Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Organist Greazy Keyz Brings the Ballpark to Life | EP 67

Jason “Greazy Keyz” Atkins is the high-energy organist who brings the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers ballpark to life every home game. In Episode 67 of K-Town Connection, the Rough Talk crew sits down with him inside historic Dayvault’s Garage to talk music, community, and the unique vibe he creates in downtown Kannapolis.

Greazy shares how he landed the Cannon Ballers gig (with a big assist from David Steele), the story of tracking down a pristine Hammond M3 organ in South Carolina, balancing his work with the Charlotte Checkers, and why Kannapolis fans interact with the music like nowhere else. You’ll also hear the origin of the “Greazy Keyz” name, a powerful story about community support during his wife’s cancer battle, and live performances on organ and keytar right there in the garage.

This is pure K-Town energy — local baseball, live music, and the people who make the downtown ballpark feel like home.

Chapters:
0:00 Hilbish Ford Sponsor
0:36 Banter with Chuck & David Steele
3:37 Carolina Pickleball Club
4:04 Welcome to EP 67 – Meet Greazy Keyz
5:00 How David Helped Bring Greazy to the Cannon Ballers
6:14 Tracking Down the Hammond M3 Organ
6:50 Balancing the Charlotte Checkers & Cannon Ballers
8:00 The Ballpark Sound That Fills Kannapolis
10:00 Staying in Tune – Real-Time Music for Every Play
14:43 Live Organ Demo in Dayvault’s Garage
22:48 Halloween Story & Player Connections
23:18 The Origin of the Name “Greazy Keyz”
25:03 Why Kannapolis Fans Are Special
25:38 Community Support Through His Wife’s Cancer Journey
30:16 Keytar & Live Performance Fun
35:06 Remembering Local Musician Doug Winstead
36:46 Where to Follow Greazy Keyz & His Music
37:24 Episode 67 Closing & Three for Dale

📍 Filmed at: Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Tune-Up & Brake Service Garage – Kannapolis, NC
🎙️ Hosted by: Chris Hughes, Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin & David Steele

Follow Greazy Keyz:
Instagram & Facebook: @GreazyKeyz
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2AxdvsNzxJbnnb7Xr21xNT

Like, subscribe, and share if you love Kannapolis baseball, local music, and the stories that make K-Town special. See you at the ballpark.

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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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