intentional pompadour …southern culture in images and words…
intentional pompadour …southern culture in images and words… is a free quarterly zine based out of Augusta, Georgia and published by Betsey Venom submissions accepted by southern creatives and subscriptions are available for $10/year send your work or subscription request in the body of an email to: betseyvenom@yahoo.com if you are published, you will receive a copy of the issue in which your work is featured and you will retain all rights to your work issue 4 summer 2018 find intentional pompadour online at: intentionalpompadour.wordpress.com facebook.com/intentionalpompadour issuu.com/intentionalpompadour
summer 2018
FREE
find Betsey Venom online at: betseyvenom.wordpress.com facebook.com/betseyvenom instagram.com/betseyvenom
INTENTIONAL POMPADOUR Welcome to the fourth issue of Betsey Venom’s intentional pompadour - a zine that features words, art, and more - celebrating the South’s creative culture. In this issue, Harlem, Georgia artist Birdy Connolly goes deep into the darkness with a photo/poem duo entitled Wind and Rain Blessed. Our resident chef Bridget Reilly Long from Cumming, Georgia shares another of her wonderful, original Southern recipes. Biscuits, anyone? I’m excited to feature an interview with Edgefield, South Carolina songwriter, voiceover artist and musician Chris Hardy. Find out what’s going on in his world! T. Leon Bigham of Cumming, Georgia presents his poem Holy Sonnet I or My God is the Flying Spaghetti Monster. In this issue, you will find information on Augusta, Georgia rock and roll legend Johnny Hensley’s upcoming 60th Anniversary Red Hots show coming to the Imperial Theatre on Saturday, July 28! Tickets available now! Savannah, Georgia resident Echo LaVeaux offers up a moon poem.
Cravings and Withdrawals – Biscuits An original Southern recipe by Bridget Reilly Long I’ve been making biscuits since I was about 10 years old. I even won a Betty Crocker Award in the 6th grade for my how-to presentation of biscuits. It’s a simple recipe that never fails me. For this recipe, the best tool for the job is your good clean hands. No mixer, no food processor. It was taught to me by my mother and to her by her mother. I’m teaching my girls as well. It’s a Southern thang. 2 c. self-rising flour (not all purpose), plus more for kneading ½ tsp. salt 1/3 c. shortening ¾ c. buttermilk
Preheat oven to 450.
Lightly grease a cookie sheet.
In a medium bowl, add salt to the flour. Mix with fingers.
Add salt to the flour and mix with fingers.
Add 1/3 c. shortening and mix using one hand. Keep the other hand clean for use with buttermilk or bowl. Use just the fingers and thumb and mix like you would drum
Enjoy three haikus of poetic beauty by Kathy Kotz from North Augusta, South Carolina. If you are looking to take music lessons from a professional, you will enjoy an interview with Aiken, South Carolina guitarist and music teacher Michael Eubanks. And last but not least, author Charmain Zimmerman Brackett from Augusta, Georgia shares an excerpt from her outstanding novel, Murder Under the Magnolias. Would you like to see YOUR work in print? If so, send your - poem, essay, song lyrics, photos, drawings, you name it - to me at betseyvenom@yahoo.com. As this is a small one-person project, I am unable to pay in $ but will mail you a hard copy of the issue where your work is featured. You retain all rights to your work. If you are looking for a fresh place to explore the most creative and independent Southern minds, then stick around. I’m sure you’ll find your place among the pages of this slim volume. Thanks for coming along. Enjoy the ride.
your fingers on a desk.
The flour shortening mix will resemble cornmeal or, as people say, I say it looks like little beads in various sizes.
Add the buttermilk ¼ cup at a time and continue to mix with your hand. The dough should be sticky but not liquidy and look jagged.
Transfer to heavily floured board and knead several times, adding flour to prevent sticking to the board. Dough should look smooth and not wet.
At this point you can pat dough out to ½ inch and use a cookie cutter, or pinch of a section small enough to fit in your and hand roll into a ball.
Place on cookie sheet.
Bake for 12-15 minutes on the top rack in the oven.
Wind and Rain Blessed By Birdy Connolly
Betsey’s Best: Southern Eats Solé
If you are looking for a truly eclectic and original place to eat, you’ve got to try Solé.
Solé 1033 Broad Street
On heaven’s doorstep Standing tall This guardian of ancestral hall With history sleeping at her feet Sunrise and sunset chance to meet Weeping echoes through her leaves As loved one say goodbye and grieve While floating softly to the light On breezes still in endless night Ghostly song is heard to say, “I’m wind and rain blessed on this day… Aged pains are left behind~ God has freed my soul and mind The guardian shades old body’s rest~ For I am now wind and rain Blessed. Heart shaped leaves of Catalpa tree Drape and wave goodbye to me… Rising up I see the hills Smoke stacks rising from their mills~ Yesterday, locked behind closed door So turn your face and weep no more. Remember now my last request~ Celebrate! ~ I’m wind and rain Blessed!”
Solé is one of those quaint, local places you’ve always dreamed of finding but never thought you would. When you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by a vast, open architecture that is both soothing and inviting. The bar awaits, stretching the length of the space and offering a wide selection of adult libations. In the dining area just to the left, sumptuous booths and family size tables fill the room. Large doors enter further left to the outdoor seating area where you can take in dinner and drinks al fresco. The menu is diverse with wonderful sushi, seafood, sandwiches, and salad options with tapas that are sure to please. My personal favorites are the mozzarella jalapeño grit fritters. They are absolutely the best that this kitten has ever eaten. For the money, Solé is definitely my pick for a casual yet elegant meal with family and friends. You won’t be disappointed. Tell ‘em Betsey at intentional pompadour sent you. soleaugusta.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The Harv’s Pick of The Litter
In this issue, The Harv contemplates existence. Einstein said: "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." Let's see...too deep for me, time for a nap. Got a question you’d like to ask the cat? Email The Harv at betseyvenom@yahoo.com and if you’re lucky, maybe he’ll pick your question next.
What’s Going On In Chris Hardy’s World?
Betsey – You were a drummer in the US Army. Thank you for your service! What inspired you to pick up the bass guitar? Chris – What inspired me to pick up bass was a rather silly reason: in 1983 when I got my first 4-track recorder, I was writing a lot of songs and I wanted to record them. I lived in the barracks at Ft. Gordon and all the people in the band that could play bass lived off post. So I figured I’d buy one and start recording bass parts myself, since there were no actual bassists in close proximity. Of course, I took an immediate liking to being a bass player – I could perform with a band yet not carry the weight of the show like guitarists do. Plus, nobody pays much attention to bass players, so I used the low frequency as my own sort of audio playground to do with as I wanted! Betsey – Where do you find inspiration for all the wonderful and quirky songs you write? Chris – A big chunk of the 500+ songs I’ve written are merely reminders to myself of things I don’t want to forget, such as how to behave properly. Sad that I need these reminders, but hey, other folks might need ‘em, too! And a smaller chunk of the songs only exist out of my spirit of experimentation and/or boredom. Other times, I just hear an odd combination of words and I feel that I need to share the oddness of it in a song. I like to be creative and I hate to repeat myself, so sometimes my weirdest songs turn out to be the best! Betsey – Besides playing music, you are also a voice-over artist. How long have you been doing this kind of work and what inspired you to pursue this art form? Chris – I actually began doing voiceovers in the mid-90s. this was back when most voiceovers were done in actual recording studios. I had a long-term gig voicing internal GE videos. Super boring stuff about turbines and whatnot. Then I moves away and forgot all about that until 2010 when radio host Clark Howard mentioned a site called fiverr.com, where you could offer your talents for $5 or more. I thought about it and remembered how much fun it was to stand in front of a microphone and speak. And get paid for it! I already had the recording equipment, so a micro-career was born! Find Chris Hardy online at www.chrishardyworld.com!
Holy Dinner I or My God is the Flying Spaghetti Monster By T. Leon Bigham Unproven theories, scientific Dirty secrets, gravity the idea Not demonstrable fact. Unseen limbic Arms hold us tight against terra firma. Good gospel delivered via pasta, Washed down with grains golden lager juices. No dread-locked, green leaf smokin’ rasta, High flying squirrel or talking mooses. Alternative God to standard choices, Open-minded peaceful revolution. No dogma wars from internal voices, Don’t care if god-made or evolution. Dump Buddha, can it New Age Christians, Convert to noodly pastafarians. “I earned my Masters in March 2011 at University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL. I have been writing poetry since fifth grade, fifty years of words needed for catharsis.” - T. Leon Bigham
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Three Haikus – By Kathy Kotz Matriarch I am the oldest Matriarch of my clan now How did this happen?
Mommy The amount of strength Of a mother is amazing! It comes from the heart…
Pretty-Is-As-Pretty-Does A pretty face fades Add a golden heart to same? Forever pretty!
Spotlight on Independent Southern Novels
An excerpt from Murder Under the Magnolias by Charmain Z. Brackett The Riverwalk amphitheatre was directly on the Savannah River. I loved the river. It was peaceful at least, and I could relive part of my date with my husband. Dancing under the stars was magical, and for those moments, I think I blocked out the young woman's face and that butterfly tattoo. It was only supposed to be in the low 70s today, and the morning breeze was perfect as we placed flowers on the archway and two candelabra we'd brought for the wedding. I wasn't really paying attention to the decorating as much as I was gazing over the water. I watched as a few kayakers and canoeists glided over the river. I turned to follow them down the river until they were out of my sight. I decided to walk toward the river for a minute, leaving Emmie with the task of placing the flowers around the arch. As I did, more of the tree-lined river bank came into view. I noticed a group of people gathering near the water's edge and leaning over the green railings. I couldn't tell why. They seemed to be pointing at something. There was a shrill scream and then another. Emmie ran up behind me. "What's going on?" she asked. Immediately, there was a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach as my dream flashed before me. My first thought was that woman. I couldn't really call her a woman. Even though she had a lot of makeup on, there was something about her that made her so young. She couldn't have been more than a teenager. "I'm not sure, but I'm going to find out." I rushed down the brick-covered pathway. I saw a woman with a black Labrador retriever on a leash, and a jogger, who kept jogging in place, as he lingered at the site. Several people stood back and pointed. A few people were taking photos on their phones. There were no police officers on the scene as I pushed past a few people toward the river's edge and saw the reason for the screams. As I peered over the railing, I could see a woman's body floating on the surface. She seemed to be tangled in something. And it wasn't just any woman. It was her - the woman who haunted my previous nights' dreams. I recognized her immediately. I couldn't scream; I felt numb and sick all at the same time. All I could do was stare. This couldn't be happening. I needed to call Drew. I fumbled for my cell phone which was in my pants' pocket. I was thankful he was in my contact list because I could barely remember his name much less his phone number. When he answered, I couldn't respond. "Grace. Grace. Are you there?" Drew asked, but I couldn't form any words to answer him as I stared at the body. "Grace, talk to me. Are you okay?" I managed to force out the words through the air. "Drew, it's her." My voice sounded like it was in a cave. I guess it was me speaking. I wasn't sure. I knew I was thinking it. Did the words escape my mouth? I felt like I was choking on the words. "What are you talking about? Who? Where are you?"
"Riverwalk. The girl from last night. She's dead. I'm looking at her body. She's face up in the Savannah River." "Don't move. I'm on the way." It was funny to me that he said not to move. I couldn't move if I tried. My feet felt like they had cement around them. Emmie linked her arm through mine. I couldn't break my gaze from the body as horrific as the scene was. I kept seeing the woman from the night before, but she was still alive, beautiful, and scared. I was so grateful her eyes were now closed. How was this possible? I'd only seen her hours before, and Drew and I had danced under the moonlight only yards away.
Meet the Author: Charmain Z. Brackett
Charmain’s books may be purchased locally at the Book Tavern in downtown Augusta or online at Amazon.com.
Charmain Zimmerman Brackett grew up in a picturesque Southern neighborhood filled with front porches and retirees. Her closest companions in her childhood and teenage years were the characters she found in the pages of books. In college, her love of literature, language and writing led her to pursue a degree in English. She has spent the past 30 years writing for several newspapers and magazines in the Augusta, Ga. area. In 2008, a story in a series she wrote on returning wounded warriors received second place at the Department of the Army level in the Keith L. Ware journalism competition. She has written three young adult novels, The Key of Elyon, Elyon's Cipher and Elyon's Light. Her debut novel, The Key of Elyon, received the 2014 Yerby Award for Fiction. Her fourth novel, Fixed In The Tempest, is inspirational contemporary fiction. Under the name of C.Z. Brackett, she wrote the Victoria James mystery series. Her first children's book, Little Pearl's Circus World, won the Georgia Writers Association's 2015 Georgia Author of the Year Award in the children's category. It's based on the true story of her great-grandmother, Pearl Clark LaComa, who began performing with her father's circus, the M.L. Clark and Son Combined Shows when she was only 4. Brackett lives in Augusta, Ga. with her husband, Bret. They have three children, Jessica, Jeremy and Allie and an 8 year-old rescued papillon named Danni.www.charmainzbrackett.com
Betsey Venom’s Thrifting Tips
Rock and Roll – Southern Style Respect Your Elders…Feel The Twang!
If you follow my blog (betseyvenom.wordpress.com) you already know how much I enjoy treasure hunting at thrift stores. In the last issue, the first tip I gave was to just go to a local thrift store and explore. Just to go and see what is available. Are you ready for the next tip? Betsey’s Tip Number Two: Be Open-Minded If you only remember one thing about thrifting, remember this: it is important to have an open mind when thrift store shopping. Don’t go expecting to find the exact item you want or need. Look at thrift store shopping as a treasure hunt. Have an idea of what you want but be open to finding something completely different. A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I went to three local thrifts. I had nothing in mind to find and just wanted to explore. Well, actually I did have something in mind. I needed some new clothes and was hoping to find a top or two for work.
www.kingcatandtheelders.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Johnny Hensley and the Red Hots 60th Anniversary Reunion - “Going Home Tour” At the historic Imperial Theatre!
It’s going to be a great night filled with classic rock and roll hits with proceeds to benefit Natalie’s Light. Tickets $30-$38 Saturday, July 28, 2018 at 8pm Tickets on sale NOW at the Imperial’s website: www.imperialtheatre.com
By the time I got home and laid everything out, I discovered that I did better than just finding a shirt to wear. I found a veritable gold mine of clothing, accessories and even yarn that I plan to use in a blanket I’m making. My hubby found a barely-used pair of low top Converse All-Stars! As you can tell from the picture below, having an open mind and looking at more than one section of a thrift store can yield some pretty tasty loot. Next time you hit up your thrift, look all over the store and don’t just focus on one department. And, as you’re browsing, keep an open mind. You will be surprised at the treasures you’ll find hidden in plain sight. Happy thrifting!
WAXING GIBBOUS MOON A Poem by Echo LaVeaux
In the Woodshed with Music Teacher Michael Eubanks
Nearly full, alive and awake Sister Moon teaches us to Open ourselves, stretch out our arms Receive the peace, receive the love Take in and absorb the goodness Raining down from heaven above In Sister Moon’s radiant light From “Echo LaVeaux’s Book of the Moon,” available on Amazon
New Life By Betsey Venom This is the time of year that toads emerge from the pond and begin navigating the back yard, starting their journey into new life. Summer is beautiful. Betsey: What inspired you to become a musician, and how long have you been playing professionally? Michael: I guess I was lucky enough to grow up around some extremely talented musicians in my family. One of my uncles showed me how to play 3 chords (D Major, A Major, and E Major), and from that moment, I was on my own! I loved music, and couldn’t wait to get home from school so I could watch “The Monkees” television show. I really wanted to be Michael Nesmith. When I was 8, I could play “Wild Thing” by The Troggs. That’s when I knew I wanted to keep going as a musician. Certainly, as time went by and I was exposed to more music, my love and appreciation grew. It was around that time that I had my first “Beatles” record, “Beatles VI”. I really liked “Eight Days a Week” and a few others from that album. Those early years are most likely where I developed a ‘musical ear” and keen interest in harmony and songwriting, as bands such as The Cowsills, Paul Revere & the Raiders, and others got my attention...then I heard this absolute monster guitarist, Jimi Hendrix. As far as how long I’ve been a professional musician, I was getting paid (not much though!) from my freshman/sophomore days in high school. Most of it was from getting asked to play something on guitar that a classmate may have brought to school with them, or showing them some things. The money back then fed my snack habit and helped me pitch in gas money. Since around 1975, the pay grew a little more, of course being in bands, then doing session work ( my first job as a session musician was in 1977 after I graduated high school) which added to it, and the lessons grew. I walked right past Steve Morse once, and didn’t even recognize him. That was after “What If” and I had nearly wore that album out! (Long story). Betsey: You once lived in Nashville. What was it like to work on Music Row?
Michael: Oh gosh…in a word, “Indescribable.” If one has dreams, goals, or aspirations to work in the music industry in any capacity, you usually think of a few major locations – New York City, Nashville, Los Angeles, or Miami. It was much like a dream come true, but I stayed extremely busy. Nashville is THE “Music City”, and music just ebbs and flows there 24 hours a day, every day. I was so fortunate to have several offers waiting on me by the time I graduated from school, so I had a job waiting on me when I moved there. Interestingly enough, the first place I rented (after staying at an extended-stay motel for a week) was at the home of a record producer who had a long career in the industry and had worked with Charlie Daniels, Linda Rondstadt, George Jones, and others. I could have put my car on “auto-pilot” and it was a constant back and forth commute to and from Music Row. The studio life was awesome, and a great experience. It’s in a professional, world class environment where the majority of talent is major label with huge budgets, so you had better know your stuff and not waste their time. Megadeth may be recording in one building, Peter Frampton might be coming in for a studio interview, Naomi Judd (or Wynonna and/or Ashley), may be recording downstairs, so you stayed pretty busy. I was constantly in company with some amazing talent, both artistic and technical. I met and/or worked with so many unbelievable people. (I have many stories!) The networking there is a must. I arrived in Nashville as a recent school graduate with a degree in Audio/Recording Engineering, and left having been an intern, assistant engineer, engineer, small demo studio owner, broadcast engineer, session musician, and had started getting attention as a songwriter. I can’t complain. Nashville will always be my second home, and I miss it terribly. Betsey: If you had to pick one particular guitar as your favorite, which one would it be and why? Michael: I have quite a few guitars (“children”) and they all have their unique qualities. Trying to pick a favorite is tough, but overall, I would have to say a ’76 Fender Stratocaster that I own. I modified it and took away some of its value by doing so, but it was a beast in its day and is still holding up well. I have a lot of great memories with it, and it holds a lot of sentimental value. (I’m sappy.) Lol! Betsey: What is the greatest joy you’ve experienced as a music teacher? Michael: It would have to be the smiles from the students who have gained knowledge in music and their guitar playing, and have developed skills while the grow more confident in themselves and their abilities. To have a student come in knowing nothing at all, then see them grow to excel – some to the point of performing in public or winning local or regional talent competitions, gaining their own following and fans along the way, is amazing. Having a parent say “You made my child fall in love with music”, or a student say “You’re the reason I play guitar!”…or give you a CD that their band recorded…or a parent say “After you moved away, my child had other guitar teachers, but you were always his favorite.” When a young student draws a picture for you with a loving note on it... gosh. It happens more often than I realize. Those sentiments are humbling. To say it’s a joy is almost an understatement. They make me who I am. I haven’t blessed them. They have blessed ME. For those interested in lessons, message Mike through his Facebook page, Mike Eubanks–Music Lessons http://www.facebook.com/MikeEubanksMusicLessons or call him at 803-295-8766.
thank you for picking up and reading this issue of intentional pompadour if you enjoy what you see here and would like to be included, drop me a note at betseyvenom@yahoo.com subscriptions - $10/year - email betseyvenom@yahoo.com sponsorships available – email for information next issue: fall 2018, to be released on or around the autumnal equinox ~ september 22, 2018