Drew Taylor
@mrdrewtaylor.bsky.social
Digital Managing Editor at CBS42.com, Journalist, Husband, Music Lover, Reader, all-things Alabama
Send story tips/favorite Grateful Dead bootlegs to drew.taylor@cbs42.com.
Send story tips/favorite Grateful Dead bootlegs to drew.taylor@cbs42.com.
Pinned
Drew Taylor
@mrdrewtaylor.bsky.social
· Nov 20
If you ever get the chance to marry both the love of your life and your best friend, do it. Love you, Brittany.
At 95, attorney Fred Gray said that without Claudette Colvin, he and others may not have had the courage to get the wheels in motion to start the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955 if it hadn't been for her.
Claudette Colvin, whose defiant act on a segregated Alabama bus played an unsung role in the early civil rights movement, dies
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Claudette Colvin, a “bespectacled, studious looking high school student” who refused to give up her bus seat to a white woman long before anyone had ever heard…
www.cbs42.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:52 PM
At 95, attorney Fred Gray said that without Claudette Colvin, he and others may not have had the courage to get the wheels in motion to start the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955 if it hadn't been for her.
“Faring thee well now
Let your life proceed by its own designs
Nothing to tell now
Let the words be yours, I'm done with mine”
RIP, Bob Weir.
Let your life proceed by its own designs
Nothing to tell now
Let the words be yours, I'm done with mine”
RIP, Bob Weir.
Grateful Dead - Cassidy (Orchard Park, NY 6/13/93) (Official Live Video)
YouTube video by Grateful Dead
youtu.be
January 11, 2026 at 1:04 AM
“Faring thee well now
Let your life proceed by its own designs
Nothing to tell now
Let the words be yours, I'm done with mine”
RIP, Bob Weir.
Let your life proceed by its own designs
Nothing to tell now
Let the words be yours, I'm done with mine”
RIP, Bob Weir.
Meant to get to this sooner, but here's some of my favorite stories I did in 2025. Starting with my favorite: a piece on The New Yorker where I spoke with people like Calvin Trillin, Renata Adler, Jia Tolentino and others on their stories about Alabama. www.cbs42.com/digital-excl...
www.cbs42.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:54 PM
Meant to get to this sooner, but here's some of my favorite stories I did in 2025. Starting with my favorite: a piece on The New Yorker where I spoke with people like Calvin Trillin, Renata Adler, Jia Tolentino and others on their stories about Alabama. www.cbs42.com/digital-excl...
Grandaddy would've been 95 today. I'm sure he'd have a lot to say about everything going on in the world today.
My column on Holt McDowell, Jr. that ran on the 60th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.
My column on Holt McDowell, Jr. that ran on the 60th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.
COLUMN: My grandfather helped those injured in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. For years, I never knew.
This is an opinion column. “You’ve got McDowell legs.” I’ve heard that joke countless times from the family about my short legs, the same legs my “Grandaddy” had. I wish I had gotten more fro…
www.cbs42.com
December 23, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Grandaddy would've been 95 today. I'm sure he'd have a lot to say about everything going on in the world today.
My column on Holt McDowell, Jr. that ran on the 60th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.
My column on Holt McDowell, Jr. that ran on the 60th anniversary of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.
The real "Marty Supreme" is based on Marty Reisman, a world-renowned table tennis champion who, oddly enough, has a connection to Alabama.
When the real ‘Marty Supreme’ brought table tennis to Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — To Marty Reisman, table tennis was, next to perhaps marbles, “the lowest athletic endeavor on the world totem pole.” And yet, it was a sport that took him from…
www.cbs42.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The real "Marty Supreme" is based on Marty Reisman, a world-renowned table tennis champion who, oddly enough, has a connection to Alabama.
Kudos to @warondumb.bsky.social for including the Paul Finebaum target on display at Sam's Super Sandwiches in Homewood. Glad DC hasn't washed the Bama off Kyle yet.
December 17, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Kudos to @warondumb.bsky.social for including the Paul Finebaum target on display at Sam's Super Sandwiches in Homewood. Glad DC hasn't washed the Bama off Kyle yet.
Christina Chambers and I came up in the news business roughly at the same time. First met her in 2012 when I was at the Opelika-Auburn News and she was at WLTZ in Columbus. So sad to lose one of our own like this.
Longtime Alabama sports broadcaster Christina Chambers found dead at home in Hoover
HOOVER, Ala. (WIAT) — A longtime Alabama sports broadcaster was one of two people found dead inside a home in Hoover Tuesday morning from what police believe was a murder-suicide. Police were calle…
www.cbs42.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Christina Chambers and I came up in the news business roughly at the same time. First met her in 2012 when I was at the Opelika-Auburn News and she was at WLTZ in Columbus. So sad to lose one of our own like this.
Everything you want to know and, frankly, probably not know about Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell and "Decoration Day."
Jason Isbell reunites with Drive-By Truckers for special performance of ‘Decoration Day’ hit on Colbert
The heathens now have their own version of a religious experience.
www.cbs42.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Everything you want to know and, frankly, probably not know about Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell and "Decoration Day."
Doug Jones is running for governor of Alabama and I got to use "basso buffo" in a story.
Doug Jones files paperwork to run for Alabama governor 5 years after losing Senate seat to Tommy Tuberville
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Five years after losing his seat in the U.S. Senate to Tommy Tuberville, Doug Jones has now put the wheels in motion to run for governor of Alabama, where he will likely f…
www.cbs42.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Doug Jones is running for governor of Alabama and I got to use "basso buffo" in a story.
More than anything, I was a little too satisfied with the Carl Carmer reference I wedged into the lede. Besides that, it was great for Michelin to recognize so many Alabama restaurants. www.cbs42.com/news/d...
Despite falling short of receiving any Michelin Stars, several Alabama restaurants receive major culinary accolades
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Michelin Stars did not fall on Alabama, but it did receive praise for its culinary achievements by the group. On Monday, the latest Michelin Guide was released with the Am…
www.cbs42.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
More than anything, I was a little too satisfied with the Carl Carmer reference I wedged into the lede. Besides that, it was great for Michelin to recognize so many Alabama restaurants. www.cbs42.com/news/d...
With "WTF with Marc Maron" coming to an end, I looked at some guests with distinct Alabama connections who were part of the nearly 1,700 episodes the seminal podcast aired over the last 16 years. www.cbs42.com/news/t...
The many Alabama connections to ‘WTF with Marc Maron’ as the trailblazing podcast comes to an end
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — After 16 years and nearly 1,700 episodes, “WTF with Marc Maron” has come to an end. Marc Maron, who released his final episode of the seminal podcast Mon…
www.cbs42.com
October 13, 2025 at 9:43 PM
With "WTF with Marc Maron" coming to an end, I looked at some guests with distinct Alabama connections who were part of the nearly 1,700 episodes the seminal podcast aired over the last 16 years. www.cbs42.com/news/t...
I was fortunate enough to spend a little time talking with Mark Kerr, whose life and struggles in the UFC are part of the new movie, "The Smashing Machine," starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. www.cbs42.com/news/local/m...
October 3, 2025 at 6:15 PM
I was fortunate enough to spend a little time talking with Mark Kerr, whose life and struggles in the UFC are part of the new movie, "The Smashing Machine," starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. www.cbs42.com/news/local/m...
My conversation with John T. Edge on his new memoir, “House of Smoke,” as well as all things Southern and food.
In ‘House of Smoke,’ John T. Edge sets his life at center stage amid a changing South
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — In many ways, “House of Smoke” is something of a departure for John T. Edge. Make no mistake: the longtime writer and host of “TrueSouth” on SEC Ne…
www.cbs42.com
September 16, 2025 at 7:55 PM
My conversation with John T. Edge on his new memoir, “House of Smoke,” as well as all things Southern and food.
Matt Labash, celebrated by many as one of the best magazine writers in America and author of "Slack Tide" on Substack, spoke to me about going down to New Orleans to cover the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I've been a fan of his work a long time and felt honored to hear his perspective.
Celebrated writer Matt Labash looks back on Hurricane Katrina 20 years later
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Matt Labash has always had a way with words. Whether it be his seminal profile of political operator Roger Stone, a chance fly fishing trip he took with former Vice Presid…
www.cbs42.com
September 1, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Matt Labash, celebrated by many as one of the best magazine writers in America and author of "Slack Tide" on Substack, spoke to me about going down to New Orleans to cover the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I've been a fan of his work a long time and felt honored to hear his perspective.
In 2018, the late Ozzy Osbourne went to Alabama and, well, did what he does best: was his charming, mumbling self.
The time Ozzy Osbourne went to Space Camp in Alabama
By 2016, Osbourne and his son Jack had embarked on a second reality series, “Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour,” where father and son toured the country, taking part in the culture …
www.cbs42.com
July 22, 2025 at 8:41 PM
In 2018, the late Ozzy Osbourne went to Alabama and, well, did what he does best: was his charming, mumbling self.
New haircut, who dis?
July 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM
New haircut, who dis?
My piece on Brother Jude Johnston, a monk at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama whose artwork was itself a kind of spiritual meditation. Johnston, who died last week at the age of 92, served St. Bernard for over 70 years.
For 70 years, Jude Johnston devoted his spiritual life to St. Bernard Abbey. But the Alabama monk was also committed to his art
CULLMAN, Ala. (WIAT) — Brother Jude Johnston, a monk whose dedication to both God and to his art went well beyond the walls of St. Bernard Abbey, died last week following a lengthy illness. H…
www.cbs42.com
June 23, 2025 at 8:13 PM
My piece on Brother Jude Johnston, a monk at St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama whose artwork was itself a kind of spiritual meditation. Johnston, who died last week at the age of 92, served St. Bernard for over 70 years.
Really sad to hear about Rubin E. Grant’s death. He was a longtime sports writer for the Birmingham Post-Herald who never gave up the ghost, contributing to Over the Mountain Journal and other outlets. Sad to see that generation of journalists go.
This week in HS Sports: Remembering Rubin Grant and his life well lived
Rubin Grant poured into high school athletes for years, shining his light on Alabama's youth and leaving a positive impact on us all.
www.al.com
June 21, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Really sad to hear about Rubin E. Grant’s death. He was a longtime sports writer for the Birmingham Post-Herald who never gave up the ghost, contributing to Over the Mountain Journal and other outlets. Sad to see that generation of journalists go.
This weekend, an estate sale will be held at the longtime home of one of Birmingham's most esteemed family dynasties. Everything inside this sprawling six-room house will be up for grabs.
Estate sale being held at longtime Pizitz home in Hoover
The sprawling six-room house, which was built in 1977, was the longtime home of Merritt Pizitz, part of the Pizitz dynasty best known for running the Pizitiz Department Store from 1899 until the bu…
www.cbs42.com
June 20, 2025 at 5:49 PM
This weekend, an estate sale will be held at the longtime home of one of Birmingham's most esteemed family dynasties. Everything inside this sprawling six-room house will be up for grabs.
I hope that I make it home by Wednesday
And this Magic City let's me go
And this Magic City let's me go
Gorillaz - Magic City (Visualiser)
YouTube video by Gorillaz
youtube.com
June 18, 2025 at 2:03 AM
I hope that I make it home by Wednesday
And this Magic City let's me go
And this Magic City let's me go
A new $499 smartphone from the Trump Organization could possibly be made in Alabama, but experts say that with most phones being manufactured in China, and the billions of dollars it would take to build that industry in the US, it would be a long way off.
www.cbs42.com
June 17, 2025 at 5:45 PM
A new $499 smartphone from the Trump Organization could possibly be made in Alabama, but experts say that with most phones being manufactured in China, and the billions of dollars it would take to build that industry in the US, it would be a long way off.
NYT's Rick Rojas on Buc-ee's, which is quickly becoming its own religious movement across the South, second only to the Southern Baptist Convention. It reminds me of Alan Blinder's portrait of Waffle House back in 2018.
Buc-ee’s, a Pit Stop to Refuel Cars, Stomachs and Souls, Spreads Beyond Texas
www.nytimes.com
June 16, 2025 at 4:25 PM
NYT's Rick Rojas on Buc-ee's, which is quickly becoming its own religious movement across the South, second only to the Southern Baptist Convention. It reminds me of Alan Blinder's portrait of Waffle House back in 2018.
Happy Father’s Day to my dad, Chuck. Here he is in front of his favorite store in Savannah, Georgia.
June 15, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Happy Father’s Day to my dad, Chuck. Here he is in front of his favorite store in Savannah, Georgia.
CBS Sunday Morning did a piece on an age-old arcane tradition called “worm grunting,” where people use the vibrations of rubbing a stake to draw worms out of the ground. In Geneva, Alabama, it’s called “worm fiddling” and there’s a whole competition around it at the county fair.
The "magic" of worm grunting
YouTube video by CBS Sunday Morning
youtu.be
June 15, 2025 at 2:43 PM
CBS Sunday Morning did a piece on an age-old arcane tradition called “worm grunting,” where people use the vibrations of rubbing a stake to draw worms out of the ground. In Geneva, Alabama, it’s called “worm fiddling” and there’s a whole competition around it at the county fair.