Tuesday, September 17, 2013

C Spire presents: The Light of Speed: The Early Years

It is with great pleasure that JJ presents to you The Light of Speed. This is an original JJ production. I met Mr. Speed over a year ago in his office. He started out by giving me charts he obtained from the Health Department about the unwed birthrate in Mississippi and discussing this problem that troubled him so greatly. We moved from there to other subjects more historical in nature. He discussed his dad's time as Mayor of Jackson, the building of the Reservoir, and the rise and fall of the State-Times newspaper. It became clear that probably no one under the age of fifty knew anything about such history but its a story that needs to be told.

Kim Wade and I interviewed him in two sessions. The story told by Mr. Speed is one about himself but is also the history of Jackson over the last 50 years. You will hear Mr. Speed discuss many subjects over the next few weeks. The history of the Ross Barnett Reservoir; Jackson in the 1940's and 1950's; The racial problems; the beginnings of the Mississippi Republican Party; the changing of the economy from one based on local businesses to large corporations. He will present his views on how to revitalize downtown Jackson and he will discuss his ideas on moving Mississippi forward. He will even praise the creative class. Other Jacksonians will offer their favorite observations and stories about Mr. Speed. Please keep in mind this is oral history, not a documentary. The story will be told in a series of "webisodes". A new webisode will be posted every seven to ten days. We will probably produce a dvd version once this has finished its initial run on this website.

Special thanks goes to Amile Wilson and his father Bill Wilson for the camera work. A huge thanks to Stacy Putnam who did a tremendous job editing the video. She has never produced anything longer than a commercial before this project.  I offer sincere appreciation to C Spire and the Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership. Thanks to them for being patient with the team as this was a learning experience for everyone. We made our share of mistakes and were forced to delay the posting of this video several times but here it is. Yes, we have applied for the copyright. Please thank the sponsors if you have time to do so. We hope you enjoy this presentation and look forward to providing more such videos to you. Please set to HD (little gear on Youtube screen) for best viewing.



This is a Jackson Jambalaya original production.

12 comments:

KaptKangaroo said...

Finally, quality media online.

Kudos to Amile and always amazing accolades to Mr. Speed.

Great job all the way around. Imagine when everyone realizes the value of storytelling that is not lost here.

Anonymous said...

Good stuff! Thanks to everyone involved in putting this together.

Anonymous said...

I have to wonder if Mr. Fancy Knickers with the big, giant drink stand (the Unfair Competitor) became as wealthy as did the boys with the original drink stand.

Anonymous said...

Terrific job . . . thank you to all engaged in this informative effort . . . looking forward to future installments.

Anonymous said...

Thanks to all who worked on bringing this to the public. As someone who has lived in Jackson my whole life (40 years), I appreciate learning about the history of our town. It's a shame just how little I know about Jackson.

Also, I'm glad for the opportunity to get to know more about the successful businessmen who helped grow and continue to keep this city running (despite the best efforts of the City's leadership to kill Jackson.)

I sure am looking forward to the next installment!

Anonymous said...

Excellent!! I know Amile will do a great job!!

Not too long ago, I was going through some old pics of Jackson on the archives website (amazing). If you have a free minute or two, I highly recommend it. Kinda gives me a "pleasantly haunting" experience - if that makes any sense.

Anonymous said...

what is the URL of the archives website

Anonymous said...

Very well done. History is important and powerful. I hope a lot of eyes and ears of the more current generations take the time to watch this. We all can learn from the past.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing these parts of Jackson's history! I look forward to the rest of the series!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks to you, Kim Wade, and everyone involved in this project. I will be looking forward to each segment.

Anonymous said...

The archives website is:

http://www.mdah.state.ms.us/arrec/digital_archives/

It's got some great stills on there. My favorites are the Daniel, Hargrove, Moncrief, and Shankle collections. Such a shame, but the website is for the most part, under-utilized...

Recalcitrant Speed Ignorer said...

My money is on no more than two people posting all of the above. Almost identical sympathies expressed. Kangaroo offers 'amazing accolades' or accolades for amazing work or the amazing Kangaroo offers accolades?

I know, I know....get your own blog.



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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
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