Monday, October 21, 2024

The Jambalaya Podcast: Richard Grant

 New York Times best-selling author Richard Grant appeared on the podcast back in September when he was in town for the Mississippi Book Festival.  The scribe of Dispatches from Pluto was promoting his new book, A Race to the Bottom of Crazy, Dispatches from Arizona.  He talked about facing gunmen in the Sierra Madre, Natchez history, why he moved from Mississippi, the Apaches, and some of the more colorful parts of Arizona history.   Enjoy the episode.  



The book is available in hardcover and Kindle format.  Buy at AmazonLemeuria Books

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed Dispatches from Pluto. I hope that the new book is as accurate a depiction of AZ as Dispatches from Pluto is of the Delta.

Anonymous said...

LOVED Dispatches from Pluto. LOVED The Deepest South of All. Can't wait to read this one next.

Anonymous said...

I wonder if he encountered any rednecks in Arizona--

Macy Hanson said...

As a native Arizonan, this was so incredibly enjoyable to me.

The George Warren story in the Arizona state seal: just wow; I did not know that (and Arizona history is a hobby of mine).

Southeastern Arizona is so different from Phoenix or the mountains of northern Arizona. Tucson is half Mexico (not an insult; although as a Sun Devil, I do not mind Tucson insults).

The minerals and gems for sale in the Tucson area are out of this world. Bisbee, referenced in the George Warren story, is worth the trip if you can ever get there. The Copper Queen Mine tour is very, very cool.

Suddenly An Expert... said...

It would not take much for this 'writer' to more accurately describe AZ than he did the MS Delta. After all, he did live in the western-most sliver of Holmes County flatland for a couple of months.

Anonymous said...

Why, did you happen to be there at the time?

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed Dispatches from Pluto; but found the Deepest South of All to have a very slanted view due to his getting in the fight between the two Garden Clubs and based his entire view from the kitchen (and maybe other parts of the residence) of the leader of one. Could have done as great a job on Deepest South as he did with Pluto if he had chosen to meet folks on both sides of that divide; but he didn't.

Anonymous said...

I met Richard at a pig roast prior to Dispatches From Pluto being published. I was perplexed why a Brit like him and his wife had moved from NYC to, of all places, an isolated house nestled between Bee Lake and the Yazoo River in Holmes County. Then the book came out and I was amazed to see he had gained as much insight into the Delta in a relatively short time as most people, like me, who grew up there. Dispatches From Pluto should be in every Mississippian’s reading queue.’

Anonymous said...

Was the writer smoking during the interview? It sounded that way. I had to stop listening, halfway-through. ...will NOT be reading the book.


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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.

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