It’s not every day we get to hang out with Emmy Award-Winning television stars, but it happened! Experience Jackson, Jackson County’s official tourism bureau, welcomed Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman, hosts of PBS’ travel show Under the Radar Michigan to Jackson in late September 2023.
During their visit, they filmed a full 30-minute television episode featuring cool people, places and things that make Jackson an awesome place to live, work and play!
Daldin and Edelman’s visit focued on various attractions in Jackson County as a part of a paid partnership between Experience Jackson and Pure Michigan. In this episode, viewers can learn about the Bright Walls murals, Jackson’s role in the Underground Railroad, sweet treats and burgers at RJ’s Metropolitan Ice Cream Co., great brews at OGMA Brewing Co., and the quirky breakfast fun Daldin and Edelman experienced at Roxy Café. This episode debuted on PBS on October 12, 2023.
While in town, the hosts made a public appearance for a book signing at Jackson Coffee Company, attended by over 100 residents from around Jackson County and beyond.
Following the PBS television debut of the Jackson episode, the main floor of the historic Michigan Theatre of Jackson was filled with viewers for a public screening of the show, along with live commentary from the businesses and experts that were highlighted on the show.
This is not the first time Under the Radar Michigan highlighted Jackson. Ten years ago, Daldin and Edelman taped and hosted an episode that highlighted Jackson Union Rail Station, West Texas BBQ Company, and Historic Prison Tours of Jackson. The 2013 episode was shared with Mackinac Island, highlighting both as tourist destinations.
For more information about the book or the television show, visit www.utrmichigan.com.
Watch the Full Episode Now
Listen to the Pocast
While they were visiting, Rachel Buchanan, Experience Jackson’s Marketing & Development Manager got to film an episode of Experience Jackson’s Podcast with Tom Daldin. He reflected on his visit, and shared how impressed he was with Jackson’s growth and offerings. Take a listen!
https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/214jbMuqAjFLWOtMJ0uDbb?utm_source=generator
About Under the Radar Michigan
Tom Daldin is an Emmy award winning producer, actor and author, who has created programs that have aired across Michigan and around the U.S. on PBS. He has also won a number of “best actor” awards in both commercial television and industrial films. Growing up in Birmingham, Michigan, Tom has always been a fan of travel. At the age of 12 he joined the World Adventure Series Club at the Detroit Institute of Arts where his mother would drop him off to watch travel log films. After graduation from Oakland University with a degree in journalism, Tom, his wife Cathy and their children have turned Michigan into their vacation playground, exploring its many wonders and attractions. Tom loves people and loves where he lives.
Jim Edelman’s path to television producer took him from Radio Talk Show Producer to Radio Promotion Director to Radio Sales Manager to National Radio Sales (Jim loved radio). Jim’s attention to detail, idea generation and the sales chops to keep the show funding flowing, help complete the circle of skills for Under the Radar Michigan. UTR fulfills a lifelong mission to combine the best of his sales skills with the creative guy that’s always been lurking in the shadows. His love of storytelling and searching or offbeat, little-known stories really makes his day. Jim attended many colleges but learned more working for the Detroit Pistons, as a Ski Instructor, Cycle Racing Producer, Tomato Picker and Bakers Assistant. He lives in Salem, Michigan and insists that he’s quite normal despite owning three cats.
