Byron Crawford grew up near Stanford, Kentucky, and studied at Murray State University. He was the Courier-Journal’s “Kentucky Columnist” for nearly thirty years, retiring in December 2008. Before joining the Courier-Journal in 1979, he was a host and producer of the syndicated traveling feature series, "SideRoads," on WHAS-Television News in Louisville. He hosted the Emmy-Award winning KET series, "Kentucky Life," during its first five seasons. Crawford also had a successful radio career at stations WAKY in Louisville, WCKY in Cincinnati and WHAS in Louisville. He has written two books of Kentucky stories. Crawford is the recipient of the Kentucky Arts Council's Governor's Award for media, the Kentucky Historical Confederation and Kentucky DAR state media awards, and the Kentucky Press Association and Lexington Herald-Leader's "Lewis Owens Award" for distinguished community service.