An American Picker & ‘Nashville’s Big Back Yard’

Many boys develop a fascination with bicycles, motorcycles, or comic books growing up. Only a handful generate income from their hobby. Very few keep the most prized picks in their own climate-controlled garage. Then there’s Mike Wolfe, an American picker exploring Nashville’s Big Back Yard.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Mike’s personality showcases the characteristics of his upbringing. He’s friendly, talkative, and expresses a child-like excitement when asked about a specific item in his extensive collection. Just watching him bounce around his garage, pointing out his favorite finds, requires lots of energy and focus. 

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Before Mike found fame on his hit TV reality show, American Pickers, he visualized a show featuring him rummaging through folk’s attics, barns, and garages and buying his favorite finds. He pitched the show’s concept for five years, getting rejected by several production companies until the History Channel found his idea intriguing.

Although the network expressed excitement over the project, neither their executives nor Mike had a grasp of the show’s format. Before filming began, Mike became the Executive Producer. That one decision paid significant dividends because it allowed Mike to grow into the role.

“I’ve pitched many show concepts through the years,” Mike told us over a plate of fried chicken at Puckett’s in downtown Columbia, TN. “You’re not going to sell a show today without a well-developed format. It’s just not going to happen. We created what I refer to as ‘artifactual, transactional television.’ The change came when we introduced a transaction to the show. I was a sponge in the early years and have learned a lot since then.”

Early American Picker episodes featured Mike and his traveling co-host, Frank Fritz, leaving their Iowa store and driving through the countryside finding treasure troves. Before the show began filming, Danielle Colby worked in Mike’s Iowa shop. Her role wasn’t part of the show’s concept. However, network executives quickly recognized that Danielle played a critical function in helping the guys plan their ventures. 

“This is a show about my life and business. I want to make sure we dot all the I’s and cross all the T’s. We have to be exact because we’re on The History channel.”

American Pickers Success

As American Pickers begins its 11th year, no one can argue with the show’s success. The latest ratings have the broadcast as one of the most popular cable network reality shows. Besides a handful of cable news programs, few reality shows have American Pickers’ longevity. One reason is the show’s loyal fan base.

“Our fans are the same people that go to NASCAR races, like country music, antiques, and history,” says Mike.

If you’re a fan of Mike’s pickings and are near LeClaire, IA, or Nashville, TN, you’ll want to stop and shop some true treasures at the Antique Archaeology stores.

The Iowa location is in a two-story fabrication shop and is the home base of American Pickers. And in typical picking fashion, you’re welcome to make an offer on an incredible item you can’t live without. The Nashville store offers many vintage items, collectibles, and unique home decor that will certainly be a conversation piece for years to come.

Another of Mike’s decisions is paying additional dividends for his projects and neighboring communities. Just like his early instinct in capturing a key production role for his show, relocating to the Southeast proved positive for Mike and his family.

While exploring small communities in rural Tennessee, Mike found several Columbia properties to purchase and renovate. One of the first was a building just off the town square that originally housed the local Chevrolet dealership. It was perfect for keeping Mike’s ever-growing collection, with room to restore his favorite cars and motorcycles. More importantly, renovating and opening the building helps bring additional opportunities to smaller towns.

An additional element of his plan involves creating inviting living spaces in downtown Columbia’s heart. Because Mike spends so much time driving on two lanes, he named his second-story loft in the pre-1860s building, Two Lanes Guesthouse. 

The loft’s decor highlights furnishings acquired through Mike’s travels, including antique wooden bikes, hung from the ceiling and vintage guitars. The guesthouse is a representation of Mike’s picking. He spent time going through lots of barns and attics before uncovering the perfect items for the guesthouse. Similar items can be found in either of his Antique Archaeology stores.

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Constructed in 1857, the one-bedroom loft with 13-foot ceilings, original wood floors, and exposed brick also offers a direct view of the town’s square and historic courthouse. Plus, travelers can book their stay on the loft’s website and Airbnb. 

“The main reason I renovated the guest house is to set an example of what can happen,” says Mike while giving our group a tour of the charming unit. “How do we go to the next level, like getting people to stay in downtown Columbia? It’s important to have stylish, quaint places to stay in growing communities. Once people start living and staying in downtown areas, the activity level and nightlife will increase, and more businesses will benefit.”

Showcasing Nashville’s Big Back Yard

The COVID-19 pandemic obviously altered the filming and production schedule for American Pickers. However, the break allowed Mike to focus on several new projects. One of his recent projects is called Nashville’s Big Back Yard. 

Like his motivation to revitalize downtown Columbia, Mike joined forces with Aubrey Preston, a Middle Tennessee philanthropist and visionary. He’s also the man that had the vision to protect rural areas like Leiper’s Fork by ensuring their historic preservation remained intact.

Nashville’s Big Back Yard is as much an economic and tourism development project as it is an initiative. The project focuses on rural counties and small towns with populations of 5,000 or less between Nashville and Muscle Shoals, Alabama – two of the country’s greatest musical communities. 

“While COVID has dealt a devastating blow to our nation’s public health and economy, it also has led people and communities to think about who we are and what we do,” noted Preston. “The Land is calling people back, and Nashville’s Big Back Yard has an abundance of land, water, and world-class music. We’re inviting folks to come and play in our big backyard.”

Despite the pandemic disrupting most people’s lives, Mike believes if there is a silver lining, it’s how people are evaluating their lifestyle and prioritizing what’s important.

“I think a result of the current pandemic is that people are reflecting on what they want their lives to look like over the next 20 years, how they want to raise their kids, and how they can protect themselves moving forward. It all adds up to Main Street and rural America,” added Mike.

Multiple stakeholders are aligned to move Nashville’s Big Back Yard initiative forward. The rural counties under the project’s umbrella have the infrastructure to support the quality of life many people appreciate. 

The area also has tons of outdoor activities. Gorgeous hiking trails, scenic parkways, horseback riding, cycling, and numerous other opportunities await new residents and visitors alike. 

Making rural areas attractive to city dwellers comes with a price. Infrastructure costs such as high-speed internet and four-lane highways are expensive. The goal is to help rural communities afford these improvements by promoting tourism, thus providing potential residents the tools needed to work remotely and efficiently commute to larger cities.

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Jim Mangubat is the County Executive of Wayne County, Tennessee, and appreciative of any effort to bring people his slice of heaven. The rural county’s 16,600 residents sit on Tennessee’s southern border, just a short ride north of the tri-city area of Florence, Tuscumbia, and Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Outside of logging and a few sawmills, there is little industry and little hope of landing substantial, job-producing companies.

“We have some wonderful attractions like the Tennessee Fitness spa near our Natural Bridge, floating the Buffalo River, the marina at Clifton, and an equine trail riding business. All could thrive with more tourism and residents,” noted Mangubat.

There is definitely a shift in the way people do business and live their life. The area between Nashville and Muscle Shoals is only one of the marvelous areas that surround Middle Tennessee. With Mike and Aubrey’s vision and effort behind this initiative, future residents can appreciate all the wonderful amenities the South offers. 

“This is an opportunity to get people into areas that haven’t seen much prior activity,” says American’s most famous antique picker. There is a shift in the way people do business and live their life. Until COVID, reviewing their 401K is as far as most people looked into their future. Now we have the opportunity to help them redefine their priorities.” Lifestyle, lifestyle, lifestyle, that’s what’s important to people today.”

Nashville’s Big Back Yard is a worthwhile project that can benefit both rural areas and new residents.