Saturday, May 19. Be There.

Tiger High:

Tiger High is a tight-knit group of musicians all born and raised in the music mecca of Memphis, Tenn. The group is composed of songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Jake Vest (Jack Oblivian, The Trashed Romeos), drummer Greg Roberson (Reigning Sound, Arthur Lee’s Love, The Trashed Romeos, Jack Oblivian, Compulsive Gamblers) and two of Vest’s longtime musical partners, brother Toby Vest and Greg Faison. The band co-writes and records their material at High/Low Recording, a studio owned and operated by band member Toby Vest. The studio serves as the band’s home base of operation as well as the home of their wrecking crew style production team.
The band is led by drummer Roberson. Roberson who has acquired an impressive resume as the original drummer for Reigning Sound, featured on their LPs Break Up Break Down, Time Bomb High School, Too Much Guitar, and Home For Orphans. In 2005 Roberson joined Rich Retard (The Retards & Lost Sounds) and Jack Oblivian (Compulsive Gamblers) in the Knaughty Knights to release one EP on Jay Retard’s Shattered Records label. In late 2005, Roberson was approached by sixties psychedelic icon Arthur Lee to put together a new version of LOVE based out of Roberson and Lee’s hometown of Memphis. Roberson worked with Lee & Love until Lee’s untimely death in late 2006. Roberson also logged time as a member of Jack & Greg Oblivian’s Compulsive Gamblers and with Jack Oblivian’s Tennessee Tearjerkers.

Booyah! Dad:

Booyah! Dad was born in the back of a duplex in Little Rock, Ark. They came out as two large fellas and a regular-sized one who were ready to make the world shake it. One could describe Booyah! Dad as a musical cross breed. Imagine if Z.Z. Top and the Talking Heads combined forces, or in the words of Rick Barton (Formerly of Dropkick Murphys), “You guys are like a psychedelic B.T.O.” gracing the stage, and exhorting all to “Party.”  That is what will make you say, BOOYAH! DAD.

Foul Play Cabaret (Burlesque):

Birthed from magic and imagination, Foul Play Cabaret has been capturing the hearts of many with their diverse and sultry shows, proving that the only thing hotter than the water in Hot Springs, Arkansas is the women. Ruby Lead, the head mistress, is living proof that big things come in small packages. Her petite frame specializes in bumps and grinds that are guaranteed to wow your mind and send chills down your spine.

Doris Night, Queen Of the Peepshow, has a vast array of ostrich feather fans that twirl faster than her pasties. The trance she induces with her elegant arsenal can only be broken with body she is hiding behind them.

Violet D’Vine, a vivacious vixen, is the embodiment of sexuality. Her well-oiled hips pump out high-volume screams and her wine-colored lips blow kisses that are sensual enough to bring a Viking to his knees.

Ms. Julia James, belly dancer extraordinaire, has isolated body shakes and rolls that humble the oceans. As waves crash against the shore unapologetically, she will crash into your heart leaving you drenched and gasping for air.

Fannie Flamingo, long-legged and foul-mouthed, you never know what’s going to happen when she is on stage. She combines humor, heart, and harlot with a little dash of surprise that keeps you entertained in more ways than one.

Mickey O’Nail, a man of few words, can silence a room at the drop of a nail. What this man does to his body is only comparable to the vaudevillian days of old; if you have a weak stomach I suggest you get front row seats to watch this one! Vincent Vagabond, the silver tongued master of ceremonies is a quick-witted riot. His charm on stage between acts is so effortless and endearing you might want to remove all of your own clothing, but please, leave this to the professionals of The Foul Play Cabaret.

Here’s another new song by Moon Pie Curtis, “Feet”

Dent May “Best Friend” video on YouTube

Dent May‘s video for “Best Friend” was shot on location in Jackson, Mississippi.  It was directed by James Alexander Warren, who also plays drums in Dent’s touring band. Dent described the video shoot as, “a spontaneous hometown party weekend featuring an afternoon joy ride on a motor trike, a street parade of middle-aged ladies in psychedelic costumes, a green screen, and lots of balloons.”

In the years since signing with Paw Tracks in 2009, Mississippi native Dent May has made music that balances saccharine pop sincerity and campy affectation. His debut LP, The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele, put wry storytelling at its fore, but imbued each track with sweet strums of the titular instrument and earnest harmonies sure to arrest listeners’ sympathies. Eager to explore different styles, the two singles released since the album, “That Feeling” and “Fun,” have seen May plugging in and finding footing somewhere between 60s psychedelia and disco-era balladry in the vein of Ashford and Simpson, a vibe he expands on with his new record, Do Things.

Played entirely by himself and recorded in sessions split between his bedroom at the Cats Purring Dude Ranch and a small cabin by a cotton field outside Oxford, Mississippi, Do Things finds the self-described “wedding reception band on acid” purveying the same heavy helpings of sentiment, but forgoing the jocular tone of his debut for a more contemplative-but still relentlessly optimistic-demeanor. Underneath the shiny veneer of synthesizer filigrees and harmonious coos, May zooms in on such timeless subjects as the nature of friendship, finding purpose in a world that seems devoid of it, and dealing with insistent feelings of malaise. “Funk” is certainly a word that’s written all over the album, and May’s Orange Juice-ian take on it lends songs like “Best Friend” and “Don’t Wait Too Long” a sprightly boogie and conjures images of soft-lit rooms and mirror balls. When not thumping and grooving, Do Things bops and sways along the psych-pop avenues of “Tell Her” and the ascending melodies of “Find It.” Full of stylistic changes but retaining May’s singular voice, Do Things is a great step forward for the pop devotee.

Bio

Dent May writes and records homemade pop music in Mississippi, where he was born in 1985.  He began songwriting at age 12. The following year, he started a band called Flood, who covered Creed and 311 and sold homemade cassettes to classmates. In high school, heavily influenced by Elvis Costello and The Cars, Dent fronted a power-pop band called The Rockwells. Feeling like an outsider in Mississippi, he retreated to the Internet, where he spent his time soaking in pop music and culture from around the globe.

DENT MAY Tour Dates

Dent May – “Best Friend” (Prins Thomas Diskomiks)
http://soundcloud.com/dentmay/best-friend-prins-thomas-diskomiks/

Dent May Do Things (Paw Tracks)
Street Date: June 12, 2012
Formats: CD / LP / Digital

1. Rent Money
2. Fun
3. Tell Her
4. Best Friend
5. Don’t Wait Too Long
6. Wedding Day
7. Parents
8. Find It
9. Do Things
10. Home Groan

DENT MAY LINKS:

Facebook – www.facebook.com/dentmay

Label – http://www.paw-tracks.com

Music series wraps up its season with
The Lisa Harrison Trio and The Webbs

Water Valley, Miss. (FL) – On Thursday, May 17th, Water Valley’s only strictly acoustic music venue, Fiddler’s Loft, presents its final show of the spring season. After five previous shows jam packed with talented singers, players, and songwriters from all over North Mississippi, Fiddler’s Loft will close and reopen in the fall when the cool weather returns. This week’s show features The Lisa Harrison Trio and The Webbs.  Oxford music fans know Lisa Harrison from her years with the Big Truck Theater’s house band The Hot Dangs, as an auxiliary member of Love Cannon, and as the face and voice of everyone’s favorite swinging holiday ensemble The Yes Virginias. For venues like Fiddler’s Loft, Harrison performs in an acoustic trio format with guitarists Kevin Guyer and Luke Fisher, delivering a wide variety of songs from classic country to soul.

The Webbs — Doug and Rhonda Webb — are the owners of Fiddlin’ Rooster Farm and they are also experts at old time music.  With Rhonda’s sweet voice and Doug powerful holler, the Webbs use banjo, fiddle, and guitar to inject old time folk tunes with the kind of energy that once propelled barn dances and festivals in days past. The Webbs’ appearance at Fiddler’s Loft is long overdue as a result of Rhonda suffering a broken wrist just before the venue opened.

In addition to the two main acts featured each week, Fiddler’s Loft shows include a couple of short guest spots for special friends and talented amateurs.  Shows run from 7:00 to 9:30 PM in the fancied up loft of the barn at Fiddlin’ Rooster Farm just off highway 32 in Water Valley. A minimal cover charge supports the musicians, with coffee, tea, soft drinks and fine desserts available for purchase.

The owner’s of Fiddler’s Loft would like to thank all the musicians and music fans who’ve made this such as special season. Support for a comfortable, early evening, acoustic music performance space in Water Valley has been impressive, giving every reason to expect Fiddler’s Loft to continue in the fall.

Fiddler’s Loft

Youtube Video Collection

Lisa Harrison Trio

The 9th Annual Tupelo Film Festival showcases an exclusive line-up of 50 indie films including documentaries, shorts, student films, animations, and music videos. The festival kicks off Wednesday night spotlighting local and regional filmmakers and their work. Special events will take place throughout the weekend as well as workshops for aspiring filmmakers. Come and enjoy a weekend of great cultural significance, as well as music, food, and more!

We’re getting the weekend started with a kickoff party Thursday, May 17 from 6:30 pm until 10:15 pm featuring music by Hot Rod Riot. The party will take place on the lawn of the Lee County Courthouse on Broadway Street. Come and enjoy food and outdoor screenings of Tupelove and The Church of Elvis.

Admission per day is only $15 with discounts for students and seniors. Come and enjoy the whole festival and only pay $40. This All Access Pass includes all screening venues and parties. There are advance tickets available at www.tupelofilmfestival.net. Tickets are also available at The Lyric Theatre on 201 N Broadway.

This article was published in The Local Voice #155 (May 3-19, 2012)…Click here to download the PDF of issue #155.

Where?
Midtown Shopping Center parking lot on North Lamar (BBB/Snackbar parking lot)

By Rebecca Long

Walking to work, I’ve often diverted my route to veer through the Midtown Farmers’ Market because it’s on my way. I love fresh, local food and I can’t resist stopping in for ‘a minute or two.’ I did a little research and found that in addition to having completed the Mississippi Farmer’s Market Certification Program in 2011, Midtown Farmers’ Market (MTFM) is a growers’ market. I can’t explain it better than their website: “Some markets allow vendors who re-sell vegetables that they have purchased from wholesalers or other third parties. At the Midtown Market, you can always count on buying a Mississippi product from the Mississippian who made it.” It is awesome to know that.

The list of food items vendors are allowed to sell is extensive: produce, plants, meat, milk, eggs, honey, cheese, shelled peas and beans, nuts, condiments, preserves, jellies, jams, baked items, cut firewood, and more. (But there is a “no crafts” stipulation.) Don’t worry: Mississippi and MTFM regulations make sure consumers are safe – foodstuffs must be processed in approved facilities, and MTFM representatives visit vendors’ farms before they’re allowed to sell.

The market is a rewarding shopping experience—browsing for sustenance in the fresh air, knowing your purchases support your community and your health, all while listening to local music. About that: the acts are usually acoustic, and they work for tips and produce, so don’t forget to throw ‘em a bone before you head out—they’re there for the ambience of your patronage. Lastly, but certainly not least, there’s also always High Point coffee for sale to help perk you up if you’re an early-bird.

For updates about vendors and music, check these links, or join the weekly email list:
http://www.mtfarmersmarket.com
http://www.facebook.com/mtmarket
Eat local, y’all!

This article was published in The Local Voice #155 (May 3-19, 2012)…Click here to download the PDF of issue #155.

I am a lucky lady.

I remember realizing in high school that I was lucky to be a member of a (fairly) functional and harmonious family, with an older (only slightly bullying) sister, and a mother and father who were not only still married, but still in love and happy.

When my father’s Alzheimer’s took a turn for the worse in 2008, I watched as my Momma took months off work to stay at home and take care of him. Eventually he had to move to a home, but she still did her best to hold to her vow to take care of him ‘in sickness or health’ until he passed last year. The love and devotion she showed my father as his illness worsened are the reasons I got Lawrence Pennington to permanently pen her smiling face on my arm.

Since I moved away from Greenwood for the first time in the late 90s, my communication with most of my friends and extended family, even my only sister, has been slipshod, slapdash, haphazard. But the one person in my life I have never been able to go a long length of time without talking to is my Momma. She may well keep me sane. She does her best all the way from the Delta, anyway.

Growing up, I remember wanting for nothing. I remember being inspired and encouraged in my endeavors. I remember my Momma taking me to the State Fair every year, the zoos in Jackson and in Memphis, the Petrified Forest, the Pink Palace Museum, Indian fairs, concerts galore, and Libertyland. She took me to the library or the swimming pool whenever we felt like it, went walking and biking with me, made cupcakes and sent movies for my classes’ parties in elementary school.

It’s been a long time since third grade cupcake parties. But even now, my Momma is like my best friend and I love her more than anyone else. I share these feelings and fond memories with her sometimes, but often in the past I’ve just not gotten around to it. Like I say, I’m lucky, cause I think my mother is awesome. But I have friends who don’t want to be in the same state as their parents, for real, and some of them for good reasons. I find it truly sad, because they’re missing out on something special. But if your mother is still alive and you love her, TELL HER SO while you still can!

This article was published in The Local Voice #155 (May 3-19, 2012)…Click here to download the PDF of issue #155.

(FULL interview follows – only room for edited version of interview in The Local Voice #155)

There’s a deleted scene in Pulp Fiction when Mia Wallace, interviewing Vincent Vega with a Hi-8 camera, says “There are two kinds of people in the world: Beatles people, and Elvis people.”

Until the last few years, I’d have chosen the Fab Four every time. I’ve since decided it’s un-American, and worse, un-Mississippian, to not appreciate Elvis Presley’s impact on popular music as we know it. The man is a legend. His tunes and his memory must live on, lest we forget what rock n’ roll is all about and from whence it came.

Will Atkinson, better known as Big E, is Oxford’s answer for enshrining Elvis Presley. His demeanor is unassuming, his voice is very Elvis-ey, and the fun he obviously has on stage is contagious! Furthermore, every member of his band is versatile and vastly talented. In the 2010-2011 Local Favorites Awards, Big E & The Drifting Hound Dogs won “Favorite Live Show” so these opinions aren’t just mine. Recently, I met up with Will, Tyler Keith, George Sheldon, and Frank Coutch at The Blind Pig to find out more about their conglomerate. The lovely and talented bassist, Van Thompson, was unfortunately at work when we met up. Read on.

(Will read some of my notes ahead of time, and he started the interview off with…)
Big E: “You know what would have been the greatest record of all time? If The Beatles and Elvis had recorded together.”

RL: “Did you hear about the recent rumor that Paul McLeod of Graceland Too was dead?”
Big E: “I never heard that rumor. I get a lot of folks think I’m Paul MacLeod, is the scary part.”

(explained to Will about internet rumor and locals’ trips to Graceland Too to make sure Paul was ok)

Big E: “First time I met Paul I didn’t know what to think about him, you know? I mean, I’m a big Elvis fan, but I don’t think I would leave my wife for Elvis.”
RL: “I did not know that happened to him.”
Big E: “Yeah. His wife told him, ‘Either me or Elvis,’ and I guess he chose Elvis. He’s pretty cool, though.”
RL: “We make our choices, yeah. I mean, he’s chosen to do something that apparently makes him happy. He just, like, I saw the pictures from this last weekend when the girls went up there and he was having the time of his life, showing people around his house.”

…
Big E (gesturing towards bar where Tyler was working): “Look at T over there. Ain’t he somethin’?”
RL: “He is, he is something else. He’s definitely my favorite guitarist in Oxford. He’s got so much soul.”
Big E: “He does. So much rhythm, you know? I tell ya what, to have all these fellas with me, I am the luckiest guy in the world.”
RL: “I think they’re pretty lucky to have you, too. When I came to see you at Ajax earlier this year, I didn’t really know who was in the band, because I hadn’t seen you in about 5 years or something. But when I realized who you had in the band and it was like, Tyler Keith, Van and Frank…guys who have been playing together for years, not to mention gorgeous George.”
Big E: “I call Frank the hardest-working drummer in the music business. But you know he is…he’s a trip, too.”

…
Big E: “If I could just do this and make a living at it, I would love to do it. Cause, I’ll tell ya, this makes me feel, like, fantastic when I’m up on stage performing, and just getting to meet all the people. I know that may be corny as…corn on the cob…”
RL: “Not really. In life, you kinda have to do what you love, or you end up going crazy, and if what you love doing makes other people happy too, it’s like a plus.”

…
RL: “Do you consider yourself an Elvis impersonator or a tribute artist? Or just Big E?”
Big E: “I consider myself just ‘Big E,’ cause you’ve got so many tribute artists out there. What’s weird is, some of them try to be Elvis…actually think they’re Elvis. But myself, I’m just me, cause I love doing it. Sure, I may wear the jumpsuit and everything, but…ever since I was a boy, I always wanted to wear a jumpsuit.”
RL: “Because of Elvis?”
Big E: “Yeah.”

…
RL: “I read a 36-page thing on Elvis last night to kind of prepare myself, and I didn’t realize how he was censored in the 50s when his music first came out because of the hip-shakin’. And I dig it, that’s the whole reason I like watching old videos of him now.”
Big E: “I most liked Elvis probably in the 70s. His voice recorded better, and he was a better singer than in the 50s. In the 50s he had the excitement and the energy. And then in the 70s he mellowed down and got more vocally inclined.”
RL: “He did. He grew into his voice. When did you start performing Elvis tunes? Did you start with performing Elvis tunes or did you write your own music or have other musical ventures first?”
Big E: “I used to lead gospel music at Courtland United Methodist Church, up in Courtland, close to Batesville. I used to lead music there, and my friend used to preach at another church and he asked me one night, ‘Will, can you come over here and do a 50s night for us?’ Cause they always said I had an Elvis voice. I said, ‘Sure, I’ll be glad to,’ so I was dressed up in white slacks, black leather, silk shirt, black leather jacket. So I got out there and started doing it for the first time and…they loved it. And I was like, ‘Man, this caught on.’ So, after that, I started getting more into doing Elvis shows and stuff, and George was the one who really got me started on it, too. I played at the Longshot when it first opened.”
RL: “How long ago was Courtland UM Church when they asked you to do 50s night?”
Big E: “That’s probably about 15 years ago.”

RL: “And, so, if it was when George opened the Longshot, I’m guessing it was ten years ago that y’all hooked up?”
Big E: “Yep. Ten years. First day we hooked up he rented a limo when we did our first show there. And I got out of the limo. Over here (gestures), they had it blocked off…the mayor even came to the show. Mayor Howorth, you know? It was pretty slick, too, girl, let me tell you. But what was funny, my cousin was with me, and he was pretty huge and he had a hard time trying to get out of the limo, and before I started walking through the door, I couldn’t stop laughing cause I was watching him get out of the limo.”
RL: “That’s great, I wish someone had pictures of that show at the Longshot. I’m sure if I had more time I could get someone to dig a few up.”
Big E: “Man, I had on the ugliest blue jumpsuit I’ve ever had.”
RL: “What, was it like your first jumpsuit?”
Big E: “Actually, yeah, one of my first ones. And it was ugly. The lady fixed it up and it had tassels on it. And I swear, when I tried it on for the first time I felt like Howdy Doody. I went back to the lady and I said, ‘Ma’am, can you please get these tassels off?’”
Debbie: “I think you’ve still got that suit.”
Big E: “I do. We sorta redid it now. Put little stars on both sides here, stars down the leg.”
RL: “You ever wear it?”
Big E and Debbie together: “No.” (laughing)
RL: “Just for memorabilia’s sake, then (laughing)… Did you ever get to see Elvis perform live?”
Big E: “Never had.”

RL: “Do you remember what were you doing when you found out Elvis had died on August 16, 1977?”
Big E: “I was at home, taking it easy. And me and my cousins were all playing in the living room – we used to play wrestle a lot. And it came over the news, and I was like, ‘What the heck?’ We watched the Elvis movies that whole night after he passed away. We sat there in the living room just watching them… When I was young, we lived in Trenton, Florida with my grandmother and my aunt, and we had an antenna. And we didn’t live far from Gainesville, so we picked up the Gainesville TV stations, and they had, as they would call it now, an Elvis marathon.”
Frank: “Yeah, I do, actually. I was a little kid. I was in Utica. When I was growing up, my dad and my grandfather were gonna build a house, and they got this land and they started building the house, but we were all living in a trailer on the property while they were doing construction all day. And my mom’s a huge, huge, huge Elvis fan. Me and my little brother, who’s four years younger than me, me and him were playin grabass in the living room, and the TV was on, the news was on, and my mom was in the kitchen…it’s like something out of a movie. She’s doing dishes, and whoever it is announces on the news that Elvis Presley had died, and I think, like, a plate dropped, and my mom just lost it. And me and my brother just, we knew who Elvis was, but we didn’t know how important he was. To us it was like, ‘Oh, Bugs Bunny died.’ It wasn’t that big a deal. I yelled out, ‘Daddy!’ and he had to come in and console her and all. My dad’s never been a huge music fan, but gosh, he knew how much she loved Elvis. And she was pregnant with my little brother when he came to [Jackson?] and played. And she went to the show, like, 8-1/2 months pregnant in a wheelchair, cause she wanted to see Elvis.”
Tyler: “I remember seeing on television. They were showing it on the Memphis news. And I was just like, with my mom and dad or something, and I remember them being upset by it. Same thing with John Lennon, cause they were just a couple of years apart.”

RL: “What’s your favorite popular Elvis song?”
Big E: “My favorite song when I was a little kid, I used to love listening to “Hound Dog.” My mom said every time they’d have a singer on TV, or Elvis would be on TV when I was young, I’d always pick something up with my hand and act like I had a microphone, like I was singing, you know, when I was a little kid.”
RL: “I have a picture…I didn’t take it, Nature did, of Paul [McLeod] doing that very thing last week, actually. It’s the greatest picture they got of him when they went out there. That’s what I’m talking about, he just looks so happy about what he’s doing.”
Frank: “If there’s a popular one that’s my favorite, it’s “Suspicious Minds.” But there’s plenty of other stuff that’s obscure.”
Tyler: “Burnin’ Love.”
George: “King Creole.” Cause it’s got this (imitates guitar riff…all laughing).  Well, it’s my favorite Elvis song slash movie, honestly.”

RL: “What’s the best Elvis song people don’t know?”
Big E: “There’s a song Elvis did, it’s on the 1969 From Elvis in Memphis album, and to me it’s probably one of the best songs that nobody knows he did. It’s “Long Black Limousine”.”
RL: “Is the limousine on the way to a funeral?”
Big E: “Yeah, yeah.”
Frank: “The Stones covered that one, too, in the late 70s.”
Tyler: “Tomorrow Night.” It’s on the Early Sun Records. Just him and guitar. Kinda like “Blue Moon.”

…
RL: “Have you ever recorded anything?”
Big E: “Yeah, three years ago in December I went to the Sam C. Phillips’ Recording Studio.”
RL: “Sam Phillips’, in Memphis?”
Big E: “Yeah. And have you ever heard of Roland Janes? He’s been doing recording for about 40-something years. He recorded all the big names. He recorded me that day. And it was fantastic. We did about ten songs on the CD and got it burned, and everybody seems to like the CD pretty well.”
RL: “Where is it?”
Big E: “At the house.” (laughs)
RL: “Do you have plans to sell any more copies of it, or record anything else?”
Big E: “I’ve been wanting to go back and record some more stuff.”
Debbie: “I had that CD recorded as a Christmas present to [Will]. And we had over a hundred copies of them made we were supposed to sell. Well, I’m giving one to a friend here, one to a friend here, we wound up giving them all away.”
Big E: “He got me a copyright license for it and everything, so that’s good. But I remember doing “Kentucky Rain”…”
Debbie: “You had to be there to hear this one…(chuckles)”
Big E: “Yeah…the guy had the microphone down real low, and my hair brushed the microphone, and it sounds like (whooshing sound).”
RL: “In the whole song, or just the beginning?”
Big E: “Just halfway in the song. Whoosh! And I was like, ‘OK, that’s it.’ All those songs right there were first takes on the whole CD.”
RL: “Did you just not have money for more studio time?”
Big E: “That’s it, right there. You hit the nail right on the head.”

…
(talking about name of band) Big E: “We have a friend named Bernice Turner. Gosh, she’s about 80-something years old, she’s still kickin. She used to play with Hank Williams, Jr. when he first started out. And their band was called Hank Williams and the Drifters. So I think that’s probably where we got our name from, cause George is a big Hank Williams fan. George actually named the band.”

RL: “So if you hooked up with George ten years ago, how long ago did Tyler start playing with you?”
Big E: “Tyler’s probably been with us about two years now.”
RL: “Van as well?”
Big E: “Yeah, yeah. Probably about a month or two apart. We wanted to get a bigger band, with a better sound. Starting out, George played rhythm and lead, you know. We sounded fantastic with George playing, you know? I mean, we sounded real good, and then it was like, ‘Hey, man, let’s get another player in here.’ But what’s so funny is, I gotta get Frank one, but I got the whole band TCB necklaces. I take care of my boys.”
Big E: “Frank, how long you been with us now, my friend?”
Frank: “A year. I mean, I played with you a couple of times years ago, but…”
Big E: “But, let’s see, a long time ago we started out with George (lead), Pat Cochran (rhythm), Frank Coutch (drums), and Talbot Adams (bass). I think we were calling it Big E and the Impersonators. That’s how I first got to meet Frank.”

…
Big E (to Frank): “Oh, I found a picture of you, by the way. I think it was on Facebook.”
Frank: “Tell me I had clothes on.”
Big E: “Yeah, you were playing the bass.”
Frank: “Playing the bass?”
Big E: “Yeah, you were over there doing something with the bass in this picture.”
Frank: “Was it like a live photo?”
Big E: “Yeah.”
RL: “Do you play bass?”
Frank: “I do a little, yeah. It’s usually…”
Big E: “I didn’t know that!”
Frank: “Well, Tyler’ll get on the drums, Tyler can play the drums, and I can play a little bass, so whenever we get a certain amount of drinks in us, I’ll grab the bass, and they’ll get on the guitar and the drums, and we’ll do “Smoke On the Water” or something stupid. It’s just a fun way to end the night, in a drunken shamble…bottles and sh!t everywhere, John half-naked.”
RL: “I accidentally posted a picture of John’s balls from a show at the Jubilee on Facebook, and somebody, like, hit the button and reported the image, and they deleted it and sent me a message letting me know, with a thumbnail, and I looked at it closer and I was like, ‘Oh, yeah. Balls.’ So I opened it in Photoshop and put a little sheriff’s star on top of ‘em, and put it back on Facebook, and they’ve left it alone.”
Frank: “And John would find it funny. John doesn’t give a shit about anything. I’ve seen his ass too many times, cause he’s in front of me, you know…I’ve seen Tyler in his underwear. Actually, the inlay card on our second record is a black & white photo of us from behind, playing at Ajax on Halloween, and…Tyler went as one of the guys with a trenchcoat who (gestures)…”
RL: “Flasher.”
Frank: “Yeah, flasher. And, so, he had striped tighty whities on. And at some point, some gal just ripped his jacket off. He didn’t care, he just kept playing. And Brad Gunter’s in front of me goin’ like this (rockin’ out), and Tyler’s goin’ like this (some gesture), and they were like, ‘OK, let’s put that on the record – that would be funny.’”

…
RL: “So, Will, have you ever shot a television?”
Big E: “No, never have.”
RL: “If you were to shoot a television, who would be on the screen that you’d be so pissed off at? You just don’t seem like the kind of guy who would get that pissed off.”
Big E: “Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh…”
Frank: “You took my answer, I was going to say Bill O’Reilly.”
Big E: “I can’t say ‘the president’ cause I might have some Secret Service men walk through the door here.”
RL: “You don’t even have to say his name, just say ‘The President.’ So, Frank, Bill O’Reilly’s the only one you’d shoot?”
Frank: “I don’t know, Kid Rock?”
RL: “That’s a good answer.”
Big E: “Definitely–I can’t stand watching her when she’s singing–Lady GaGa.”
RL: “Ugh, she’s like Madonna Redux. (to George, just rejoining group) Have you ever shot a television?”
George: “I think I have, actually…it was out in a field.”

RL: “And finally, have any of you ever eaten a peanut butter, banana, and bacon sandwich?” (reportedly Elvis’ favorite)
Debbie: “Oh, yeah.”
Big E: “I’ve eaten peanut butter and banana, fried in butter.”
RL: “Yeah, that’s how it’s supposed to be done, you just didn’t have the bacon.”
George: “I’ve had chocolate bacon.”
RL: “How ‘bout you, Tyler?”
Tyler: “Yes, I have.”
RL: “Where’d you have that at?”
Tyler: “I made it myself.”

This article was published in The Local Voice #155 (May 3-19, 2012)…Click here to download the PDF of issue #155.

“Paul is dead.”

The Internets lit up with the news on a recent Monday night that Paul McLeod, owner and operator of Graceland Too, had passed away. Folks were speculating about what had happened to him, and a few Oxford residents even drove out to Holly Springs to see for themselves. They discovered 69-year-old McLeod was alive and well.

The following week Nature Humphries, Stacey Pillault, and I decided to take a trip of our own to Holly Springs. Nature had never been, and Stacey was tired of watching the sides collapse on her baby pool and decided to ride with us instead of refilling it once again. We hit Betty Davis BBQ on the way, because I firmly believe Graceland Too is best experienced in a somewhat altered state.

Paul McLeod and his hot, dusty, electric blue tribute to Elvis feel like they came straight out of the Southern Gothic school of writing. When he opened the door to greet us his steel gray hair was slicked back and he was wearing wrinkled slacks, black Velcro orthopedic shoes, and a short-sleeved button-up shirt that was unbuttoned almost to his belly button. He speaks quickly and with a nasally drawl that makes it almost impossible to understand much of what he says, and then there are the times when you understand him and wish you hadn’t. I asked him right before the tour began who started the rumor that he’d died. He said, “I don’t know, but it’s the third time it’s happened. Last time I didn’t get to the front door fast enough and the police cut it down with a chainsaw.”

Every room in the 159-year-old house is stacked to the ceiling with Elvis-related memorabilia and other collections Paul has amassed over the years, including several thousand issues of TV Guide. A broken bust of Elvis with one eye missing peers out from behind a stack of artificial Christmas trees on a stairwell so packed with things it can no longer be used.

He has pictures hanging everywhere of his son, whom he named Elvis Aron Presley McLeod, dressed and posing like Elvis. He was especially proud of a large poster board covered with pictures of himself dressed as David Carradine, Rocky Balboa, James Dean, and Fidel Castro, among others. At one point he screamed “YO!!” at me and snapped his fingers in my face to direct my attention to a picture of himself when he was in his twenties.

“I was hung like a racehorse!” he yelled and then giggled a high pitched giggle for several seconds before moving onto to something else. McLeod is rather Forest Gumpian, claiming to have been present for a wide range of famous historical events, including the assassinations of both Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. He also takes credit for a range of less widely publicized deaths, including “cutting Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer up with an axe” and “killing Smokey and the Bandit with a hammer.”

He also throws out a variety of numbers, some downright unbelievable, most conflicting with a number previously mentioned. At one point he said his biggest tour group was 235 people, and a few minutes later said a group of “230,000 Chinese tourists” had descended on Holly Springs to see Graceland Too a few years ago. Trunks that line one wall hold “31,000 VHS tapes” cataloguing Elvis appearances on television, and even include moments when the host of a show was just wearing an Elvis t-shirt. Right before we left he told us his stereo system was comprised of “20,000 speakers” (but really appeared to be a boom box hooked up to a few old wall speakers) before turning “Jailhouse Rock” on at full blast. He hollered “Stand back! I don’t want to get you pregnant!” and then stuck one leg out and did his best Elvis hip shaking dance moves.

A recent status update posted on McLeod’s Facebook page proclaims, “I ALWAYS SAID I’D DIE FOR ELVIS TO COME BACK….. AIN’T HAPPENED YET.” If you haven’t been out there, and you’re in the mood for something uniquely southern and slightly creepy, go see Graceland Too.

This article was published in The Local Voice #155 (May 3-19, 2012)…Click here to download the PDF of issue #155.