RANDY TRAVIS TURNING METROCENTER INTO A REDNECK BUCEE'S & PHILLIP GUNN IN-STUDIO HOUR 3 (Ep #990)

On my FAFO Friday episode of The Clay Edwards Show, I kicked things off with a bang, hyped about being just 10 episodes shy of my 1,000th show, slated for Friday, June 13, 2025. I’m already dreaming big—maybe I’ll get Ric Flair to swing by for the milestone! Reflecting on big moments, I brought up the late Mike Leach’s posthumous induction into the College Football Hall of Fame after a rule tweak, a reminder to never take a single day for granted. Broadcasting from Flora, Mississippi, on 103.9 FM WYAB, my show streams worldwide in crisp HD from the Men’s Health & Women’s Wellness Studios.

I dove into a wild story about Jackson’s Metrocenter Mall, where Randy Travis is reportedly dropping $5 million to turn the old Burlington Coat Factory into a Randy Travis Country Store and Travel Center. I’m skeptical—given the area’s crime and demographics, I can’t see it working out. I predicted it might morph into a sketchy gas station in a few years. My listeners backed me up, texting about safety concerns and Travis’s health struggles post-stroke.

For the second hour, I welcomed former Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn, the first Republican in that seat in 136 years, from 2012 to 2024. Philip opened up about losing his family to a drunk driver 37 years ago, a tragedy that shaped his faith and drive. We talked about the Republican wave in Mississippi, sparked by the Democratic Party’s leftward shift, and his proudest wins—like boosting education and passing the state’s biggest tax cut. He shared a hilarious story about speeding up a bill-reading machine to counter Democratic delay tactics, a relic of an 1894 rule. Philip hinted at future plans, guided by faith, and I wrapped up feeling grateful for his grit and the chance to share his real story with my audience.