Evolving Folks Project

I’ve been in the South for eight and a half years. I left my hometown of Chicago for love and new career opportunities in the so-called Black Mecca known as Atlanta, Georgia. I can assure you it’s not the black mecca, especially if you’re black and poor or dared to protest the fascist Cop City. But I digress.

Over these last eight years, I’ve traveled extensively throughout many parts of the deep South. Outside of Texas and Florida the State of Georgia has THEE biggest Southern city, Atlanta. Coming from Chicago, I thought ATL was small, but I’m biased. It’s a vast metro area and the biggest city in the Southeast by far. I don’t care what the people in Charlotte (wannabe ATL) will tell you.

I have a love-hate relationship with ATL. I do think another state in the South is pretty rad. Even if, like most of the country, its politics is meh or at worse, entirely right-wing authoritarian. It’s the State of Tennessee. I don’t feel depressed or terrified driving through the state, unlike when I am driving through in Alabama, Mississippi, or the Georgia-Florida border. Plus, there are some fantastic places to check out in the Volunteer State. I’ll give you a quick tour of Tennessee.

Nashville, now, if you go to the tourist areas downtown during the summer. It’s basically a bunch of white folks from the Midwest living out their CMT fantasies. If you escape the tourist traps, you can grab some good-ass Nashville Hot Chicken. Or check out Loveless Cafe because it’s on fucking point. My wife and I spent our anniversary in Chattanooga, TN, back in February 2020. We had a good time in that small town and ate well. That’s before COVID fucked up everything.

I’ve been to Knoxville, TN, a couple of times and got some great food there too. Be sure to check out Jackie’s Dream restaurant. I hope she has cornbread on the menu nowadays. For my single fellows out there, Knoxville is a small town filled with gorgeous women with meat on their bones, if you know what I mean. Just look at the former WWE Women’s Champion Bianca Belair. Unfortunately, she’s off the market. She married a Chicagoan fellow wrestler and Marine Corps veteran, Montez Ford. Those Southern girls love that Chi swag, ain’t that right, Ms. Haynes. That’s as long as you don’t go full Kanye.

I went to the most hillbilly Pride celebration of all time in Knoxville during the summer of 2016. I had a gay old time. Pun intended. They know how to party in Knoxville. The mayor is a former pro-wrestler named Glen Jacobs, aka Kane (He’s the Undertaker’s pretend brother who was burned in a fire. Yup, they voted for that guy to be the mayor). He’s a Republican, but it’s Tennessee, so what do you expect. I won’t kick Southerners while they’re down because us Yankees are just as political conservative and batshit crazy as our Southern counterparts. Like my man Malcolm X said 60-plus years ago. “You’re South as long as you’re South of the Canadian border.”

Tennessee is also home to the Great Smoky Mountains and the most country ass attraction East of the Mississippi, Dollywood. Yup, Dolly “fucking’ Parton has a goddamn theme park resort in the mountains of Tennessee. And I ain’t talking about her well-known endowments. She’s a national treasure and one of the most famous people to come out of Tennessee. The Smoky Mountains are home to the world’s most diverse array of salamanders and fantastic mountain views. Nope, I ain’t talking about Dolly.

Finally, there’s thee actual music city in Tennessee, Memphis. Home of Sir Issac Hayes, Gangsta Boo, Koko Taylor, Aretha Franklin, and that asshole Elvis. They have a Bass Pro Shop that’s a goddamn pyramid. If you have ever watched the movie Hustle and Flow or a Three Six Mafia music video, that city ain’t changed. It’s country ratchet to the core and ain’t glamorous like ATL (Even if ATL is sugar over shit). Beale Street is a happening time and where you’ll find blackest karaoke of all time. Memphis also has the best BBQ in the United States. My wife and I gained 400lbs during a recent three-day weekend in Memphis.

Tennessee is one of my favorite states in the United States of America. It has good nature, good food, and is home to some iconic celebrities ever. So if you want a good time and some good ass food, Tennessee is the place for you.

Check out some of my Tennessee adventures and pics:

It’s a pretty place and some great views.