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Article: The South, from alligator to Zydeco; a soon-to-come encyclopedia deciphers Dixie's legends and realities. (Encyclopedia of Southern Culture)
- Article from:
- U.S. News & World Report
- Article date:
- October 3, 1988
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1988 All rights reserved. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Every wall in Prof Charles Reagan Wilson's office is cluttered with Southern kitsch. Like the Scarlett O'Hara fan and the Royal Crown Cola thermometer. And the American Turpentine Farmers Association calendar, with Miss Gum Spirits smiling in high heels and a swimsuit amid a clump of resin-tapped pine trees. Plus, of course, the Elvis stuff. - A vial of purported Elvis sweat, an Elvis-in-his-gold-Cadillac postcard, a "Welcome, Elvis, to Heaven" poster that shows the King gazing up a stairway to a Graceland in the sky. Striding down to greet him, guitar in hand, is Hank Williams.
"Nice, isn't it?" the professor guns. But something on Wilson's desk lets ...