In this episode of The Model City Rewind, the hosts shoot the bull about life changes, local sports, and everything in between. Lane shares the whirlwind experience of moving back from Charlotte, including the chaos of a moving sale and the realization that experiences matter more than stuff.

The conversation quickly turns to the links and the diamond. The guys dive into Tiger Woods’ career trajectory, debates Michael Jordan’s tenure as Hornets owner, and compares the sports scenes in the Model City versus the big city. They also touch on local changes, including the closure of Sullivan North High School, the future of the Axemen stadium, and exciting news about the Nashville Stars MLB expansion.

Plus, they tease upcoming interviews with the winningest high school football coach in Tennessee history and friend of the show and local expert and civic leader, Jeff Fleming. Whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or just love a good chat about hometown changes, this episode has something for everyone.

Connect with us: 📱 Instagram & Facebook: @TheModelCityRewind 📧 Email: partnerships@themodelcityrewind.com

Support the show by picking up the "Appalachian Alien" album at Southern City’s Band Camp.

In this week's episode of The Model City Rewind Dustol & Lane Kick Off the Podcast + share the first Model Memory: Mary the Elephant

Dustol, a lifelong Kingsport resident, and Lane, a longtime friend who left 16 years ago and is now boomeranging back to the Tri-Cities from Charlotte, introduce their podcast, The Model City Rewind, focused on Kingsport’s and Southern Appalachia's past, present, and future.

They outline a conversational format with weekly discussion, community engagement, and guests ranging from historians and small business owners to expats and everyday locals, welcoming corrections when they miss details. Topics will include sports, schools, economic development, housing, music, arts, and culture, and so much more; with an emphasis on storytelling and learning from history, including fun, interesting, and sometimes uncomfortable parts.

The first “Model Memory” recounts the 1916 incident involving circus elephant Mary and they ask listeners for more information about the event.

00:00 Meet the Hosts

00:53 Why Lane Came Back

02:06 Starting the Podcast

04:05 What Model City Rewind Covers

04:41 Guests and Community Voices

05:29 How Episodes Are Structured

06:06 Join In and Fact Checks

07:54 Downtown Then and Now

09:17 Model Memory Segment

10:47 Supporters and Partners

11:49 Mary the Elephant Story

17:38 Why Start With Mary

20:12 Looking Ahead and Wrap Up

In this inaugural teaser episode, Dustol & Lane reconnect in The Model City after a 15+ years to launch The Model City Rewind. Listeners get a candid glimpse into why the two friends decided to sit down together again: Dustol’s deep‑roots experience living in the Tri‑Cities and Lane’s recent “boomerang” return from Charlotte after a decade away.

The conversation weaves personal history with a broader mission—capturing Appalachia’s rich narratives for both longtime residents and newcomers. They discuss the influx of out‑of‑state arrivals, the evolving identity of Kingsport, and the value of preserving oral history for posterity. Listeners hear reflections on how the city has changed over the past two decades, the challenges of being an “expat” returning to familiar streets, and the excitement of building a platform that gives voice to a diverse array of community members—from multigenerational locals to recent transplants.

Throughout, the hosts emphasize their commitment to:

• Documenting the region’s past for future generations.
• Highlighting current community dynamics and the stories of people shaping Kingsport today.
• Imagining forward‑looking ideas that can help the city thrive.