After eight years and more than 200 episodes, American Rambler is wrapping things up. This might not be the end of Colin's podcasting career, but this podcast is ending. Colin wants to thank everyone who has listened over the years and the guests who have appeared on the show. He also gives shout-outs to podcasts he currently enjoys if you want some recommendations.

Thanks for your support, and good luck in 2024. We're gonna need it! 

Billy Don Burns is an Outlaw Country legend. Born and raised in Arkansas, he has crisscrossed the country repeatedly over the years. He just got back from Ireland, and he has a new album out, I've Seen a Lot of Highway, which chronicles decades of heavy touring and drugging, drinking, and "kicking ass." A survivor of bad bar fights, an 18 month prison stretch, and six marriages, he turned 74 this year. Has he changed from the hellraiser he once was? You decide. Along the way, Billy Don talks about working with Shooter Jennings and the late Mack Vickery as well as encounters with Waylon Jennings and Jerry Lee Lewis.

You can buy the album here: https://found.ee/bdbhighway

To check out tour dates, BDB merch, and other music: https://www.billydonburns.net/

Robert Mann returns to the podcast to talk about his latest book, Kingfish U: Huey Long and LSU. Long--known as "The Kingfish" after a character from the popular radio show Amos 'n' Andy--was the governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and then senator until his death in 1935 (a fact that did not stop him from effectively being governor while serving as senator). In the seven years in which he had a virtual dictatorship, he accomplished a lot, perhaps no more so than he did at LSU. 

Long brought LSU into the ranks of modern southern colleges. For better or worse, it was Huey Long that made LSU what it is now: a football powerhouse with good academic departments. He also added to the state's odd and colorful history with his antics. As he did with everything, Long bent the law to his will so long as a pet project benefited. During Long's tenure, LSU grew considerably.

LSU has changed quite a bit from the 1930s. But in other ways, it has not. Bob and Colin talk about what Long did, how it created a distinct LSU culture, and why Long might be saddened by what the university has become today.  

Buy Bob's book here!