERY INTERACTIVE MUSEUM THAT EVEN ENGAGES VISITORS WITH HANDS ON EXPERIENCE RELATED TO THE FABLED SHIP.

>> WHAT AM I TRYING TO DO HERE?

>> JOHN >> WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO WE WANT YOU TO TRY TO STEER AROUND THE ICEBERG.

PORT SIDE.

UP AHEAD.

THERE YOU GOTTA GO.

YOU HAVE 35 SECONDS.

>> JOE >> DOES THIS HAVE POWER STEERING?

>> JOHN >> KEEP GOING.

ALL MECHANICAL.

BIG RODS WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE RUDDER.

YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS.

YOU LOOK GOOD.

WE MIGHT MISS THIS ICEBERG.

>> JOE >> SO YOU CAN MISS IT.

>> JOHN >> EIGHT, SEVEN, SIX --.

>> JOE >> UH OH --.

>> JOHN >> UH OH WE HAVE A DRIFT THERE.

LOOKS LIKE WE'LL GET A LITTLE ICE.

>> RECORDING>> CONGRATULATIONS!

>> JOHN >> ALL RIGHT.

VERY GOOD.

>> JOE >> WOW, THANK YOU.

>> JOHN >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

THANK YOU.

>> JOE >> I WISH I COULD HAVE HELPED OUT BACK THEN.

>> JOHN >> WE WANT TO SHOW PEOPLE WHAT IT WAS LIKE.

THIS WAS AT 1:50 A.M. >> JOE >> OKAY.

>> JOHN >> WHAT WAS THE SLOPE OF THE DECK, NOT TOO BAD.

CAN YOU MAKE YOUR WAY AROUND THAT SHIP.

15 MINUTES LATER AND NOW YOU HAVE GONE TO A 30 DEGREE SLOPE AND NOW YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO GO ANOTHER 13 MINUTES AND NOW YOU'RE AT 45 DEGREES AND THIS IS A CHALLENGE ALL OF A SUDDEN.

>> JOE >> YES.

>> JOHN >> AND YOU KNOW THE BEST PART, JOE YOU HAVE LEATHER SHOES ON AND THAT'S WHAT THEY HAD IN THOSE DAYS.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYWAY --.

>> JOE >> THIS REALLY GIVES, NO WAY --.

>> JOHN >> YES IT DEFINITELY GIVES YOU A FEELING OF WHAT THEY WENT THROUGH.

YOU WOULD DEFINITELY SLIDE DOWN --.

>> JOE >> I'D BE IN THE WATER NOW.

>> JOHN >> YES.

>> JOE >> THIS ROOM IS ALL ABOUT JOHN'S EXPLORATION AS HE SHARES WHAT HE SAW ON HIS VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN TO FILM THE WRECKAGE.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU SAW WHEN YOU TURN THE LIGHTS ON AND YOU COULD FEEL --.

>> JOHN >> WELL HONESTLY YOU DON'T SEE VERY MUCH.

ALL YOU SEE REALLY IS THE FLOOR OF THE OCEAN.

SUPRISINGLY, THE OCEAN FLOOR DOWN HERE IS A VERY HARD SURFACE.

THERE'S JUST A LITTLE TOUCH OF DUST ON IT BUT THERE'S REALLY NO SAND OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

BUT, THE DEBRIS FIELD IS ALWAYS INTERESTING BECAUSE PEOPLE HERE DON'T REALIZE THAT THE BOW AND STERN ARE SEPARATED BY OVER A QUARTER OF A MILE.

I MEAN, THE WHOLE DEBRIS FIELD IS ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MILES, IN DIAMETER.

>> JOE >> IT TAKES ABOUT TWO HOURS TO TAKE IN THE TITANIC MUSEUM, AND TO EXPERIENCE THE SIMPLE EARLY 20TH CENTURY TECHNOLOGY.

THE HOPES OF IMMIGRANTS, THE LUXURY OF THE ELITE, AND THE TRAGEDY SHARED ABOARD A SHIP THAT BUILDERS SAID COULD NEVER SINK.

>> JOHN >> TITANIC HAS ITS OWN MYSTIQUE.

EVERY DAY THERE'S A BRAND NEW AUDIENCE.

SOMEONE ELSE GETS CAPTURED UP BY THE STORIES AND THE EMOTIONS OF IT AND IT'S JUST A TIMELESS TALE.

>> JOE >> IT'S OFTEN BEEN SAID IF YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO FOR A LIVING, IT'S NOT REALLY WORK.

RIGHT, GUYS?

>> CREW >> SURE.

>> JOE >> SEE?

WELL, RANDY AND CLAUDIA LISTNER HAVE LOVED WHAT THEY DO FOR A LIVING FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES.

TRESSA BUSH TAKES US TO GALLATIN WHERE THE COUPLE JUST LOVES MAKING INTERESTING STUFF WITH LEATHER.

>> TRESSA >> GIVE RANDY AND CLAUDIA LISTER SOME LEATHER, A SEWING MACHINE, SCISSORS, SCALPELS AND OTHER SPECIALTY TOOLS, AND SOME TIME, AND YOU WILL LIKELY BE AMAZED AT WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH IT ALL.

>> RANDY >> OKAY, HERE WE GO.

TRESSA >> THE COUPLE DOESN'T JUST MAKE THINGS WITH LEATHER, THEY CREATE ART ON LEATHER.

BY USING PIECES OF LEATHER CUT INTO ALL SHAPES AND SIZES.

>> RANDY >> WE LEARN BY STUDYING THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF ALL OF YOUR MASTER BOOT MAKERS SO WHEN WE FIRST STARTED DOING OUR ART WE STARTED ZOOMING IN ON OTHER PEOPLE'S WORK, AND WE STARTED NOTICING THOSE MISTAKES AND THEN BY APPLYING NOT TO MAKE THOSE MISTAKES IN OUR WORK, KIND OF SET US ON A DIFFERENT TRAJECTORY.

WHEN CLAUDIA AND I CAME TOGETHER OUR FOCUS WAS ON THE DETAIL, ON EVERY CUT, ON EVERY STITCH.

>> TRESSA >> THAT FOCUS ON DETAIL INCLUDED THE COUPLE PERFECTING AN INLAY AND OVERLAY TECHNIQUE WHICH GIVES THEIR PIECES A 3 DIMENSIONAL APPEARANCE AND ALL THAT LED THEM TO CREATE THE COSMIC LEATHER EMPORIUM.

>> CLAUDIA >> WE STARTED THIS WAY BEFORE HOME COMPUTERS, SO IT'S ALL DONE BY HAND, AND IT'S ALL, IT'S ALL DONE THE OLD FASHIONED WAY.

A CLIENT WOULD COME IN WITH AN IDEA, THEN WE'D TURN THAT IDEA INTO A DRAWING AND DESIGN THE PEACE FULLY AND THEN RANDY DOES ALL OF THE PATTERN WORK HIMSELF AND ALL OF THE PATTERNS ARE CUT BY HAND WITH THE SCALPEL BLADE.

THE PIECES ARE THEN TRACED INDIVIDUALLY ON DIFFERENT COLORED PIECES OF LEATHER AND THEY'RE CUT INDIVIDUALLY, GLUED.

THEY'RE SKIVED, THEY'RE STITCHED.

EVERY SINGLE PIECE SO THAT IS THE PROCESS.

>> RANDY >> IT'S THE DETAIL.

IT'S PUTTING THOSE ZOOM LENSES ON YOUR EYE BALLS AND LOOKING AT THE SUPER SUPER DETAIL BECAUSE THEN WHEN YOU'RE 10 FEET AWAY, IT LOOKS VERY, VERY CLEAN.

>> TRESSA >> RANDY DOES ALL OF THE PATTERN WORK, AND THE CUTTING.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT HE LEARNED ON HIS OWN.

CLAUDIA, SHE DOES ALL OF THE STITCHING, AND SOMETIMES THEIR DAUGHTER SAGAN LENDS A HAND.

>> CLAUDIA >> MASH IT, SAGAN, MASH IT.

GOOD JOB.

>> TRESSA>> CLAUDIA, A TRAINED DANCER, NEVER TOOK A SEWING CLASS UNTIL SHE AND RANDY BEGAN THIS ADVENTURE IN THE LATE 80S WHEN THEY LIVED IN VIRGINIA.

THEY MOVED TO TENNESSEE IN 1990, FIRST TO CHATTANOOGA AND THEN TO NASHVILLE.

LIKE RANDY, CLAUDIA SAYS SHE LEARNED BY TRIAL AND ERROR.

>> CLAUDIA >> IT WAS THE VISION THAT I WANTED TO REALIZE.

IT WASN'T LOVE FOR STITCHING IT WAS A LOVE FOR SEEING THE END RESULT SO THAT WAS JUST AWAY TO GET THERE.

IT HAS A MEDITATIVE QUALITY ABOUT IT BECAUSE I CANNOT THINK ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE BUT STITCHING WHEN I'M DOING IT OR I'LL MESS UP.

I CAN GET MY MACHINE KIND OF WORKING INTO A RHYTHM AND IT DOES, IT'S A VERY CALMING THING FOR ME AT TIMES WHICH IS INTERESTING BUT IT'S BEEN A REAL GIFT FOR ME.

>> TRESSA >> FOR YEARS, RANDY AND CLAUDIA FOCUSED ON SMALL TO MEDIUM-SIZED PIECES SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF THEIR EAST NASHVILLE STUDIO SO IN 2008 THEY DECIDED TO MOVE TO RURAL SUMNER COUNTY SO THEY COULD HAVE A MUCH BIGGER STUDIO AND A BIGGER STUDIO MEANS NOW THEY CAN MAKE BIGGER PIECES.

FOR EXAMPLE, THIS IS GOING TO BE A 9-FOOT LONG COUCH.

>> CLAUDIA >> IN THE PAST WE, OUR SHOPS WERE NOT NEARLY LARGE ENOUGH FOR US TO BRANCH OUT REALLY INTO LARGER THINGS, ALTHOUGH WE REALLY WANTED TO.

SO THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS PLACE.

THERE'S KIND OF NO LIMIT TO OUR MINDS WHEN WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THAT SO THE COUCH, THE COUCH CAME WAY OF DOING SOME OTHER SMALLER UPHOLESTERY PIECES THAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST.

WE DID A SET OF CUSTOM OTTOMANS SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARDS THAT FOR A LONG TIME BUT SIMPLY REALLY DIDN'T HAVE THE SPACE TO ENTERTAIN IT.

>> TRESSA >> WITH THEIR NEW STUDIO, YOU CAN BET THE WHEELS OF CREATIVITY ARE IN OVERDRIVE FOR CLAUDIA AND RANDY, BECAUSE THEY SAY THEY CAN'T IMAGINE THEMSELVES DOING ANYTHING ELSE.

>> RANDY >> WE WORK A LOT, JUST BECAUSE WE LOVE IT SO MUCH.

EVERYONE ALWAYS SAYS YOU KNOW IF YOU LOVE WHAT YOU DO YOU'RE NOT WORKING.

WE LOVE WHAT WE DO, AND WE LOVE THE FACT THAT WE'RE IN LOVE, AND WE LOVE THE FACT THAT WE'RE IN LOVE WITH AN ART FORM, YOU KNOW?

AND SO THAT LOVE IS, IT'S LIKE, IT'S SO POWERFUL.

IT'S WHAT, IT'S WHAT DRIVES US.

>> HOST >> THANKS TRESSA.

DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL ATTACHMENT FOR SOMETHING LIKE YOUR GRANDFATHER'S WATCH OR YOUR DAUGHTER'S FIRST GRADE DRAWINGS?

WELL, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT TANGIBLE OBJECTS LIKE THAT, THAT MAKE FOR SPECIAL CONNECTIONS.

ROB WILDS MET AN ARTIST IN OLD HICKORY WHO APPRECIATES THOSE CONNECTIONS SO MUCH, HE USES THEM IN HIS ART WORK.

>> ROB >> LIKE MANY CREATIVE PEOPLE, WAYNE BREZINKA CAME TO NASHVILLE WITH A DREAM.

HIS WAS TO DESIGN ALBUM COVERS.

HE DID THAT.

AND THEN, HIS DREAM BEGAN TO CHANGE, TO CHANGE HIS ARTISTIC VISION A BIT, AND CREATE PORTRAITS.

>> WAYNE >> I'M REALLY DRAWN TO PEOPLE.

I LIKE THE EMOTION IN THE FACE, THE EMOTION ON PEOPLE'S FACES.

I THINK JUST THE EYE TELLS A LOT ABOUT SOMEBODY.

WE ALL HAVE A STORY TO TELL AND IN THOSE PORTRAITS THERE ARE MEANINGFUL PIECES OF BOOKS AND PAPERS AND NOTES AND, PERTAINING TO WHATEVER SUBJECT THAT'S BEING ILLUSTRATED.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT WAYNE'S WORK IT'S CLEAR THAT HE USES A DIFFERENT TECHNIQUE TO CATCH NOT ONLY THE LOOK OF A FACE, BUT SOME OF THE FEEL, EVEN THE SPIRIT, OF THE PERSON.

>> WAYNE >> IT'S MIXED MEDIA, KIND OF ASSEMBLAGE, YOU KNOW, USING OLD BOOKS AND PAPER AND GLUE AND LOTS OF PAINT.

ANY FOUND ITEMS, SO THEY'RE BUILT KIND OF IN 3-D FORM AND THEY KIND OF COME OFF THE CANVAS SO THEY'RE ASSEMBLED AND GIVE A LOT, IN THE END THEY SHOW A DEPTH AND SHADOW AND LIGHT.

>> ROB >> AND ACTUAL OBJECTS USED TO CREATE THE EFFECT, OBJECTS THAT RELATE TO THE PERSON IN SOME WAY.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, HIS CARE-WORN FACE INCLUDING PIECES OF ACTUAL NEWSPAPERS FROM THE DAY.

PHOTOS OF SLAVES, PHOTOS OF YOUNG MEN WHO MAY HAVE ACTUALLY FOUGHT IN THE CIVIL WAR.

JOHN SEIGENTHALER, CRUSADING NEWSPAPER MAN AND STALWART OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS' MOVEMENT.

>> WAYNE >> MASTHEADS FROM THE TENNESSEAN NEWSPAPER, THERE'S A 1973 AND A 1974 MASTHEAD WITHIN THE PORTRAIT AS WELL AS A 1982 USA TODAY NEWSPAPER WHICH HE WAS VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN STARTING.

THERE'S AN ORIGINAL 1961 PHOTO OF SUSAN WILBUR WHO HE SAVED OR RESCUED FROM THE MOBS IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA, DURING THE FREEDOM RIDES SO THAT'S THE ORIGINAL PRESS PHOTOGRAPH THAT I HAD FOUND ON LINE THROUGH, I BELIEVE, EBAY.

THAT'S IN THE PORTRAIT AS WELL.

I LOVE HISTORY AND SO HIS IMAGE TELLS THAT STORY OF HIS LIFE.

>> ROB >> AND THEN THERE WAS ZACH SOBIECH, A TEENAGER DIAGNOSED WITH A RARE FORM OF BONE CANCER WHO BECAME AN INSPIRATION TO MILLIONS THROUGH HIS MUSIC AND HIS POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE.

WHEN ZACH PASSED AWAY, HIS PARENTS CONTACTED WAYNE ABOUT A PORTRAIT.

HE AGREED AND THEN ONE DAY, A BOX ARRIVED AT HIS STUDIO.

>> WAYNE >> I GOT CHILLED WHEN I GOT THE BOX INITIALLY.

I MEAN IT'S A PRETTY SACRED, YOU KNOW, BOX, TO WORK WITH I THOUGHT YOU KNOW, AND SO I SAID A PRAYER LITERALLY THAT, HOWEVER IT MIGHT COME TO BE, IT WOULD BE CREATED IN A WAY THAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE, HONORING THE FAMILY, HONORING ZACH.

IT WON'T BE LONG NOW M M. >> IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE HARDEST COMMISSIONS I HAVE EVER DONE.

>> ROB >> EMBODIED IN THE PORTRAIT, THOSE IRREPLACEABLE PIECES OF ZACH'S LIFE.

A RELIGIOUS, FAMILY PORTRAIT,, A TIE REPURPOSED AS PART OF HIS SHIRT.

A TRAIN TICKET TO PARIS, A TRIP, ONE OF ZACH'S FINAL REQUESTS.

THE OBJECTS THEMSELVES MAKING THE PORTRAIT EVEN MORE POWERFUL FOR THOSE WHO VIEW IT.

>> WAYNE >> WHEN YOU TELL THEM THAT IT'S THE ACTUAL PAIR OF SOCKS THAT HE WORE, THAT WERE HIS FAVORITE, THEY'RE THAT MUCH MORE DRAWN TO THE PORTRAIT, DRAWN IN AS OPPOSED TO A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE SECOND GENERATION OF THE IMAGE AND FOR ME AS AN ARTIST, THAT IS WHAT I FIND THE MOST INTERESTING, YOU KNOW, IF I CAN FIND AUTHENTIC, ORIGINAL ITEMS OF A PERSON'S STORY TO USE, IT DRAWS THE AUDIENCE THAT MUCH CLOSER TO THAT PORTRAIT IN THE END I THINK, THEY CAN FEEL THAT MUCH, YOU KNOW, MORE ENERGY FROM IT THAN IF IT WERE A PHOTOGRAPH OF THE PIECE.

>> ROB >> WAYNE KNOWS ALL ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL POWER A WORK OF ART CAN HAVE.

HERE AT A SHOW OF HIS WORK AT THE O'MORE COLLEGE OF DESIGN IN FRANKLIN, THERE'S ONE PIECE THAT MOST DEFINITELY STRIKES AN EMOTIONAL CORD WITH THOSE WHO SEE IT AND WITH WAYNE HIMSELF.

>> ROB >> SO, WHEN I SAW THIS I KNEW SOMETHING WAS AMISS HERE.

THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT A PORTRAIT OF A PERSON, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TO YOU THEN.

>> WAYNE >> IT IS, YES.

AGAIN, BASED ON MY OWN STORY AS A CHILD, BEING SEXUALLY ABUSED, SO, AND AS I WAS CREATING THE IMAGE OF THE BOY, THIS ORIGINALLY YOU'LL SEE THE STRIPES ARE KIND OF PEELING OFF BUT I KEPT TELLING MYSELF YOU KNOW I HAVE GOT TO FINISH THOSE STRIPES.

I HAVE GOT TO YOU KNOW -- THEN I THOUGHT, SOMETHING IN ME WENT NO, YOU DON'T, LEAVE THEM PEELING OFF.

IT'S SYMBOLIC TO ME AS PART OF THE TELLING STORY THAT SOMETHING HAS BEEN TAKEN OR DAMAGED.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S PAIN AND THERE'S THINGS THAT HAPPEN TO US IN OUR LIFE AND THEN UNFORTUNATELY IN MY CASE THIS IS PART OF MY STORY BUT AS WELL AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE, BUT COUNTLESS PEOPLE HAVE, A FEW OF THEM BROKE DOWN IN TEARS WHEN THEY SAW IT, YOU KNOW, ONE PERSON SAID THIS IS A STORY OF MY GRANDDAUGHTER WHO WAS ABUSED OR THIS IS MY STORY.

I HAVE NEVER TOLD ANYBODY UNTIL, YOU'RE THE SECOND PERSON I HAVE TOLD.

>> ROB >> YES, WHETHER FACES WERE RECREATED TO TELL A STORY OR FACES COVERED IN MASKS WHOSE STORY NEEDS TO BE TOLD, THERE'S ALWAYS A REACTION AND APPRECIATION OF CONVERSATION A RISING OUT OF THE WORKS OF ART OF WAYNE BRISINKA OF NASHVILLE.

>> JOE >> HARD TO BELIEVE THAT OUR TIME IS JUST ABOUT UP.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TIME AND HEY, CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE.

TENNESSEECROSSROADS.ORG.

WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF GREAT STORIES THERE FROM PAST EPISODES.

NOW HERE IS WHAT IS ON NEXT TIME.

WE'RE GONNA TAKE YOU TO TOWNSEND IN THE SMOKIES WHERE KEN WILSHIRE MEETS A CRAFTSMAN THAT MAKES THE MEANS OF MAKING MOUNTAIN MUSIC.

THEN IT'S OVER TO MEMPHIS WITH TAMMI ARENDER, WHO EXPLORES A FIFTH GENERATION CANDY COMPANY.

THEN TO NASHVILLE, WHERE ROB WILDS FOUND A BUSINESS THAT IS RIDING ON THE RESURGENCE OF VINYL, AND TO COOKEVILLE WITH TRESSA BUSH WHERE INJURY MET A CREATIVE BLESSING FOR A LOCAL ARTIST.

INTERESTING SHOW, OUR NEXT TENNESSEE CROSSROADS.

PLEASE JOIN US.

>> HI, I'M JOE ELMORE.

WHERE IS TENNESSEE CROSSROADS TAKING YOU NEXT TIME?

WELL, TO TOWNSEND TO MEET AN EXPERT CRAFTSMAN WHO MAKES DULICMERS.

TO MEMPHIS TO A FIFTH GENERATION CANDY COMPANY, TO NASHVILLE TO A BUSINESS WHO IS RIDING ON THE RESURGENCE OF VINYL AND COOKEVILLE TO MEET AN ARTIST WHOSE INJURY WAS A BLESSING.

THE NEXT TENNESSEE CROSSROADS.

JOIN US.