Trap Talk From The Back Fence — Episode 148

Clay Target Legends & the Mayor of Red Bud | (October 31, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this special two-segment episode, hosts Zach Nannini and Richard "Ricky" Marshall Jr. bring listeners an engaging deep dive into the traditions and future of clay target sports. The first half centers on preserving the history of trap, skeet, and sporting clays, featuring guests from the "Clay Target Legends" project. The second half shifts focus to the community impact of the Grand American, with Red Bud, Illinois mayor Susan Harbaugh sharing how the event shapes local life.

Part 1: Preserving Clay Target History with Clay Target Legends

(00:51-39:43)

Main Theme

Highlighting the Clay Target Legends project—a grassroots initiative dedicated to documenting and celebrating the history, legendary figures, and community of clay target sports.

Key Discussion Points

Introduction to the Clay Target Legends Project

• What It Is & Why It Began:
  Steve Ellinger and Phil Murray explain their passion for history and the lack of comprehensive record-keeping around clay target sports’ greats (01:46-02:37).

  • “Nobody is actually out there promoting the history of this sport.” – Steve Ellinger (01:54)

• Team:

  • Two of the three founders were present (Phil Murray, Steve Ellinger), while Matt Smith handles broadcast production (03:03).

• Scope:

  • The project covers all clay target disciplines: trap, skeet, sporting clays, and international/Olympic events.
    • “We're trying to get the association, the different organizations to work together. Yes, we're all shotgun shooters.” – Phil Murray (07:00)
  • Working with ATA and NSCA museums to update and create engaging, modern exhibitions.

Why History Matters in Shooting Sports

• Many younger shooters don’t know about legendary figures (e.g., Leo Harrison, Alex Kerr, John Kruger), and there’s a generational gap in passing down stories and knowledge (09:59-10:20).

• Cool Artifacts and Contributors:

  • Phil Murray’s legendary collection of trophies and memorabilia.
  • Notable guns: e.g., Annie Oakley’s personal shotgun, George Bush’s shotgun, and others featured in museums (16:09).

• Role of Family and Youth:

  • Encouraging young shooters to understand and value the history, so they're prepared to “carry the banner after we're gone.” – Phil Murray (09:57)

Content and Platform

• Where to Watch:

  • “It’s a YouTube program... just put in ‘Clay Target Legends’. Every episode we have done thus far will come up.” – Steve Ellinger (08:21)
  • 22 episodes recorded at the Grand American 2025, releasing about one per week; episodes last 5–15 minutes (08:47).

• Who They Interview:

  • Not just Hall of Famers—also rising youth, Olympians, and international shooters (09:17-09:57).

• Motivation and Impact:

  • Legendary shooters expressed surprise and gratitude at being remembered.
    • “I thought you forgot about me as a Hall of Fame guy.” – Reaction from Kenny Barnes, first to shoot 400/400 in skeet (06:21).
  • Documenting the stories brings recognition and encourages younger shooters to get involved.

Interdisciplinary Respect & Skills

• Breaking down cliques between trap, skeet, and sporting shooters, emphasizing cross-training benefits and shared techniques (07:31-08:21).
• “I learned, the best lesson of my life, shooting wise, was shooting with those sporting guys and skeet guys and actually learning the techniques that they were using and then bringing that and building it into my game...” – Zach Nannini (07:31)

The Power of New Media & Storytelling

• The future of promoting the sport lies in podcasts, YouTube, and social media, not in print ads (14:45–15:20).
  • “It’s podcasts, it’s YouTube, social media. That’s where you’re going to get the people...” – Steve Ellinger

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The older I get, the better I used to be.” – Steve Ellinger joking about aging in the sport (27:04)
• “You gotta learn how to miss before you can win.” – Phil Murray (24:05)
• “Trap shooting is such a great activity for families.” – Steve Ellinger (06:29)
• Humorous asides about trophies, donating (or hiding) keepsakes from spouses, and Phil’s legendary attendance at 60 consecutive world skeet shoots (03:55).

Challenges & Aspirations

• Difficulty promoting and marketing the sport to gun owners who never compete (13:50).
• Need for associations and the industry to better coordinate, educate, and market clay target shooting outside its traditional base.

Artifacts and Museums

• Fresh efforts to update and expand museum exhibits, bring in new artifacts, and encourage donations/loans from shooters and their families (38:23).
• “If you have a gun you want to give us or something... Don't just put it, it's on loan to the museum. When you want it back, you get it.” – Phil Murray (38:53)

Part 2: Community Impact – Mayor Susan Harbaugh of Red Bud

(39:58–70:28)

Main Theme

An inside look at how the Grand American event transforms the Red Bud–Sparta region and the spirit of local hospitality that underpins its success.

Key Discussion Points

Economic and Social Impact of the Grand American

• Economic Boost:

  • “The financial impact...was $25 to $30 million for Southern Illinois, which is a huge economic impact.” – Mayor Susan Harbaugh (47:39)
  • Local businesses ramp up, hotels fill, and the event draws a cosmopolitan crowd (42:03).

• Welcoming Culture:

  • Community pride in hosting; restaurants, pools, parks, and businesses tailor offerings for shooters and their families (42:16–46:23).
  • “We are a very welcoming community here in southern Illinois. We have a lot to offer for our visitors and this is a beautiful facility.” - Mayor Harbaugh (55:13)

• Local Life Lessons:

  • “If everybody would just do one thing, one small thing...be kind to your neighbor.” – Susan Harbaugh (64:29)
  • The value of volunteerism, community clubs, and stepping up for local needs (66:11).

Red Bud’s Uniqueness & Evolving with Trapshooting

• Historical Ties:

  • Many locals, including youth, have been drawn into shooting due to the facility’s presence (59:38).

• Restaurants & Attractions:

  • Mi Casa sandwich shop, Burnt End, 1860, Cafe Tiffs, Butcher's Block, and more—Red Bud offers quality eats for visitors (43:23; 56:11).
  • Local parks, golf courses, car clubs, manufacturing plants, and community pools create a vibrant small-town atmosphere (57:03–68:48).

Anticipating Growth & Challenges

• Discussed the constraints of building more infrastructure (like hotels) for a just-few-weeks-a-year spike in visitors (52:57).
• Efforts to attract year-round businesses, especially in shooting sports, by developing new industrial lots (68:48).

Safety, Gun Laws, and First Impressions

• Differentiating southern Illinois’ gun-friendly, welcoming culture from the state’s more restrictive reputation (53:42).
• “The way that they treat us down here is very fair, very friendly.” – Zach Nannini (53:56)

Youth & Sport Expansion

• Growing youth involvement; some local schools have club shooting teams, more are popping up (58:48).
• Encouragement to young people to take leadership roles in clubs and community activities (66:08).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This is like Disney World for trap shooters.” – Zach Nannini on the Sparta, IL facility (55:32)
• “If you beat a great person, that's gonna be in their memory forever.” —Zach Nannini (27:43)
• “Once you know what bank they're on, watch the numbers—it's easy to find somebody, easy to watch. We bring lawn chairs and we've made a spectator sport out of it.” – Susan Harbaugh on coming out to the Grand (57:36)
• “How did you get people to volunteer? I said, we asked. People just step up. If we need help, they'll step up.” – Susan Harbaugh (61:11)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Clay Target Legends Origin & Importance: 01:46–03:55
• Interdisciplinary Growth & Technique Sharing: 07:31–08:21
• Promotion Through Modern Media: 14:45–15:20
• Museum Updates & Artifact Donations: 15:44–16:09; 38:23–39:03
• Mentorship, Learning & Humility Lessons: 24:05–25:47
• Economic Impact of Grand American: 47:39
• Local Hospitality and Recommendations: 42:16–43:23; 56:11
• Community Volunteerism: 61:11; 64:29

Conclusion & Takeaways

• Sports: The preservation of clay target sports history is critical—both for honoring the legends and inspiring new shooters. The Clay Target Legends project is leading this cultural documentation, using new media to reach fresh audiences.
• Community: The Grand American is a linchpin for southern Illinois’ economy and culture. Red Bud, Sparta, and other towns roll out the red carpet for shooters, and the deep sense of community is rooted in collaborative spirit and a pride in hosting this storied event.
• Personal Growth: Shooters and citizens alike are encouraged to learn from the past, support each other, embrace opportunities across disciplines, and contribute—no matter how small—to the health and vitality of the sport and their towns.

Where to Learn More:

• Find all episodes of Clay Target Legends on YouTube by searching “Clay Target Legends”
• Plan your next visit to Red Bud using their new visitor guide
• For young and experienced shooters: Keep learning, keep volunteering, and always take pride in your community and your sport

Quotes, segments, and highlights are provided in the original voices and tones of hosts and guests for an authentic recap.