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Troy Public Radio has launched its second season of “Alabama Aloud,” a podcast dedicated to narrating the works of Alabama’s authors.

Narrated by Don Noble, the first season of “Alabama Aloud” aired from June through December 2023 and highlighted works from Michelle Richmond, Tom Franklin, Jennifer Horne, Daniel Wallace, Marlin Barton, Suzanne Hudson, Wendy Reed, Thom Gossom and Troy University English professor Kirk Curnutt.

The second season will feature a more diverse range of authors, said Austin Toy, Digital Media Producer and Podcast Project Manager.

“Our selections for season two include stories from diverse authors from all corners of Alabama and from many different decades,” he said.

The second season will feature works from Lee Smith, Truman Capote, Jennifer Horne, Anthony Grooms, Thom Gossom, Jr., Anita Garner and more. Released on July 3, the first episode highlighted Ravi Howard’s “The Good Thief,” a story about a local chef who is asked to prepare a last meal for a man on death row. 

“Alabama is rich in fiction writers, specially writers of the short story. These stories take place everywhere around our state from Mobile to the Tennessee River, from Birmingham to Kilby prison,” Noble said. “Not only do these stories move through space, they will take you through time. The Capote story is set in 1930s Monroeville, while Lee Smith’s story takes us back to Tuscaloosa in the 60s-70s.

“Some stories deal with timeless subjects—the small-town boy, unable to launch in Fitzgerald’s ‘The Jellybean’ is with us still. Other stories seem to have come from yesterday’s headlines.”

This second season was made possible thanks to a $5,100 grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

“We are so glad to add the Alabama State Council on the Arts as partners in bringing ‘Alabama Aloud’ to our listeners,” said Kyle Gassiott, Troy Public Radio Director. “Our first season was so exciting and well received, and we can’t wait to resume our literary conversation in season two.” 

All episodes can be found at https://alabamaaloudwithdonnoble.podbean.com.