Lifelong Vols fan.
Raised in:
Knoxville, Tennessee
Lives in:
Jasper, Georgia (moved to town a few weeks ago from Knoxville)
Favorite thing about Knoxville:
Driving down Neyland because you’ve got the Tennessee river on the left and the stadium on the right and when the sun is about to go down and the light hits just right…it’s beautiful.
Now would ya look at that:
Vols belt buckle found on eBay, grew his mustache before mustaches became trendy again.
Photographed in Johnson City, TN
Raised in:
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Lives in:
Johnson City, Tennessee
Favorite southern dish to cook:
Peach cobbler, but my goal is to cook whatever is on the cover of Southern Living every month.
Now would ya look at that:
Dress found in a New York City boutique and brought back down south.
Photographed in Chattanooga, TN
Raised in:
Him: Nashville, Tennessee
Her: Louisville, Kentucky
Live in:
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Favorite southern meal:
His: Shrimp boils
Hers: Watermelon and fried chicken
Now would ya look at that:
His perfect summer wedding uniform and her ability to be pregnant and still so smokin’ hot.
Photographed in Nashville, TN
I’m already breaking my rule for featuring solely southern artists, but I’ve just got to today! Despite the fact that Blake was raised west of Chicago, he does live in Nashville now, and I’d like to think he got to the south as quick as he could. I had the pleasure of photographing Blake and thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him! Click the photo of Blake above for the rest of my favorites from our shoot, and while you do that, have a listen to the best version of The Proclaimer’s “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” that I’ve ever heard.
Blake Stratton “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)”
Favorite thing about living in Nashville:
The best part of this city is the people. It’s rare to have a city so full of creative people passionately pursuing their dream. It’s life-giving and inspiring to be around. I’ve been blessed to have made some awesome (and awesomely talented) friends.
Thing you’ve come to love most about the south:
Dessert after every meal. I grew up with the occasional dessert after dinner, but southerners respect dessert as a necessity to be enjoyed at least twice a day, if not more.
Most proud of regarding this album:
The album’s namesake “Bellevue,” was my highest priority in the recording process. I would say to my engineer/producer, David Spencer, “If we get one thing right on this project, it’s gonna be this song.” My goal was to hear the recording and get taken back to the moment that inspired it. I think we did that.
Listen to the rest of the Bellevue EP here and then go buy it tomorrow!
“We’re officially calling a time-out on boxy team T-shirts and oversized jerseys.” – Southern Living September 2011 issue
It’s no secret that southerners love football, and I truly believe that the best football traditions in the country happen right here in the south. I love football traditions, including classy fan attire, so what better way to honor that than weekly posts on game day fashion. Today marks the beginning of Football Friday! And below, the first look of the best season of the year, sported by my husband Mark (a man whose face you’ll see around here quite a bit).
LSU Alumni
Raised in:
Tomball, Texas
Lives in:
Jasper, Georgia
Favorite LSU football memory:
At the 2000 LSU vs Tennessee game in Tiger Stadium, my brother and I jumped the fence to get on the sideline during overtime. When LSU won, 38-31, we rushed the field and helped bring the goal post down. We both almost suffocated but it was awesome.
Now would ya look at that:
Brooks Brothers limited addition Ray Ban Wayfarer’s, his favorite Sperry Top Sider oxfords, and looking fine in pastel purple and gold for warm football weather.
Photographed in Johnson City, TN
Raised in:
Birmingham, Alabama
Lives in:
Johnson City, Tennessee
Favorite southern drink:
Sweet tea for breakfast.
Now would ya look at that:
His first and only bow tie, gifted to him from his grandmother.
Back Down South was created from my desire to combine three things I can’t get enough of: street style photography, fashion blogs, and all things southern. The style featured here will not be solely seersucker and bow ties (though it’ll be exciting when it is), but rather a mix of “good looks below the Mason-Dixon line.” The people on Back Down South will be a variety of personal friends, strangers I pass on the street, owners and employees of southern based companies and more. In addition, there will be weekly music posts featuring great tunes from southern artists, as well as monthly posts on the goodness that is southern culture.
Make sure you follow Back Down South on Twitter and Like on Facebook for updates. Below is a short introduction of myself, photographed by Chris Bartelski.
Photographed in Cumming, GA
Raised in:
Spring, Texas
Lives in:
Jasper, Georgia
Favorite things about the south:
The hospitality, the absurd accents, the delicious food, the hot summers, the change of seasons, the pride.