Herman E. Talmadge speaking at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Symposium on History and Government. Talmadge served as governor of Georgia from 1947 to 1955 and as United States Senator from 1957 to 1981. Topics include Talmadge’s retirement…
LaTasha Sheats was born and raised in Athens in 1979. She attended Clarke Central High School and Albany State University for two years, eventually receiving an accounting degree at Athens Technical College. In this interview, Sheats discusses her…
Interview with physician and Lt. Colonel Robert Zurek of the U.S. Army and the Walter Reed Army Hospital. Topics include cancer treatment; Russell's health and death.
Abit Massey was born on November 14, 1927, in Hall County, Georgia. Abit Massey is a past Chairman of the Board of the American Society of Association Executives and the Center for Association Leadership and past President of the Georgia Society of…
Jan Levinson interviews Adam Hebbard about early life, growing up in various locations throughout the Southeast and in Australia. Topics include Hebbard's parents' backgrounds, family vacations, holidays, and Hebbard's relationship with his siblings.…
Adela Rosales se nació en México y se mudó a Athens, Georgia en 2000 con su esposo. Ella habla sobre el cambio, criando sus hijos, e encontrando acceso a recursos y apoyo a través de organizaciones comunitarios como Athens Latino Center for Education…
Content Warning: This interview includes references to mental distress and suicide.Adrya Stembridge was born in 1970 and grew up in Athens. In this interview, she discusses the fraught process of discovering her transgender identity and the…
Ahrmard Stovall, who goes by the name I Am God’s Child, was born in Athens in 1981 and grew up on the East Side. In this interview he discusses his early life, personal influences, and his introduction to the Church. He explains his early interest in…
Aída Quiñones nació en Puerto Rico, pero se trasladó a la Universidad de Georgia para estudiar. Ella trabajó por un año como maestra de educacción especial, después de que trabajó con la comunidad hispana en várias papeles en escuelas y…
Albert J. (Al) Scott was born and raised in rural Effingham County before moving to Savannah when he was five years old. He graduated from Savannah’s historic Alfred E. Beach High School and Armstrong State University (now part of Georgia Southern…
Interview with Alan Cranston, U.S. Senator (D-California). Topics include anecdotes of Senator Russell; Douglas MacArthur; Russell's personality and influence on Senate; Senate Appropriations committee; U. S. Senate committee assignments; Senate…
Alan Flurry grew up in Savannah, Georgia. In high school, he moved to Athens, Georgia and has played as the drummer for many Athens bands since, including Mr. Right Now, SNAIL, and for the David Marr Album. In addition to drumming, Flurry is a writer…
Interview with Alan Harvey Bible, U.S. Senator (D-Nevada). Topics include anecdotes of Senator Russell; Presidents Election (1952); Political parties; Senate Appropriations Committee; State Rights.
Alec Poitevint grew up in Bainbridge, Georgia in Decatur County and attended the University of Georgia in the mid-to-late 1960s. Poitevint became chairman of the Decatur County Republican Party in 1975 and was later selected as Vice Chairman of the…
Alicia Nickles works as the publisher and advertising director for Flagpole Magazine and serves on the executive committee for AthFest Educates. In this interview, Nickels talks about AthFest Educates, the management and creation of AthFest, and the…
Alina Garcia Ravelo was born in Cuba and attended the University of Havana, graduating with a degree in industrial engineering. She eventually moved to the U.S. and currently lives in Bainbridge, Georgia, where she works at Georgia Industries for the…
Allene Haugabook was born in Plains, Georgia in 1929. Her mother was a piano instructor and served as one of her earliest musical inspirations. In this interview, Haugabook talks about music in her family, growing up and living in Plains, and her…
Alonso Haro creció en Zacatecas, México, después de que regresó para los Estados Unidos en 1992, donde eventualmente se estableció en Athens, Georgia. Haro trabajó en el restaurante de su padre, La Taqueria La Parrilla, donde actualmente es uno de…
Alvin Sheats was born in Waynesville, North Carolina in 1958. After living in Atlanta for several years, he and his family moved to Athens, in time for him to start the 8th grade. Today, Sheats continues to live in Athens, where he serves as the…
Amanda Dodd is a music specialist at Lovin Elementary School in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Dodd discusses the demographics of the school, her path to teaching, challenging moments, and the rewards of teaching. She also recalls her funniest moments and…
Interview with Lt. Colonel Andrew Ognibene (M.D.) of the Walter Reed Army Hospital. Topics include Senator Russell's health and treatment; Walter Reed Army Hospital.
Andrew Rieger talks about becoming a music fan at a young age, his first band, and starting the band Elf Power when he moved to Athens, Georgia for school. He talks about choosing to do home versus in-studio recordings, collaborating briefly with…
Andrew Young is a politician, businessman, and activist. Over his career, he has worked as a pastor, was involved in the Civil Rights Movement, served as a U.S. Representative and UN Ambassador, and as mayor of Atlanta. In this interview, he…
A former member of Congress, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and two-term Mayor of Atlanta, Andrew Young began his political career as a minister and civil rights activist. Young discusses his upbringing in New Orleans, education, early career…
Angela Baddock is an orchestra director at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia. Baddock discusses her path to teaching music and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She also talks about making connections with students and other teachers.
Angela Jackson was born in Athens in 1960 and attended several schools around the county growing up. Many of Jackson’s family were educators, and so education became an important part of her life. In this interview, Jackson discusses her experience…
Angela McKee is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at Kennesaw State University. In this interview, McKee discusses teaching elementary music classes in Rome, Georgia and Cartersville, Georgia. She also discusses student teaching and being a…
Anna Trotman was born in Montgomery, Alabama and experienced numerous health problems as a child that caused her to become visually impaired. In this interview, Trotman talks about her education and career as a braille instructor at various…
Anne Brightwell grew up in the small town of Union, Missouri, outside of St. Louis. She graduated from Lindenwood College, and was involved in social activism relating to race and integration alongside her husband Frank. After moving to Athens,…
Interview with Anne Campbell Prichard, receptionist in Russell's office. Topics include Lyndon B. Johnson; George M. Patton; Robert Russell; U.S. Senate election (1966).
Annie Mildred Sims Lyle was born in Athens, Georgia in 1944 and was raised in the Eastside. In this interview, she talks about her experience of earning an education amidst many obstacles. She describes how she was treated as a result of her becoming…
Anoa Green is Director of Wind Studies at the Baltimore School for the Arts in the Baltimore, Maryland City School District.This interview was recorded remotely.
Charles Campbell interviews Anthony Alaimo about his experiences as a prisoner of war in Germany during World War II, his time as an attorney in Atlanta, and his tenure as a judge in the U.S. District Court (Southern District of Georgia). Judge…
Anthony Hill was born in Athens in 1982 and was raised on East Broad Street. His career as a hip-hop artist began in 1994 when he wrote his first rap. Since then he has been writing, rapping, performing, and producing under the name P.O. The…
Antonio Ramirez vivió en Mexico D.F. hasta que se mudó a Athens, Georgia en 1995. Después de trabajar en la construcción, él y su esposa abrieron un restaurante familiar, llamado Tlaloc El Mexicano, en 2007. En esta entrevista, Ramirez habla sobre el…
Antoon Speters was born in the Netherlands and raised in Salt Lake City. He started playing music and singing at a young age with friends. During his time in Utah he played and toured the western US and Canada with multiple groups before moving to…
April Chapman moved to Athens in 1965 as a student at the University of Georgia. During the 1980s, Chapman was involved in the art scene and interacted with the members of bands such as R.E.M, the B-52’s, and Pylon. In this interview, Chapman talks…
April King and Jake Mosley discuss their relationship, from meeting at a Drive-By Truckers show at the 40 Watt Club to their upcoming nuptials in South Carolina. This interview is part of the Georgia Narratives series.
Archibald Killian was born in Athens, GA in 1933. He studied at the Burdett School of Business in Boston, and served as a police officer overseas in the U.S. Air Force. In this interview, Killian discusses the process of desegregation of the…
Ariel Robins is a music specialist at Findley Oaks Elementary School in Johns Creek, Georgia. Robins discusses the demographics of the school, her path to teaching, and the difference between teaching in elementary and high school. She also talks…
Armand Peterson was a middle school music teacher at Bladensburgh High School in Prince George, Maryland for 5 years. He is now an assistant middle school principal in Prince George, MD.This interview was recorded remotely.
Arthur (Skin) Edge IV is a former state senator representing the 28th senatorial district of Coweta, Pike, and Spalding counties. In 1993, Edge was appointed as chairman of the Senate Special Judiciary Committee as a Republican in a Democratic…
Arthur Cooper was a professor at North Carolina State University (NCSU) and was the president of the Ecological Society of America from 1980-1981. He was also the deputy director of the Department of Conservation and Development in North Carolina. In…
Arthur Hinton, Jr. was born in 1957 and grew up in Aliceville, Alabama. He went through the school system there, starting at a small country school run by his family and graduating from Aliceville High School following integration. He continued his…
Arthur Johnson arrived in Athens in 1982 to attend the University of Georgia. While in Athens, Johnson attended many concerts from bands including Pylon, R.E.M, and the Kilkenny Cats. Johnson later formed the band Bar-B-Que Killers with Laura Carter,…
Arthur Johnson attended the University of Georgia and played drums in numerous bands including the Bar-B-Q Killers and Come. He appeared with the Bar-B-Q Killers in the 1987 music documentary, “Athens, GA: Inside/Out”. In this interview, he talks…
Arthur Sims, Sr. moved from rural Georgia to Athens with his family when he was young and attended segregated Athens High and Industrial School. In this interview he talks about his teenage years participating in Civil Rights movements and jobs he…
Ashley Drake is a guitar teacher at Duluth Middle School in Duluth, Georgia. Drake discusses the demographics of the school, her path to becoming a guitar teacher, and the challenges and rewards to teaching. She also talks about influences and…
Ashley Whelchel is a chorus, band, and musical theater teacher at North Hall High School in Gainesville, Georgia. Dr. Whelchel discusses her path to teaching, the demographics of the school, and the rewards and challenges of teaching.
Content Warning: This interview includes references to sexual assault. Asia Thomas was born in Athens, Georgia. She is a former candidate in the Athens- Clarke County Commissioner race and has played an active role in the Athens community through her…
Aubrey R. Morris was born in 1922 in Roswell, Georgia, and grew up writing for the local newspaper. In this interview, Morris discusses his long journalism career, including his days as a journalism student at the University of Georgia, his work at…
Audrey Murphy is a band director at Hopewell Middle School in Milton, Georgia. Murphy discusses her path to teaching music, the requirements, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She also talks about proud moments and the importance of…
Aurelia Scott was born and raised in Linden, New Jersey before moving to Athens, Georgia. Scott has devoted her life to being an educator and an active member of her community. In this interview, Scott discusses her childhood in New Jersey, her…
Ballard Lesemann was born in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina. He played drums from an early age, and he joined his first band when he was thirteen. Lesemann moved to Athens, Georgia to attend college at the University of Georgia; however, he left…
Content Warning: This interview contains racial slurs.Barbara Barnett was born in Athens, Georgia in 1950. Barnett is an active member of the Athens community who has dedicated her life to working with youth. In this interview she remembers her early…
Barbara Barnett is an active member of the community who has dedicated her life to working with the youth. Barnett has served as a Program Director of Rites of Passage, an organization focused on empowering Black youth through Black history…
Barbara McRae was born the oldest of six and grew up in a variety of places around the Southeast including Clarks Hill, SC and Augusta, GA. In this interview she discusses her education, meeting her husband and helping him start McRae Family Dental…
Barbara Sheats was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. She attended Timothy Road Elementary, Clarke Middle School, Clarke Central High School, and Athens Academy before completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia. In this…
Interview with Barboura Raesly, personal secretary to Senator Russell. Topics include agriculture; Civil rights; Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962; Douglas MacArthur; Military bases; New Deal, 1933-1939; Presidential election (1952); Franklin D. Roosevelt;…
Barnard Sims was born in Barrow County to a family of four. Once he started school, he realized that Black people were systematically treated differently than white people and felt that he lacked understanding of Black history. In this interview,…
Barry Marler came to Athens in 1983 from South Carolina. Shortly upon his arrival, Marler joined Buzz of Delight with Matthew Sweet and David Pierce. After leaving the band, Marler played in Dreams So Real, a band which gained national recognition.…
Ben Blackburn was elected as a Republican to the US Congress from Georgia's fourth district and served from 1967 to 1975. While in Congress, Blackburn served on several committees, including Banking and Currency, the Housing Subcommittee, the Joint…
Ben Slade was born in Savannah, Georgia, and lived in several coastal towns during his childhood. He graduated from North Fulton High School in Atlanta and Vanderbilt University. He returned to St. Simons in 1961 and began a 36 year career at First…
Ben Spraker was born in Atlanta, and moved to Athens in 1990 to attend the University of Georgia. Spraker has played as the guitarist and songwriter for many bands including Ancient Odis, The Arcs, NSM, and Don Condescending. In this interview,…
Benita Gladney is a music teacher in Chicago, Illinois. Gladney describes her path to teaching, her early experiences, and the rewards and challenges of teaching. She describes proud moments, her teaching style, and experience in mentorship.
Interview with Benjamin E. Jordan, U.S. Senator (D-North Carolina). Topics include agriculture; Filibusters; Presidential election (1952); U.S. Foreign relations
Benjamin Edwards, who performs under the name Big Body, talks about his childhood in the West Athens neighborhood of Newtown, his early hip hop influences, and starting to record music in college. He talks about dropping out of school, going to…
Bennie Gantt was born in Comer, Georgia in 1937. His parents were sharecroppers for most of his life, but they also ran a small restaurant in Comer in the late 1940s. Gantt attended the Comer Colored School through 11th grade. Madison County built…
Bennie Lee Coleman III was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. He grew up with a single mother, his aunt and his grandmother in a little house on Oconee Street. In this interview Coleman shares how his values were shaped by listening to the advice…
Bennie McKinley was born in Athens, Georgia in 1945 and grew up in segregated neighborhoods in Athens. She attended Reese Street School and Athens High and Industrial School. In this interview, she discusses her early experiences with segregation,…
Bennie Roberson was born in Athens in 1947 where he attended Union Baptist Institute and, upon its completion, Lyons Middle School. In this interview, he recalls historically significant areas such as The Bottom, East Athens, and Hot Corner and…
Bennie Tillman discusses his early life, family, education, and career. He recalls working for contractor J.W. Davis, Snelling Dining Commons, and for St. Mary’s Hospital as a cook. Tillman reflects on living in Rocksprings, raising and keeping…
Bernard Anderson aka Pharaoh Gottie grew up in Athens. He became involved with hip hop at a young age, and he helped manage various artists. Anderson has owned numerous businesses in Athens including a record store, beauty store, and restaurant. In…
Bert Lance was Georgia’s highway director during Jimmy Carter’s term as governor. He ran an unsuccessful campaign to succeed Carter as governor in 1974. In 1976, Lance began his term as president of the National Bank of Georgia and became director of…
Bessie Little Hinton was born in Aliceville, Alabama in 1956 into a large family. She went through the Aliceville education system, participated in Upward Bound at Stillman College, and after graduation from Aliceville High School, pursued a degree…
Betty Brown-Williamson was born in Dublin, Georgia in 1942 and graduated from Stillman college in 1964. She is a charter member of the Delta Sigma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Stillman and the Eta Xi chapter at the University of Georgia.…
Betty Bird Foy Sanders met Carl Sanders at the University of Georgia, and they married in 1947. When he entered politics, Betty campaigned with him, and they moved to Atlanta when Carl was elected governor in 1962. Sanders discusses raising two…
Elizabeth “Betty” Vandiver and Jane Kidd are the wife and daughter, respectively, of the late Ernest Vandiver, governor of Georgia from 1959 to 1963. In this interview they recall memories of the former governor, focusing on topics such as the…
Betty Vandiver helped her husband Ernest Vandiver run a successful campaign for lieutenant governor in 1954 and in 1958, when Ernest Vandiver was elected governor of Georgia. As first lady, Betty Vandiver was instrumental in setting up…
Betty Vandiver helped her husband Ernest Vandiver run a successful campaign for lieutenant governor in 1954 and in 1958, when Ernest Vandiver was elected governor of Georgia. As first lady, Betty Vandiver was instrumental in setting up…
Betty Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Vandiver is the wife of Ernest Vandiver and served as First Lady of Georgia from 1959 to 1963. Topics in this interview include Betty Vandiver's parents and siblings, being in the Russell family,…
Betty Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Vandiver is the wife of Ernest Vandiver and served as First Lady of Georgia from 1959 to 1963. Topics in this interview include Ernest Vandiver's “No, not one” speech, Senator Russell's support for…
Betty Vandiver interviewed by Hal Henderson. Vandiver is the wife of Ernest Vandiver and served as First Lady of Georgia from 1959 to 1963. Topics in this interview include the Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, desegregation, Gov. Vandiver’s…
Anderson recalls growing up in Decatur and his early interest in sports journalism, which he initially pursued at UGA. He discusses his shifting interest toward broadcast journalism, his work as a DJ in Athens and Commerce, and his move to Nashville…
Bill Bowen lives in Watkinsville, Georgia in Oconee County. He lives with his wife Eva Bowen and is the father of his only son, Billy Bowen, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s during the fifth grade. Bill works as a video editor for CNN. Bowen…
Interview with William "Bill" Horace Darden, Judge, U.S. Court of Military Appeals, 1968-1974. Topics include anecdotes of Senator Russell; Madame Chiang Kai-shek; Cuban Missile Crisis; Georgia Governor's Election (1930); Gulf of Tonkin; Lyndon…
Bill David grew up in Comer, Georgia during the 1960-70’s and as a child he played the guitar and occasionally visited Athens, Georgia. Eventually, David came to live in Athens where he performed with the Squalls as the band’s guitarist. David has…
Bill Hardman discusses his career as the director of tourism for the state of Georgia from 1959 to the early 1970s, including his office's attempts to improve Georgia's reputation among out-of-state travelers and to lure vacationers headed to Florida…
William H. Jordan, Jr., served as executive secretary on the staff of Senator Richard B. Russell, Jr. from 1955 to 1968. In April 1968, he resigned to work for the Senate Appropriations Committee and was a member of the committee staff until circa…
William J. “Bill” Lee was elected as a Democrat to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1956. He continued to serve for forty-two years, making his the longest uninterrupted tenure in the house by any representative until tying with Tom Murphy in…
Nigut discusses his early life in Chicago and his entrance to political journalism through covering Chicago politics. He then talks about moving to Atlanta to work as a reporter for WSB-TV and the bonds he formed with political figures throughout his…
William “Bill” Shipp worked as a journalist in Georgia for fifty years. In this interview at his home in Acworth, Georgia, Shipp discusses the range of modern Georgia politics, with a particular emphasis on Georgia governors since 1946. Topics…
William “Bill” Shipp worked as a journalist in Georgia for fifty years. Shipp began his career as managing editor of the University of Georgia’s Red and Black newspaper. In 1956 Shipp began to write for the Atlanta Constitution, covering topics such…
Senator Bill Stephens, a Republican from Canton, was elected to the State Senate in 1998 to represent the 51st Senate District. He discusses his work with Gov. Zell Miller, his time in the State Senate, and the state of party politics in Georgia.
Elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives from the Eighth and later the Ninth District, Bill Stuckey served in Congress from 1967 until 1977. While in Congress, Stuckey served on the Agriculture committee, the District of…
Bill Talmadge was born in 1941 in New York City. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He attended law school at the University of Georgia before clerking for State Supreme…
Billy Lovett is a former Laurens County Comissioner, member of the State Public Service Commission, candidate for Governor, and businessmen in Atlanta. Lovett discusses his work in the Public Service Commissioner, his campaign for Governor, and the…
Billy Lovett grew up in Dublin, Georgia in Laurens County. Lovett is a former Laurens County Commissioner and later served on the State Public Service Commission beginning the 1970s. In 1982, he ran as an unsuccessful campaign for governor and…
Billy Wade was born in Athens in 1954. An active member in the community, he was influenced by figures such as athletes, coaches, and elders that helped shape his career into one of the most impactful coaches in Athens history. In this interview,…
Blake Aued was born in Kentucky and grew up in Alpharetta and Birmingham, Alabama. He attended the University of Mississippi, graduating with a degree in journalism. Aued worked at the Daily Tribune News in Cartersville, Georgia, before becoming a…
Blake Aued is the news editor for Flagpole Magazine in Athens, GA. He writes the weekly 'City Dope' column for Flagpole. He was also a writer at the Athens-Banner Herald, and is a regular contributor to WUGA's Athens News Matters with Alexia…
Howard H. "Bo" Callaway interviewed by Hal Henderson. Callaway is a businessman and politician who has held several public offices including U.S. Congressman (1965-1967) and U.S. Secretary of the Army (1973-1975). Topics include Callaway’s decision…
Interview with Ronald "Bo" Ginn, U.S. Representative (D-Georgia). Topics include anecdotes of Senator Russell; Federal Welfare Program; Georgia Politics and Government; Georgia Southern College; Russell's character; Dr. Fielding Russell; Russell's…
