Around 20 years ago, John walked into Lemuria, introduced himself, and asked, “Do you want to help me work on my new book?” As easy of a guy to like as John Grisham is, it was a no-brainer for me to say, “Sure, let’s give it a go.”

As John was visiting Lemuria on Monday, signing his new thiller, The Confession, I’ve reflected on this friend’s kindness and willingness to support our bookstore. John is a book guy and he loves good books. He also has a passion for collecting literary first editions. Over the years, Lemuria has placed a few gems in his fine library.

The real fact is John Grisham’s enhancing support of Lemuria, more than any other author, has helped make Lemuria the bookstore that it is. Without his generosity, tough times would have forced change in our bookstore in ways we don’t want to think about. However, this author’s love and friendship have enabled us to maintain our efforts of desire to give our community the best bookstore we can.

I feel it is difficult to show thanks to John, perhaps our booksellers being the best they can be shows our thanks to John in a way he can appreciate. All of Lemuria says thank you very much, your support is greatly appreciated.

1964 Raymond High Rangers

Families are the pride of Mississippi. In the Magnolia State many players on high school football teams were preceded by their fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers, and cousins. Coaches often coach their own sons and sons of former players. Generations of Mississippians are linked by this fraternal connection to this hometown team. As a result, legacies are created.

Jay Lacoste

Gridiron Glory captures some of Mississippi’s football legacies in photographs of Jay Lacoste (Gulfport) and his son Paul (Jackson Prep), Ken Toler (Inverness) and his son Ken, Jr. (Jackson Prep). Coach Robert Morgan and his three sons, Rob, Brett and Josh (Warren Central) and the rich legacy of Olive Branch with the Brigance, Pool and Samsel families.

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Ken Toler

The ultimate producer of Magnolia football legacies–The University of South Panola–is represented by a number of action packed photos. Jim Drewry, whose coaching career spanned six decades, producing a multitude of player and coach legacies, is honored with a two-page color photo leading his Booneville Blue Devils onto the field at a State Championship game.

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If you are a football fan, Gridiron Glory will entertain you with its unique collection of photographs, many of which have never been made public.

-Mike

The Frascognas will be signing Gridiron Glory this evening at 5:00.

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One of the most heated high school football rivalries in America takes place every year in southeast Mississippi. As one long time Mississippi high school football fan stated, “Turn out the lights, lock the doors, hide the women and children because West Jones and Wayne County are playing football tonight.”

Here is what the Mustangs and War Eagles say about each other. According to a former West Jones Mustang football player, “Instead of War Eagles, we like to call them War Chickens. Our fans wear KFC buckets on their heads.” A former Mustang cheerleader commented, “They have big trucks and coon dogs.”

Wayne County War Eagles fans say, “West Jones are the rich boys; they view us as the country hicks.” Another War Eagle fan comments, “Yes sir, West Jones sees us as rednecks and ole country bumpkins.”

However, there is one thing War Eagle and Mustang fans can agree on. The West Jones and Wayne County rivalry is why the game of football was invented because it cannot get any better. The fans and players from each team may hate each other (in a football way) but they love the rivalry. Go War Chickens!

The Frascognas will be signing Gridiron Glory at Lemuria on Wednesday, November 17th at 5:00.

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Gridiron Glory has captured some of the classic moments in one of the most fascinating high school rivalries in Mississippi–the Jackson Academy Raiders and the Jackson Prep Patriots. This annual gridiron classic is more competitive than others because it often involves people in the same household. It’s one room in the house versus another room down the hall. Members of the same family can become mortal enemies (at least for one day) over the outcome of the JA-Prep game.

The origin of the rivalry began in 1984 and the intensity of the game keeps accelerating like a rocket to the moon. The 2010 game was broadcast by Fox South Sports and televised to 13 million viewers in seven states. Each game has been a classic in its own right in the joy of victory for one team and a bitter disappointment for the other. All in all, it is high school football at its finest for players, parents and fans.

The Frascognas will be signing Gridiron Glory at Lemuria on Wednesday, November 17th at 5:00.

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According to longtime Booneville assistant football coach Riley Presley, “When a male child is born in Booneville he learns 48 Sweep coming down the birth canal.”

Every kid who has ever played football at Booneville High School under “The Legend” is taught 48 sweep before anything else. The play is so ingrained in the fabric of the Booneville community that almost every man, woman and child can diagram it against any basic defense.

Of course, “The Legend” who has made the 48 sweep so famous is Jim Drewry, the most successful coach in the history of Mississippi High School Activities Association. Coach Drewry has won more than 300 games, three state championships and has been inducted into the National High School Sports Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C. Simply stated, Coach Drewry is a “rock star” in the world of high school football.

Enjoy some of Coach Drewry’s exciting moments in his almost 50-year career in photographs in Gridiron Glory. Also, let the Blue Devil teach you how to run the famous 48 Sweep so you will have something to talk about the next time you visit Booneville–home of The Legend and the 48 Sweep.

The Frascognas will be signing Gridiron Glory at Lemuria on Wednesday, November 17th at 5:00.

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One of the main motivations for my two sons, Marty and Mike, and me to start writing about Mississippi high school football came about in 2006 when Mississippi was selected as the top high school football state in the United States.

While some football fans, namely those in Texas, Florida and Ohio were surprised, the awarding of the first-ever Governor’s Cup to the Magnolia State confirmed what many football fans across the nation already suspected and what Mississippians have passionately believed for generations. Our latest book, Gridiron Glory, celebrates over 100 years of Mississippi high school football mania through a special collection of photographs depicting Mississippi’s fascinating culture.

Beginning with a 1905 photography of Chuck Trotter, Winona’s first quarterback, all the way to the 2009 State Championship 6-A Title won by national super power South Panola, Gridiron Glory is packed full of vintage black and white photographs never seen by most Mississippi football enthusiasts together with an array of eye-popping color photographs of Friday night football action across the state.

Anyone who has ever played high school football in Mississippi, or anybody who has shared the Magnolia football experience with a husband, son, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin, father or grandfather has become an inseparable part of Mississippi’s Gridiron Glory.

The Frascognas will be signing Gridiron Glory at Lemuria on Wednesday, November 17th at 5:00.

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When I was a little girl growing up in Laurel, Mississippi, my mother would tell me stories about Leontyne Price, the famous opera singer, born in Laurel, but  then currently residing in the big city of New York.  I was shown the house where Leontyne’s mother had been a housekeeper and was told  how the people who lived in the large  house recognized Leontyne’s exceptional musical abilities and talent. I was told that these people helped send Leontyne to exceptional music schools. I was in awe of her, the beautiful, talented young singer. I was proud to be from Laurel, Mississippi, the same town where Leontyne grew up too.

Flash forward to the mid 1980s when I took my young daughter to a book signing in Jackson when Leontyne’s book  Aida was published. I stood in line with my little eight-year-old, and with my parents who were visiting from Laurel that weekend, and we all watched Leontyne from afar and thought about how she had her beginnings in our home town. It was a moment for reflection and pride once again. Even today, whenever I hear a recording of her voice from time to time, I remember my first impression of her.  She is one of many reasons that I am proud to be a Mississippian.

Click here to see all of “Lemuria Reads Mississippians.”

Mississippians is available now. Purchase a copy online or call the bookstore 601/800.366.7619.

Neil White will be at Lemuria Friday, November 26th.

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-Nan

Mississippi John Hurt’s soft and articulate blues is always reliable for pleasant listening. His finger-picking style seems effortless, delivered in his typically relaxed manner. His music has a plain spoken nature, which I think truly represents Mississippi John as he lived mostly in obscurity. His success came late in life, as his music feels as if he is playing his music for himself, a pure musician.

Around 40 years ago, my pals Peggy and Charlie started me listening to Mississippi John. Thus, I never saw him perform live. I never grow tired of his unique sound, especially my favorites “Candy Man” and his immortal version of “Stagolee”–That Bad Man.

Mississippi John and Son House, Photo by Dick Waterman. Click on the image to view his photo blog.

In contrast, John Hurt as a blues singer presents the most gentle and genial image in his music and photographs of him. Dick Waterman, who is also featured in Mississippians, has taken marvelous photos of John.

For me, John Hurt is a Blues Buddha.

If you had the pleasure of seeing John perform, please share with us when and where and any special memory about his music. If like me, all you have is listening to his recordings, please relay your favorites.

In honor of John, we have an original Kruse portrait of this music saint. It’s our association with his presence in our reading & music space.

Cruze art is available for sale at the fine Cat Head store in Clarksdale.

Click here to see all of “Lemuria Reads Mississippians.”

Mississippians is available now! Purchase a copy online or call the bookstore 601/800.366.7619.

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What is there to say about the event last night with Neil White? Only that we are all looking forward to the next one.

Neil shared with us some of the most interesting discoveries he made as he received nominations and suggestions all the across the state. And the discoveries of truly one-of-a-kind people will continue. He has already received new nominations that will astound. These additions will appear in the forthcoming editions. So do you see what a great on-going project this is for Mississippi?

Nominations can be submitted through the Mississippians Website.

We were joined by “Mississippians” John Maxwell, Howard Bahr and William Goodman. Keep your eyes open for the next event date and mark your calendars! We should also have a longer guest list of “Mississippians” and time for visiting and book signing. It will be another fun night!