Wednesday, August 4, 2021

Robert St. John: A Different Kind of History Lesson

 Check out this week's recipe.

When I am leading tours, especially in the Italian region of Tuscany, I'm always amazed at how much history we pass on a non-descript road without ever knowing what we are missing. On a seemingly simple one mile stretch of road outside of our friend’s villa in the remote Tuscan countryside one passes historic tombs from Etruscan times (8th Century BC) to a spot where Da Vinci painted a still life, to a mythical cistern from the 14th century to World War II sites with even more history in between. All of this on a stretch of road that 99 out of 100 people would drive by oblivious to what has come before.


  In America our established history isn't that old. I remember when I started inviting my Italian friends over here. The first place I wanted to take them to was New Orleans. But it hit me when I was trying to create an agenda for their visit that, at best— as it stands today— New Orleans is only 300 years old. That is brand new when it comes to Italian culture.

We pass different types of histories here in Mississippi. If one is driving down Center Avenue in Philadelphia Mississippi, he or she may pass a nondescript building and think well that's just a shuttered storefront next to a Barber shop across the store from a payday loan operation. Ten times out of 10 you would pass that building not knowing there are more than 20,000 unique, historic, and priceless pieces of country music artifacts and memorabilia inside.

Last week— in that non-descript spot— I spent one of the more enjoyable and interesting days I have spent in months.

Maybe I should stop and give a little backstory here. Bluegrass and country music legend— and Philadelphia native— Marty Stuart, is a friend. He and I have done a couple of projects together over the years. I'm sure everyone reading this piece knows about this Mississippi superstar, but a quick primer for the one potential person who doesn’t. Marty Stuart is the five-time Grammy winning, multi-talented, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, performer, and all-around great guy who started touring with Lester Flatt when he was 13-years old. At 19-years old he began touring with Johnny Cash. He married one of Johnny Cash's daughters and lived next door to Cash for the next three or four decades. Actually, Marty had Johnny Cash as a neighbor on one side and Roy Orbison on the other. He has enjoyed an impressive solo career since the mid 1980s and also has encyclopedic knowledge of bluegrass and country music.

In the early 1980s Marty started collecting country music artifacts and collectables. He currently owns the largest private collection of country music memorabilia in the world. He is also in the process, in a joint venture with the city of Philadelphia Mississippi, in building The Congress of Country Music which will house that impressive and important collection as well as a performance venue.

Extra Table, the nonprofit I founded in 2009, hosts a fundraiser every December called Merry Mississippi. We offer 12 unique Mississippi experiences via online to raise funds to feed Mississippians in need across our state. Last year Extra Table executive director Martha Allen and I were in my office brainstorming ideas for unique Mississippi experiences, and I said, “Let me call Marty.”

I called Stuart and asked him if he would be willing to give a private tour of his collection which is currently housed in a climate-controlled warehouse while The Congress of Country Music is being built. He didn't hesitate. “I can do you one better,” he said. “Let's schedule the tour around the Neshoba County Fair, and the winning bidders can join me and be my guests at the new Country Music Marker unveiling.”

“That would be great,” I replied. “And I’ll provide lunch afterwards at your warehouse.” He was on board from the opening request.

The food development was easy. When I created the menu for that luncheon, I knew it would need to consist of all cold items. Not only because there was no kitchen in the warehouse, but because the guests were going to be coming straight from the Neshoba County Fair which, according to the only time I've ever been, is hot. Seriously hot. Seriously, like surface of the sun hot. I also wanted to serve dishes that were representative of my part of the state since the six guests who purchased the experience were from Utah, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

The meal started with a Gulf Coast staple, smoked yellowfin tuna dip. I followed that up with boiled shrimp and two sauces. The main course was a chilled Creole chicken pasta salad, and I finished the meal off with what is probably my all-time favorite dessert, fresh summer berries and crème anglaise.

It was a memorable lunch. We both shared stories, and the guests had a blast.

Years ago, Stuart and I performed a piece I wrote, “My South,” on a television program. I read the piece while he softly picked his guitar in the background. On this day, Stuart made an unexpected request, “Robert, why don’t you read your ‘My South’ piece.” 
“Do you have a guitar laying around?” I asked. Minutes later I learned what a ridiculous question that was. He went into the instrument section of his memorabilia inventory and pulled out a guitar case in which the name “George Jones” was written on the side. The day continued to get better and better from that moment on.

Stuart spent the next two hours showcasing the amazing collection he has amassed over the past 40 years— handwritten lyrics by Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, personal letters from Patsy Cline, musical instruments by dozens and dozens of country music legends, flashy cowboy boots and dozens— if not hundreds— of iconic country and western outfits made by the all-time clothier to the country music stars, Nudie Cohen. I was expecting to be impressed, but I was blown away.

It would take several newspaper columns to describe the joy and amazement I experienced in those two hours. There was a notable energy in the room of legends past and present. All one needs to know is, when The Congress of Country Music opens its doors in the near future, you need to be there.

Marty Stuart has accomplished many things, and from an early age. But, of all the musical notes played on all of the stages, and all of the television sets, his lasting contribution to the world will be The Congress of Country Music here in Mississippi. We are fortunate that Stuart’s passion will become our blessing.

Many only think Mississippi history goes back to 1817. But that's not true. Not even close. Mississippi history goes back thousands of years to the Native Americans. Especially in the Philadelphia, MS area where the Choctaw Nation has thrived for more than 2,000 years. In Philadelphia, the Choctaws are keeping their history and culture alive while Marty Stuart is doing the same thing for America’s music. God bless them all.

Onward.

 

Brandy Crème Anglaise

1 cup cream

1/2 cup half and half

1/4 cup brandy

3/4 cup sugar, divided

4 egg yolks

1 tsp vanilla extract

In a stainless steel pot bring the cream, half and half, brandy, half of the sugar and to vanilla a simmer. While it is heating, combine the yolks and remaining sugar in a mixing bowl and whip until pale yellow in color.

Slowly begin adding the cream mixture into to yolks, stirring constantly until all the milk has cream mixture has been added. Pour the mixture back into the sauce pot and cook over a low-medium flame stirring constantly. Cook until the mixture becomes thick enough to coat a spoon or spatula.

Remove from the heat and cool down in an ice bath. Loosen the cooled and finished base with heavy cream or half and half to get the desired sauce consistency.

Use to drizzle over fresh sliced strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries in a martini glass.

This sauce may be made two-three days in advance.

Yields : 8-10 servings

 

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Zzzzzz.

Anonymous said...

Great column. We will definitely make the trip to see the museum. Are there some good restaurants in Philadelphia or a good place where we can get authentic food cooked by the Choctaw nation?

Anonymous said...

10:58 you should go back to reading Sid Salter and posting on the MSU recruiting board (where you find your excitement).

Anonymous said...

Ahhhhhh yes, Tuscany. I can remember trots thru the grapevines with my beautiful wifes.......drinking from the spring creeks naked.....errrrrrrr ummmmmmm ? Is Tuscany close to Utica ?

Anonymous said...

Nothing says "Mississippi" and "country music" like brandy crème Anglaise and cold pasta salad, not to mention sharing your tales of Tuscany with fellow Mississippian (or those from Utah, Kentucky, and Tennessee) jet-setting bon vivants. This may get this comment the hammer, but with Marty Stuart, wouldn't backwoods 'shine and about a kilo of, er, county fair party powder brought in from Miami been a more suitable "warehouse luncheon?" I mean, have any of you tried to do a few rails of crème Anglaise, even with a couple of gallons of brandy to wash it down? In all seriousness, I'm just roasting Marty a bit, but St. John, you've become a pretentious ass and used OPM to do it...crème Anglaise, yeah, uh-huh.

Anonymous said...

It just hit me what these screeds suggest! It's a mere soupçon (that's a fancy-assed French term) away from Taki's "High Life" in Spectator, but if they were written by Tacky...for the Hattiesburg American...as a paid ad.

Lucretia Borgia said...

Robert St. John’s thinly-disguised ads are suuuuuuuuuuuuper-borrrrrrrrrring to those of us who travel on our own, and who cook Italian dishes ourselves. He has a nice little fat following, but need this website promote him? Oh….duh..,unless RSJ is paying for the propmos


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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.

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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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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.

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