(ambient music) - [Announcer 1] This program was made possible by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

Thank you.

(ambient music fades) (bright music) - "Wish You Were Here!

", produced under an agreement with the Upper Cumberland Development District and made possible in part through support from the United States Department of Agriculture.

(bright music fades) (birds chirping) (inspirational music) - [Narrator 1] In the heart of Tennessee, there's a little slice of heaven you've just gotta see.

(inspirational music continues) Oh, man.

Wish you were here.

- Welcome to "Wish You Were Here!

Adventures in Tennessee's Upper Cumberland".

I'm Katelyn Steakley, your guide on this extraordinary journey as we dive deep into the captivating nature and unique culture of this stunning region.

Together, we will unveil hidden gems, witness breathtaking landscapes, and savor remarkable encounters that define the charm of the Upper Cumberland.

Join us for an unforgettable adventure, meeting field correspondents who reveal the best-kept secrets of this stunning region.

Our adventure unfolds in the picturesque town of Woodbury, a haven for antique enthusiasts.

Among its treasure, one establishment seamlessly blends the worlds of agriculture, livestock feed, and the appreciation of antiques.

Join us as we embark on a shopping excursion at The Old Feed Store, where history and agriculture converge in a unique retail experience.

(upbeat music) - [Narrator 2] Step into a world where the scent of grains mingles with the nostalgia of days gone by.

The Old Feed Store, once solely a supplier for agricultural essentials, has transformed into an antique mall, bridging the gap between the past and the present.

- Today I have found myself in the delightful town of Woodbury with The Old Feed Store owner, Jason Taggart.

Jason, thank you so much for having us today.

- Glad to have you.

- [Katelyn] So you really are living out your dream.

- Yes.

- This is something that you dreamed of owning, that you worked here as a teenager, and has a lot of history.

Can you tell me a little bit about the history of the actual feed store itself?

- Yes.

- And the antique mall?

- Yeah, it's a long one.

So in 1924, they started as a ice house where you'd take big blocks of ice, and break it up, and get it for your refrigerator systems, things like that.

And it became a feed store.

This, actually, where we're standing, is where the feed store used to be.

And then, in the '50s, it became the co-op, so this actually used to be the local farmer's co-op.

But in the late '80s, early '90s, Tommy and Linda Malone took it over.

They wanted to bring back the history of the feed, which, as we'd been doing that for 40 or so years, but they also wanted to do their own thing and put a twist on it, and start selling old antiques.

But it's had quite a history in the past 99 years.

Next year will be our 100th-year celebration.

- How is the culture of Woodbury reflected in The Old Feed Store?

- People can come in here and literally find some of their old parents' dressers and things locally.

And some of these items we've had in here are locally made from woodshops in Murfreesboro from the past 100 years.

And we used to have a milk dairy cheese factory, and every now and then, you'll see some jars come and go from there.

Never last long.

Anything that has "Woodbury" on it is gone as soon as it comes in.

- [Katelyn] Do you guys feature any local craftsmen here at the feed store?

- We do, and we've hosted several over the years.

Right now, we have Peggy Dolan Yates in, and she has been doing a lot of paintings of the Readyville Mill, and that is actually a structure that we lost recently in a big tornado thing that was a huge part of our history here.

So that's good that people can take a little piece of that home with them.

- [Katelyn] How many different booths can people shop from here in the Antique Mall?

- We have 55 different booths, and we also have a lot of consignment space too.

So even though we have 55 dealers, we still have many more dealers that are actually offering things here.

Our front porch is also a consignment space, and we have shelving too.

But as far as within the building, we have 55 booths.

- And I'm sure that brings in lots of unique antiques and items.

Is there one item in the history that really stands out to you as the most exciting item you've seen come through your store?

- So I love the local history stuff, anything Readyville Mill or Readyville School, anything like that that I've seen.

One of my favorite items that I have here in the store is an old traffic light we have hanging over in the feed room, and that used to hang over South McCrary and Main Street.

Also, we have some black-and-white blown-up photos that I also can't take credit for.

They came with the store, but they're of our store from the '40s, there's one as an ice house back in 1924, and they're just local history all throughout, when different booths, things like that.

If I see anything that has anything historic to the town, I try to purchase it right away.

- Well, I really have enjoyed your enthusiasm, not just about the town of Woodbury, but about the items and stuff, and the history.

Thank you so much for having us today, Jason.

- No problem.

- I really appreciate it.

- I'm glad you came.

- [Narrator 2] Embark on a journey of discovery, because within these walls, the unexpected awaits, perhaps like Jason, who found not just antiques, but the love of his life, Clara.

While we can't all be as fortunate as Jason, who knows what extraordinary surprises may unfold as you explore?

(upbeat inspirational music continues) - In the Upper Cumberland, music is as integral as the breathtaking natural scenery that envelops it.

Imagine having the opportunity to immerse yourself in both simultaneously.

Let's join field correspondent, Rafferty Cleary, as he ventures to The Old Gray Music Venue in Monterey to discover what's making waves in the world of rhythm and melody.

(upbeat music) - [Narrator 2] Imagine a stage set against the backdrop of rolling hills and vast farmlands.

The Old Gray's natural outdoor setting paints a unique canvas for unforgettable live music experiences.

- Hey, everybody.

We're hanging out on a farm in Monterey, Tennessee, The Old Gray Music Venue.

Personal friend of mine, music venue manager- - Yes.

- Jason Grider joins us today.

Jason, thanks for letting us hang out with you.

- Hey, man, thanks so much for coming and experiencing The Old Gray, man.

We're about to have a great night tonight with Rocktober.

- [Rafferty] There's activity coming behind us, cars coming in and out.

- Oh, yeah.

- [Rafferty] And then there's some rocking going on.

- Gonna hear some killer riffs while we're doing this.

(Rafferty laughs) Yeah.

I think Winger's warming up right now.

- [Rafferty] So Winger's here tonight.

What's going on behind us here?

- So this is the second Rocktober, and we have Warrant, Winger, and Firehouse here tonight.

- Okay.

- And we are already planning for Rocktober coming up this next year with some other great rock and roll bands.

- [Rafferty] So how did this all come about?

A massive venue, farm, Monterey, Tennessee.

- Uh-huh.

- And look behind us.

What a stage that is.

- Oh, yeah.

Well, so it started off with a small concert with Craig Morgan in town in Monterey.

And that got pulled off, so we're like, "Well, hey, I bet we could do this bigger."

And Chris Landers, who owns the property, said, "Well, yeah, we could absolutely do something bigger."

And so we did.

- [Rafferty] So it's not just rock.

Country music, about any genre you can think of.

- Yeah.

- [Rafferty] There's even been gospel concerts here.

- Yeah, we had We the Kingdom here this past year, and that was amazing.

Confetti cannons.

I mean, and that's something that we really pride ourselves on, is this is not a rinky-dink deal.

We go all out every single time.

This is the biggest stage that's ever been in the Upper Cumberland.

This is 45-by-60 stage.

This is what they put in Times Square in New York.

It's that big.

- [Rafferty] When folks come down Highway 84 from Monterey, or coming from Livingston, get on the property, what do they experience beyond just the music that comes with this?

- [Jason] Well, one, we think it's really pretty.

I mean, it's hard to beat the hills of Tennessee, and so you can look around here and see that it's gorgeous.

And, but then, once you get into the venue, it's big enough to hold as many people as we want, but we can make it intimate, too.

So if it's a smaller show, we bring everything together.

If it's a bigger show, like the White Pines is gonna be, we can broaden that out.

We figure we can hold 20,000 people.

The main thing for me is I like to see people have a good time.

That's what we're in the business of.

So if everybody's having a good time, then I've done my job, and that makes me feel like I'm having a good time if everybody else is.

- There you have it, The Old Gray in Monterey, Tennessee, getting ready for Rocktober, Winger, Firehouse, Warrant.

Jason?

- Yeah?

- [Rafferty] Best rock and roll faces.

- Go.

- Let's get 'em primed.

- Which one are we looking at?

This one?

- Yeah.

- All right.

(upbeat rock music) You gotta scrunch up your nose more, Rafferty.

There you go.

Stick out your bottom lip.

Look mean, but sexy at the same time.

Are you doing it?

Yeah, that's pretty good.

(upbeat rock music continues) - [Narrator 2] In a world dominated by digital screens, The Old Gray stands as a beacon of shared experience under the open sky, surrounded by the warmth of a community brought together by the love of music.

The only question lingering in the air is, are you prepared to unleash the power of rock?

(upbeat music) - Since 1962, Ralph's Donuts in Cookeville has evolved from a modest six-stool shop to a thriving community landmark with 26 stools.

This busting hub remains the heart and soul of the city, where friendships and calories flourish.

Join field correspondent, Shan Stout, on a journey through the decades at Ralph's, where captivating stories and exceptional pastries create an unforgettable experience in the heart of Cookeville.

(upbeat whimsical music) - [Narrator 2] In the heart of Cookeville's Westside, a visit to the iconic Ralph's Donuts is not just a culinary choice, it's a journey into the sweet history of this beloved establishment.

For more than six decades, Ralph's Donut Shop has stood as more than just a bakery.

It's a symbol of Cookeville's sweet soul.

- Okay, I don't know how I drew the long straw on this assignment, but I'm here in Cookeville, Tennessee, at a wonderful, iconic landmark, and the smell of donuts and coffee are in the air, and that must mean I'm at Ralph's Donuts.

And I am here alongside owner, John MacDonald.

Hi, John.

- Hello.

Welcome to Ralph's Donuts.

- Okay, now, it's very busy here.

You can hear the beeping from the drive-through, you hear the people in the background.

And believe it or not, this is their slow time.

(laughs) And it's never slow here.

So there's so much going on.

So you work very hard in keeping the tradition of the essence of Ralph's the same, while always producing high-quality donuts, wonderful coffee, and you have a lot of locals that come here, but you have visitors that come from all over as well.

- Yes, we have 'em come from close and far away.

Several different countries.

I think we've had somebody from about every state.

- Well, and I know the county mayor, he's here all the time.

And I was talking to him, and he said blueberry donuts are his favorite, in case anybody's buying.

And he loves your coffee, he loves the comradery of the people, and just the fact that your staff are so very friendly.

- That's an important thing to me.

I know what I want when I'm on that side of the counter, so I assume everybody else wants what I want.

And so you come in here, you're gonna get a hello, you're gonna get a goodbye, you're gonna get a smile, you're gonna get great service, great conversation.

- Well, and one of your employees, Cricket, she's been here, what, 13, 14 years?

- Yes.

- So when you meet her, she's very vested.

So this is like a home away from home for her.

- Absolutely.

Ralph's wouldn't be Ralph's without Cricket.

- Now, let's talk about one of your regulars that's the oldest living regular customer that you have on a weekly basis.

And they're how old?

- [John] James would be 94.

- 94 years old.

This is a ritual for them, that they come here, and they have their donuts, and they have their coffee.

I think what makes Ralph's so special is that it is kind of a step back in time.

And of course, let's talk about the donuts.

Is there a secret recipe?

Is there one donut in particular if you say there's a must-try?

Now, I think I know the answer to this, but I could be wrong.

- Yeah, there is a secret recipe.

As far as the donut to try, you know, the butter twist.

- Okay.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

The butter twist.

If you've not tried the butter twist, it is like nothing you've ever eaten.

It's not even a traditional donut.

First off, it's very long.

You feel like you're getting more donut for your dollar in the first place.

Do you think you'd take me behind the scenes and be able to see how that magic happens?

- Absolutely.

- [Narrator 2] Beneath the glazed and powdered creations lies a touch of magic, secret recipes and unique offerings that set Ralph's apart.

- John calls him the master baker behind the magic at Ralph's.

I'm here with Dallas Frazier.

Hello.

Good morning, Dallas.

- Good morning.

- Your magic behind the recipe of these delicious donuts, how did that evolve?

- Ralph, he was having a hard time of making a donut, and he asked me if I could direct him.

I said, "Yes, I can, but it will be my recipe."

I said, "It go no further than this shop."

When the donuts first come out, they were tickled to death with 'em, I mean.

(Shan laughs) - Well, you took a good thing and you made it better, and you're still making that better today.

And we are grateful for your talent- - Thank you.

- Because I'm about to enjoy a donut very, very soon.

- [Narrator 2] Shan enthusiastically offered her services at the drive-through, all in exchange for the delightful currency of donuts.

- Order up.

(chuckles) (whimsical music) Thank you so much.

You have a great day.

- Thanks.

You too.

- Nice to meet you, Nana.

(whimsical music continues) - [Narrator 2] Ralph's stands as an enduring icon, a beacon that not only graces the landscape, but etches itself into the very fabric of cherished memories.

(whimsical music continues) - Sparta, Tennessee, has been a cherished residence for musical luminaries, including the likes of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.

A multitude of musicians seeking the expertise of the industry's finest journey to this location to entrust their instruments to skilled hands.

Join field correspondent, Rafferty Cleary, as we venture into Sparta for an insightful exploration of instrument craftsmanship at Custom Fretted Instruments.

(upbeat banjo music) - [Narrator 1] Jim Grainger, the founder, left behind a legacy of knowledge and unwavering commitment to quality.

Today, his influence echoes in the ongoing work and the spirit of Custom Fretted Instruments, a living tribute to the craft he so passionately embraced.

(upbeat banjo music continues) - Nestled in the picturesque hills of Sparta, Tennessee, we have landed today at Custom Fretted Instruments.

Owner, Doug Grainger, inlay artist, Joyce Carroll, our guests today.

Thank you for letting us stop in the shop.

- Yeah.

Thank you.

- Doug, you have embraced a rich legacy continuing your father, Jim Grainger's business.

What drove you to continue this?

A passion in music overall?

Was it just following in your father's footsteps?

What led you to continue this effort?

- Some of just doing what he did.

Some of it was, especially at the beginning, it was money for toys, (chuckles) basically.

I guess I did my first fret job when I was about eight years old, so I've been doing it a long time.

- Tell us who's behind the walls here and doing what at Custom Fretted.

- Steve in the back does a lot of structural repairs.

He does frets and setups.

He's an excellent musician.

Joyce does a lot of structural stuff too, and has eyes that can see colors better than either me or Steve, so she does a lot of finish-matching work, and she does the inlay work as well.

She's the artist.

I do a lot of electronics.

I try to dip my toe into everything, just so I know kinda how to do everything.

- Joyce, inlay artist.

- Mm-hmm.

- [Rafferty] Tell us about your job here.

- We work with raw pearl and abalone.

We work directly with the customer, doing a lot of custom inlay.

People will bring in an idea they have, and I'll work with them.

Sometimes they'll bring me a picture of something that's real specific, that has meaning for them, and that's always special to do.

Otherwise, sometimes people will say, you know, "I just trust you," and they'll gimme a general idea, and I kinda go from there.

But I hand-cut the pearl after we've decided on a design, then I cut it by hand and lay it by hand.

And it's very satisfying work.

It kinda combines a lot of my interests.

- What was the experience, the apprenticeship, if you will, under Jim in really developing this passion and skill for this?

What was that like?

- I didn't realize it was an apprenticeship at the time.

I just thought I was coming down here as a friend and a fellow musician to see what it was all about.

And he showed me directly, pretty quickly, how to cut pearl.

And after that, we always felt like a family here, because music was our first glue that brought us together.

The second part of it just seemed natural, you know?

And so I never looked at it as an apprenticeship.

It just felt like something kinda fun to do that developed over time.

And as we grew together in working at the shop, he started to show me other things to do, so I got a little more involved.

- [Rafferty] This is a really neat location for this shop, (Doug laughs) but I just get this, like, sitting in a hauler, man on the front porch, playing the banjo feel.

- Well, yeah.

- This is fitting.

Does that kinda add to the element here?

- [Doug] It does.

Mostly, my dad didn't want to commute to work, so he just put the building 300 feet from the house.

- So Doug, Joyce, the deal is folks have to play before they leave here.

I don't play, I'm not musically inclined, but perhaps there's someone here that can play for us before we leave today.

- Absolutely.

(upbeat bluegrass music) ♪ Down the road from me ♪ ♪ There's an old hollow tree ♪ ♪ Where you lay down a dollar or two ♪ ♪ You go around the bend ♪ ♪ When you come back again ♪ ♪ There's a jug of that good ol' mountain dew ♪ - [Narrator 1] In this enchanting corner of the Upper Cumberland, Custom Fretted Instruments not only draws musicians from afar, but orchestrates a harmonious celebration, a tribute to the artistry of sound and the soulful craft of instrument resurrection.

(upbeat bluegrass music continues) - Yee-haw.

- Awesome.

- Explore the historic Palace Theatre, a cultural cornerstone since its opening in November of 1938, now fully restored as a dynamic venue, hosting a variety of live performances.

From jazz to rock, the Palace provides entertainment and escape since its inception during wartime.

Join field correspondent, Shan Stout, in Downtown Crossville, as we celebrate the 85th birthday of this iconic venue.

(slow nostalgic music) (record scratching) (upbeat jazz music) - [Narrator 1] Gather around as the Palace Theatre weaves its magic through the war years, a sanctuary of joy during times of hardship.

It's grand marquee beckons, and the doors swing open to a world of glamor, grace, and the pulse of a bygone era.

- I am in Crossville, Tennessee, at the beautiful Palace Theatre.

And you'll see all of the wonderful splendor behind me in all of its glory and historical significance.

And beside me is palace administrator, Malena Fisher.

Hi, Malena.

- Hi.

Welcome to the Palace.

- Oh, we're so happy to be here.

Now, the Palace has been here for quite some time.

- Yes, we first opened on November 21st, 1938.

So 85 years ago today, we showed our first movie, and it was "If I Were King", and we are showing that again tonight to celebrate our 85th birthday.

- [Shan] That's amazing.

85 years.

Few businesses can say they have been here on this earth for 85 years.

That was during a war era.

- Yes.

- So did the Palace play any significant role to the community during that time?

- It did.

We were instrumental in promoting war bond sales and promoting scrap metal drives.

A lot of the news reels were shown here.

- [Shan] As I look around, I see a lot of slants toward Art Deco- - Yes.

- Art Modern.

So, in that restoration, and your continued maintenance of the Palace, what are the challenges that you face there to keep that maintained or elevated?

- Belonging to the National Register of Historic Places, there are certain things that we have to adhere to, so we have to keep the integrity of the original building.

When they restored the Palace, they tried to go with the Art Deco colors, so that's why the blues and the corals, and that sort of thing.

The original architectural elements are still here, the geometric shapes, the symmetry of the whole building.

So they were able to keep all of that, of course, as part of being a landmark.

- Okay, now, apart from being an event venue, you have grown a large selection of entertainment opportunities here, and you've curated a very diverse schedule- - Yes.

- To reach a large populace of people.

How has the community responded to this growth in the things that you offer?

- It's a delicate balance.

We have a fantastic base.

We have a lot of support from our community that they'll come to whatever we show.

They love it.

They come to any acts that we have.

But our goal has been to reach a regional audience.

We also have to kinda keep our ear to what is current.

You know, what are the tastes, what are the genres that people are coming to?

My job is to listen to a lot of music, and it's great.

(laughs) You know, it's- (Shan laughs) - Our job, but somebody has to do it.

- I get paid to listen, yeah.

(Malena laughs) - Now, one thing that you will want to know is that they've expanded to have movie nights right here in the theater.

- Yes.

- And are these classic movies, current movies?

- So we are not a first-run theater.

That's not quite economically feasible for us to upgrade to that.

But we do show newer releases that we're allowed to through our licensing agent.

And we'll do some matinees, we'll do some evening movies.

We kinda try to mix it up so that we can hit the full community and hit all of their needs.

- [Narrator 1] So ladies and gents, young and old, step into the magical world of the Palace Theatre.

The show is about to begin, so grab your tickets and let the Palace enchant you once more.

(upbeat jazz music) - Whether you're stopping in to grab some feed or on the hunt for a unique antique, the Old Feed Store has got you covered, so stop in and sit a spell at the Old Feed Store.

You might just find what you didn't know you were looking for.

Thank you for joining us on our journey through Tennessee's Upper Cumberland.

Until we meet again, let wanderlust guide you to new horizons, igniting the explorer within.

Continue uncovering the Upper Cumberland's hidden marvels.

Farewell for now.

Wish you were here.

(upbeat cheerful music) You might just find what you've been looking for.

I didn't...

I totally botched that.

I'm sorry.

(laughs) It felt like a really bad commercial.

(bass guitar strumming) (Rafferty imitating bass guitar strumming) (crew member laughing) (upbeat cheerful music) - [Announcer 2] "Wish You Were Here!

", produced under an agreement with the Upper Cumberland Development District, and made possible in part through support from the United States Department of Agriculture.

(ambient music) - [Announcer 1] This program was made possible by contributions to your PBS station from viewers like you.

Thank you.

(bright music fades)