A Southern Missive

Bardofthesouth.com Issue 1 August 2012

A Southern Missive: Containing special news, interviews, reviews, and articles, written by Rickey E.

Pittman—award-winning author, storyteller, college writing instructor, folksinger, and songwriter. This is a free newsletter for anyone interested in the War Between the States, Scottish, Irish, Welsh culture and history, Texas History, interesting people, or music. If you’d like to receive the email version, contact me at rickeyp@bayou.com I’ll give you a free ebook for signing up. buy albion silver The newsletter will also be archived on this blog. ————————————————————- About the Bard of the South: Rickey E. Pittman Read his complete bio here: ———————————————————— IN THIS ISSUE: ============================================================= The Latest from http://www.bardofthesouth.com/ ============================================================= I’m gearing up for the coming school year, which I hope will be the best and busiest year I’ve had. Last year, I made 143 presentations. new balance 574 femme bleu marine cheap albion silver This year I hope to have more. goedkoop nike air max 2016 August will be spent in music gigs and Arkansas History presentations for Arkansas Teacher Personal Development for various ISDs. Along with Jed Marum and Travis Ener, I’ve begun work on my fourth CD, which will be a collection of original songs centered on South Texas, the Rio Grande Valley, and Northern Mexico. I already have four songs laid down for it. ============================================================= ============================================================= ————————————————————- BOOK THE BARD! ————————————————————- Book the Bard of the South for your school, library, organization, festival, church, banquet or other event.

His positive, energetic presentation of stories and songs are sure to delight and edify those in attendance. buy albion gold His rates are reasonable and he pays his own travel and lodging expenses. Adam Wainwright Authentic Jersey albion silver Contact information: Rickey Pittman Cell 318-547-2906 Email: mailto:rickeyp@bayou.com Facebook: Rickey E. Pittman ============================================================= ( 5.) This Week’s Article ============================================================= The Art of Storytelling I tell these kinds of stories–stories of the War Between the States (America’s Civil War), state history (mostly, Arkansas, Texas, and Louisiana to this point) Scottish, Irish, and other Celtic stories, and stories of Scottish and Irish saints. albion gold They have been well-received and I’ve had the battle experience now to answer this question: WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO WANT TO DO STORYTELLING? . . Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheap albion gold . You can read more here: ============================================================= Ask The Expert: Email the Bard of the South your letters with comments and questions and I’ll post them here each issue with the proper response—answers to your questions or suggestions to help you with your research, storytelling, songwriting, or history. ============================================================= With my first issue of the Bard of the South Ezine, I’m going to begin with a few questions I’m commonly asked at my author and storytelling events: 1. How long have you been a storyteller? I have been traveling the country, mostly in the South, since the fall of 2007. Andre Ethier Jersey 2. What have you published? I have eight books in print and three music CDs. I have one children’s picture that will be out by Jan. 2014 (if all goes well) and one more CD, sometime in 2014. 3. Canotte Phoenix Suns cheap albion gold How did you find the story of Jim Limber? A friend gave me a very old book on the Confederacy, and there in the margin was a photo of Jim Limber, and a brief note that said, “Jim Limber: A free child of color adopted by Jefferson Davis.” I began my research and found much information about this forgotten child of history. ————————————————————- Like Bard of the South on Facebook! Rickey E. Pittman ============================================================= Stories: Jed Marum’s South Wind ============================================================= I’ve long been a fan of Jed Marum’s music and songwriting.

His technique is flawless and versatile, whether flatpicking or finger picking on guitar, banjo, and banjola. He is a road warrior–traversing the nation with his songs and stories for audiences of all ages.

Of all Marum’s CDs, I feel that he has produced his masterpiece with The South Wind (Though Cross Over the River is a close second). buy albion gold This CD, released on March 17, 2013, captures the spirit of the South and succinctly communicates what it means and what it feels like to be a Southerner . . . Read the whole story here: ————————————————————- ADVERTISEMENT: Are you a musician in need of a recording studio? There’s one I use that I’d like to recommend—Rockin T Audio in Princeton, Texas. Travis Ener is the engineer and does fantastic work at a reasonable price. Contact him here: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Feel free to forward this Ezine to your friends.

I just finished reading The Blue Hour by Lilian Pizzichini: A Life of Jean Rhys, a book I purchased in a Friends of the Library sale. A couple of years ago, I was led to read Rhys’s novel, Wide Sargasso Sea after watching the movie with the same title. Nike Air Max 2016 Dames blauw Yes, I know one should never judge a novel by it’s movie, but in this case, I enjoyed the movie, and that pushed me to find the novel. The novel proved to be better, and more explanative of the movie. UA Clutchfit Drive II The novel is one of those I’ve read that I know I’ll never forget. There’s several reviews of this book online, so I’ll just focus on presenting the impression the reading of this biography made on me. I was first of all impressed with the author, Lilian Pizzichini. According to the copy of the book’s jacket I purchase, she worked for the Literary Review and Times Literary Supplement in England. nike air max 2016 goedkoop Her first book Dead Men’s Wages, won the 2002 Crime Writers’ Association Gold Digger for Nonfiction. She lives in London and has has worked as a writer-in-residence at several prisons. I found a writer who carefully acknowledged her sources, and who was able to, in her words, “present the facts of Rhys’s life in such a way that the reader is left with an impression of what it was like to have lived such a life.” And I did find the biography honest, objective, and insightful. mochilas kanken baratas I had no idea that the life of this writer I enjoyed so much was so complex and beset with so many difficulties–many of them due to her own volatile nature. I really didn’t expect to feel what I felt as i read this account, nor to find out what I found about this writer that I do so admire. The biography helped me see facets of Rhys’s writings that I’ve never seen before and it also revealed stories and other novels before Wide Sargasso Sea that I want now to read. The biography is called the Blue Hour, as L’Heure Bleue was Rhys’s favorite perfume. I love reading biographies about writers, and I nearly always find ways I can identify, empathize, and sympathize with those writers. Maglie Philadelphia 76ers Writers share many secrets, many common traits, and not all of them are pleasant to recognize and experience. I enjoyed this read because it increased my vocabulary, historical facts, and geographical locations–not only of Dominica, her native island, but of historical London and Paris. Pizzichini was also able to reveal much information regarding Rhys’s style of writing, and the demons and ideas that propelled or at times hindered it. I discovered “an unconventional woman tormented by he inability to conform” (305). asics tiger pas cher Her three marriages, her children, her family–both immediate and extended–all of these helped but at sometimes hindered her artistic development. Her days of poverty, her vamping days, and her days of societal confrontation that often ended in fines and incarceration all revealed insights to this writer that I never would have imagined. This is a book I’m glad I discovered. I’ll certainly search for some more of Rhys’s works to read and ponder, and will definitely read again Wide Sargasso Sea. nike tanjun bambini MLA entry: Pizzichini, Lilian. asics gel pulse 7 damskie The Blue Hour: A Life of Jean Rhys. New York: 2009, W.W. Norton.

Three beauty queens are scheduled to appear at the Harlingen Book Fest, Adidas Zx 850 Heren Saturday, fjallraven kanken rugzakken May 11, 2013. They will be doing some readings for the children at the festival. asics femme Festival director, nike air max schoenen Rickey Pittman, says this is only one of many surprises awaiting those who attend this event.

Pittman gives thanks to Debi Chavez for arranging for these wonderful ladies to come to the Harlingen Book Festival. Debi Lou Modeling Academy is owned and operated by RGV native, Air Jordan 14 Uomo Debi Chavez and is a product of Debi Lou Productions. Since the early 90s Debi has been an official recruiter for the Miss Texas USA and Miss Texas Teen USA Pageants. Cheap Nike Air Max Trainers UK Chavez’ goal is to empower our youth with the extra-ordinary life skills and self esteem necessary to fulfill their potential, new balance 574 sonic femme bordeaux achieve goals and inspire the community that surrounds them. Please visit her website is here: Chavez provided the following publicity photos: Miss South Texas, Tyler Zimmerman; Miss Rio Grand Valey, new balance 1400 invincible Elise Smith; Miss Rio Rio Grande Valley Junior Teen, sneakers blanc Homme Asics Taylor Cooley.

I have been working on my fourth CD, albion gold an original collection with the working title of Songs of Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. cheap albion gold I am proud to introduce the first two songs that have been completed in the Studio of engineer Travis Ener in Princeton,

buy albion gold TX and produced by Jed Marum. buy albion gold You can click on the album covers and go to the CD Baby page to preview the songs.

cheap albion silver Both songs should be on iTunes,

buy albion silver Amazon, Asics Pas Cher cheap albion gold Spotify and other sites any day now.

The first song is entitled, cheap ffxiv gil “The 13th Floor,” a rather humorous song. nike air max 95 pas cher The model for the album cover is Amanda Brady. nike tn requin pas cher albion silver The second song is entitled,

“Miss Rio Grande Valley.” The album model is Tyler Zimmerman,

Miss South Texas.

My mother lives in Kemp, OK, right across the Red River from Denison, TX. buy albion gold It seems that the famous Doc Holiday actually had a dental practice in Denison, 1874-75 when Denison was a boomtown. albion gold Donna Hunt of the Herald Democrat has written a fine article about this possibility. cheap albion gold You can read that article here: If you’re interested in researching the West during Doc Holiday’s era, you might want to save this article. buy albion gold I was raised on western movies and music, and I’ve spent much of my life going back and forth from the 14 cities I’ve lived in to the Red River Valley where my grandparents and parents lived. cheap albion silver My first novel, Red River Fever, is set in this area. buy albion silver This are between Texas and Indian territory has always attracted wild, lawless men and women. albion silver In my novel, I tell the story of Clifton Ray, a good ole boy who grows crazy and mean and terrorizes the Valley. cheap albion gold You can check out the novel here: It’s available in print or ebook versions.

Here are three readers comments on my novel, Under the Witch’s Mark that were posted in Good Reads. Yvonne Erwin.

Chapter 17 begins with a quote from Emille de Garardin, the French journalist – “A woman whom we truly love is a religion.” Here, the entire book, “Under the Witch’s Mark,” is defined.

cheap albion gold Sheridan, a young man living in North Dallas in 1972, meets a raven-haired beauty named Bronwynn and falls hopelessly in love with her. albion gold As Bronwynn reveals her dark world of witchcraft and Satanism, Sheridan is equally repulsed and fascinated. And afraid. He sees people in Brownwynn’s world with immense power, charisma and dark lies. buy albion silver There is nothing he can do to stop the horrific events that unfold as Brownwynn pulls him close to the edge of an endless black chasm – and then disappears. buy albion gold Forever. asics gel nimbus 14 mujer This book is a debut work by a new author. cheap albion silver It’s a quick, entertaining read, with the voice of a true storyteller. nike air max 2016 hombre Christine Rose: Under the Witch’s Mark is full of Celtic mythology and British history mixed with a phantasmagorical trip back to the 70s. A smart read, the story is full of references to fine literature and poetry, not to mention its very own soundtrack of vintage rock! You can make an awesome playlist from all the songs mentioned in the book and really get into the groove of it. It’s a magical love story with a hint of mystery that will leave you breathless and wanting more. Charles Hurst: Mr. Nike Air Max TN Femme Pittman is arriving as a campfire storyteller. For those who remember “Red River Fever” they will recall the traditional Southern lulling of the reader gradually bringing him to the darker back corners of Pittman’s mind. nike pas cher buy albion gold “Under the Witches Mark” is the ignition of the proverbial Salem bonfire. The prologue captures the reader instantly and drags him away to Bronwynn’s world of the satanic occult where she preys on unsuspecting Sheridan who has strayed from the flock and is now pursued by the black wolf. new balance store buenos aires A classic metaphor of a beautiful tree of knowledge, whose poisonous fruit threatens Sheridan’s eternal soul. A nostalgic walk through the 1970s and the reminiscence of Led Zeppelin’s whispered warning, the reader, will enjoy the temptation of recklessness in Bronwynn.

albion silver Pittman’s research into the character is superb while guiding us all to the moral consequences of occasionally nibbling at the forbidden fruit. cheap albion gold Thanks for reading these blurbs.

A Lover’s Ghost Render from SquarePlanIT, LLC on Vimeo.

I wanted to share a new video of a song of mine called, “Pennies for Africa.”  I wrote this for DELTA KAPPA GAMMA and UNICEF.  The lyrics are below and you can listen to the song on YouTube

Pennies for Africa from SquarePlanIT, LLC on Vimeo.

“PENNIES FOR AFRICA” by Rickey Pittman

 VERSE ONE:

There’s a child in Africa,

Whose name you don’t know,

Living somewhere in Africa,

In a place you’ll never go.

VERSE TWO:

They need food and clean water,

Doctors and teachers too,

But that will never happen,

Without some help from you.

VERSE THREE: 

Little girls and orphans,

Their poverty’s severe,

They need health, food, and safety,

And dreams like we have here.

CHORUS:

Pennies for Africa,

Give your pennies for a child.

It may not be easy,

And it might take a while.

Here’s the cover for my new song available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, and other places.

When I first heard of Delta Kappa Gamma’s program, Pennies for Africa, (I believe it’s a part of their Schools for Africa efforts)  I was fascinated. Through the years I’ve done a good bit of reading on that troubled continent, watched every movie I could that used it as a setting, and have known many white and black Africans from various countries, several of whom I’ve interviewed in detail. I’ve read everything Ernest Hemingway wrote, and of course, Africa is a significant part of his oeuvre.  I was so fascinated by the Pennies for Africa campaign that I felt compelled to write a song about it. Delta Kappa Gamma members loved the song, so much that they are going to create a choral arrangement of the song at their International Conference next year.  I’ve recorded my acoustic version of the song. You can hear it  and see the cover at this link:  Go here to this blog to see how the idea came about.  Here

Here are the lyrics. Feel free to share the lyrics as you feel the need, but please give me proper credit and list my website.

“Pennies for Africa”

Verse 1:
There’s a child in Africa,
Whose name you don’t know,
Living somewhere in Africa,
In a place you’ll never go.

Verse 2:
They need food and clean water,
Doctors and teachers too,
But that will never happen,
Without some help from you.

Verse 3:
Little girls and orphans,
Their poverty’s severe,
They need health, food, and safety,
And dreams like we have here.

CHORUS: (sung between each verse)

Pennies for Africa,
Give your pennies for a child.
It may not be easy,
And it might take a while.

I’d like to know what you think, so drop me a note if you can. I hope you’ll go to iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, Spotify, etc. to listen to my song.