Lu Graham: How One Band Director Changed Generations in Kannapolis | EP 74

Lu Graham spent 32 years building one of North Carolina’s most respected high school band programs — the legendary Big Green Machine at A.L. Brown.

In this special episode of the K-Town Connection, the #RoughTalkCousins sit down with the retired band director at Historic Dayvault’s Garage to hear the stories behind the music, the mentorship, and the lasting impact she left on generations of Kannapolis students.

From recruiting kids in elementary school to leading performances across the country, Lu shares what it took to create a program that became a source of pride for the entire community. Former student David Steele also joins the conversation with personal memories from his time in the Big Green Machine.

📍 Filmed at Historic Dayvault’s Dyno Tune-Up & Brake Service Garage in Kannapolis, NC

🎙️ Hosted by Chris Hughes, Ryan Dayvault, Chuck “Dr. Dave” Irvin & David Steele

Chapters:
0:00 – Cold Open
9:47 – Welcome to the Show
12:50 – Introducing Lu Graham
13:24 – Salisbury Roots & Early Influences
16:18 – Kentucky Years & Path to Kannapolis
20:13 – Arriving at A.L. Brown in 1984
25:16 – Fundraising the Big Green Machine
30:11 – Tours, Parades & Big Performances
35:42 – Uniforms, Glowworms & Show Design
39:41 – The Joy of Teaching Beginners
46:09 – Building Camaraderie & Student Impact
54:57 – Mickey Driver Stories
1:00:46 – Closing Reflections

If you marched with the Big Green Machine, had a family member in the band, or just love Kannapolis history, this one’s for you.

Like, subscribe, and share to help us keep telling the stories that made our town special.

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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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