Sam Venable
Sam Venable is an award-winning columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel and author of 14 books on topics ranging from humor, outdoor sports, the environment, and Southern Appalachian culture. He is a member of the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame, East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame, and the “Talk Is Cheap” comedy troupe.
A Knoxville native, he is a 1969 graduate of the University of Tennessee. In addition to Friends of the Cumberland Trail, he has served on the board of Appalachian Bear Rescue and Friends of Seven Islands State Bird Park.
He and Mary Ann celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2019 and enjoy spending time with their two children and spouses and (especially!) their three grandchildren. He still hunts and fishes—but readily admits with neither the passion, nor the frequency, as when he was (a) younger and (b) getting paid to do it!