Battle of Perryville featured on popular TV show

PERRYVILLE, Ky. - The Battle of Perryville's 150th Commemoration was featured on an episode of "Small Town Big Deal," Thursday, March 7 on the RFD-TV network. 

"Small Town Big Deal" is a 30-minute show that highlights stories of inspiration, tradition, success and "cool things happening" in America's small towns. The show premiered in September 2012, and has become one of RFD-TV's top 15 shows. 

Cheryl Collins, field producer for the show, said Thursday's episode will feature two segments on Perryville and will include interviews with Civil War re-enactors from both the Union and Confederate sides. It also will highlight the living history area of the commemoration and will show interviews with the civilian re-enactors. The commemoration was Oct. 5-7, 2012. 

The show is hosted by Rodney Miller, who also was the creator of the series. Miller, who has had a long career in farm machinery manufacturing and sales, has a passion for shining the spotlight on the inspiring things going on in small towns and farm communities. 

Collins said this is the first time a town in Kentucky will be featured on the show. 

"We chose Perryville as a town to spotlight because the battle put it on the map and made it a big deal," Collins said. "When we heard about the 150th commemoration, we couldn't think of a better segment to show the passion of re-enactors and how history formed this town. ... I've produced several stories for this show, but the reenactment at Perryville has been one of my favorites so far. Just the sheer scope of the battle and everyone participating makes you feel you are back on those hallowed grounds again where those men gave their lives." 

Joni House, historic preservation coordinator for the Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site, was interviewed for the show and said she is always happy to help with any effort to bring attention to Perryville and the battlefield. 

"I think often times, when people think of the Civil War they think of Gettysburg and Antietam and all the eastern battles. What is often lost is how strategically important Kentucky was to both the Union and the Confederacy," House said. "We feel really lucky that all of this attention is being turned to the sesquicentennial. It is allowing people to understand the Western theater of the war, and how it was so important. It is also showing how Kentucky and the Battle of Perryville played such a huge role in setting our nation's destiny." 

"Small Town Big Deal" airs on Direct TV channel 345 and DISH Network channel 231. For more information about the show, visit www.smalltownbigdeal.com. For more information on the Battle of Perryville, visit www.perryvillebattlefield.org.