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King Biscuit Time and the Music of Helena Arkansas

October 27, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

(Note: Helena Advertising and Promotions Commission sponsored this blogger trip. Opinions are my own.)

Visit Helena Ar

Until last week, my radio experience was limited to one WHBQ moment in 1976 when Anita Ashley and I showed up unannounced in Memphis and found ourselves live on the air with Rick Dees and his Cast of Idiots. I adored Rick Dees and sitting shoulder to shoulder with him was intimidating for a giggly ninth grader. Mr. Dees was entertaining and accommodating, and later that summer the Keiser Jr. High cheerleading squad bounced around Arkansas State with a bit more spirit wearing Rick Dees ‘Mouth of the South’ shirts.  I think that was the year we finally snagged the elusive spirit stick…

While Rick Dees was doing his thing in Memphis, “Sunshine” Sonny Payne was broadcasting live from the King Biscuit Time Radio Show only a few miles down river in Helena, Arkansas. King Biscuit Time, the first regular radio show to feature blues, began broadcasting in 1941 and still regularly welcomes musicians into its Delta Cultural Center studio on historic Cherry Street.

King Biscuit Time, Helena Ar
“Sunshine” Sonny Payne

Last week, Sonny Payne and King Biscuit Time welcomed me into the studio. I was part of a group of Arkansas Women Bloggers invited by the Helena Advertising and Promotions Commission to spend a few days in this charming delta town overlooking the Mississippi River. 

One blogger may not affect great change, but put a group of lady bloggers together with a microphone and things tend to get exciting…

Synergy and all that.

Facing a mic, I was transported back to junior high.

Debbie Arnold (Dining with Debbie) eloquently represented Arkansas Women Bloggers while I managed to compound Sonny Payne’s already cloudy understanding of blogging… (joggers/bloggers, what’s the difference?)

Grace Grits and Gardening on King Biscuit Time

If you’d like to hear our live broadcast (including how we nearly brought down the longest running daily radio show in history), click HERE then select October 23, 2013…

King Biscuit Tme
Arkansas Women Bloggers, Helena River Walk
Helena is a unique town rich in musical heritage and devoted to preserving and sustaining the delta blues culture. Her impassioned citizens are eager to share personal stories of chatting with Elvis and hanging out with Conway Twitty. Musical greats have passed through this river town, and still do particularly during the annual King Biscuit Blues Festival held each year on Columbus Day weekend.

Next year, I plan to see the blues festival for myself.

Gist Music
Mr. Morris Gist, owner of Gist Music, discussing the day Elvis came into his store…
Stay tuned for more posts about my visit to Helena!
talya

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.


Musical Pairing:

Robert Lockwood, King Biscuit Time

Grilled Chicken Burger with Rosemary and Flaxseed

October 25, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

(This post was sponsored by Great Day Farms. Opinions are my own.)
Big Green Egg Tailgating: Chicken Burger with Rosemary and Flaxseed

A few years ago, I bought my husband a Big Green Egg for Christmas. I buried it in our messy garage  where it remained hidden until Christmas morning. Although he went into the garage several times during December, he never saw it.

Our garage is messier than the Green Egg is big…

Without a doubt, this has been the family’s best Christmas gift. We’ve all benefited from the greatness he grills and smokes. 

Grilled Chicken Burger with Rosemary and Flaxseed
Chef John at the helm of his Big Green Egg

A couple of weeks ago before our regular lineup of college football games, he grilled chicken burgers. Chicken because we were attempting to be healthy. His recipe was delicious, and I didn’t miss the ground beef at all. Neither did he. (If you are truly tailgating, make smaller patties for sliders…)
Grilled Chicken Burgers
2 pounds ground chicken breast
2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
1/4 – 1/3 cup parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 egg
1 Tablespoon fresh squeeze lime juice 
1/4 cup italian seasoned bread crumbs

Note about ingredients: Herbs can be adjusted and/or substituted according to spice and flavor preferences. 

Method

Combine chicken, rosemary and parsley.

Chicken Burger with Rosemary and Flaxseed
Add lime juice, egg and breadcrumbs.
Big Green Egg Tailgating
Shape into patties and grill. 
Big Green Egg Tailgating
they look pale but they don’t taste pale…
That’s it!
We served ours with a bit of wasabi mayo, purple onion, tomatoes and arugula. I passed on the bun and served roasted green beans on the side. Fairly healthy for a tailgating at home meal!

Big Green Egg Tailgating
talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Sic ’em Bears!
Pig Sooooie!

I Dream of Pinterest…

October 23, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

My name is Talya, and I’m addicted to Pinterest where my cuisine is forever delectable and my front porch beyond Southern Living worthy. To escape the ordinary, I stroll into a peaceful world of barns or churches or a magical land filled with pots of paint and jugs of Mod Podge. Is this photo pinnable— ooooh maybe virally pinnable?…YES, I have a problem.

Last night I fitfully rearranged Pinterest boards in my dreams…

I Dream of Pinterest

This was written for GBE2: Blog On Week #127. Prompt: Write three unrelated nano-fiction stories consisting of exactly five sentences each. This is the first of three (maybe…).

talya

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.



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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: 03.29.26
  • Sunday Letter: February 22, 2026
  • Our Garden Mission Statement
  • Goodbye, 2025. Hello, 2026.
  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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