Kannapolis Natives Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault Launch the K-Town Connection | EP 1

Lifelong Kannapolis residents and Rough Talk cousins Chris Hughes and Ryan Dayvault launch the very first episode of the K-Town Connection from the historic WRKB studios in downtown Kannapolis.

In this foundational episode the two hosts introduce themselves, share their deep local roots (including Ryan’s multi-term service on City Council and Chris’s work covering high school sports through Carolina Preps), and lay out the vision for the show: a digital scrapbook of Kannapolis news, events, history, everyday citizens, and community stories. They also pay homage to the city’s Cannon Mills textile heritage and racing legacy that still define the town.

Recorded in the historic WRKB studios in beautiful Downtown Kannapolis.

Hosts: Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault

Chapters:
00:00 – Cold Open / Music
00:26 – Episode 1 Kickoff
00:45 – Introducing Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault
01:30 – Ryan Dayvault: Lifelong Kannapolis Boy & City Councilman
03:15 – Chris Hughes: Military Service, Carolina Preps & Local Pride
04:50 – The Dayvault Clan & Family Ties to Kannapolis
06:40 – Why We Created the K-Town Connection
08:20 – Building a Digital Scrapbook of Our Community
10:10 – Cannon Mills Heritage & Textile Stories
12:20 – Racing Legacy Meets Textile Roots
14:40 – What to Expect in Upcoming Episodes
17:10 – Historic WRKB Studios & Community Supporters
19:40 – Rough Talk Closing Thoughts
21:50 – Final Call & Outro

The renovated Downtown Radio Studios were made possible by Kent Gregory, Ken Lingafelt, Leah Allen, and Coddle Creek Capital.

If you love Kannapolis history, local stories, and a little Rough Talk, hit subscribe, like, and share so more neighbors can discover the stories that make our town special. This is just the beginning.

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Hardee’s Biscuits Got Him Inside the Mills: Chad Mitchell’s Untold Story | Ep 75

In Episode 75 of the K-Town Connection, lifelong Kannapolis photographer and artist Chad Mitchell opens his archive of more than 25,000 photographs that document the demolition of Cannon Mills — the place that built this town. As the massive mill complex disappeared, Chad decided someone had to record what was being lost. What began as a personal mission became one of the most important visual records of Kannapolis history ever created. He takes us inside the abandoned buildings, shares how he gained access (Hardee’s biscuits helped), and reveals the stories behind some of his most powerful images — including the fall of the iconic water tower, a once-in-a-lifetime balloon ride over the complex, and the unforgettable photograph of his late father standing in the partially demolished mill, looking out at the rubble of the place where he had worked for decades. Chad also looks back at an incredible creative career that includes photographing Appalachian State football during its national championship years, serving as team photographer for Kannapolis professional baseball, working with NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program, and creating artwork connected to Dale Earnhardt. His guiding philosophy has always been simple: Tell as much of the story as possible in one shutter click. Today, as a new generation grows up in a Kannapolis that looks nothing like the mill town their parents and grandparents knew, these photographs have become even more valuable. They don’t just preserve buildings — they preserve the people, the work, the memories, and the identity of a community that was forever changed. This episode is exactly what the K-Town Connection is about: preserving Kannapolis history by telling the stories of the people who lived it. 📸 Browse and purchase Chad’s photography and artwork: ChadMitchell.com 📍 Filmed at Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Tune-Up & Brake Service Garage in Kannapolis, North Carolina 🎙️ Hosted by the #RoughTalkCousins Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault, along with Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin and David Steele Chapters 0:00 – Intro & Local Updates 5:32 – Welcome to Episode 75 5:52 – Introducing Chad Mitchell 7:02 – Growing Up in Kannapolis 12:00 – How Chad Began Documenting the Mills 14:00 – Getting Access with Hardee’s Biscuits 17:18 – Inside the Abandoned Mill Buildings 19:24 – Over 25,000 Photographs 25:10 – The Darkest Place in the Mill 27:20 – “Lifeline” – The Railroad Light Painting 37:15 – Where to See & Buy the Photos 38:21 – Kiln-Dried Maple Floors & the Sign 39:49 – Baseball Photography Years 43:45 – The Dale Earnhardt Artwork 46:06 – The “Quality Work Means Job Security” Sign 53:45 – The Balloon Ride Over Cannon Mills 56:15 – The Photograph of Chad’s Father 59:48 – Closing Thoughts & Thank You

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