Oliver Buchannon
Ryan Shipley
Harvard Sends Its Doctors To Kingsport

Aug 28, 2026

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7 min read

Harvard Sends Its Doctors To Kingsport

The cath lab that trains Harvard's fellows, the last food truck rally of the season, a horror convention at MeadowView, and free pup cups at Dogwood Park.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
In 1944, Kingsport Led The War

Aug 21, 2026

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7 min read

In 1944, Kingsport Led The War

The plant behind the fence on Stone Drive, a distillery eleven generations deep, grape Dr. Enuf in a bundt pan, and twelve acres on Glen Alpine.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
GRAPE DR. ENUF CAKE | RECIPE

Aug 15, 2026

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1 min read

GRAPE DR. ENUF CAKE | RECIPE

Herbal Grape sold out of a Johnson City vending machine by noon. Here is what to do with the bottles you managed to get home.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
The DB Band Was Never Just A School Program

Aug 14, 2026

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6 min read

The DB Band Was Never Just A School Program

Who funded the band in 1940 and why, a full weekend downtown, and five acres at the end of a gravel road.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
We Hired Columbia University To Build Our Schools

Aug 7, 2026

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6 min read

We Hired Columbia University To Build Our Schools

In 1917, before there were students to fill them. Why Kingsport has its own system, why no other town in Tennessee can build one now, a barbecue joint that needs ninety seconds of your time, and this week's House Hunch on Rivermont.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
We Still Make Things Here

Jul 31, 2026

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7 min read

We Still Make Things Here

The building on West Main where Kingsport trains the next generation of it, a Harvard award nobody talks about, why Petworks is more than a shelter, and the city's first ever Party at the Park.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
Kingsport Used To Race Boats Down The Holston

Jul 24, 2026

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6 min read

Kingsport Used To Race Boats Down The Holston

The Fun Fest event that ran on opening day in 1981, disappeared, came back in a swimming pool, and is now gone for good. Plus Hot Dog Hut, the last two days of Fun Fest, and this week's House Hunch.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
Somebody's Hiding Treasure In Kingsport This Week

Jul 17, 2026

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6 min read

Somebody's Hiding Treasure In Kingsport This Week

The Fun Fest treasure hunt starts Saturday, and the story of how it survived is better than any clue. Plus Tennessee Hills lands in Bristol, Fearless Coffee comes to town, and a House Hunch in West Gate.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
Nobody Talks About Why Fun Fest Exists

Jul 10, 2026

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5 min read

Nobody Talks About Why Fun Fest Exists

Block Parties start today. Here's what they were actually for.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
The Man Behind Kingsport's Oldest Parade

Jul 3, 2026

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5 min read

The Man Behind Kingsport's Oldest Parade

A vaudeville comedian, a mule-drawn brick float, and 70-plus years of tradition

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
The Most Studied Burger Joint In America Is Ours

Jun 26, 2026

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6 min read

The Most Studied Burger Joint In America Is Ours

Seventy years of Pal's and its hidden presidential award, weekend eats and Axmen baseball, Holston Habitat for Humanity, and this week's House Hunch in Indian Springs

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
A homesick cop, and the best bagels in town

Jun 19, 2026

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5 min read

A homesick cop, and the best bagels in town

The Bagel Exchange story you didn't know, plus weekend events, Holston Habitat, and a Bays Mountain view on Granby Road

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
New York can keep arguing. We have the receipts.

Jun 12, 2026

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4 min read

New York can keep arguing. We have the receipts.

The real story of the Long Island Iced Tea, a new trail to prove it, golf season at full tilt, and this week's House Hunch.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
Tonight on Broad Street: A Piney Flats kid who played the Grand Ole Opry

Jun 5, 2026

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3 min read

Tonight on Broad Street: A Piney Flats kid who played the Grand Ole Opry

Live music, fireworks, and a local kid who made it big. Your Kingsport weekend starts now.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
Kingsport Just Got a Direct Flight to Chicago

May 29, 2026

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4 min read

Kingsport Just Got a Direct Flight to Chicago

Plus a 77-year credit union story, what's happening this weekend, and your House Hunch.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
Tonight in Bristol. But this one belongs to all of us.

May 22, 2026

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4 min read

Tonight in Bristol. But this one belongs to all of us.

The Bristol Sessions Nights series kicks off tonight, and it's a reminder of what this region can do when it stops competing with itself.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
Your New Favorite Band Is From Kingsport

May 15, 2026

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4 min read

Your New Favorite Band Is From Kingsport

Donnie and the Dry Heavers drop '3,' Saul Brooks at The Reserve, Run the Streets Saturday morning, Baker's Jewelry spotlight, and this week's House Hunch.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
Before They Were Famous, They Were Mets

May 8, 2026

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5 min read

Before They Were Famous, They Were Mets

The Kingsport ballpark that launched Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, and David Wright. Plus what's happening this weekend and a Barnes Exterminating spotlight worth knowing about.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
The Most Important Musician You've Never Heard Of Lived Right Here.

May 1, 2026

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5 min read

The Most Important Musician You've Never Heard Of Lived Right Here.

The Kingsport musician who taught Maybelle Carter everything she knew, and how that sound ended up with Elvis, Dylan, and the Rolling Stones. Plus three things to do this weekend and a Boone Lake listing worth dreaming about.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
The Market's Back Open. See You Saturday.

Apr 24, 2026

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5 min read

The Market's Back Open. See You Saturday.

A Kingsport tradition nearly 50 years in the making kicks off its new season this weekend.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
Kingsport Is Getting a Comedy Scene and I Am Here For It

Apr 17, 2026

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3 min read

Kingsport Is Getting a Comedy Scene and I Am Here For It

Two comedy events coming to Kingsport, why I've built vacations around standup, and how Blue Ridge Comedy Club in Bristol is changing the game for the Tri-Cities.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
I've Been Waiting 20 Years For This Fun Fest Moment

Apr 10, 2026

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9 min read

I've Been Waiting 20 Years For This Fun Fest Moment

The 2026 Sunset Concert Series lineup is here, a personal story about the band that changed my life, what's happening this weekend, and a few Quick Hits you need to know about.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
A Grammy Winner Is Playing Downtown Kingsport This Summer. And It Won't Cost You a Dime.

Apr 3, 2026

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8 min read

A Grammy Winner Is Playing Downtown Kingsport This Summer. And It Won't Cost You a Dime.

The 2026 Twilight Alive lineup is here, Trey Hensley is coming home, and this weekend has something for everyone.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
21 restaurants. One night. One room.

Mar 27, 2026

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9 min read

21 restaurants. One night. One room.

Plus GellyBall chaos for Easter, Fun Fest merch is here, and this week's House Hunch.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
The Kindest Place in America might be your neighbor's driveway

Mar 20, 2026

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9 min read

The Kindest Place in America might be your neighbor's driveway

A Disney veteran, a shopping cart, and what Northeast Tennessee does better than anywhere else.

Ryan Shipley
Ryan Shipley
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