It's not everyday you run into someone who can play an instrument that embodies the heart and soul of country music—the pedal steel guitar. Jacob Dillard has already made the the most of his musical abilities, finding himself in numerous outfits on the road and in the studio. 

After Clinton's current mayor Phil Fisher announced his retirement in September of 2024, City Attorney Will Purdie quickly stepped up to the plate to announce his intention to seek the head job for the City of Clinton. He ended up gaining the seat by going unopposed in the race, making the transition and mission one he has the chance to focus on prior to officially being sworn in after the general election scheduled for June 3, 2025.  I had a chance to sit with him to get a brief glimpse into his plan for moving the City of Clinton forward.  As always, thanks to Ty Garvey, Drew Mellon and the rest of Don Quixote's Horse for allowing their music to set the local tone for these podcasts.

Pearl River Community College's Director of Athletics Patrick Ochs talks about the massive amount of benefits to be found inside the state's Community College network. Not all states have such robust offerings on the Community College scale, but Mississippi packs a punch.

The annual Red Brick Roads Music and Arts Festival draws a great many number of people to Clinton's historic Brick Streets each year. With the 2025 Red Brick Roads moving from August to March, the weather should be more welcoming as music, art and food lay the foundation of an epic weekend in Clinton, Mississippi. 

I had the chance to speak with Clinton's Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Anna Nutt and Clinton's Main Street Director Tara Lytal about the work that goes into putting on such a great event and how Red Brick Roads has grown over the years. 

To purchase tickets, inspect the line up or to explore more about the festival, visit www.redbrickroads.com. 

As always, thanks to Ty Garvey, Drew Mellon and the rest of Don Quixote's Horse for allowing their music to set the local tone for these podcasts.

We could literally “WHAT IF!” ourselves to the grave. If we “WHAT IF!” ourselves too much, we then jump on the “WHY EVEN!” train. WHAT IF we get hurt and embarrassed or lose our jobs or have someone say something snarky? WHY EVEN try if all we’re going to faced with is failure and humiliation?

It's easy to say, but life certainly happens and gets in the way. Finally, two weeks into February brothers Robert and Phillip Chapman talk a little about 90s country, legacies and new starts.  

As always, thanks to Ty Garvey, Drew Mellon and the rest of Don Quixote's Horse for allowing their music to set the local tone for these podcasts.

You focus on the things you keep in front of you. Be they good things or bad things, having it in front of you reminds you what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.

I had the chance to meet up with Mississippi District 56 Representative Clay Mansell during the first week of his second year in the Mississippi House of Representatives.

We talked about what he learned during his first year and why contacting your representatives in an authentic manner could pay dividends. 

As always, thanks to Ty Garvey and Don Quixote's Horse for allowing their music to set the local tone for these podcasts.

Here's a full recap from the City of Clinton's Board of Aldermen meeting from January 7, 2025

We’re two days into January, two days into 2025. I submit that we update our expectations and our self realization of how far into the “new century” we actually are.

For the start of 2025, brothers Robert and Phillip Chapman reformat the structure of the podcast and talk about what has influenced them to get ready for the new year.  

They discuss the impacts Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold had on their outlook at life as well as how Ted Lasso continues to inspire people to just "be" better. 

As always, thanks to Ty Garvey, Drew Mellon and the rest of Don Quixote's Horse for allowing their music to set the local tone for these podcasts.

Phillip Lilley, Clinton's Public Works Director, has intentionally worked to influence the culture within the City of Clinton's Public Works Department.

He talks on how building leaders internally have had a direct impact on the efficiency of the department. He shows that it's more than fixing pipes or laying asphalt. It works around trust and taking pride in your work.

As always, thanks to Ty Garvey, Drew Mellon and the rest of Don Quixote's Horse for allowing their music to set the local tone for these podcasts.

Here's a full recap from the City of Clinton's Board of Aldermen meeting from December 3, 2024.

Here's a recap from the City of Clinton's Board of Aldermen meeting from July 2, 2024.

It seems like since the last time we were two days into this thing (the month of June), the easy summer sensations known and loved by nostalgic summer lovers of the past have decided to take their own holiday, ushering in the “hurry-up-and-go” lifestyles we (poorly) try to avoid a little earlier than usual.

Ford Hayman, Clinton's longtime police chief, allowed me to visit him and ask a few questions about his department's approach to policing the Clinton community. With his focus on serving others and treating people the right way, he's proven to be a quality leader inside the Clinton Police Department.

In this episode, we talk trends in policing, community relations, technological advancement and challenges the future holds.

He's truly one of my favorite guys on the beat (no pun intended) and an asset to our community.

As always, thanks to Ty Garvey, Drew Mellon and the rest of Don Quixote's Horse for allowing their music to set the local tone for these podcasts.

So, as if I don’t have enough on my to-do list, I’d like to challenge myself in putting out a monthly written post of sorts. Maybe the posts will involve city government, and maybe they won’t. Most of the time they’ll simply be stream of consciousness and ideas that I’ve been wrestling with or that have simply struck my fancy.

Here's a recap from the City of Clinton's Board of Aldermen meeting from June 4, 2024.

For the longest time, I told my wife, Megan, that we should record one of our conversations during one of our many road trips. So, during a recent road trip to New Orleans with my wife, we did just that.

As always, thanks to Ty Garvey, Drew Mellon and the rest of Don Quixote's Horse for allowing their music to set the local tone for these podcasts.

Here's a recap from the City of Clinton's Board of Aldermen meeting from May 21, 2024.