Ep. 7: Songs from Queer Country

Headlights: Voices from The Progressive South

SYNOPSIS: Bruce Springsteen once sang that "a king ain't satisfied until he rules everything," and Republican officials in one-party-rule states across the South are doing their best to prove the point. This week, we look at three examples of conservative attacks on the remaining pockets of liberalism in their states: Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn is calling for federal investigation of Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell; in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis is populating the ranks of state university presidents almost entirely with ideological politicos, most of whom lack academic credentials; and in Mississippi, the city of Jackson is continuing a nearly decade-long fight with state Republican leaders over control of its own airport. Fittingly for Pride month, our interview this week is with indie country standout Adeem the Artist, a non-binary singer-songwriter who is part of a wave of "Queer Country" artists making space for diverse voices in the traditionally conservative genre. We talk about their North Carolina childhood and their growing awareness of their own gender identity and the complexities of their Southern heritage. It's good stuff — and too much to fit all in one episode! So we'll be posting a longer edit of the interview later in the week. Finally, in our arts and culture corner we check in on a celebration in Texas this week of a homegrown pulp fiction legend — Robert E. Howard, creator of Conan the Barbarian.

SHOW NOTES: "Sen. Blackburn calls for DOJ to investigate Mayor O'Connell following ICE operations in Nashville" WSMV, Nashville "How Many DeSantis Allies Lead Florida Universities and Colleges?" USA Today

"Jackson's Fight for Control of Its Airport Continues After Judge's Ruling" Mississippi Free Press

Adeem the Artist

Robert E. Howard Days

CONTACT: Jesse Mayshark [email protected] [phone]