Cast iron isn’t just cookware in Tennessee — it’s history, culture, and family.

In this episode of State & Beale, I sit down with Scott Selliers, one of the people behind a the push to make cast iron the official frontier cookware of Tennessee.

From a Rotary meetings to the State Capitol, what started as a simple idea between friends made its way all the way to the governor’s desk.

We talk about:

• How the bill came together

• Why cast iron matters across all three Grand Divisions

• The culture and stories behind it

• And yes… how to actually take care of cast iron (myths included)

State & Beale — Tennessee stories that help communities feel like destinations.

Jackson Morgan Southern Cream makes delicious Tennessee whiskey liqueur. The Fayetteville company has had products on store shelves since around 2014. Its products are now in nearly 40 states from Maine to Florida, and Montana to Texas. Jackson Morgan Southern Cream has flavors for nearly every palette. They have Banana Pudding, Orange Creme, and its Salted Caramel, which has a cult-like following. On this episode, we talk with Morgan Weinstock, whose family created the brand. She works for the company and she is one half of Jackson Morgan's namesake. For more information: www.sipjacksonmorgan.com

White-hot bluegrass band @EastNashGrass heads out on tour this summer, promoting their new record, “All God’s Children.” It's due in August. We also have cuts from our spring issue. We have a look at Benton County, the outdoor paradise. And was Merriwether Lewis killed on the Natchez Trace?