Tag: My South

I was born and raised around the foothills and mountains of North Carolina. My dad is a Methodist minister, and we moved a lot because he was constantly sent to a new church. But every summer we would go to Maggie Valley. Now my parents have a little house nearby, so I still have strong ties to the town. It’s a beautiful hidden gem in the Smoky Mountains right off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and it’s populated with quaint mom-and-pop stores.

The Emmy winner reflects on trips to the city and its many layers of history, from waterfront landmarks to a groundbreaking new museum.

I moved to LA about a year ago, and it’s the first time I’ve lived outside of Tennessee. My hometown of Memphis is so interesting. It's like a big city, and it has a legendary musical heritage, but the contemporary scene is small. Because it’s a B market, the kind of music coming to Memphis when I was growing up was country, rap acts, or the third run of a pop tour.

Now I visit Atlanta about three times a year because my partner, my brother, and a lot of my friends live there. I love the drag scene! It’s growing so much. I think that’s because the film industry is booming in Atlanta, so there are a lot of transplants from Los Angeles and New York City. But this is not Southern pageant drag: These drag queens are doing live music and stand-up comedy.

The best-selling author recounts a childhood visit to the quiet coastal retreat, where wild ponies and local seafood left a lasting mark.

The former cornerback reflects on memories of growing up in his hometown, known as the “Gateway to the Okefenokee Swamp.”

"Before I had worked a bunch in Georgia, I was filming for Table 19, which we shot at the Ritz-Carlton on Lake Oconee. At the time, I didn’t know there was much lake culture in Georgia, and I thought, this place is beautiful."

The country singer shares which parts of the Panhandle have his heart, as well as some of his favorite spots around Grayton Beach.

I had a great childhood in Tampa, but I think I really developed an appreciation for the city after I moved away. I just love the low-key, super-chill vibe of it all. It’s totally different from what you get in Miami Beach or Fort Lauderdale, let alone what I experience living in Los Angeles.

The actor, director, and author shares his favorite spots around the city, from Midtown to Virginia-Highland.