Forrest Sanders

Todd County, Kentucky is really good at making giant hay bale works of art. There are 56 of them up there now. It's time for their yearly Todd County Bale Trail. It's going now through Oct. 31.

I've been up there several times over the years...and what's interesting is...the businesses and residents never seem to do the same hay bale creation twice.

But that's the beauty of it. The uniqueness. 2026's Bale Trail has some really good ones...

Todd County Chamber of Commerce Elkton, Kentucky Government United Southern Bank Salt & Light Cafe KY

What's a KNOBLIN? A bit of unusual folklore is about to become a festival in Donelson.

The story's about a shapeshifting creature with a love of collecting keys...and doorknobs. Gotta have a hobby, right? Some say he's a giant owl. Others say more...catfish face on a mountain lion. What can I say? It's folklore. Things get weird.

A team is now hard at work making Knoblin Fest happen on Oct. 3. Part of that is a crew at Academy of Makeup and Arts...now creating a costume that will bring the Knoblin to life. It's not finished. But I got a chance to peek in...and see some of what's being assembled. Pretty cool.

Oh. And. If you ever wanted the chance to take part in a Knoblin callin' contest...well. Your day is coming.

Donelson Hermitage Chamber of Commerce

Since 1978, the Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival has been an old-time music tradition in Murfreesboro.

This year also marked the return of the National Old-Time Banjo Contest to the festival.

Uncle Dave Macon himself is an interesting one. More than 100 years ago, he was a man pivoting careers after his freight business abruptly ended. He was over 50 when he started busking on the street in downtown Nashville. Some of his family couldn't believe what he was doing. But Uncle Dave was right...becoming an early star of the Grand Ole Opry.

About 100 years after Uncle Dave's Opry story begins, his name's still being celebrated.

What was happening in Tennessee on September 11, 2001?

If you're old enough, you remember what you were doing on that day. I was in second period Algebra II. Coach Sluder's class. Another student raised his hand and asked..."Has something happened in New York?" It wasn't until much later in the day, I learned the true scale of what had happened.

On that day...NewsChannel 5 cameras set out across communities including Nashville, Clarksville, and Franklin. I wanted to take a look back at what those cameras captured 25 years ago on that one day. What was happening as everyone's lives changed?

This is a look back at 9/11...for the people of middle Tennessee.

Cleve Francis is a cardiologist, founder of the Black Country Music Association, and country artist himself. No one's story is quite like Cleve's...and two very different career paths say something about him. He doesn't accept barriers.

His successes can be traced back to his mother. In a time of segregation, she had limited opportunities, but she was determined that her children find success. Cleve managed to do that in two fields.

Cleve is now telling his story through an autobiography being co-published by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Do My Heart Good: My Odyssey Through Country Music, Medicine, and History will be out Oct. 6.

I wanted to talk to Cleve about his journey...the barriers, how he's still making milestones...and something that's become a symbol of his journey.

Grand Ole Opry

How can you measure Dolly Parton's impact on her home county? Over Labor Day weekend...I headed to Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and City of Gatlinburg. Beyond seeing the many wonderful tributes around the area, I wanted to talk to someone who witnessed the transformation of the area firsthand.

Enter Sevier County historian Carroll McMahan. He's actually a high school classmate of Dolly's. Carroll will tell you there are a few factors that take Sevier County from quiet mountainous region...to a place making around four billion dollars from visitors a year. He says nothing set the area on this path like Dolly Parton. Her influence is immeasurable.

Dollywood My Pigeon Forge

The Sweet F***y Adams Theatre opened in downtown Gatlinburg in 1977...and ran for well over 40 years. The area saw a lot during that time...including when owner Chris MacPherson lost his home to the 2016 wildfires. We are just weeks from it being ten years since those wildfires.

The theater finally closed during COVID.

I first worked a story on Chris in 2016...shortly after he lost his home. There was a striking resilience to his story then...and that hasn't changed.

The Sweet F***y Adams Theatre story is close to his heart, having been launched by his parents nearly 50 years ago. As it turns out...that story's not over...

Terry Evanswood Evanswood Magic Theater Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud Pigeon Forge My Pigeon Forge City of Gatlinburg Visit Gatlinburg TheSmokyMountains.com The Smoky Mountain Life

You ever met a golf ball carver? Well, I have now.

Yeah, he cracks open golf balls...and carves faces into the core. Actually, he's even created a familiar face from one of my favorite movies...

The carver's name is Andrew Endert, and he's part of the Fiddler's Grove Woodcarvers. "Woodcarver" is in the title, but really, the crew in there's working with all sorts of stuff. Each of them have a story that led them to their art...and on top of that, there's a little story about the place where they do their work.

Here's Andrew...taking another golf ball...and making another piece of art.

Wilson County Fair - TN State Fair Fiddlers Grove Historic Village of Tennessee Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce Wilson County, TN - Government

In honor of his late wife, a man has launched a line of sympathy cards. That man has written the cards for other people dealing with the loss of a loved one...words from someone who understands grief.

"We called each other our reward," Stader Richardson told me about his wife Frances. "We had a great decade. I mean, the best."

With Stader's Shades of Grief cards line, he's adding something to his wife's legacy. This is the story...straight from a special place to Stader and Frances, the Franklin Farmers Market.

Lucy's Kitchen Jake Turner Visit Franklin, TN City of Franklin, TN - Municipal Government Shades of Grief

A group of adults with special needs took the Zanies Nashville stage and performed to a 100% sold-out crowd. Applause was loud. The laughs were big. What a great night.

This is a program called Jokability. The residents of Our Place Nashville have been working with stand-up Derrick Tennant to hone their skills.

There are reasons Derrick so strongly believes in ability. Let me tell you his story.

Oh. And YOYO. You'll see.