James Ivey spent much of his life as a minister in the U.S. and as a missionary around the world. In his later years, a health incident brought him back to Middle Tennessee. Join us to learn about his “can do” attitude, why he stays motivated to help others often as a mentor to those around him, and the role his extended family and his daughter's friends, the Sister Circle, play in his life.
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Squeeze the Day Podcast: Rhonda Clark on how attitude and advocacy help her manage cerebral palsy
Rhonda Clark was not expected to live 48 hours much less 50+ years. Born with cerebral palsy, she demonstrates daily that everyone has a purpose and that life with a disability is just another way of living. Let’s learn how this entrepreneur is living her best life and is intent on creating better transportation options for adults in Middle Tennessee who are living with disabilities.
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Squeeze the Day Podcast: Bill Anderson shares the importance of evolving as a songwriter, Opry member, and human being
Grand Ole Opry icon Bill Anderson’s career spans seven decades. As one of the most awarded songwriters in country music history, he’s also a million-selling recording artist, a beloved onstage performer, a television game show host, a network soap opera star, and an author. In his youth, Anderson considered a baseball career and worked as a journalist and a deejay. His moniker, Whisperin’ Bill, speaks loudly of his accomplishments and his desire to be a lifelong learner.
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Squeeze The Day Podcast: Kathy Mattea elaborates on her roots, music advocacy, and adapting to her changing voice
Hailed as one of Nashville's finest song interpreters, Kathy Mattea has had great success in country, bluegrass, and folk music. She has amassed Grammys, CMAs, #1 country singles, gold, and platinum-selling albums, but her performance dreams nearly ended when in her early fifties her voice started to change. In our Squeeze the Day podcast, Mattea shares how perseverance, faith, and the power of music led to unexpected new opportunities in this second chapter of life.
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Squeeze The Day Podcast: Chicago blues player Larry Cox elaborates on longevity, opportunity, and the harmonica that saved his life
Larry Cox shares stories of survival. As a young man, he worked work as a sharecropper with his parents in West Tennessee and ultimately sought new beginnings in Chicago. It was there his love for the harmonica led him to the South Side blues scene where he rubbed shoulders with greats including Muddy Waters.
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Squeeze The Day Podcast: Singer and songwriter Tricia Walker on roots, relationships, writing, and why the Opry and Grammys are integral to her success
Grammy-winner Tricia Walker has performed with country artists Shania Twain, Paul Overstreet, and Grand Ole Opry legend Connie Smith. As a singer and songwriter, her passion for music is rooted in the American South. In this podcast she speaks about her friendship with King of Country Music Roy Acuff, her success in country and gospel music, being a founding member of the Bluebird Cafe's Women in the Round, as well as establishing a Grammy Museum in her home state.
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Squeeze The Day Podcast: Elnora Terry’s tragic loss led to a meaningful new beginning with the AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program
“Granny” Elnora Terry lost her son to gun violence. She found her new beginning with AmeriCorps Seniors in the Foster Grandparent Program. Her uplifting and powerful story offers insight as she demonstrates a powerful commitment to creating brighter futures by mentoring and tutoring children in high-need elementary schools and learning centers.
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Squeeze The Day Podcast: Ray Lay adapts to mental health challenges to become an advocate and role model
Diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia as a teen, Ray Lay shares how battling mental illness and substance abuse forced him to be homeless. Learn how joining the Marines and getting his GED paved the way for his success. Today, he provides peer support for veterans, is a board member of the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) and is an advocate for those struggling with mental health and homelessness.
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Squeeze The Day Podcast: At 99, Marilyn Nevens Shares Her Wit, Wisdom, And How To Be An Entrepreneur At Any Age
Marilyn Nevens suddenly became a widow after a happy and loving marriage of almost 58 years. She thought her world had ended and at the time, in many ways it had. Then she found a new beginning at a senior center just outside of Nashville. Today, Marilyn is known as the matriarch and co-founder of the FiftyForward Card Crusaders, a group of women who have found support in one another and a meaningful purpose while crafting the most beautiful works of art, detailed greeting cards made with the Iris paper folding method.
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Squeeze the Day Podcast: Edward Morris shares stories of his life as a writer and the compelling love story with his late wife Norma
Edward Morris is a prolific writer, author, poet, playwright, and renowned country music journalist. A longtime editor of “Billboard Nashville,” he also wrote for Country Music Television into his 80s until COVID caused significant layoffs. This music industry insider offers an intriguing look at his career as well as his unconventional love story and caregiving journey for his late wife Norma.
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