Tony Michaels

The Bill Of Rights Gives You Nothing

Candied pecans, her own vanilla—and eggs from a young farmer right there in town. 🥚 At the Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains, buying local is part of how she does business. Who’s your favorite local maker or farmer?

T.C. needs screws. Cecil has questions about his riding vest. Warren’s bulletin board supplies the evening’s plans. “A Patch and a Plan” | A Front Porch Story. Hear the five-minute story: 5MinutesInAmerica.com

Let’s put an Ozark storyteller on iHeartRadio! Your vote for Tony Michaels means a lot. If it’s been 24 hours since your last free vote, here’s your reminder. Thank you for helping me carry these stories farther!

T.C. needs screws for a porch step. Warren’s bulletin board has other plans. “Something on the Bulletin Board” | Five Minutes in America. Listen free:

I gave my film crew—the kids—the weekend off. Next Saturday, we’re headed to the Bagnell Dam Strip for Halloween. There’s a connection to this week’s Five Minutes in America, too. A little news from Along the Way: https://www.thecoffmanchronicle.com/p/giving-the-film-crew-the-weekend

A little Sunday music from the Ozarks. 🎶 Pull up a chair for a few seconds of live music from the Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains, Missouri. What’s a song you’d love to hear these fellas play?

Use the good quilt. 🧵 At the Ozark Heritage Festival, Gammill Sewing Center in West Plains talked about teaching kids to sew and making quilts to be loved, used and worn out. Then give it to the dog. “We’ll make you another one.” 😂

Try keeping your feet still for this one. 🎻 A little Ozark jig dancing and live music from the Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains, Missouri. Could you keep up?

The most hillbilly thing about her? “Probably my talking.” 😂 I told her I get that a lot too. A little Ozark humor from the Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains. Nothing wrong with sounding like home.

Turn the handle. Feed the fire. Shape the iron. 🔥 At the Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains, a blacksmith shows how a hand-cranked fan makes the forge burn hotter. I could watch this kind of work all day.

T.C. brings the news to the Minnow Bucket. Trouble is, the news has already beaten him there. “The Fishing Report” | A Front Porch Story. Hear the five-minute story: 5MinutesInAmerica.com

Come for the quilts. Stay for the tacos. 🌮🧵 At the Ozark Heritage Festival, the folks from Gammill Sewing Center in West Plains told us about their monthly Taco Tuesday embroidery class—machines out, stitches going, and tacos on the menu. Now that’s a gathering I can get behind. Who’s coming?

T.C. brings the news to the Minnow Bucket. Trouble is, the news has already beaten him there. Today’s Five Minutes in America: “The Fishing Report”

Morning, y’all. Happy Friday. ☕🍂 This little visitor stopped me in my tracks this morning. I had things on my mind and things to get done. But for a minute, I just stood there and watched. I’m glad I didn’t miss that moment. Hope you find one worth slowing down for today, too.

One last nudge from the porch: the Top 15 cut is tonight! If your free Top Host vote is ready, now’s a good time. Already voted? Share with a friend. Thank you for helping me get this far, y’all.

Did you ever ride Silver Dollar City’s stagecoach? At the Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains, Missouri, we heard the story of a coach described as the park’s first amusement ride—and how it found its way there.

A slow tow home, two waiting fathers, and Dudley with a few facts to contribute. “Somebody Coming Home” | A Front Porch Story. Hear the five-minute story: 5MinutesInAmerica.com

Cut day, y’all! This Top Host round ends today, and the Top 15 in each group advance. One free vote every 24 hours. If yours is ready, I’d sure appreciate the help. Let’s keep the stories going!

A little pressure makes a difference. 🏺 At the Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains, a potter explains the small step that helps keep cracks out of the bottom of a pot. Watching skilled hands at work never gets old.

A slow tow home, two waiting fathers, and Dudley with a few facts to contribute. Today’s Five Minutes in America: “Somebody Coming Home”

Stopped to visit two old friends on the Bagnell Dam Strip. Neither offered to buy lunch. 😂 Their history at the lake goes back to the 1960s. Can you name BOTH? What do you remember about Dogpatch or Two-Bit Town?

Meet Pedro. He’s got a little spring in his step. 🫏 At the Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains, we met a mule-jumping champion—and heard about the record he set there a few years back. Have you ever watched mule jumping?

One strand is only the beginning. 🧶 At the Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains, a spinning-wheel demonstration shows how plying yarn gives it strength. Have you ever tried a spinning wheel?

Two boys. An empty fuel can. A fisherman with a rope. So much for T.C.’s quiet afternoon. “Mostly Sitting” | A Front Porch Story. Hear the five-minute story: 5MinutesInAmerica.com

Tomorrow is the next Top Host cut! The Top 15 in each group advance. If your free vote is ready, I’d appreciate it. Thank you for sticking with me through this round—and for sharing with a friend.

Silver Dollar City’s first amusement ride… a stagecoach? That’s the story we heard at the Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains, Missouri. Come along for a little history, skilled artisans, live music and jig dancing. Did you ever ride it?

Two boys. An empty fuel can. A fisherman with a rope. So much for T.C.’s quiet afternoon. Today’s Five Minutes in America: “Mostly Sitting”

A quiet cove. A little fishing. Enough room to let a thought finish. T.C. doesn’t ask for much. “The Old Fishing Hole” | A Front Porch Story. Hear the five-minute story: 5MinutesInAmerica.com

Ordinary people. Small towns. Stories worth telling. That’s what I want to bring to a bigger audience. Thanks for helping me keep going in Top Host. One free vote every 24 hours, if yours is ready:

A quiet cove. A little fishing. Enough room to let a thought finish. T.C. doesn’t ask for much. Today’s Five Minutes in America: “The Old Fishing Hole”

T.C. stops at the Minnow Bucket for fishing supplies. The opinions come free. Then the telephone rings. “Before You Go” | A Front Porch Story. Hear the five-minute story: 5MinutesInAmerica.com

T.C. stops at the Minnow Bucket for fishing supplies. The opinions come free. Then the telephone rings. Today’s Five Minutes in America: “Before You Go”

Back to work, y’all. Stories to tell and another round of Top Host underway! The next cut is Thursday. If your free vote is ready, I’d sure appreciate your help getting into the Top 15 in my group.

Mighty grateful for the folks showing up for me every day. We’re working toward the Top 15 in my Top Host group. Your free vote renews every 24 hours. Already voted? A share helps too.

Cole’s got his story straight—and that’s all Uncle Sam needs to know. 😂🥃 Talking Missouri spirits with Cole Oxley of Red Ox Distillery at Stover’s Rock Island Festival.

A little Saturday nudge from the porch: your free Top Host vote helps keep me moving toward the Top 15 in my group. If it’s been 24 hours since your last vote, you can vote again. Thank you, y’all!

Rowdy Redheads, round two! 😂 We first crossed paths at Versailles’ Apple Festival, then caught up again at Stover’s Rock Island Festival. Handmade finds, Florence roots, and deep-fried Oreos. That’s a pretty good day in the Ozarks. What’s your must-have festival food?

Ever wished your friend would make a quieter first impression? Four motorcycles arrive at Cecil’s, and the boys find something the grown men missed. “Room Along the Wall” | A Front Porch Story. Hear the five-minute story: 5MinutesInAmerica.com

A new round, and I’m keeping my nose to the grindstone. Thank you for helping me reach the Top 20 in my Top Host group! One free vote every 24 hours. If yours is ready, I’d appreciate it.

Farm to table—and farm to bath. 🐐🧼 At Stover’s Rock Island Festival, Froggy Acres Homestead shared how extra goat milk became handmade, small-batch soap. There’s a lot of work behind those colorful bars—and a little suspense when it’s time to cut them!

We made the Top 20 in my group! 🎙️ Thank you for every vote and share. You’re helping me bring ordinary America’s stories to a bigger audience. Next stop: Top 15. Keep that free daily vote coming, y’all!

One last nudge from the porch, y’all! First-round Top Host voting closes at 9 p.m. Central tonight. One free vote every 24 hours. If yours is ready, I’d appreciate it. Already voted? Share with a friend. Thank you for keeping the stories going!

At Mercer’s, a good sandwich comes with a conversation. Earl and June have suggestions for each other. The regulars have opinions about their seats. “Mercer’s Corner Market” | A Front Porch Story. Hear the five-minute story: 5MinutesInAmerica.com

First cut tonight, y’all! I’m 1st in my Top Host group, and mighty grateful. No counting chickens just yet. 😂 This round closes at 9 p.m. Central. One free vote every 24 hours. If yours is ready, vote or share:

“It’s not to make money. It’s to put smiles on kids’ faces.” At Stover’s Rock Island Festival, we caught up with Henson Family Farms about 55 years with horses, rides for all ages, and the work behind the fun. Do y’all remember your first pony ride?

Ever needed a hand but hated to admit it? Blue is already standing beside T.C.’s motorcycle. That doesn’t make asking any easier. “An Extra Hand” | A Front Porch Story. Hear the five-minute story: 5MinutesInAmerica.com

Tomorrow is the first Top Host cut: 9 p.m. Central. If your free vote is ready, I’d sure appreciate it. Thank you for helping this Ozark storyteller keep going!

At Stover’s Rock Island Festival, Lucky Talmage introduced us to Delaney Bee Company—named in honor of his daughter. From raw honey to beeswax skincare, he’s carrying her memory into the work he loves. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Lucky.

Garrett asked a question on Facebook. Five years later, I’m interviewing him at Stover’s Rock Island Festival. That’s a pretty good answer. 😂 Sometimes getting something started is as simple as asking. What would y’all like to see get started in your town?

What do you say when the man you’re arguing with makes a reasonable request? T.C. has a motorcycle to fix and Cecil to face. “Cecil Is Back” | A Front Porch Story. Hear the five-minute story: 5MinutesInAmerica.com