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Life in LA Today

Life in LA Today

By: Steve Ford
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 Everyone in Lower Arkansas has a story--what's yours?2023 Philosophy Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • From pews to pastures, meet the other Jack Daniels

    From pews to pastures, meet the other Jack Daniels
    Oct 14 2025
    His father either had a great sense of humor or a knack for coming up with names. He called the acreage he farmed along the Red River in Lafayette County Miracle Farms, inspired by one of his favorite sayings: "God grants the miracle — we do the work." But why did Mr. Daniels name his son Jack? "I have a lot of fun with the name," Jack Daniels told me. "Apparently my dad had a pretty good sense of humor." In the latest episode of my podcast, I sat down with Jack to talk about the story behind Miracle Farms — its roots, its name, and the faith that still shapes the work that happens out near the Bodcaw community in Nevada County. Along the way, we learn a few amazing facts about the man who keeps things rolling at the farm. Jack hopped on the lead bus from our school district as we arrived, guiding it through the gate and out into the parking pasture. His wife, Sunny, greeted our students as they filed out into acres and acres of agri-tourism fun. Minutes later, Jack was loading passengers onto the hay wagon, then taking his seat on the tractor that would pull them around the farm. Later in the morning, as I tried to corner him for this interview, he hopped on a four-wheeler promising to return shortly. "Jack-of-all-trades" might be a more fitting name than the eponym with the founder of a Tennessee whiskey distillery. Take his education, for example. A graduate of Hope High School, Jack studied both music education at Southern Arkansas University and diesel and heavy truck mechanics at Red River Vo-Tech. How many musicians do you know who also have an interest in heavy mechanics? The music part made sense for a man who grew up singing and playing and currently serves as worship leader at Garrett Memorial Baptist Church in Hope. But the mechanics part — that's where his story takes an unexpected turn. And what a story it is. Jack toured for 20 years with David Phelps, five years with the Gaither Vocal Band, and two years with The Martins. He figured knowing a bit about diesel mechanics might come in handy for someone who lived part of his life on a tour bus. "I've had the great opportunity to be involved in gospel music for 40 years now," Jack told me. "I've traveled with a lot of icons and people that I really, really look up to and think the world of." Jack got his start in gospel music at age 14, performing with his father's family group, The Ambassadors. "My dad and I started when I was 14 years old, back in '84," Jack said. "We traveled regionally for years and years, and I stayed with them all through high school." After graduating from Hope High School, Jack joined the well-known gospel group, The Martins, playing piano with them for nearly two years before deciding to pursue another interest. "I'd always loved working with machinery," he said. "I was raised on a farm, always working on equipment, and I thought, if I ever join a gospel group, it'd be good to know how to fix a bus if we broke down on the road. So I decided to learn a little diesel mechanics to go along with playing the keyboard." That practical thinking led him to Red River Vocational-Technical School, where he studied diesel mechanics. But Jack's love of music never faded. Before long, he enrolled at Southern Arkansas University, earning a degree in music education — all while continuing to travel and perform with his family's group, The Ambassadors. It was music, too, that brought him together with the love of his life. While singing at a church one evening, he caught the attention of a young woman named Sunny. "She just fell in love," Jack says with a smile, then admits, "I think it was the other way around." The two have now been married twenty-six years and have six children. To no one's surprise they are all musically inclined and frequently perform at local venues. About a year into their marriage, a family connection opened the door to a whole new chapter. Jack's cousin is married to David Phelps — the world-renowned tenor whose soaring voice helped define the Gaither Vocal Band. When Phelps called one day to ask if Jack might like to play piano for some of his solo shows, Jack said yes. That yes turned into twenty years of music, travel, and unforgettable moments. "Twenty years go by in a hurry," he says. "I traveled the world — played Carnegie Hall twice, performed in London at the O2, and just about everywhere in between. It was an amazing twenty years." During that time, Jack became close with Bill Gaither and the Homecoming family. He even drove Gaither's bus for several years and occasionally filled in on stage, playing auxiliary keyboards, mandolin, or dobro. "Really great opportunities," he reflects. "I got to be part of something special." Even with all the miles Jack Daniels has logged on the road, his heart has never strayed far from the land. Farming runs deep in his veins — three generations deep, to be exact. His family's story is rooted right here on the quiet backroads of Nevada County, ...
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    11 mins
  • Stories from the man behind the chair

    Stories from the man behind the chair
    Oct 14 2025
    Today on Life in LA, I sat down with a man who's been part of Magnolia's story for nearly six decades. Don Higdon began barbering on the square back in 1966, when a shop might have just one pair of electric clippers that all three barbers shared. Since then, he's seen every hairstyle imaginable come and go — from the flat top and the GI cut to the mullet and beyond — and he's had a front-row seat to the conversations, laughter, and life stories that passed through his chair.
    But there's a lot more to Don than just a good haircut. In our conversation, I learned about the wedding he once kept secret from his father-in-law, the seasons he spent working in the oil field between barbering, and even his hidden talent for writing — short stories, a novel, and a little freelance journalism along the way.
    These days, Don and his wife, Carla, still keep busy helping their daughter and son-in-law, Sunny and Jack Daniels, at the Pumpkin Patch at Miracle Farms in Bodcaw. The old sign for Don's Barbershop still stands on North Vine Street, though the building now serves as a deer camp — a fitting reminder of a long and colorful career.
    I really enjoyed visiting with Don, swapping stories, and reminiscing about what it was like to get a haircut in the good old days — and I'll admit, I wish I still had as much hair today as I did back then.
    So, settle in and enjoy this conversation with Magnolia's longtime barber and storyteller, Don Higdon.
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    24 mins
  • Cruisin' for a worthy cause

    Cruisin' for a worthy cause
    Sep 23 2025

    Today's episode takes us to a special community event in Magnolia, Arkansas — the annual Cruisin' Against Bruisin' car show, hosted at Immanuel Baptist Church. More than just a gathering of classic cars and enthusiasts, this event raises funds for Compassion's Foundation, an organization dedicated to offering empowering services, including emergency shelter and support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. It's an important cause, and the car show brings together people who care deeply about both the cars and the community.

    The show is organized by a local group known as the Rodfathers, and I was intrigued to discover that they even have a chaplain. At first, I was surprised — but then again, why wouldn't car enthusiasts need spiritual support just like anyone else? That realization made me all the more eager to sit down for a conversation.

    My guest is Steve Atkinson, who moved from the Atlanta, Georgia, area to Lower Arkansas to work at Alcoa. Now retired, he and his wife Sondra Morgan Atkinson have made Magnolia home. I found it refreshing to meet someone who moved to L.A. rather than away from it!

    Our visit was set against the backdrop of over 26 cars and vehicles, more than 15 trophies being awarded, food trucks and vendors serving families, and a great day of fellowship and fun.
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    10 mins
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