Some really innovative people live among us, who are always doing interesting things, and frankly, it’s hard to stay on top of everything they have going on. Two of whom are a married couple, John and Lynn Henderson Oldshue. Every time our paths cross, I learn that they are working on multiple projects that have a positive impact on our lives and communities.

I saw a blurb the other day on social media about this new thing called Mobile Bay Radio. It was tied to a series of podcasts Lynn is doing with Mobile’s ‘Music Mayor’ Eric Erdman at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club. Undoubtedly, Callaghan’s is the mecca for discovering great music by new artists, but this focus is especially on local talent. I reached out to Lynn to learn more, and we scheduled a time to meet at Provision with husband, John.

A little background is in order. We featured a story on Lynn in October 2024 about the release of her second book, Our Southern Souls, Vol. II, a compilation of 160 stories of people she has encountered. These aren’t famous people, just everyday people she has met and reached out to to tell their stories. 

“There is a story in all of us. You just have to ask and listen,” she says. Our Southern Souls, Volume I, was released in 2021. Since 2016, she has written more than 2000 stories, which she shares on her Facebook page, Our Southern Souls, which has over 70,000 subscribers. 

Lynn is also a music aficionado. She recently wrote a wonderful story on John Thompson and Callahan’s that appeared in Mobile Bay Magazine. If you know J.T., as he is called, you know he shies away from publicity, so for him to allow Lynn inside access is a tribute to her ability to connect with people from all walks of life. It’s a trust she instills with people that allows them to open up and share their stories. What a gift!

John Oldshue is a man of many talents as well. He is a founding member of the 66,000 members Fairhope Now Facebook Group. In 2025, he teamed up with fellow meteorologist James Spann to launch a new online weather service, the Alabama Weather Network.

Lynn, who earned a communication degree from Mississippi State, launched The Southern Rambler magazine in 2012 with photographer friend Michelle Stancil. The publication was about music and art. She says this was her magic carpet for writing about things she loved. She’s written for Lagniappe and Mobile Bay Magazine and is often heard telling her stories on Alabama Public Radio. 

Interviews with up-and-coming musicians and bands like St. Paul and the Broken Bones and The Revivalists whet her appetite for more involvement in the music scene. “Connecting communities is what music is all about,” says Lynn. She and John are a team that complements each other in every endeavor they undertake.

Lynn had a special relationship with the late legendary radio host and founder of Mobile’s 92 Zew, Catt Sirten. “Dealing The Mobile Sound,” the podcast where Erdman interviews area musicians, is a nod to Catt and the folks who keep the music flowing. 

“This area of the Gulf Coast creates some of the best musicians and music in the country. And anywhere you go, you can hear them play at venues throughout the Scenic 98 Coastal area. Callahan’s is the mecca, so we are recording the podcast from there,” she says.

Mobile Bay Radio is an internet-based platform that streams music 24/7. John tells me that when they decided to launch an online radio platform, they needed a website and app, so he rolled up his sleeves and, using AI as a building tool, figured it out. No small task, but you can find them at Mobilebayradio.com.

Lynn says, “In addition to local musicians, we will include any music that references Mobile or the Eastern Shore in their lyrics.”

Lynn, who once served as the Assistant Director at the Saenger Theater, tells me Catt Sirtin was central in promoting new music, especially local artists. “Mobile Bay Radio and Dealing The Mobile Sound are trying to continue Catt’s mission and keep his spirit alive. There is so much amazing local music, we wanted to make it easy to discover–just like Catt did.”

Catt’s impact continues to be felt from his days at 92 Zew. As Mobile’s first Adult Album Alternative, it resonated with the listener. At one point, many years ago, the station changed ownership, and the staff didn’t know what the future format would be. This is an interesting story associated with that transition that I remember well. 

It was the early summer of 1989, and I was in our backyard in Pt. Clear on a Saturday afternoon. I had just tuned into 92 Zew playing on my car radio with the doors open. Don McLean’s Bye Bye, Miss American Pie was playing its 8-minute, 42-second full album version. When the song ended, it started over again. “That’s unusual," I thought.

My friend, George O’Rear, who managed a radio station in Tuscaloosa, had purchased 92 Zew a month prior, but had yet to take ownership while waiting on the FCC license to be transferred. He got a call from his brother, Caine, an attorney in Mobile, on Saturday evening. “George, you have a problem. 92 Zew is playing Bye Bye Miss American Pie nonstop. You need to get down here and see what’s going on.”

On Sunday morning, George heads to Mobile. “I knew where the station was located, but had never been there, and had not met the staff or radio personalities. When I got there, I knocked on the door, but no one answered. Bye Bye, Miss American Pie was still playing non-stop.”

Finally, the door cracked open and Linda, an on-air personality, poked her head out to see who was knocking. “I’m the new owner. “What are y’all doing?” asked George. “That’s our program director (Catt Sirtin), and that’s what he’s decided to do,” Linda told him. She didn’t let George into the station, but she did take George’s phone number.

Eventually, Catt called, and George asked, “Why are you doing this? We are not going to kill off the format. We want you to keep doing what you are doing.” George says it took some convincing, but they finally agreed. The song played consecutively from 5 pm Friday until midnight Sunday. “I never want to hear that song again,” says George. He goes on, “Catt and I got along very well after that, and he credits Catt with implementing some great programming, including the Sunday Jazz Brunch. “He worked his ass off, but he loved it,” he says.

You can tell that Lynn is enjoying this project with Eric. Check out the Dealing The Mobile Sound podcasts, which highlight and discuss the Mobile Bay music scene with local artists, not only a cool way to remember Catt but also a way to preserve the rich music history of the area. 

Tune into Mobile Bay Radio and be amazed by the sounds emanating from the surrounding shores for decades. Like a jubilee, I believe there must be something in the water!