Old Town New World

Recently, before performing alongside MOA and Mandako, all members of the band GASP sat down with us to talk about making music. They talk about what brought this band together and what motivates them. They also explain, to the best of their abilities, what pushes them to create music. Why do they commit so much of their time and energy to something that will most likely not return that effort monetarily? The concert that night took place at Rock Hill's Courtroom venue, an integral part of GASP and the local music scene. The band also talks about the Rock Hill scene and why places like this are important.

In this very special episode of Old Town New World, the late Marshall Dickson Whitesides tells the story of his journey from a family farm in South Carolina to the WWII Battlefront in France and Germany. A well-respected business owner and beloved family man, Marshall tells us about his adventures and occasional misadventures on the frontlines. His war career was one fraught with danger and populated by rich characters. We hope you truly enjoy hearing it.

Critic, Podcast Host, and Gameshow-Winner Mark Blankenship talks about the power of narrative. He explains how a pop culture obsession led him to criticism and creativity. We share our own relationships with stories and unpack what makes us all love them. Mark also talks about the deep pop culture knowledge that got him on Jeopardy and a winning turn on Name that Tune. He'll also talk about his childhood experience, what landed him in NYC, and eventually Rock Hill, SC. Mark was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He earned a BA from Emory University where he served as the theater, film and music critic of The Emory Wheel. He also studied theater at Oxford University and holds a Master of Fine Arts in Dramaturgy and Dramatic Criticism. Mark attended Yale School of Drama where he began writing for Variety, The Village Voice, and American Theatre. He has lived in Park Slope, Brooklyn since 2005. His writing credits include numerous pieces for The New York Times, Variety, New York Daily News, The Village Voice, The Advocate, Time Out New York, The Huffington Post, NPR and American Theatre. He regularly appears as panelist/expert commentator for CBC News: Sunday and CNN.com. Mark and Sarah D. Bunting started the Mark and Sarah Talk About Songs podcast in March 2016, where they engage in deep and hilarious discussions about songs chosen by the hosts or the fans. He lives between Brooklyn and Rock Hill with his husband, Andrew.

Clinton College President Dr. Lester McCorn walks through the story of Historically Black Colleges & Universities and the civil rights movement in America. He talks about his personal experience with education at some of the most important HBCUs, through his work as a Pastor all over the country, an author, civil rights figure, and finally, President of Clinton College. Dr. McCorn also talks about the hope he finds in the future among the students at Rock Hill's only HBCU, Clinton College.   President McCorn is an alumnus of Morehouse College, Yale Divinity School and Chicago Theological Seminary. He holds the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) from United Theological Seminary, where he was a Gardner C. Taylor Fellow in social justice and prophetic leadership and Adjunct Professor/Doctoral Mentor. He is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Ethical and Creative Leadership, with a specialization in Martin Luther King Jr. Studies and Social Change, and a certificate in Educational Leadership at Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was named one of “The 10 Most Dominant HBCU Presidents of 2019” by the HBCU Campaign Fund. Before being appointed President of the Clinton College in 2017, Dr. McCorn was a pastor at Churches in Boston, Chicago, Atlanta and Baltimore.  Rev. Dr. Lester A. McCorn and his wife Mrs. Charlene M. McCorn are proud parents of William Elijah Benjamin, Maliaka Kenyetta, and John-Charles Wesley.

Data scientist, international policy advisor on economic growth, and social entrepreneur Belén Sánchez Hidalgo talks about her passion to bring diversity to AI. While working as a consultant at The World Bank, Belén became anxious about the potential risks of Artificial Intelligence and decided to do something about it. She left her career in public policy to become a data scientist at DataRobot. Here, she became inspired to educate women on AI development and created WaiCAMP, an initiative that closes the AI gender gap in Latin America through pragmatic education.  Originally from Ecuador, where she graduated from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador with various financial degrees, Belén went on to study Enterprise Development at Leipzig University and obtain a Master in Public Administration from The Harvard Kennedy School.

Senior Pastor and President of Freedom Temple Ministries, Bishop Herbert C. Crump, Jr. talks about his journey from The United States Army to being head of the first minority congregation to own large property on Main Street Rock Hill. Pastor Crump talks about his work with Clinton college, exciting progress there, and the importance of having an accessible option for higher education. He explains his personal philosophy about people in leadership roles supporting incoming, younger leaders. Born in Mount Vernon, NY, Pastor Crump went from military service to being a youth minister in Charleston, moved on to various pastor roles before starting a new ministry in Winthrop Auditorium in 2000. Pastor Crump is happily married to Lady Dawn R. Crump, with son Joshua, daughter Jenesis, and pup Ace.

Former SC representative and house majority leader Gary Simrill joins us to talk about his new role at Winthrop University. He tells us what drives him and about lessons he learned from both success and failure. We discuss the turmoil in modern politics and its impact on the individual. Gary reveals a personal history in which it's easy to see why he's such a highly regarded leader.  Gary was born in Rock Hill and graduated from Winthrop University in 1991 with a BS in Business. He went on to a thirty-year career in politics before joining the team at Winthrop as special assistant to the president for community engagement. He and wife, Mary have three children. He was the primary sponsor of the 2017 Infrastructure and Economic Development Act.

We talk with Brittany Kelly of The Mercantile about being a positive force for change in the Rock Hill community. The post Episode 104 – The New Rock Hill with Brittany Kelly first appeared on Old Town New World.

Denys and Yana Krasnikov talk about the impact of Russia's war on the people of their home country The post Episode 103 – War in Ukraine with Denys Krasnikov and Yana Krasnikova first appeared on Old Town New World.

We talk to Winthrop University president Edward Serna about the future of higher education locally and nationally. The post Episode 102- Higher Education with Edward Serna first appeared on Old Town New World.

Principal of the forthcoming Kettlesong York Prep campus, Lanny Adamson talks about place-based education. The post Episode 101- Place-Based Education with Lanny Adamson first appeared on Old Town New World.

Mayor John Gettys talks about the effort that went into making Rock Hill a celebrated, thriving community with a bright future and the need to be intentional about what the city looks like years from now. The post Episode 100- Choosing Rock Hill's Future with Mayor John Gettys first appeared on Old Town New World.

On this episode of Old Town New World, we talk about the change happening in Rock Hill, and how more change is inevitable and coming swiftly. Developers Nik and Craig tell us how they want to see the community make conscious choices about what that change will look like. They talk about their personal connection […] The post Episode 99: Community Planning with Kettlesong's Craig Craze & Nik Radovanovic first appeared on Old Town New World.

4th generation craftsman, Jay Leake talks about the ups and downs of his family’s furniture making business and how they went from hard times to international status.

Co-Owner & Brewmaster of Rock Hill Brewing, Jason Collett describes his journey to meet the people he admires and find purpose.

Clean Slate Productions Owner, Ben Sliker talks about his experience with the traditional filmmaking model and why he prefers the small community approach.

Agribusiness developers Ben Boyles and Will Culler talk about the current state and future of agriculture in South Carolina and beyond.

UNCC teacher and Nickelodeon writer Rodney Stringfellow talks about being both a full-time educator and a working professional in the field of screenwriting.

Award-Winning Author, Scholar, and ASUWA Studios founder Velma Love explains how society is directed by the stories we believe in.

Concerts at The Courtroom Manager, Mike Gentry talks abouts keeping new music alive in Old Town Rock Hill.

Sylvia Theater owner Paul Finnican talks about turning a shuttered Computer store into a successful music and film venue.

Black Sheep Skate Shop owner Josh Frazier talks about turning his passion into a living

Deputy Director of CMA Joelle Ryan-Cook talks about the role of art museums in the community

Lauren Thomas discusses the growth of Lancaster, SC

USAID Advisor Patterson Brown talks about helping African communities establish positive economies.

Professor Melissa Carsten talks about the changing roles of leaders and followers.

Actor Alfonso Freeman talks about life and career, and the decision to move from Los Angeles to Rock Hill for a positive change in lifestyle. Warning: This episode contains a small amount of adult language.

Songwriter Slade Baird talks about leaving behind the typical adult life in a big city to play Rock n' Roll.

Musician and Radio Producer TJ Boggs talks about music in Old Town Rock Hill

Government Relations Manager Stefan Nowicki talks about moving to America from Austria, and the future of paper goods.

Charlotte Storytellers cofounder, Nora Orton talks about running a spoken word group, and the power of human interaction.

Teacher and writer Ben Graham talks about the human history and the power of relationships.

Rock Band Minnesota License Plate talks about playing in a band in Old Town Rock Hill.

Loom Director Jennifer Belk talks about the impact of cowork.

Winthrop Professor Dr. Laura Ullrich talks about economics in Rock Hill and across the globe.

Winthrop University professor, Zach Abernathy talks about the power of math to change our lives.

The 2nd half of our conversation with photographer and A Band Called Death director, Jeff Howlett.

Photographer and A Band Called Death director, Jeff Howlett talks about his career in creativity.

We talk to Connor Clinch about the relationship between humans and the art that surrounds them.

We talk to Joe Miller, a former Winthrop University professor who makes a living in Old Town by composing and recording music.

Tim Elliott from Sidewalk Development, and Pauline Harris from SPIN LLC tell us about the radical changes coming to the environment of Old Town with a project that will bridge Winthrop University and Downtown Rock Hill.

Old Town Lawyer and Speaker Pro Tempore Tommy Pope tells us about his journey from answering phones at the police station to an upcoming bid for SC governor.

Jason talks about the ideas he walked with from York County Day about solving South Carolina’s DOT budget issues.

We’ll talk to Rock Hill Economic & Urban Development Director Stephen Turner about the city’s past, present, and future.

We’ll talk to The Arts Council of York County’s Robby Goggins about his passion for music and audio engineering.

The RevenFlo gang talks about the #GivingTuesday, and the launch of Givolio

Winthrop President Dr. Daniel F Mahony talks about The Democratic Presidential Candidates Forum, which took place in Rock Hill, SC on Nov. 6.

Director of Economic Development for the City of Charlotte, Bill Cronin talks about traits of a successful city.

Fine Arts Professor Tom Stanley talks about invigorating downtown by investing in arts

Nationally celebrated artist, Harriet Goode talks about the evolution of sensibilities in Old Town and the culture, at large.

Insigna President David Stringer talks about the state of business and work in Old Town.