You probably know Sean Dietrich as “Sean of the South” and recognize him as a celebrated columnist, novelist, musician and storyteller renowned for his heartfelt and humorous portrayals of Southern life and culture. With 15 books to his name, Dietrich has captivated readers with his charm and evocative storytelling.

He is the creator of the popular Sean of the South podcast, where he shares stories that resonate deeply with his audience. He is also a standup storyteller, and on Sept. 21, he will perform at Tuscaloosa’s Bama Theatre for the first time. Tickets are available here. (His band, The Grand Ole Optimists, will be there, too.)

He and his wife, Jamie, recently moved from Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, to a beautiful, historic home in Birmingham. Since settling in, Dietrich has discovered that there is much to love about Alabama. Here are his thoughts on his new home state.

This is Alabama: What is your favorite part about living in Alabama?

Sean Dietrich: I love the traffic on Highway 280. Complain all you want about the traffic jams, but I find that 280 is a great place to get a lot of important things accomplished, such as answering important phone calls, trimming my toenails, reading “War and Peace,” etc.

TIA: What is one thing people across the country should know about Alabama?

Dietrich: The national image of Alabamians — the distasteful image seen on mass media — is that we Alabamians are only concerned with divisive politics and religion. But that’s not true. We also have SEC football.

TIA: What is a place in Alabama that you’ve always wanted to visit but haven’t yet?

Dietrich: The World’s Largest Office Chair in Anniston, Alabama. I’m saving it for my 50th birthday.

The World’s Largest Office Chair in Anniston. (Wil Elrick)

TIA: Who would be on your Alabama Mount Rushmore?

Dietrich: That’s easy. Hank Senior. Hank Aaron. And The Bear.

TIA: How would you describe the people of Alabama?

Dietrich: I wouldn’t. We defy description. As soon as you try to define Alabamians, they redefine themselves. I travel a lot for work, and whenever I’m on a plane, when people ask where I’m from, and what we Alabamians are like, I always tell them, we’re basically just like you, but we have much higher cholesterol.

TIA: Where is the most beautiful place in Alabama?

Dietrich: Wherever my wife is.

TIA: Name an Alabamian who inspires you. Why?

Dietrich: Becca Butler. She is my blind goddaughter, from Boaz, Alabama. She is 12 years old. She is the most optimistic human I know.

Becca Butler with Sean and Jamie Dietrich. (Sean Dietrich)

TIA: If you had to make a soundtrack about your life in Alabama, name three songs you would choose and explain why they made the list.

Dietrich: I would choose only one song. The quintessential Alabama song. “Hey Good Lookin’.” Hank Williams wrote the song in 1951 while on a plane with Jimmy Dickens and Minnie Pearl. He penned the lyrics in 20 minutes. When the song was aired on the Grand Ole Opry microphone, it was an instant cultural phenomenon. And it was also the first song I sang when I stood before that same microphone, 72 years later, and played the Grand Ole Opry. Of course, it was closed at the time.

TIA: What’s one restaurant you recommend people go to when they visit your town?

Dietrich: Any place with a lot of trucks in the parking lot.

This story was previously published by This is Alabama. Want to read more good news about Alabama? Sign up for the This is Alabama newsletter here.