Biscuits & Jam

Daniel Gerard Breland, better known simply as BRELAND, grew up as the son of ordained ministers in a household deeply rooted in music and faith. As a student at the prestigious Peddie School and then at Georgetown University, he began exploring a wide range of musical genres including country, hip-hop, and R&B. He gained widespread attention in 2019 with the viral hit “My Truck,” and continued to push musical boundaries with his 2022 debut album, Cross Country. Sid talks to Breland about his recent reimagining of 50 Cent’s “In Da Club,” his commitment to supporting at-risk youth, his high-profile collaborations with country stars like Thomas Rhett and Shania Twain, and how his music career has taken him from one adopted Southern hometown to another.

For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam

Episode Art Courtesy of Southern Living /Marvin Joseph
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Carla Hall is a chef, restaurateur, author, and television host you may recognize from Bravo’s Top Chef, ABC’s Emmy Award-winning daytime show The Chew, or her many appearances on Food Network. These days, Carla is channeling her creativity into all kinds of new projects, including Bumblebirds, a Southern-inspired fried chicken restaurant in Washington, D.C. Carla is also preparing for the debut of her one-woman show, Please Underestimate Me, at the Olney Theatre in Maryland. The production is a deeply personal look at her life and career, inspired by her beloved grandmother, Freddie Mae Glover, and her lifelong dream of becoming a comedic performer like her idol, Carol Burnett. Sid also talks to Carla about her upcoming cookbook, Carla Bakes: Sweet, Savory, and from the Heart; her YouTube series, Chewed Up; and why the universe told her it was time to open another restaurant.

For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam

Episode Art Courtesy of Southern Living /Marvin Joseph

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Evan LeRoy and his partners at LeRoy and Lewis are making what they call “New School Barbecue,” blending traditional smoking techniques with inventive dishes and locally sourced ingredients. The good news is that Evan isn’t keeping all his barbecue secrets to himself—he’s sharing them in a new book called New School Barbecue: Recipes for Next-Level Smoking and Grilling. Not only is it full of great recipes, it’s also full of characters and stories from Evan’s incredible barbecue journey. Sid talks to Evans about how LeRoy and Lewis went from an Austin food truck to one of the most talked-about barbecue spots in the country.

For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam

Episode Art Courtesy of Southern Living /Jessica Attie
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Ben Rector grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a place he says has its own brand of Southern. He first picked up guitar after watching counselors play at summer camp, but it was a praise and worship class in high school, led by a teacher who encouraged students to really run with their talent, that set him on his path. After studying at the University of Arkansas, Ben built a career on his own terms, going from playing college shows to selling out amphitheaters and releasing chart-topping albums like Brand New, Magic and The Joy of Music. His songs often celebrate what he calls “the other 99,” finding beauty in everyday life. On today’s episode, Sid talks to Ben about his hometown of Tulsa, life in Nashville, his family, and what it’s been like to play with a symphony.

For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam

Episode Art Courtesy of Southern Living /Katie Kauss

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Fred Minnick is one of the most knowledgeable people in America when it comes to whiskey. Born and raised in the small town of Jones, Oklahoma, he developed an early interest in shooting, fishing, and messing around in the great outdoors. Inspired by his grandfather’s military service, he enlisted in the National Guard while attending Oklahoma State University, eventually serving as an Army photojournalist in Iraq in 2004. The constant danger and random violence of being in a war zone, as well as the experience of losing friends and comrades, caused him to struggle with PTSD and depression after returning home. Now, in his new book, Bottom Shelf: How a Forgotten Brand of Bourbon Saved One Man's Life, Fred tells the very personal story about how he clawed his way back from the brink of self-destruction. He chronicles his discovery of a hidden talent for tasting the complex flavors of wine and whiskey, and he shares how his obsession with the story of Old Crow bourbon—and its mysterious founder—gave him a new sense of purpose. Sid also talks to Fred about the crucial role his wife played in his recovery, the best bourbon he’s ever tasted, and his top recommendations for a Kentucky bourbon tour.

For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam
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