Rising Rock is excited to showcase some of our best audio stories in a continued partnership with Scenic Roots. To listen to Scenic Roots, visit https://www.wutc.org/scenic-roots.
Ava Nessell spoke with Wendy Reynoso, the student success and services coordinator at La Paz Chattanooga, about her experience finding a community in Chattanooga after immigrating from Guatemala.
Continue reading “Rising Rock Radio Showcase”Written by Abby White
Gravel and dust kick up while passing through the iron gates branded “BZ” after a scenic ride through rural Alabama. Blue heelers circle cars as guests are welcomed by the roaring banter of bullfighters and riders. You’ve landed at Bioz Zoe, a home away from home for many.
Located in Boaz, Alabama, Bioz Zoe provides a community for beginner, intermediate, and professional riders and fighters attracting people from all walks of life, including bull rider and inspirational speaker, Brylan Miller.
Continue reading “The Boys in Boaz”Written by Meleah Holder
The low hum of a bass guitar and drums echoes from behind the walls of the Comedy Catch in downtown Chattanooga. A small audience looks on at Dan Pinson—better known as Danimal—as he strums away, crafting a relaxing evening for his listeners.
Pinson’s music provides a one-of-a-kind experience for those downtown as he performs live, keeping local rather than seeking bigger opportunities. As a singer and bass guitarist for several local bands, he says he owes his experience and growth to the music scene in Chattanooga. When Pinson began developing his passion for music, he noted that the typical genre was rock, very different from his psychedelic tune.
Continue reading “Social Songs”Written by Haylee Bowerman
Little feet wrapped in socks and ballet slippers pitter-patter on concrete floors, metal chairs as makeshift barres, a mix between French ballet terms and the Spanish language are used to communicate the beauty of dance to little girls. This is non-profit La Paz Chattanooga ballet, taught by professional ballerina Andrea Tankersley.
Despite fighting through a language barrier within her childhood dance classes, Tankersley found a love for dance she passes down by teaching young Latina girls the art of ballet in their first language.
“It’s important for the classes to be taught in Spanish because it brings a sense of culture,” Tankersley said. “Knowing what your background is and where you come from, it allows you to be more confident and more unique.”
Tankersley was immersed in vigorous dance classes in Mexico from a young age which continued when she moved to the United States at the age of nine through her senior year of high school. She continued her career in Nashville as a professional ballet dancer.
As a native Spanish-speaker, she encountered struggle after struggle when starting her dance journey in the United States. Luckily, ballet terms are universally in French so she was able to keep her head above water until she could understand English.
A language barrier is not the only personal struggle Tankersley overcame growing up in ballet classes. Tankersley was told throughout her dance career that she ‘had the heart of a dancer but not the body’. This is a viewpoint she strives to squash as a health and life coach; instead, she instills a more positive mindset into her students’ minds.
Tankersley received her health and life coach certification in order to improve her personal mindset and mental health, and in turn, is now able to help others with their mental health.
“I try to remind my students that each one of them is valuable. You are enough. You decide what you want to do. You have a voice,” Tankersley said.
To combat the strict and rigid composition of ballet she endured as a child, Tankersley always brings a fun and goofy twist to her classes. She believes that, especially at the age she is teaching, it is important to engage the kids with the fun aspects of dance rather than the cut-and-dry rules of the sport. Grande jetes across the floor turn into cartwheel contests, little laughs echo off the walls, and sweets are occasionally used as motivation.
“I’ve done a lot of class versus the teacher, and then we have cupcake parties if they win. You can have both things. You can have everything. It’s just your perspective and how you look at things,” Tankersley said.
Continue reading “Tiny Bailarinas”Written by Lillian Simcox
From the strum of the guitar to the melody her voice carries, 28-year-old Rossville, Ga. local, Bryanna Fuquea writes and produces her own music.
“I just really love doing music,” Fuquea said. “Music speaks to me and to other people in so many ways; people dealing with depression, anxiety, everything.”
To Fuquea, music is a universal love language. No matter the circumstance, situation, or the feelings that come with someone’s day, music speaks to everyone in a thoughtful and vulnerable way.
Throughout her music career, Fuquea has opened up to playing her music on different platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. By using these platforms, she has created a fun-loving, fan base of nearly 18,000 followers.
According to Fuquea, a fan once told her that listening to her music was like being in their own safe space.
Fuquea is known to sing modernized country, but she also sings rock, R&B, contemporary, and a couple hymns. From there she rose to the challenge of writing her own music and learning how to play various instruments including the guitar.
Continue reading “Universal Language”Rising Rock is excited to partner with Scenic Roots at WUTC again this semester to showcase some of our top audio stories. To listen to Scenic Roots, visit https://www.wutc.org/scenic-roots.
Here, you can listen to all of the audio pieces written and recorded by UTC students in Rising Rock during the Fall 2023 semester.
During Larry Taylor’s Welcome Home Parade recognizing his receiving of the Medal of Honor, Lillian Simcox performs street interviews with spectators including Veterans and active military members.
David Harman reads the letter that Dave Hill sent to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to upgrade Larry Taylor’s Silver Star to the Medal of Honor. Narrated by Taylor McKinley.
Steven Thomas enjoys his position as Director of Operations at the Heritage Center, but the lively historian has deeper motivations. Thomas sat down with Eli Rushing to discuss why this specific opportunity called to him.
Katie Stephens spoke with Desmond Doss Jr. regarding his mother and her impact on the Rising Fawn community as well as on her husband, Desmond Doss.
Madeline Charnes sat down with Donald Smith to explain the intricacies of the benefits program and how difficult it is for veterans to receive the assistance they may not even know they need.
Bethany Cothran spoke with Stetson Bierman, good friend of West Mitchell, over Zoom about Bierman’s bareback bronc riding experience.
Caleb McCool spoke with Francis McDonald about the power of poetry for inmates in her program.
Elizabeth Wynne sat down with Alex Tainch, the main announcer of the Miracle League to discuss the importance the league has on those involved beyond only the athletes.
Written by Mason Edwards
Goodbye Detroit! With a little help from a custom guitar, a lot of makeup and a costume, one man is moving Rock City to Chattanooga. Across Hamilton County, supposed sightings of Ace Frehley, the famous KISS guitarist, take center stage on social media.
Curious people soon learn the tall, costumed man is not the “Spaceman” of KISS. Rather, he’s actually local rockstar Daniel Sneed, 21: a KISS tribute guitarist with Asperger’s Syndrome, a mild form of autism. Despite his challenging condition, Sneed loves sharing his passion with others, and leaves a mark on everyone.
“I watch what my son does, and I’m just so proud,” his mother, Beth Staten, said. “Everybody that meets my son… they just love him.”
After developing a special interest in KISS, Sneed taught himself how to dress, perform and play just like Ace Frehley. As he explains it, Sneed’s come a long way in understanding how his autism functions. Despite feeling uncomfortable around large, public crowds, Sneed always feels at home when he’s dressed up.
“What helps calm me down is dressing up like Ace Frehley, going to events like that and getting pictures taken with the rest of the crowd,” he said. “And, also, of course, whenever I start playing guitar… I’m self-taught and everything because, you know, I learned guitar by ear.”
Continue reading “Made for Loving KISS”Written by Noah Keur
With his leather glove jammed into the bareback rig, West Mitchell sits atop a 2000-pound bronc—his heart pounding waiting for the gate to swing open. After some clicks over the loud-speaker—and five shots of Crown Royal Canadian Whiskey—another cowboy pulls the rope attached to the barrier, releasing the horse to do what he’s been trained to for years.
It’s going to be a long eight seconds.
Continue reading “Rocking the Rodeo Scene”Written by Caroline Colvin
Settled in the heart of Chattanooga’s Northshore neighborhood is Coolidge Park’s antique carousel. For $1, those of all ages can ride the carousel, taking in its unique design.
The carousel’s journey to Coolidge park began in Pennsylvania where it was constructed in 1894. Shortly after, it was transported to New York state. Many years later, following an unclear path of transportation, the carousel pieces were brought to Chattanooga by Bud Ellis to be restored.
The Coolidge carousel is a Dentzel model, thus it follows much of the vintage designs of the famous German carousel builder, Gustav Dentzel.
Bud Ellis was the owner of Chattanooga’s Horsin’ Around woodcarving school, which is now owned and operated by Larry Ridge. Ridge carves many animals himself, and also has a team and students that he teaches at the school.
Continue reading “What Goes Around: The Coolidge Park Carousel”By Maddie Van Horn
Editor’s Note: The entertainers featured in this story are referenced by their Drag names instead of their real names for privacy reasons.
Social media manager by day, Chattanooga’s favorite cocktail by night – Gin Von Tonic expresses her creativity through the art of drag and has gained a new community along the way.
“Performing is my favorite thing. I really love just being on stage. I love being the center of attention on my own terms,” Gin said.
With 15 years of dance experience, Gin has always appreciated performance art, but it wasn’t until she started going to shows at the Palace Theater five years ago that she discovered her passion for drag.
Continue reading “Drag Diaries”