Between the Levees WhereY'atStudios LLC

Captain Bert Suarez joins me on the show to discuss a busy and capable career that began in childhood riding steamboats in New Orleans in 1969. His life steered its way onto passenger vessels where his career began, and eventually, onto towboats. He had the honor recently to pilot the M/V AMERICAN QUEEN to her present dockage where she awaits an uncertain fate. We discuss the AQ in depth and chat about her future, and he shares stories about his 55 years on the river.

Author Boyce Upholt joins me on the show along with Retired Captain David Greer to discuss his upcoming book, "The Great River," due to release June 11, 2024. We address his introduction to the world between the levees paddling a canoe downriver, his time researching centuries of information to put this book together, and we hear in detail the trials and tribulations set forth by the engineering feats that maintain the Mighty Mississippi as a carrier of commerce to the rest of the world.

To order your copy of "The Great River," check out...
https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393867879

Aboard the M/V DARIN M. ADRIAN on the Lower, Captain David "Webbie" Webster, high Captain of the M/V DAVID L FIELDS with Marquette, joins me to discuss his 40-year career. From getting his start in the Port of Cincinnati to training the next generation in the wheelhouse, Captain "Webbie" has, indeed, been everywhere.

Check him out on YouTube  @Davwbs 
And look for him on Facebook with #whereiswebbie

Joining me from a shipyard on the Tennessee River, Chief Bill Shackelford talks through his 45 years out there on the water. From the National River Academy in Arkansas to the deck in St. Louis to the engine rooms of various vessels all across the industry, Chief Bill currently calls the M/V DANNY ETHERIDGE home for half the year.

Allison joins me again on the show to talk through the not-so-surprising numbers on my YouTube Channel since publishing our first visit, and she also addresses some of the feedback received thus far on Facebook in response to her episode.

Finally joining me on the podcast, Mrs. Allison Baley chronicles her journey through life and her exposure growing up to the water and the industries it supports. She later attended SUNY Maritime College and made her way into the industry first on passenger vessels that traveled throughout the inland rivers, the storied AMERICAN QUEEN among them, and more recently into the barging world aboard, primarily, the CRIMSON GEM at ARTCO.

Follow her on Facebook and connect on LinkedIn to follow her adventures out there between the levees.