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.
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.
A grand jury is asking that e-cigarettes not be sold to inmates at the Walker County Jail anymore. Despite generating an estimated $20,000 per month for the Walker County Sheriff's Office, they've caused a few problems over the years.
Why is a grand jury asking for e-cigarettes not to be sold at the Walker County Jail anymore?
JASPER, Ala. (WIAT) — As a grand jury made the decision to indict Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith on charges of hiring uncertified personnel as deputies within his department, the group also…
www.cbs42.com
June 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
A grand jury is asking that e-cigarettes not be sold to inmates at the Walker County Jail anymore. Despite generating an estimated $20,000 per month for the Walker County Sheriff's Office, they've caused a few problems over the years.
Michael Anderson, whose lifelong attention to both detail and aesthetic lent themselves well to careers as a florist, a decorator and, most notably, a photographer who became a common sight along the streets of Birmingham over the years, died last week. He was 74.
Michael Anderson, street photographer who captured soul of Birmingham, dies
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Michael Anderson, whose lifelong attention detail and aesthetic lent themselves well to careers as a florist, a decorator and, most notably, a photographer who becam…
www.cbs42.com
June 4, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Michael Anderson, whose lifelong attention to both detail and aesthetic lent themselves well to careers as a florist, a decorator and, most notably, a photographer who became a common sight along the streets of Birmingham over the years, died last week. He was 74.
Alireza Doroudi, a student from Iran who was studying mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama before being detained by ICE on March 25, left the United States Sunday, according to his attorney.
Alireza Doroudi flies back to Iran 3 months after being detained by ICE outside University of Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Alireza Doroudi, a mechanical engineering student who was a year away from finishing his doctorate degree at the University of Alabama, has left the country and gone…
www.cbs42.com
June 2, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Alireza Doroudi, a student from Iran who was studying mechanical engineering at the University of Alabama before being detained by ICE on March 25, left the United States Sunday, according to his attorney.
Reposted by Drew Taylor
“He drove all over Texas, goading, questioning, preaching, writing ‘red hot’ stories and smash-mouth editorials, trying to sell Texas Observer subscriptions ... and hoping to awaken the masses to how shoddily they were being served by most of their alleged representatives.”
Ronnie Dugger, 1930-2025
The Observer's crusading founding editor—a prolific author and agitator who helped animate the spirit of a true Texas liberalism—has died at 95.
www.texasobserver.org
May 30, 2025 at 8:36 PM
“He drove all over Texas, goading, questioning, preaching, writing ‘red hot’ stories and smash-mouth editorials, trying to sell Texas Observer subscriptions ... and hoping to awaken the masses to how shoddily they were being served by most of their alleged representatives.”
Bob Carlton is retiring today. I love his work, from a profile on Terry Saban to a series on a man dying from AIDS. However, his piece on Bright Star’s snapper throats belongs up there with Calvin Trillin’s history of the Buffalo chicken wing. Stellar.
The story behind a must-try dish at this classic Alabama restaurant
The snapper throats at the Bright Star in Bessemer have a long, colorful history that goes back to the 1930s.
www.al.com
May 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Bob Carlton is retiring today. I love his work, from a profile on Terry Saban to a series on a man dying from AIDS. However, his piece on Bright Star’s snapper throats belongs up there with Calvin Trillin’s history of the Buffalo chicken wing. Stellar.
Jason Hamric, a multi-hyphenate creative who ran Substrate Radio for over a decade and was a champion of the Birmingham art scene, has died. He was 53.
Jason Hamric, founder of Substrate Radio who celebrated Birmingham art scene, dies
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Jason Hamric, a multi-hyphenate creative who ran Substrate Radio for over a decade in Birmingham, has died. He was 53 years old. Jackie Lo, Hamric’s wife and f…
www.cbs42.com
May 28, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Jason Hamric, a multi-hyphenate creative who ran Substrate Radio for over a decade and was a champion of the Birmingham art scene, has died. He was 53.
It’s amazing that in my lifetime, Birmingham had not one but two alt-weeklies: Birmingham Weekly and Black & White. I miss them both and would pitch in the revive them both in a heartbeat.
I still think the best idea for progressive donors is to just revive every alt-weekly in the country and staff them with 10 reporters each.
I wrote a bit about the misguided effort by Democrats to replicate Joe Rogan the right-wing podcast ecosystem.
May 27, 2025 at 9:07 PM
It’s amazing that in my lifetime, Birmingham had not one but two alt-weeklies: Birmingham Weekly and Black & White. I miss them both and would pitch in the revive them both in a heartbeat.
In a special appearance on Fox News where host Will Cain initially mispronounced his name, Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced he was running for governor of Alabama.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville running for governor of Alabama
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — In another life, Sen. Tommy Tuberville was one of the top college football coaches in Alabama. Now, he’s going for an even bigger job in the state: governor. T…
www.cbs42.com
May 27, 2025 at 8:22 PM
In a special appearance on Fox News where host Will Cain initially mispronounced his name, Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced he was running for governor of Alabama.
My profile of Jerry Williams Jr., aka Swamp Dogg, an outsider artist whose music has been described as “a post-apocalyptic take on the Muscle Shoals sound.” His new documentary, “Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted,” is playing this weekend at Sidewalk.
Swamp Dogg, outsider artist who found his sound in Alabama, at center of new documentary playing in Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — In 1969, Jerry Williams Jr. was working with a group called C & The Shells, writing a song for them called “You are the Circus.” Williams, who had be…
www.cbs42.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:30 PM
My profile of Jerry Williams Jr., aka Swamp Dogg, an outsider artist whose music has been described as “a post-apocalyptic take on the Muscle Shoals sound.” His new documentary, “Swamp Dogg Gets His Pool Painted,” is playing this weekend at Sidewalk.
It didn't matter if he won, if he lived, or if he'd run.
They changed the way his job was done. Labor costs were high.
That new machine was cheap as hell and only John would work as well.
So they left him laying where he fell, the day John Henry died.
-Drive-By Truckers
They changed the way his job was done. Labor costs were high.
That new machine was cheap as hell and only John would work as well.
So they left him laying where he fell, the day John Henry died.
-Drive-By Truckers
How an AI-generated summer reading list got published in major newspapers
Newspapers around the country, including the Chicago Sun-Times and at least one edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer, published a syndicated book list featuring made-up books by famous authors.
www.npr.org
May 22, 2025 at 5:19 PM
It didn't matter if he won, if he lived, or if he'd run.
They changed the way his job was done. Labor costs were high.
That new machine was cheap as hell and only John would work as well.
So they left him laying where he fell, the day John Henry died.
-Drive-By Truckers
They changed the way his job was done. Labor costs were high.
That new machine was cheap as hell and only John would work as well.
So they left him laying where he fell, the day John Henry died.
-Drive-By Truckers