K-Town Connection Official Home of the K-Town Connection

Recorded in the historic WRKB studios in beautiful downtown Kannapolis, Chris Hughes and Ryan Dayvault welcome Stormi & Tyler McCall of the Lennon Boutique to talk about their business, how the West Ave. district and Kannapolis has grown, and what it's like as a husband-wife duo running a business together. Dr. Dave (Chuck Irvin) also re-joins the crew for this episode.

Recorded in the historic WRKB studios in beautiful downtown Kannapolis, Chris Hughes and Ryan Dayvault welcome Jordan Connell, Trevor Wilt, and of course Boomer of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. The Rough Talk Cousins talk about their new Cannon Ballers based podcast (Talk'n Ballers), the first place baseball team, and all things Kannapolis. Of course we add in some #RoughTalk, #SunDrop, #NASCAR, and all sorts of other nonsense!

Craig Woolard of The Embers joins Chris Hughes and Ryan Dayvault to preview the band’s Veterans Park concert in downtown Kannapolis. From the moving veterans tribute to the town’s transformation from mill village to modern city, Craig shares why this stop always feels special. 0:00 Cold Open / Welcome to EP 12 0:18 Craig Woolard of The Embers Joins 0:46 Veterans Park & the Moving Tribute 1:37 Water Burger, Cherry Lemon Sun Drop & Local Love 2:40 NC Music Hall of Fame & Kannapolis Transformation 3:57 Beach Music Roots – From Ocean Drive to K-Town 5:02 Craig Woolard: A Carolina Treasure 5:50 Building the Crowd & Care Package 6:36 Closing – See You Tomorrow at Veterans Park Recorded at Dayvault’s Garage in historic downtown Kannapolis. Hosts: Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault The Embers hit Veterans Park (Thursdays on Main) with that classic Carolina beach music sound. Bring your chairs and coolers (no outside alcohol), grab some food truck eats, and come celebrate with a true local favorite. See you there, K-Town.

Chic Suggs of Lee’s Sandwich Shop joins the Rough Talk Cousins for the story of Kannapolis’ oldest continuous restaurant — from Joe’s in 1949 to Lee Griffin’s move in 1964, the mill deliveries that built it, and the day Chic and his wife took over in 2005 after Cannon closed. Ralph Earnhardt stopped in almost every day for a BLT. Generations of mill people, ball players, and locals have walked through those doors. Chic talks about growing up in Enochville, South Rowan Class of ’80, coaching and sponsoring baseball, surviving COVID, and why the burgers still taste the same. Recorded in the historic WRKB studios in downtown Kannapolis. Hosts: Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault 0:00 Cold Open – New Digs & the Desk 0:54 Cannon Mill Cotton Warehouse Tin on the Desk 2:30 Kannapolis Events & Local Updates 6:00 Welcome – Episode 11 with Chic Suggs of Lee’s 8:25 Growing Up in Enochville & South Rowan Class of ’80 9:52 History of Lee’s – Joe’s Sandwich Shop 1949 to Lee Griffin 15:08 Taking Over in 2005 After the Mill Closed 18:30 Old Lee’s, Glenn’s BBQ & Local Memories 22:33 Fighting Through COVID to Keep the Doors Open 30:11 Ralph Earnhardt’s Daily BLT Runs 33:00 Why the Burgers (and Tradition) Stay the Same 37:14 Thoughts on Kannapolis Growth 43:47 Best Sellers – Burgers, Hot Dogs & Tuesday Pot Roast 44:58 Original Kannapolis vs New Development 57:10 Chic’s Closing Words – Come On Down to Lee’s 1:01:41 Closing + Outro If you’ve ever grabbed a burger or hot dog at Lee’s, or your parents and grandparents did, this one’s for you. Share it with somebody who still calls Kannapolis home.

Josh Sanders, Kannapolis native and runner-up on Season 25 of The Voice (Team Reba), sits down with Chris Hughes and Ryan Dayvault to talk about his journey from K-Town to the national stage. Recorded in the historic WRKB studios at Dayvault’s Garage in downtown Kannapolis. 0:00 – Cold Open: Double Digits & Local Updates 2:49 – Introducing Josh Sanders 4:19 – Theme Song: This Is My Town 5:30 – Josh Sanders Joins the Show 6:02 – Growing Up in Kannapolis 12:43 – Early Life & Local Roots 14:09 – A.L. Brown Mentors & Coach Hag 18:00 – Early Music Days 22:00 – Representing Kannapolis on the Big Stage 28:45 – Life in K-Town 32:00 – Rough Talk: Local Stories 35:00 – Kannapolis Pride & Community 42:21 – Performing with Reba McEntire on The Voice 48:00 – The Real Goal on The Voice 53:02 – Life After The Voice 58:00 – Lessons Learned 1:01:44 – Closing + Outro Hosts: Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault Guest: Josh Sanders A hometown talent who made it all the way to the finale of The Voice. If you root for Kannapolis people who put this town on the map, this episode is for you. Subscribe and share so more folks in the region hear these local stories.

Joe Farinella, one of the biggest Dale Earnhardt fans in the nation, joins Chris Hughes and Ryan Dayvault from Pennsylvania and shares his plans to move to Kannapolis after retirement. Recorded in the historic WRKB studios in beautiful downtown Kannapolis. Joe brings stories from 15 years of pilgrimages to K-Town, an unbelievable Earnhardt collection, bidding wars with Dale Jr., mill-town roots, and pure local love. Dr. Dave (Chuck Irvin) also joins for weather, laughs, and more. 0:00 Cold Open – Perfect Kannapolis Weather & Earnhardt Outdoors Showdown 2:54 Ryan Dayvault Named Charlotte Business Journal 40 Under 40 4:54 Heart of the K-Town Connection Theme 5:44 Joe Farinella Joins – Biggest Dale Earnhardt Fan Alive 6:22 Dale’s Rookie Card & Collection Reveal 6:55 Plans to Move to Kannapolis After Retirement 11:22 Outbid by Dale Jr. on Memorabilia 14:26 Why Joe Loves Kannapolis, A.L. Brown & Local Pillars 20:00 Meeting the Intimidator & Unforgettable Race Moments 28:00 Mill Town Roots, Concord Rivalry & Small-Town Charm 32:15 Falls Jewelers Sponsor 32:59 Dr. Dave Joins the Conversation 35:00 Deep Dive into Joe’s Legendary Collection 48:21 North Wilkesboro, Rockingham & Saving Historic Tracks 51:14 Why Dale Jr. Should Run NASCAR 54:14 Joe’s Heartfelt Thanks to Kannapolis 55:09 Kannapolis’ Most Eligible Bachelor 56:19 Whataburger #10 Run + Three for Dale | Outro Hosts: Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault Guest: Joe Farinella Special Appearance: Dr. Dave (Chuck Irvin) If you love Earnhardt history, Kannapolis stories, and real community connection, hit subscribe and share this one with a fellow K-Town fan. See you on the square.

Kerry Earnhardt and Kyle Lingafelt (Old Armor Beer Company) join Chris Hughes and Ryan Dayvault in downtown Kannapolis to preview the 2nd Annual Earnhardt Outdoors Showdown on May 23. Recorded in the historic WRKB studios / Dayvault’s Garage, this episode digs deep into Earnhardt family roots, Ralph Earnhardt’s legacy, Dale Jr.’s short-track revival, the full day schedule (Coffee with Dad, cars, meet-and-greet, Cody Webb concert), and why this celebration hits different when it happens right here in Kannapolis. 0:00 Cold Open – Darlington Recap & Dale Earnhardt Energy 2:40 Rough Talk: Kannapolis Buzz & Gem Theater Soft Opening 5:13 Theme Song – “This Is My Town” 5:52 Episode 8 Intro with Chris & Ryan 6:11 Kerry Earnhardt & Kyle Lingafelt Join the Studio 7:03 Cannon Mill Brick Coaster, Sun Drop & Old Armor 7:41 2nd Annual Earnhardt Outdoors Showdown – May 23 Revealed 13:20 Ralph Earnhardt, Family Roots & Why This Town Matters 15:28 Coffee with Dad & Full Event Schedule 21:31 Dale Jr.’s Short Track Revival & Lasting Legacy 23:29 Falls Jewelers 24:01 Back with the Guests – Community Impact & More Details 31:01 High School Football, A.L. Brown & Local Pride 37:22 What’s Missing in NASCAR – The Polarizing Voice 44:40 C4 Energy, Sponsors & Why You Need to Be There 50:04 Water Burger Call-Out & Everyday Kannapolis Favorites 51:00 YMCA 1940 Brick, Cannon Mills History & Closing Love for K-Town 52:10 Three for Dale / Outro Hosts: Chris Hughes & Ryan Dayvault Location: Dayvault’s Garage / historic WRKB studios, downtown Kannapolis, NC Come out May 23 for the Earnhardt Outdoors Showdown, support the local businesses that keep this town special, and keep the stories of Kannapolis alive. Subscribe, share with a neighbor who still remembers when Dale was the man, and we’ll see you in K-Town.