🇺🇸 Chris Hughes, Ryan Dayvault & Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin Celebrate the 4th in Kannapolis | EP 73 🇺🇸

Happy 4th of July from Kannapolis! The Rough Talk Cousins Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault, Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin, and David Steele (Big Dave) celebrate Independence Day with a special holiday episode from Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Tune-Up & Brake Service Garage.

We’re talking all things Fourth of July — fireworks, parades, festivals, and local events happening across Kannapolis, Faith, Harrisburg, and beyond. Dr. Dave delivers the official scorcher forecast, the guys settle the great burnt-hot-dog debate, share Lake Norman plans, run down the big Faith lineup (Veterans Parade, The Tones, Andy and Onita Band), and dig into classic racing memories including go-kart battles, a near-dead-heat with Ron, and the legendary takeout of Mount Pleasant Mayor Dale Udy.

As America celebrates 250 years, we wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July. Thank you to all the men and women who have served our country and continue to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.

Recorded live at Dayvault’s Garage in Kannapolis, NC.

Hosts: Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault (The Rough Talk Cousins)
K-Town News & Weather: Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin
Big Dave: David Steele

Chapters:
00:00 Cold Open / Hilbish Ford Sponsor
00:56 K-Town Theme Song – Mill Town Pride
02:34 Show Open: Rough Talk Cousins + Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin
03:13 Burnt Hot Dogs & Summer Vibes
03:32 Dr. Dave’s Scorching July 4th Forecast
03:55 Boat Plans on Lake Norman
07:08 Area Fireworks & Events Roundup
10:25 What’s Happening in Faith, NC
12:01 The Tones, Veterans Parade & Andy and Onita Band
14:46 Remembering Doug Winstead & Life on the Road
18:00 Tribute Bands: Tim McGraw & Aerosmith Covers
22:02 The Embers & More Local Music
27:15 Go-Kart Racing Stories from the Track House
31:44 Co-Winners with Ron – Competitive Legends
33:26 Taking Out Mayor Dale Udy
35:03 Mo Logan, Allison Stockwell & Racing Memories
35:59 Closing Thanks to Dr. Dave & Big Dave
36:10 Be Safe This Weekend + Spirit of ’76 Bell
36:35 Carolina Pickleball Club

🎆 We hope you and your family have a wonderful Independence Day weekend!

Watch Episode 73 now and let us know how you’re celebrating the Fourth in the comments.
Like, subscribe, and tell a friend from Kannapolis or Cabarrus County.

Tell ’em the Rough Talk Cousins at the K-Town Connection sent you.

🇺🇸 Happy Birthday, America! 🇺🇸

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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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