Cousin Russell's Book Celebrates Mayberry's Timeless Values

Andy Griffith would have been 100 years old today. His daughter, Dixie, joined us on the radio to celebrate and because of a new book released today. A book penned by a popular Tuscaloosa author. Dixie Griffith loves his new book. Listen to our chat with her below.

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That is truly a compliment. Alabama’s favorite cousin, Russell L. Estes, is getting ready to bring a little Mayberry into his readers’ lives. Known for his witty Southern dialect, Cousin Russell mixes humor and inspiration into all of his books and articles, and this newest release doesn’t stray from the same principles that have made him a 5-time best-selling author.

His books will make you laugh and cry, possibly all at the same time. As Steve Shannon of the Steve and DC Morning Show stated, “If Mark Twain and Lewis Grizzard had a baby, it would be Cousin Russell.”

Whistlin' Wisdom: The Gospel According to Mayberry (pre-order by clicking on the book title) releases on June 1^st and invites readers back to the front porch of Mayberry, where life lessons are simple, faith runs deep, and a good story is best told with a smile. In this heartfelt and humorous devotional, Russell L. Estes revisits 60 of his all-time favorite episodes from The Andy Griffith Show, uncovering the timeless truths tucked inside each one.

With his signature Southern charm, Cousin Russell weaves together episode insights, biblical wisdom, and down-home humor that feels like a conversation with an old friend, or possibly, Sheriff Andy Taylor himself. From lessons on grace, forgiveness, humility, and neighborly love, Estes shows how the values that made Mayberry special are the same principles found in Scripture-and still desperately needed today. Whether you're a lifelong fan of The Andy Griffith Show or simply hungry for encouragement rooted in faith and common sense, Whistlin' Wisdom will leave you laughing, reflecting, and maybe even whistling a familiar tune along the way.

The book has already climbed to number two on Amazon’s Best Seller list and can be found almost anywhere books are sold. Saturday, June 6th, Cousin Russell will have Whistlin’ Wisdom, along with all of his other books, at Dreamland BBQ in Northport, Alabama. The book signing will run from 10:30 AM to 2 PM. You can also find Russell and follow him on Facebook for his daily writings at Russell L. Estes.