/Thacker Mountain strikes a chord at Neshoba County Fair

Thacker Mountain strikes a chord at Neshoba County Fair

As Michael Dukakis stood for the crowd, Key, aged 13, was distracted with a funnel cake and became a complicit in the trolling of the Democratic presidential candidate. Although it was innocent, a sign was handed to Key by someone. He waved it at the candidate along with others. It was an accidental show of support for George H.W. Bush. Bush. He’s planning to upgrade to one of the plywood shacks this year as he hosts the Thacker Mountain Radio program at 7 p.m. with Leo “Bud” Welch, and The Amelia Eisenhauer band at the Pavillion. On August 13, Thacker in Neshoba airs at 7 p.m. via Mississippi Public Broadcasting. Key, the author of The World’s Largest Man, a Memoir, said that “I didn’t get it when I was a child.” “I could not understand how people lived in these homes for only one week per year. It’s difficult to explain. It’s still difficult to describe. Executive producer Kathryn McGaw stated that it was a priority to grow and expand the show’s traveling segment. “It’s wonderful to expose people to this show and offer opportunities for folks around the state of music and literature.” Jim Dees is the host of the show. Tonight’s show will be his last. Lyn Roberts (the Square Books manager and neighbor who recruited him to host the show in 2000) said that McGaw was a great producer. Dees said, “It sounded fun.” “I knew the members of the original house band and thought I’d give it a try until they found someone to do it. They didn’t find the man, so I guess they’re the permanent interim.” The show’s format included a musical guest as well as an author. However, in its early days, the program was less polished and more oriented toward music with interludes and segues provided primarily by The Yalobushwackers. Even though the show began traveling the state in mid-2000s, its mission to celebrate and expose the South to the world’s diversity remained unchanged. McGaw admitted that traveling shows can be more difficult than performing in front of the local crowd. This is mainly because the staff wants to make a statement on the road. McGaw stated that putting together a show is about talent. McGaw said, “When we can achieve that roller coaster effect in just 60 minutes, it makes us feel something.” That first performance at the fair was one of Dees’ most memorable memories. Jim Dickinson was a legendary producer and session musician whose sons were Luther and Cody of The North Mississippi Allstars. He played piano with blues guitarist Jerry Lee “Duff”, Dorrough, and The Yalobushwackers. Dees took a break from the stage to try and catch some breeze during interlude, which he doesn’t do often. He was a spectator as the band leaned in to Down in Mississippi and could for the first time fully enjoy the live experience, not just a collection of memories. He said, “A lot of the times when you’re doing such things, you’re so caught up in the moment that you don’t stop and take in the moment.” It hit me how amazing this was. Key was a huge fan of Thacker mountain as a child. He listened to Prairie Home Companion’s radio program and knew it was a great show. Key was a University of Mississippi graduate student in theatre in the late 1990s. He even laughed off the possibility of radio-stardom when he met one of the early hosts of the show at a bar. Key recalled, “I can remember Tom Arriola being there and performing all my animal sounds and effects.” “I tried to convince Tom Arriola at a bar that I should host the show because I could do so many sounds effects,” Key said. Key was a long-time listener to the show and realized that radio entertainment is the multitude of sounds used. Key said, “I can remember doing my elephant, my helicopter and my seagull — I had just perfected my seagull — and my little baby crying from another bedroom.” Two decades later, he will have the chance to impress the authorities. We exchanged numbers, and I quit the acting program and left Mississippi. It feels like I am finally being on the show after nearly 20 years. It’s an enormous deal for me.” To support this important work, make a regular donation today to celebrate our Spring Member Drive. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. To ensure that our work is aligned with the priorities and needs of all Mississippians, we are listening to you. Click the button below to let us know what you think.