Makenzie Lingafelt is Reviving Downtown Kannapolis | EP 04

Makenzie Lingafelt of the West Avenue District joins Ryan Dayvault and Chris Hughes for a high-energy look at the revival of downtown Kannapolis. From Hurricane Hugo memories and local football pioneers to the social district, open containers, Jiggy with the Piggy, and Earnhardt Outdoors Day, this episode is pure K-Town pride.

Recorded in the historic WRKB studios in beautiful downtown Kannapolis.

00:00 Cold Open – Hurricane Hugo Nostalgia in K-Town
00:49 Doug Roberts, Old Newspaper & Local Legends
01:20 Arnold Solomon & the Kannapolis High School Football Legacy
04:18 Sun Drop Cooler, Delon Hart & Bill’s Truck Stop
06:16 The Whataburger Call
07:36 Welcome Makenzie Lingafelt & the Earnhardt Wheaties Shirt
09:04 Growing Up Local, Moving Away & Coming Home
10:06 Day-to-Day Work & Building the West Avenue Following
13:09 What Sets Kannapolis Apart – Heart of the Community
17:24 West Avenue District, Social District & Open Containers
18:33 Jiggy with the Piggy & Earnhardt Outdoors Day
20:35 Sponsor Break – Falls Jewelers
21:18 Welcome Back + Downtown Energy
24:07 Teasing a Second Location & K-Town Connection Plans
25:00 Running, Broken Leg & Local Motivation
30:07 Born in Concord, Local Addresses & Roots
31:18 Music at the Parks – Night Ranger, Spinners & More
35:15 How Dead Downtown Really Was
38:03 Haters, Success & the Mount Rushmore of Kannapolis
44:33 Final Thoughts from Makenzie
45:33 Closing + Three for Dale

Hosts: Ryan Dayvault & Chris Hughes
Guest: Makenzie Lingafelt – West Avenue District

If you love Kannapolis history, downtown energy, and the people making this town boom again, hit subscribe and share this one with a neighbor. Three for Dale.

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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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