Giants of West Tennessee: Jack Boone

NOTE: This is the latest in an occasional series about notable figures from my home region. These are, for the most part, personal reminiscences and opinions; where available, I’ll include links so interested readers can find out more. While Memphis has its own vibrant literary history, rural west Tennessee suffers from a dearth of serious writers. The swamps, fields and … Read More

Giants of West Tennessee: An Interview with Memphis’ own Southern Avenue

NOTE: This is the latest in an ongoing occasional series about notable figures from my home region. This one is unique because, instead of a nostalgic look back, it’s about something brand new. This interview needs two introductions to set up the context. Number one: when I was growing up, WHBQ-AM out of Memphis was the radio station, a Top 40 melting pot … Read More

Giants of West Tennessee: Dale Watson

Recently a family emergency prompted a visit to my hometown of Gibson, TN. It has a population of around 300, with no school, newspaper, public library or sit-down restaurant. It’s a notorious and unapologetic speed trap. And judging from the condition of a lot of the houses around town, it’s fully embraced Tennessee’s status as number one in the nation … Read More

Going the extra Mile(s)

After I wrote yesterday’s post on Miles O’Keeffe, I spoke with with Monica Surrena, the writer/director of King of the Road, Miles’ most recent film. She said: “Miles is a really easy going guy. Kind of soft spoken and was delightful to work with. Even though it was a student short, he took it very seriously, did many of his … Read More

Giants of West Tennessee: Miles (and miles) O’Keeffe

NOTE: This is the latest in an ongoing occasional series about notable figures from my home region. These are personal reminiscences and opinions; where available, I’ll include links so interested readers can find out more. “My name is spelled with two e’s, two f’s and another e, and nobody ever spells it right.” If you’re of my generation, you remember … Read More

Giants of West Tennessee: the brown recluse

Okay, it isn’t a person. It hasn’t done anything historic, although it has made the news on occasion. But for me, the brown recluse spider (in Latin loxosceles reclusa) is one of the most influential residents of West Tennessee. Except for one in the bug exhibit at the Nashville Zoo, I’ve never seen one alive. As the name implies, they’re … Read More

Giants of West Tennessee: Jesse Hill Ford, part 2

NOTE: This is an occasional series about notable figures from my home region. These are personal reminiscences and opinions; where available, I’ll include links so interested readers can find out more. Part 1 of this entry can be found here. Even as a child I wanted to be a writer. Unfortunately, I lived in a town where literacy was viewed … Read More

Giants of West Tennessee: Jesse Hill Ford, part 1

NOTE: This is an occasional series about notable figures from my home region. These are personal reminiscences and opinions; where available, I’ll include links so interested readers can find out more. As I’ve mentioned before, I grew up in a tiny West Tennessee town that has no school, no library, no newspaper, three churches, is a notorious speed trap and … Read More

Giants of West Tennessee: Buford Pusser

NOTE: This is the first in an occasional series about notable figures from my home region. These are personal reminiscences and opinions; where available, I’ll include links so interested readers can find out more. There aren’t many heroic figures to come out of flat, muddy west Tennessee. Elvis is one, obviously, but he’s a special case. Tina Turner, born Annie … Read More