Tales from the South returns with the June “Tin Roof Project” featuring Philip Martin.  The program takes place tonight.  Advance reservations are required and seating is limited.

Music is by the Salty Dogs and blues guitarist Mark Simpson.

Philip Martin is a columnist, editor and the chief film critic at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. He has won more than 40 regional and national journalism awards during his tenure at the newspaper, including two Green Eyeshade Awards, and he was a finalist for the 2012 James Hearst Poetry Prize.

He is also the “monkey in the nose cone” at blooddirtandangels.com, a culture blog from “the perspective of a self-identified Southerner who still reads novels and likes baseball, dogs and punk rock music.” His first album of original songs, Gastonia, was released in March 2013, and is now available on iTunes and through most other digital outlets.

Born in Savannah, Ga., Martin has played pro baseball in South America and rhythm guitar in garage bands. He lives in the Hillcrest neighborhood of Little Rock with his wife Karen and three rescue terriers.

“Tales From the South” is a radio show created and produced by Paula Martin Morell, who is also the show’s host. The show is taped live on Tuesday. The night is a cross between a house concert and a reading/show, with incredible food and great company. Tickets must be purchased before the show, as shows are usually standing-room only.

“Tales from the South” is a showcase of writers reading their own true stories.  While the show itself is unrehearsed, the literary memoirs have been worked on for weeks leading up to the readings. Stories range from funny to touching, from everyday occurrences to life-altering tragedies.

The program takes place at Starving Artist Café.  Dinner is served from 5pm to 6:30pm, the show starts at 7pm.  Admission is $5, not including dinner.

You MUST purchase your ticket before the show

Previous episodes of “Tales from the South” air on KUAR Public Radio on Thursdays at 7pm.