Mid-South Viewpoint // Bott Radio Network

Legendary entertainer, Pat Boone shares his 70-year journey in music, television, and movies. He has sold nearly 50 million records and had 38 Top 40 hits. Pat was Elvis Presley’s main competition back in the 1950’s too. Today at ninety, Pat Boone is the #10 all-time top recording artist. He is host of two nationally syndicated radio shows, “The Pat Boone Hour” on SiriusXM’s ‘50s Gold channel 72, and “The Pat Boone Show,” which features contemporary gospel music on many local stations across America. Pat was married to Shirley (Foley) Boone (daughter of Country star ‘Red’ Foley) for over 65 years before her passing. Pat Boone’s made his first appearance nationally on “The Ted Mack Amateur Hour” (in which he became the original American Idol, selected week after week by the viewers), and later appeared on “The Arthur Godfrey Show.” Those appearances would introduce his talent to record producer Randy Wood of Dot Records who thought Pat Boone could sing rock ‘n roll. He became the youngest person in history to have his own weekly musical variety show (ABC), at times the number one show in television featuring many first time-on-TV artists like Sammy Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Nat ‘King’ Cole. Elvis Presley once opened for Pat Boone at a big disc jockey “sock hop” in Cleveland in 1956. “I had to follow him,” recollects Pat. “Thank God I had 3 million-selling hit records already and I was the star that night. But I never wanted to follow Elvis again!” Pat Boone is also a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

James Brodnax, Program Director of LifeWise Academy for Shelby County is joined by Tara Crawford and Cedric Taylor to share how two small pilot programs serving just nine students has now grown into seven programs reaching over 200 students. Lifewise brings Bible-based, character-building education to public school students during the school day—completely legally, off-campus, and with parent permission. LifeWise has also launched a county-wide initiative to bring these programs to every municipality across Memphis and Shelby County.

Dr. Dan Henley of Church Developers Network and Pastor Michael & Stephanie Wilkerson of Engage Church Memphis provide details into the Common Ground Conference set for July 29th. This one-day event is designed to deepen your understanding of the lived realities of poverty. Overall poverty in the city of Memphis nearly doubles the national average. Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE) is a simulation that help participants connect with the realities of poverty from real life families in our city.

Marla Brown from Mid-South Genesis CDC and the ACTS Career Center—ministries of Brown Missionary Baptist Church is a dedicated leader and advocate for economic empowerment, community development, and second chances. This show dives into how these organizations are creating opportunities, supporting job seekers, and transforming lives across the Mid-South. Having managed over $20 million in federal, state, and local funding as former Senior Director of Seedco’s Mid-South Regional Office, Marla shares how this experience has helped shape her approach to community development. Additionally, Marla describes some of the services offered at the ACTS Career Center and how does ACTS Career Center collaborates with local employers to connect job seekers with opportunities.

Andy Price, Headmaster- Desoto Christian Academy discusses how his 18-year pastoral background influences his leadership at DCA, what exactly is a "biblical worldview", some of the biggest challenges facing Christian schools, and equipping students to navigate a world increasingly distant from biblical truth.