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Bluegrass Sons: An Interview with Erin Chandler (2025)

David sits down with Erin Chandler over video call to discuss her new true crime memoir, Bluegrass Sons. They discuss her childhood in Las Vegas, her relationship with her uncle Bradley Bryant, and her reasons for writing the book. Erin also reads an excerpt from her book. Bluegrass Sons is available for checkout from the library and for purchase from Erin's website.

Bluegrass Sons is a true crime family saga set between Lexington, Kentucky, and the desert days and gaudy nights of 1970s Las Vegas, Nevada, with a little El Paso, Guatemala, and Savannah thrown in. The story is about Bradley Bryant, a United States Marine who lived a double life. The FBI labeled him "a one-man crime wave" responsible for the largest gun-running, drug-smuggling network in the United States. His family considered him their rock, his mother's favorite, and a successful Philadelphia businessman. For the first time in forty years, Brad Bryant tells his truth, recording hours of conversations with his niece, Erin Chandler. Bluegrass Sons includes historical testimonies from those who were along for that ride, giving exclusive interviews to Erin Chandler for this book. It's a tale of drugs, arms, assassinations, and espionage where your lies are your life even if you are one of the good guys.

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About The Hosts

Tales from the Kentucky Room is hosted by David Bryant and produced by Erin West.

David is the Manager of Central Library, and has worked many years in the Kentucky Room. After several guest host spots, David moved to full time host of Tales from the Kentucky Room in 2025. Local History and Genealogy are passions of his, and he's excited to share them with our audience.

Erin is the Virtual Services Librarian. She's worked for Lexington Public Library since 2003 and began her work with audio editing in 2012 while working at the Northside Branch. Erin enjoys listening to history, true crime and tv show recap podcasts.

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