Genuinely Southern

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Whether through writing, broadcasting, or word-of-mouth, stories have always forged a connection between people and places. Nowhere else is this truer than in The South. Southern artist, influencer, speaker, and author Mark Ballard will weave stories of life in Macon, Georgia, and stories of the South. Tales told as only Mark can, will be interwoven with guest interviews and listener questions, and requests.

Oct 28

Genuinely Southern, Ep.#8: Hootie Tootie & the Helper Bee

What happens when a Southern artist walks into a fancy Atlanta shop and encounters a saleswoman who thinks she knows everything? Well, honey, she clearly hasn't met Mark Ballard. In this episode of Genuinely Southern, Mark shares a hilarious encounter involving an upscale boutique, a rather condescending saleswoman and his extraordinary collection of Christopher Radko Christmas ornaments. But the story takes a heartwarming turn as Mark remembers Dorothy, a devoted fan who became a cherished friend through his television show's Helper Bee contest. From a surprise hospital visit to a generous gift of Christmas ornaments, Mark reflects on the friendships that enrich our lives and the difference between material possessions and genuine kindness. It's a story filled with Southern sass, Christmas memories, unexpected generosity, and a reminder that the most precious gifts aren't found in stores. In This Episode: A visit to an upscale Atlanta boutique and a rather unforgettable saleswoman named PhoebeMark's love of fine porcelain, collectibles, and Christopher Radko Christmas ornamentsThe Ballards' 40-plus years of collecting hundreds of Christmas ornamentsMark's television career and his popular segment, The ArtistThe Helper Bee contest and a very determined fan with lime-green postcardsDorothy's unforgettable appearance on live televisionA surprise hospital visit and an enduring friendshipCommunity fundraising, handmade quilts and the power of giving backA stranger's generous gift of more than 30 Christmas ornamentsThe difference between expensive possessions and priceless memoriesChapters00:00 Welcome to Genuinely Southern00:45 A Hootie Tootie Shopping Experience 05:34 Mark's Christmas Ornament Collection 08:15 The Helper Bee Contest & Dorothy's Story 12:32 A Friendship Beyond Television 15:28 An Unexpected Gift of Generosity 17:11 Remembering Dorothy 18:05 The Things Money Can't Buy This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving
Oct 14

Genuinely Southern, Ep.#7: The P***y Willow Princess

What do chocolate-covered doughnuts, flying English peas, a rainbow-colored piano, and a Pennsylvania p***y willow farm have in common? Mark Ballard's family, naturally. In this episode, Mark revisits childhood visits to his relatives in Dublin, Georgia, where two very different approaches to raising children made for unforgettable family memories. Years later, a cousin's wedding celebration introduces Mark to an unexpected family business, a self-proclaimed P***y Willow Princess and a coffin-sized delivery that lands on his front porch. It's a hilarious Southern family tale about colorful relatives, unexpected discoveries and why you never know what you'll learn over a piece of wedding cake. In This Episode: Growing up among the Ballards of Dublin, GeorgiaChocolate-covered doughnuts from Williamson's BakeryTwo very different philosophies of parentingAunt Erbilene's unexpected name change to BettyFlying English peas and a rainbow-colored pianoA wedding reception with spectacular flowers and homemade cakeThe unforgettable discovery of a p***y willow farmA coffin-sized package from PennsylvaniaWhy Mark regrets throwing away hundreds of dollars in floral decorationsChapters00:00 Welcome to Genuinely Southern00:45 Meet the Dublin Ballards01:34 Williamson's Famous Chocolate Doughnuts02:38 Two Very Different Families03:38 Mama's Rules & the Gum Incident05:28 Aunt Erbilene Becomes Aunt Betty06:36 Flying English Peas07:31 The Rainbow Piano Disaster09:34 Robbie Becomes Rob10:09 A Ballard Wedding Celebration12:48 The Search for Homemade Wedding Cake14:45 The P***y Willow Revelation15:56 Meet the P***y Willow Princess16:37 A Very Large Delivery from Pennsylvania18:01 The P***y Willows That Got Away19:44 Lessons from a Colorful Southern Family20:15 Closing Thoughts & Listener Questions This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving
Episode 7 · Video

Genuinely Southern: Where Stories, Style & the South Collide - Mid-Season

Six episodes down, and Mark Ballard is just getting warmed up! From unforgettable Southern traditions and colorful characters to family memories, unexpected adventures, and more than a few laugh-out-loud moments, Genuinely Southern is serving up stories the way only Mark can tell them. And honey, there's plenty more where those came from! Before the season continues, pull up a chair and catch up on the first six episodes of Genuinely Southern—where stories, style, and the South collide. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or at StreamTheCreek.com.
Sep 23

Genuinely Southern, Ep.#6: Funeral Foods

In the South, when somebody dies, you don't just send condolences—you send food. Mark Ballard looks back at the wonderfully Southern tradition of funeral food, when church ladies descended on a grieving household armed with fried chicken, casseroles, homemade cakes and serving dishes carefully labeled with masking tape. From the feast surrounding his mother's funeral to the decidedly different reception when his father died, Mark shares some of his funniest memories of food and bereavement. Then a funeral in Soperton introduces him to a towering pink coconut cake—and a recipe good enough to end up in one of his cookbooks. It's a story about food, family, changing traditions and the recipes that keep our memories alive. In This Episode: The Southern tradition of funeral food Why everything used to be made from scratch Church ladies, Tupperware and masking-tape name tags Why Mark expects flowers—and plenty of them A grandmother who fried chicken "just in case" What happened when Mark asked, "Where are the cakes?" Discovering Willie Mae's unforgettable pink Cherry Crumb Cake Southern etiquette when someone asks for your recipe How food and recipes preserve memories as traditions change Chapters00:00 Welcome to Genuinely Southern00:45 The Southern Tradition of Funeral Food01:40 From Scratch or Store-Bought?02:43 Tupperware, Masking Tape & Southern Manners03:53 Funeral Food for Mark's Mother05:03 Church Ladies Take Over the House06:10 Fried Chicken—Just in Case08:17 Cake Gets You Through Grief09:13 “Where Are the Cakes?”10:03 Funeral Food in the Country11:31 The Mysterious Pink Cake12:55 Willie Mae's Cherry Crumb Cake14:06 The Rules of Sharing Recipes15:07 From Funeral Table to Mark's Cookbook16:15 “Laying a Corpse” & Other Southern Expressions23:55 Traditions Change, Memories Remain This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving
Sep 9

Genuinely Southern, Ep.#5: Becoming "The Artist"

Before the books, television, radio and decorating, Mark Ballard was a South Macon kid who drew on anything he could find. In this episode of Genuinely Southern, Mark tells the story of becoming “The Artist.” It begins with a third-grade teacher who recognized his talent and a mother determined to find a way to pay for art lessons. Enter Hauser Smith—a demanding, classically trained teacher who taught young Mark charcoal, oils and, most importantly, discipline. Those lessons eventually carried him from Macon to the Atlanta College of Art and back home again. Along the way: nude models, a life-changing family crisis, Macon’s early Cherry Blossom Festival and the persistence required to turn talent into a career. It’s the story of the people, places and unexpected moments that helped a little boy who loved to draw become “The Artist.” In this episode: The third-grade teacher who first recognized Mark’s artistic talent How his mother found a way to make private art lessons possible Meeting Hauser Smith—and learning discipline the hard way Why eight-year-old Mark’s pine cone made the adult students jealous Leaving Macon for the Atlanta College of Art A family crisis that brought Mark back home Finding his place in Macon’s emerging art scene How the Cherry Blossom Festival helped open an unexpected door Why persistence and discipline mattered just as much as talent in becoming “The Artist”Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Genuinely Southern02:15 The Teacher Who Saw Something04:23 Meet Hauser Smith05:14 The Eight-Year-Old & the Pine Cone06:51 Learning Discipline09:31 Off to Art School10:49 Mark Meets the Atlanta Art World12:22 A Life-Changing Phone Call14:50 Coming Home to Macon15:43 Cherry Blossoms & Opportunity18:11 A Painting Opens a Door19:30 Persistence Pays Off21:19 When Fate Clicks In24:10 Becoming “The Artist” This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving
Aug 26 · Video

Genuinely Southern, Ep.#4: How I Met My Wife… When I Was Two

How exactly do you explain a love story that begins with a toddler in a diaper, takes a detour through church musicals, the Georgia State Fair and Atlanta disco, and ends with a wedding in one of Macon’s grandest historic homes? Mark Ballard welcomes a particularly special guest to Genuinely Southern: his wife, Deborah. Together, they finally answer one of the questions they’re asked most often—“How did y’all meet?” The answer requires going way back. It's funny. It's tender. It's occasionally outrageous. In other words, it's Genuinely Southern. In this episode: The first time Mark and Deborah met—and Mark's questionable wardrobeGrowing up together in MaconChurch productions, sweetheart banquets and hauling a trunk full of sandMemories of Macon's old Georgia State FairDeborah's prophetic comment about MarkLove and loss at ChristmasCaviar, disco and a night at Atlanta's LimelightWhy Mark's professors noticed Deborah before Mark didDeciding to get married on the drive from Athens to MaconBecoming one of the first couples married at the historic Hay HouseAnd the final verdict on whether Deborah really is a “cougar”Chapters00:00 Welcome to Genuinely Southern00:54 Meet Deborah Ballard: “How Did Y’all Meet?”01:19 It All Started When Mark Was Two04:09 Church Kids, Sweetheart Banquets & a Truckload of Sand06:25 Growing Up at the Georgia State Fair09:40 The “Big One” & Their Church Variety Show Years11:32 Mark Attended Deborah’s First Wedding13:04 A Baby, Thanksgiving & Some Serious Foreshadowing15:01 A Christmas That Changed Everything17:52 Art School, Macon & a Friendship Grows Closer18:30 Caviar and a Night at the Limelight20:32 Mark Goes to “Sodom and Gomorrah”21:48 When Mark’s Art Professors Noticed Deborah23:12 “You Wanna Get Married?”24:15 A Cougar, a Gigolo & Some Concerned Families24:35 Getting Married at Macon’s Hay House27:32 Wedding Vows & 44 Years Later28:24 Would They Do It All Again?28:59 Closing: More Southern Stories to Come This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving
Aug 12

Genuinely Southern, Ep.#3: Dogs in the South

Mark Ballard shares stories about his dogs and the deep bond they share, illustrating how pets are cherished family members in the South. This episode explores the joys, challenges, and unforgettable moments of pet ownership. Key TopicsPets are considered family members in the South, often with deep emotional bonds.Memorable stories highlight the importance of rescue and caring for animals.The emotional impact of losing a pet is profound and often commemorated in unique ways.Pets provide comfort and companionship, especially during times of grief or recovery.Community and family play a vital role in pet care and remembrance. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Southern pet culture and Mark's stories01:55 The story of Babette and her special bond with Mark's family03:51 Babette's death and the humorous yet heartfelt trip to the mountains06:09 The arrival of Jean Pierre and the importance of grooming routines07:58 Rescue dog Georgie and the decision to adopt a rescue pet09:47 Georgie's adventures, training, and eventual passing14:00 The return of Bandit and the special place he holds in the family18:04 Bandit's personality, adventures, and the bond with Libby20:10 Reflections on pets as family and closing thoughts This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving
Jul 29

Genuinely Southern, Ep.#2: Growing Up Southern

Mark Ballard shares heartfelt stories from his childhood in Macon, Georgia, illustrating the rich culture, family values, and personal growth that shaped his life and work. Key TopicsSouthern childhood memoriesFamily and community in the SouthCreative pursuits inspired by upbringingLessons learned from family and churchHumorous and heartfelt childhood stories Chapters00:00 Introduction to Mark Ballard and the Genuinely Southern Podcast00:28 Growing up in Macon, Georgia, during the holidays01:23 Childhood birthday stories and family traditions02:15 Early influences: family, church, and community04:06 Learning to cook and garden with Granny05:58 The love of hot peppers and gardening07:20 Childhood creativity: plays, backdrops, and school projects11:02 The Cub Scout adventure and dog bite incident12:23 Mother’s quick thinking and the dog search15:40 Deciding to leave Cub Scouts and parental support16:04 Early artistic talents and school achievements17:26 Winning the Sitting Bull contest and first newspaper photo19:21 Christmas traditions and creative decorations21:36 Full circle moments: creating for Foresters22:33 Lessons on perfectionism and childhood memories23:52 Mother’s influence and childhood adventures24:49 Mother’s legacy of imagination and reaching for the stars25:44 Closing remarks and gratitude This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving
Jul 15 · Video

Genuinely Southern, Ep.#1: The South's Sound, Chuck Leavell on Music and Land

In this episode, Mark Ballard interviews Chuck Leavell, a renowned musician with a rich history in the music industry and a deep connection to the South. They discuss Chuck's early musical influences, career milestones, and his passion for preserving natural lands and community heritage. Key TopicsChuck Leavell's early musical influences and learning to play pianoThe impact of Ray Charles on Chuck's career decisionChuck's experience with Capricorn Records and the Southern music sceneHis involvement with the Rolling Stones and other legendary artistsThe revival of Capricorn Studios and its significance to MaconChuck's passion for land conservation and outdoor activitiesBalancing a music career with environmental advocacyThe importance of community and family in his life TakeawaysPassion and focus are essential to turning a hobby into a career.Diverse musical influences enrich an artist's versatility.Reviving historic music studios preserves cultural legacy.Balancing artistic pursuits with environmental stewardship enhances life.Community and family roots provide strength and inspiration. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Chuck Leavell and his Southern roots01:56 Chuck's early musical influences and learning piano03:53 The moment Chuck decided to pursue music as a career05:59 Experience with Ray Charles and its impact08:58 Joining Capricorn Records and the Southern music scene12:09 Meeting the Allman Brothers and the Macon music community14:56 Chuck's involvement with the Rolling Stones17:58 Revival of Capricorn Studios and its cultural significance21:55 Balancing a music career with land conservation and outdoor life26:12 Family, land, and community in Twiggs County30:03 Chuck's ongoing musical performances and projects32:59 Closing thoughts and appreciation for community ResourcesCapricorn Studios - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capricorn_RecordsChuck Leavell - The Tree Man Documentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=example This episode is brought to you in partnership with Carlyle Place at Home - Inclusive, Interactive Retirement Living Without Moving
Episode 1 · Video

Genuinely Southern: Where Stories, Style & the South Collide

Whether through writing, broadcasting, or word-of-mouth, stories have always forged a connection between people and places. Nowhere else is this truer than in The South. Southern artist, influencer, speaker, and author Mark Ballard will weave stories of life in Macon, Georgia, and stories of the South. Tales told as only Mark can, will be interwoven with guest interviews and listener questions, and requests.

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Have you ever been curious behind the mic at The Creek radio over the last 10 years?! We are about to spill it all. No FCC rules apply! No stories are safe... this is as candid as it gets. NO DAMS given. Designed for true fans of the station and supporters that we'd like to offer something special to.

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Whether through writing, broadcasting, or word-of-mouth, stories have always forged a connection between people and places. Nowhere else is this truer than in The South. Southern artist, influencer, speaker, and author Mark Ballard will weave stories of life in Macon, Georgia, and stories of the South. Tales told as only Mark can, will be interwoven with guest interviews and listener questions, and requests.