>> male announcer: THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY A GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION AND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>> man singing: ♪ WELCOME ♪ ♪ TO A SHOW ♪ ♪ ABOUT THINGS YOU CAN SEE ♪ ♪ WITHOUT GOING FAR, ♪ ♪ AND A LOT OF THEM ARE FREE.

♪ ♪ IF YOU THOUGHT ♪ ♪ THERE WAS NOTHING ♪ ♪ IN THE OLD HEARTLAND, ♪ ♪ YOU O ♪ YOU OUGHT TO HIT ♪ ♪ THE BLACKTOP ♪ ♪ WITH THESE FOOLS IN A VAN.

♪ ♪ LOOK OUT.

♪ ♪ THEY'RE DRIVING HARD, ♪ ♪ CHECKING OUT ART ♪ ♪ IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD.

♪ ♪ RANDY DOES THE STEERING, ♪ ♪ SO HE WON'T HURL.

♪ ♪ MIKE GOT THE MAP, ♪ SUCH A MAN OF THE WORLD.

♪ ♪ THAT'S DON WITH THE CAMERA, ♪ ♪ KIND OF HEAVY ♪ ♪ ON HIS SHOULDER.

♪ ♪ AND THAT GIANT BALL OF TAPE, ♪ ♪ IT'S A WORLD RECORD HOLDER.

♪ ♪ LOOK OUT.

♪ ♪ THEY'RE DRIVING HARD, ♪ ♪ CHECKING OUT ART ♪ ♪ IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD.

♪ ♪ LOOK OUT.

♪ THEY'RE DRIVING HARD, ♪ ♪ CHECKING OUT THE WORLD ♪ ♪ IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD, ♪ ♪ CHECKING OUT THE WORLD ♪ ♪ IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD.

♪ ♪ [Don coughing] >> MMMM.

THAT'S A BAD SOUND.

>> Don: DEAR T.V.

MAILBAG.

WHICH WOULD YOU LIKE FIRST, THE GOOD NEWS OR THE BAD NEWS?

CAUGHT A LITTLE CHAIN SAW DUST.

HI.

DON THE CAMERA GUY HERE.

THE BAD NEWS IS, MY THROAT IS ON THE SORE SIDE.

THE GOOD NEWS, I GUESS, IS I WON'T BE TALKIN' MUCH.

I'M JUST GOING TO HAVE A LITTLE OF THIS NUCLEAR REACTOR TEA HERE.

THIS IS FROM THE LITTLE MINI-MOTEL WE STAYED AT; THEY HAD ACTUAL TEA BAGS WITH STRINGS.

AND USUALLY, WE GET THEM WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED.

NOW, BEING THAT THIS IS THE LOW-BUDGET TOUR AND THAT RANDY'S BUTT IS PRETTY MUCH WELDED TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, BY DEFAULT, MIKE GETS THE CAMERA CALL.

>> Mike: HOW'S THIS SHOT, DON?

>> Don: WHAT MIKE DOESN'T KNOW IS THAT I'M BACK HERE PRODUCING.

SO THE PLAN STANDS, AND THE PLAN IS TO KEEP CAPTURING THE WONDERS OF ROADSIDE AMERICA, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT CAN ONLY BE FOUND WHEN YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.

AND APPARENTLY, SOMEONE THINKS BROWNSVILLE, TENNESSEE, IS JUST SUCH A PLACE.

>> Randy: BILLY TRIPP HAS BUILT SOMETHING THAT DEFIES EASY DESCRIPTION, EVEN FOR ME, AND IT'S CLOSE TO HIS CAR WASH. REALLY, BEYOND THAT, I DON'T KNOW A WHOLE HECK OF A LOT.

HE WROTE A BOOK; IT'S ABOUT 400 PAGES LONG, AND EVEN HE ADMITTED HE WOULDN'T EXPECT ME TO READ IT.

>> Mike: WOW.

LOOK AT THAT.

>> Don: WELL, HE SAID IT WAS BIG.

>> MAN.

>> Tripp: I STARTED IN '89.

I WORKED ON SMALLER PIECES BEFORE THEN.

AND I CAN SORT OF SEE IT LIKE AN OUTDOOR STEEL CHURCH.

THAT'S A GOOD HANDLE TO GIVE PEOPLE.

YOU TELL THEM THAT, AND THEY START TO SEE IT SORT OF THAT WAY.

>> Randy: WERE YOU TRYING TO GET THEIR ATTENTION?

>> Tripp: NO.

I WANTED TO GET MY STUFF THAT WAS STORED HERE UP OFF-- IT WAS STORED ON CONCRETE BLOCKS, AND IT WAS HARD TO MOW AROUND.

AND I JUST WANTED TO GET IT-- USE IT SOMEWHERE; I DON'T KNOW.

SEE, I MADE THAT MARK WHEN I FINISHED MY BOOK.

YOU SEE, I'VE GOT THE NAME OF THE BOOK, AND I HAVE THE THREE MAIN CHARACTERS SITTING ON A BENCH, YOU KNOW, WATCHING THE SUN SET OFF FAR.

AND THAT'S A LITTLE DOG CROSSING THE DITCH, YOU KNOW.

HANGING DOWN, THE FISHING POLES THAT ARE ON THE END OF THE TRUSS--THE LITTLE POLES THAT SORT OF ANGLE AROUND-- THEY'RE FISHING FOR WORDS.

>> Mike: WE NOTICED THIS SAID "MY EXPERIENCES"-- "THIS HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE."

>> THAT'S THE PIECE THAT I WORKED IN A STORY ABOUT MY FIRST SEXUAL EXPERIENCE.

AND SO AS NOT TO CONFUSE IT WITH HER EXPERIENCE, OR HER VIEW OF HOW IT WAS.

THERE'S STORIES LIKE THAT IN HERE.

BUT NOT EVERYTHING'S A STORY.

SOME THINGS ARE JUST NICE.

MY LAST SECTION WAS THAT SPIRAL IN THE CENTER WITH THE FLAG ON IT.

AND I HAVE FOLKS SAY, "WELL, YOU NEVER PUT ANYTHING UP THERE."

YOU KNOW, IT GOES SO SLOW THAT THEY DON'T NOTICE IT.

SO I SAID, "WELL, I'LL LEAVE THE RED FLAG ON THE LAST PIECE I PUT UP."

>> Randy: YOU MAKE IT SOUND PRETTY EASY, BUT THIS IS BIG STUFF.

DOESN'T IT TAKE A LOT OF INITIATIVE JUST TO GET UP IN THE MORNING AND DECIDE TO DO THIS?

>> Tripp: YEAH, IT DOES.

>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

>> IT GETS BORING OFTEN.

BUT NOT OFTEN ENOUGH TO STOP.

I THINK, PROBABLY, CHILDREN LIKE IT MORE SO THAN ADULTS.

IT'S NOT MOUNT RUSHMORE, NOR THE STATUE OF LIBERTY.

THAT'S A ROADSIDE ATTRACTION.

AND, YOU KNOW, YOU STOP-- "OH, WOW.

THIS IS PRETTY NEAT.

LOOK AT THAT.

HOW'D YOU DO THIS?

OH, WE NEED TO BE GOING."

YOU KNOW.

>> YOU KNOW, WE COULD USE A CAR WASH. >> Mike: YEAH.

HEY, THAT'S RIGHT-- YOU'VE GOT A CAR WASH. >> WELL, THERE'S A REAL GOOD ONE ACROSS TOWN.

BETTER THAN MINE, REALLY.

>> Mike: OH, NOW.

>> Randy: GUIDE ME IN.

>> Mike: HEY, REMEMBER TO ROLL THE WINDOWS UP.

>> YOU KNOW, BILLY, I THINK I USED ALL MY CHANGE OVER AT THE AMOCO.

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE A QUARTER, WOULD YOU?

>> Tripp: MAN, I GET STORIES ALL THE TIME.

>> Mike: SO THIS IS SOAP RIGHT HERE.

THIS IS LITTLE, SO IT'S-- >> Tripp: A LOT OF PEOPLE-- >> BILLY, YOU'D BETTER TELL HIM WHICH ORDER TO DO IT IN.

>> ONE QUARTER.

>> Tripp: TURN IT ON.

>> Mike: REMEMBER, WASH THE DIRT DOWN THE CAR, RANDY.

WASH IT DOWN THE CAR.

HOW'S HE DOING, BILL?

>> Tripp: IT'S NOT BAD.

I CAN TELL YOU'RE FROM OUT OF TOWN, THOUGH.

>> COULD HE WORK FOR YOU HERE, BILLY, IF THIS T.V.

THING DOESN'T WORK OUT?

>> Don: PERHAPS IT WAS RANDY'S WAY WITH THE WAND THAT CONVINCED BILLY HE SHOULD LET MIKE TAKE HIS FORKLIFT OUT FOR SOME FORKLIFTING, BUT-- [engine hesitating] >> Mike: C'MON.

C'MON.

>> Don: OH, WELL.

IT WAS TIME TO BE LEAVING BROWNSVILLE ANYWAY-- A TOWN THAT, I'M HAPPY TO SAY, HAS DECIDED TO LET BILLY, AS ONE COUNCIL MEMBER PUT IT, "RAMBLE ON WITH HIS SCULPTURE."

WE, TOO, ARE RAMBLIN' ON, PICKING UP SOME CLOUDS AND SOME HUNGER WHICH, WE'VE BEEN TOLD, THE MEAT-EATERS AMONG US-- AND THEY KNOW WHO THEY ARE-- CAN SATISFY HERE.

>> Mike: YOU KNOW, RANDY, THEY'VE NAMED A RESTAURANT AFTER YOU.

NOT JUST A TOWN, BUT A RESTAURANT TOO.

>> Don: BUT THAT FRONT-ROW PARKING SPACE SHOULD BE A CLUE.

I'M TALKIN' MORE OF THAT "CLOSED MONDAY" BAD RESEARCH, MEANING NOBODY EATS TILL MEMPHIS.

AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT-- OUR FIRST STOP HERE IS GOING TO BE LOONEY-- AVENUE, THAT IS: THE HOME OF JOE LIGHT.

NATURALLY, I'M THINKIN' "REGULAR JOE, ONLY LESS FILLING," BUT IT TURNS OUT, HE'S A PAINTER WHO PUTS PICTURES ON WHATEVER PART OF THE HOUSE HE CAN FIND AND, MORE AND MORE, SELLS THEM TO FAMOUS FOLKS LIKE TOMMY LEE JONES AND THE HOUSE OF BLUES.

>> I GOT STARTED IN-- I WAS AN INDEPENDENT PAINTER WHEN I GOT STARTED.

THAT WAS IN 1960.

GOD HIMSELF CONVERTED ME TO JUDAISM.

I WAS KIND OF OUT IN THE WORLD, DOING EVERYTHING-- ALL MANNERS OF SIN.

BACK THEN, I DIDN'T HAVE NO WILLPOWER.

SO THAT'S WHY I DID A LOT OF WRONG.

I'M TRYING TO DO AS MUCH RIGHT AS I CAN.

Y'ALL SEE THAT SIGN ABOUT DOING WRONG?

THE FIRST THING I PAINTED ON-- PAINTED PICTURES ON.

THOSE SHUTTERS RIGHT THERE.

THERE WAS PICTURES ON BOTH OF THOSE SHUTTERS.

AND THEN I FOUND SOME BOARDS AND I PAINTED THREE CLOWN PICTURES.

I SET THEM OUTSIDE-- CLOWN PICTURES ABOUT THIS SIZE HERE.

AND A FELLOW WAS HITCHHIKING HAD HIS BAG ON HIS SHOULDER, AND HE COME THROUGH, AND HE LOOKED AND SEEN THOSE THREE CLOWN PICTURES, AND HE SAID, "ARE YOU SELLING THESE PICTURES?"

I TOLD HIM, "YEAH.

YOU WANT TO BUY?"

"YEAH."

SO HE BOUGHT ONE, I THINK, FOR $3.

I WAS REALLY DOING IT FOR MYSELF, MOSTLY, BECAUSE OF GOD, TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE THROUGH MY THING.

NOW, I ONLY PAINTED ABOUT THREE OR FOUR PICTURES ON CANVAS.

BUT MOST OF MINE'S, LIKE, ON DOORS OR FOUND OBJECTS.

NOW, I'VE PAINTED ON TIRES, HUBCAPS, JUST EVERY--ANYTHING.

WHY, THESE ARE ABOUT MY MAIN TWO PROPHETS IN THE BIBLE, ABRAHAM AND MOSES.

THE REASON WHY I GOT THE BIRD ON THE MAN'S HEAD IS KIND OF REFLECTED LIKE THE BIRD WAS THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN THE MIND OF THIS MAN.

YOU KNOW--GOD.

AS A TEENAGER, I USED TO TRY SINGING ELVIS' SONGS.

I USED TO LIKE HIS SONGS.

TWO OR THREE MORE THAT I LIKED, I HAVEN'T PAINTED THEIR PICTURES.

THAT'S FATS DOMINO, CHUCK BERRY, AND JACKIE WILSON.

I'VE GOT TO PAINT THEIR PICTURES.

DEAN MARTIN--STILL LIKE SOME OF DEAN MARTIN'S SINGING.

>> Don: JOE HIMSELF SOMETIMES PUTS DOWN THE BRUSH AND CROONS A FEW, TOO, WHICH SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE.

AFTER ALL, THIS IS MEMPHIS, HOME OF THE WORLD-FAMOUS BEALE STREET, WHICH IN TURN, IS HOME TO THE CENTER FOR SOUTHERN FOLKLORE.

SORRY, NO ACRONYM AVAILABLE.

>> Peiser: THIS PLACE IS KIND OF MADE FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THE WEIRD AND UNUSUAL THINGS OF LIFE.

YOU WALK IN HERE AND YOU GO, "WAIT A MINUTE.

I THOUGHT THIS WAS THE CENTER FOR SOUTHERN FOLKLORE.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE AUSTERE.

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE QUIET.

AND YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO TELL US EVERYTHING."

AND I GO, "WELL, YOU GOTTA LOOK AROUND AND LEARN A LITTLE BIT.

AND IF YOU LOOK AROUND AND LEARN A LITTLE BIT, YOU'LL HEAR SOME GREAT MUSIC IF YOU COME BACK AT NIGHT.

YOU CAN HEAR SOME FABULOUS STORIES FROM WHOEVER'S IN HERE, BECAUSE WE ALL LIE A LOT-- OR LIE A LITTLE, DEPENDING ON THE DAY.

AND YOU CAN MEET GREAT FOLK ARTISTS.

LIKE THIS GUY, FRANK BOYLE, IS A REFORMED, OR SEMI-REFORMED, ALCOHOLIC.

SO HE KNOWS WHERE TO GET THE BOTTLES.

AND HE STARTED PAINTING BOTTLES SO THAT, BASICALLY, TO HELP HIS MINISTRY.

AND HIS MINISTRY WAS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO STOP DRINKING.

WELL, HE'S HAD A FEW LAPSES IN LIFE, BUT-- SO ANYWAY, THERE'S PREACHER FRANK.

NOW, THE WHOLE PLACE WAS DECORATED BY ANOTHER FOLK ARTIST WHOSE NAME IS DOCTOR BOB.

IS THAT COOL, OR IS THAT COOL?

THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE DONE BY TOMMY FOSTER, BETTER KNOWN AS "COLONEL TOMMY."

NOW, COLONEL TOMMY NOT ONLY DOES THIS, BUT HE ALSO DOES MARRIAGES HERE.

['50s rock] I THINK THAT WHAT I'M INTERESTED IN IS, LIKE, WHAT PEOPLE DO THAT MAKES THEM DIFFERENT AND WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL.

AND SO I WASN'T AS INTERESTED IN, "OH, THAT'S A PIECE THAT GOES IN A MUSEUM."

I WAS INTERESTED IN, "OH, THAT'S A PIECE THAT TELLS ME ABOUT SOMEONE'S LIFE."

NOW, YOU DO REALIZE THAT ELVIS AND PRISCILLA ARE AT THE HEIGHT OF THE "VIVA MEMPHIS" WEDDING CHAPEL.

>> Randy: GOES WITHOUT SAYING, DON'T IT?

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW THAT ELVIS IS IN EVERY BIT OF OUR ENVIRONMENT HERE.

ELIZEBETH BEARD DOES THOSE GREAT KINGPINS-- BOWLING PINS IN HONOR OF THE KING, OUR LORD, AVAILABLE AT THE CENTER FOR SOUTHERN FOLKLORE BY CALLING 901-525-3655.

>> Randy: CAN I GET ANOTHER CUP OF COFFEE, JUDY?

>> Peiser: UH-- >> Mike: FOR A BUCK?

>> WHAT--ARE YOU STILL FILMING?

>> WOW.

>> Randy: THANK YOU.

>> SEE, CAROL WAS GIVING US-- DO YOU WANT ANY CREAM?

SUGAR?

SHOULD I PUT MY FINGER IN THERE AND MAKE IT SWEET?

IF YOU'RE NOT NICE, YOU HAVE TO LEAVE.

>> Randy: DANNY-- >> Peiser: HUTCHERSON.

DANNY TAKES THESE PLASTIC-- I MEAN, YOU KNOW, PLASTIC-- YOU KNOW, THINGS YOU CARRY PICKLES IN OR WHATEVER, AND TAKES AN ACETYLENE TORCH AND SHAPES FABULOUS ARTWORK.

>> Mike: WHAT WAS THAT PHONE NUMBER AGAIN?

>> 901-525-3655.

IT'S A SUNFLOWER.

YOU GOT THOSE OUT IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS?

IF YOU LOITER-- AND YOU'LL NOTICE, WE DIDN'T SPELL LOITER RIGHT.

BOB DIDN'T SPELL TOO MUCH OF ANYTHING RIGHT WHEN HE DECORATED THIS PLACE-- >> Don: WELL, IT LOOKED OKAY TO ME, BUT I'M ILLOITERATE.

>> Mike: I'M OUTTA HERE.

[laughter] >> Peiser: OH, GOD.

THEY ACTUALLY PAY Y'ALL FOR DOING THIS?

>> Mike: THERE'S NOTHING CORN DOG-ORIENTED IN HERE, RIGHT?

>> NO.

WE DO NOT HAVE CORN DOGS HERE.

PRONTO PUPS.

YOU DON'T SEE THE FOLK ART OF BIG BUILDINGS HERE.

YOU FOLKS SEE THE FOLK ART OF EVERYDAY PEOPLE AND EVERYDAY IDEAS.

ALL OF THIS WORK SORT OF DESCRIBES SORT OF A DIFFERENT PART OF THE SOUTH, A PART THAT'S NOT MAGNOLIAS.

IN HERE, YOU SORT OF HAVE A JUKEHOUSE OF THE '90s.

SO WHILE YOU SEE THE FOLK ART, YOU GOTTA BE ABLE TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC FOR IT ALL TO KIND OF COME TOGETHER AND MAKE SENSE.

SO YEAH, YOU DO NEED TO COME BACK AND HEAR THE MUSIC.

>> Don: IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T BELIEVE JUDY, BUT MY BODY'S FADING FASTER THAN THE PAINT ON OUR CHRYSLER WHICH, BY THE WAY, IS STARTING TO MAKE SOME UNUSUALLY NASTY NOISES.

[coughing] SO THESE WEASELS CAN DO AS THEY PLEASE.

I'D BEST START SLEEPING AT THE OLD SLEEP INN.

>> Randy: THIS IS JEFFERSON STREET.

THE FIRST PIGGLY-WIGGLY OPENED IN 1916.

SELF-SERVICE GROCERY SHOPPING.

>> RIGHT HERE?

>> RIGHT HERE.

>> Don: HOW'S THIS FOR A WAKE-UP CALL?

TWO GUYS WAY TOO ENGROSSED IN GROCERIES.

>> I COULD BE STANDING IN THE BREAD AISLE.

>> Randy: YEAH.

SQUEEZING SOME MELONS.

>> SQUEEZING SOME-- I DON'T THINK YOU CAN SAY THAT.

>> Don: IF THERE'S A POINT, I SUPPOSE IT'S THAT THOSE PIGGLY PROFITS HELPED BUILD THE PINK PALACE, ANOTHER MEMPHIS ATTRACTION LIKE THOSE PEABODY DUCKS YOU WON'T BE SEEING.

BUT AS THE T-SHIRT TELLS YOU, UNLESS MY HEALTH FAILS ALTOGETHER, I DO PLAN TO GET A GANDER AT GRACELAND.

FOR NOW, THOUGH, WE'RE EASTERLY BOUND THROUGH DOWNTOWN, PAST ANOTHER PIECE OF MUSIC HISTORY, WORKING OUR WAY TOWARDS THE KIND OF PLACE WHICH, AT THE RATE I'M GOING, I MAY BE CHECKING INTO PERMANENTLY.

MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY HAS SOME OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE DECOR AROUND, THANKS TO ITS FOUNDER, E.C.

HINDS, AND A MEXICAN CARVER NAMED DIONICIO RODRIGUEZ.

SOMEHOW, THEY MANAGED TO INTERPRET THE BIBLE IN THEIR OWN CONCRETE WAY.

>> Holt: IT WAS A DREAM THAT MR. HINDS HAD.

MEMORIAL PARK WAS A DREAM.

AND HE FASHIONED IT AFTER HAVING GONE TO FOREST LAWN IN CALIFORNIA.

HE MET RODRIGUEZ AND BROUGHT HIM HERE AND COMMISSIONED HIM TO DO THIS GROTTO.

WHEN HIS DREAM AND RODRIGUEZ'S COME TOGETHER, THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE.

CAVE OF MACHPELAH WAS DEPICTING THE ABOVEGROUND TOMBS THAT ABRAHAM MADE FOR SARAH.

THE POOL OF HEBRON HERE IS WHERE CHILDREN CAN COME AND SEE FISH.

WE HAVE FISH IN THERE.

AND THEY HOLLER, "OH, I SEE FISH!

I'LL CATCH ME A FISH!"

BUT YOU KNOW, IT BRINGS IT DOWN TO EARTH FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING HERE.

SEE, THAT LOOKS LIKE A TREE THAT'S FALLEN.

THE EYES, THE NOSE, AND THE MOUTH-- CAN YOU SEE IT?

FAMILIES CAN SIT OVER THERE.

I'VE BEEN BY THEM WHEN THEY'VE BEEN SITTING OVER THERE.

>> Randy: IT'S NOT A NO-TOUCH KIND OF SITUATION.

>> RIGHT.

YOU CAN SIT IN IT, IF YOU WANT.

>> Mike: I BET KIDS COME HERE AND JUST REALLY GO CRAZY.

>> Holt: THEY DO.

THEY CRAWL ALL OVER IT.

>> Randy: OKAY.

WHAT HAPPENED AT ABRAHAM'S OAK?

I SHOULD KNOW.

>> Holt: YOU TELL ME.

YOU TALK AWHILE.

[laughing] >> THIS IS OPEN-- >> OPEN.

>> NO FEE?

>> NO FEE.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE BURYING SOMEONE OR ATTENDING A, YOU KNOW, SERVICE FOR ANYONE.

>> NO, YOU DON'T.

>> IS THAT THE WAY MR. HINDS-- >> THAT'S WHAT HE WANTED.

AND HIS GRANDDAUGHTER HAS CARRIED THAT OUT.

>> YEAH.

IT LOOKS LIKE A VERY COMFORTING KIND OF PLACE.

THE MOST SERENE SPOT, MAYBE, IN ALL OF MEMPHIS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> Don: MY ONLY QUESTION IS, IF THERE'S SO MUCH SERENITY, HOW COME I'M STILL WORKING AS HARD AS EVER?

AND I SUPPOSE ANY BENEFITS FROM THIS ANNIE LAURIE WISHING CHAIR THING MUST ONLY APPLY TO T.V.

WEASELS AS WELL.

>> Randy: I THOUGHT YOU WANTED ME TO HOLD HIS HAND.

>> Holt: NO.

I DIDN'T SAY THAT.

>> I CAN'T DO THAT.

>> Don: SINCE OUR VEHICLE CONTINUES TO MAKE SOME FRIGHTENING NOISES, IT'S FORTUITOUS THAT MEMORIAL PARK, HOME OF THE CONCRETE TREE, ISN'T FAR AT ALL FROM OUR NEXT DESTINATION-- A PLACE WHERE TREES ARE STILL MADE FROM WOOD, AND AN EX-MARINE NAMED CHRIS LITTLE IS DOING SOME PUBLICLY UNUSUAL THINGS IN AND WITH THEM.

>> Little: I LIKE SHARIN' IT.

I DON'T SEE-- YOU KNOW, I DON'T EVEN COUNT-- CALL IT ART.

EVERYBODY ELSE IS THE ONES THAT'S CALLING IT ART.

IT'S JUST THINGS I MAKE.

>> Randy: BUT YOU'VE BEEN SEEIN' THOSE THINGS-- >> SINCE--I DON'T KNOW.

A LONG TIME.

I BEEN CUTTIN' TREES SINCE I WAS ABOUT 14 OR SO FOR FIREWOOD.

OFTEN I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING.

LIKE THESE STICKS--I SEE DIFFERENT THINGS IN THEM.

>> Randy: WELL, WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THERE?

>> I DON'T KNOW YET.

IT'S GOTTA STAND THERE.

IT'S GOT GOOD LEGS HERE.

IT'S GOT A NUMBER OF LEGS; I'D LIKE IT TO MAYBE BE A FOUR-LEGGED ANIMAL, WHICH IS COMMON.

THIS PIECE HERE--I'D LIKE TO MAKE A PURPLE PEOPLE-EATER OUT OF THIS ONE.

THIS IS DOTTY, AND OF COURSE, HE'S MARKING HIS SPOT.

SHE CAME OUT OF AN OAK TREE THAT FELL DOWN DURING A STORM HERE NOT TOO LONG AGO, AND I TOOK HER AND PAINTED HER UP.

>> Randy: THE BLUE MAN ISN'T A CHARACTER FROM YOUR PAST OR ANYTHING... >> Little: NO.

I LIKE DIFFERENT COLORS.

I LIKE BRIGHT COLORS.

>> Randy: SO ARE YOU TRYING TO DEVELOP TREES THAT WILL DO THE THINGS YOU WANT?

IS THERE A WAY TO START THEM-- >> I'VE BEEN DOING THAT.

LIKE YOU SEE A LOT OF FOLKS DO CANING-- MAKE CANES AND STUFF-- ALSO, I LIKE TO TAKE SMALL TREES AND WRAP THEM AND TWIST THEM AND MAKE THEM GROW IN CERTAIN WAYS.

AND I ALSO PUT METAL IN THEM.

AND WHAT GOT ME STARTED THERE IS, A GIRL IN THIRD GRADE ONE TIME BROUGHT A CIVIL WAR SWORD IN.

AND, YOU KNOW, SHE SWORE UP AND DOWN THAT HER DAD FOUND IT UP THE TOP OF A TREE, LIKE SOMEBODY MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED IN THE WAR AND IT GREW UP, WHICH NOW WE KNOW COULDN'T HAPPEN.

BUT IT WAS A GREAT STORY, AND I THOUGHT, "WELL, THAT'D BE FUN, PUTTING STUFF IN TREES."

'CAUSE IN A HUNDRED YEARS, SOMEBODY WILL BE WALKING ALONG AND-- "WHOA.

WHAT'S THAT UP THERE?"

LIKE MY TRICYCLE.

MY WIFE RAN OVER THAT, AND IT WASN'T ANY GOOD ANYMORE.

SO IT'S JUST UP A TREE.

SOME YEARS LATER, AFTER PEOPLE STARTED CALLING, I SAID, "OH, YOU ALWAYS LAUGHED AT ME."

THEY GO, "OH, WE WEREN'T LAUGHING AT YOU; WE LIKED WHAT YOU WERE DOING."

WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW IT THAT WAY.

I SAID, "WELL, I WISH Y'ALL HAD TOLD ME, 'CAUSE NOBODY EVER SAID THEY LIKED IT.

THEY JUST LAUGHED AT IT."

SO I KEPT IT HID FOR YEARS.

AND THIS KIND OF STUFF I'VE BEEN DOING--YOU CAN SEE THAT'S A CLOTHESLINE UP THERE, AND THAT'S IN AN OAK TREE.

YOU LOOK THROUGH HERE, YOU'LL SEE, LIKE, THESE CLIPPERS THAT, TO ME, THEY NORMALLY CUT TREES DOWN.

AND YOU'LL SEE HOW THIS ONE'S GROWN AROUND THIS CLIPPER?

IT'S NOT GOING TO CUT ANY MORE TREES DOWN, SO IT'S PART OF A TREE.

YOU KNOW, THIS LITTLE OAK TREE, IT'LL GROW UP, AND THIS PIECE OF METAL WILL GET IN THERE.

AND THAT'S JUST SOMETHING I STUCK IN THERE ONE MORNING.

>> Randy: A PIECE OF OUR VAN, PROBABLY.

>> AND I REALLY LIKE THIS PIECE.

I'VE DONE SEVERAL OF THESE.

SEE HOW THAT'S GROWN AROUND THERE REAL NICE?

YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE STEEL GOES INTO IT.

NOW, THAT'S KIND OF SPECIAL.

I WAS SICK ONE DAY, AND THE BOYS WERE BEING NICE AND WOULDN'T BOTHER ME.

AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THEY COME RUNNIN' IN THE BEDROOM HOLLERING, "IT'S A FIRE IN THE KITCHEN."

AND I RUN OUT.

WELL, POP TARTS ARE FLAMMABLE.

WHY ARE THEY THERE?

I HAD A MAN ASK ME WHY MY PLOW WAS IN THE FRONT TREE.

I SAID, "DO YOU ASK THAT EVERY DAY YOU COME BY?"

AND HE GOES, "YEAH, AND MY DAD WAS WITH ME ONE DAY, AND HE ASKED."

AND I SAID, "THAT'S WHY IT'S THERE.

JUST TO WONDER WHY."

>> Randy: WHAT PART OF THE MARINE CORPS DO THEY DO THIS KIND OF STUFF IN?

>> NONE.

IN FACT, I WAS IN THE RECON UNIT, SO THEY DIDN'T--YOU KNOW, WE WENT OUT AND BLEW THINGS UP AND SCUBA--I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ANY OF THIS STUFF.

THIS IS MY FIRST BIG METAL PIECE-- >> Don: CHRIS ALSO LIKES TO MESS AROUND WITH METAL AND STONEWORK, AND HE'S QUITE GOOD AT THAT TOO, BUT I SUSPECT IT'S HIS RECON SKILLS WE MIGHT NEED MOST IF WE HOPE TO GET PAST THOSE BURLY GUARDS AT THE SURLY GATES AND PLAY SOME CATCH ON ELVIS' FRONT LAWN.

RANDY TRIED, AND FAILED MISERABLY, TO GET PERMISSION, SO I GUESS YOUR BASIC DRIVE-BY, AND THE VAST PARKING LOT ACROSS THE STREET.

>> Randy: OKAY, IS THIS WILSON WORLD LIKE-- BRIAN WILSON?

>> Mike: WELL, LIKE WILSON GLOVES, MAN.

>> NO, THIS IS PROBABLY LIKE BRIAN WILSON WORLD, YOU KNOW, LIKE GRACELAND, ONLY FOR THE BEACH BOYS FANS.

WE'VE NEVER PLAYED IN TENNESSEE BEFORE.

>> Don: NO PEPPER.

OOH, YEAH.

>> Randy: DOES THE SHIRT MAKE YOU THROW BETTER?

>> Don: NOW, THIS IS PUBLIC DOMAIN.

WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY ANYBODY A MILLION DOLLARS.

ALTHOUGH WE COULD GET A MILLION DOLLARS-- IF WE NEEDED IT.

[laughing] MAYBE IT WAS TOO MUCH CLEVERNESS, OR TOO MUCH CATCH, BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN I'M NOT FEELING VERY GOOD AGAIN.

SO I SUGGEST YOU BLAME MIKE FOR THESE FUZZY PICTURES OF MISSISSIPPI.

>> Mike: A LITTLE FURTHER OVER-- IN FRONT OF THE BALL AT-- LEVEL IT UP?

PERSONALLY, I THINK I'M DOING OKAY AT THIS CAMERA GUY THING.

IF DON FAILS HIS PHYSICAL, YOU'LL HAVE TO GET USED TO A NEW ANNOYING VOICE.

>> Don: 94.1 >> Mike: YOU ARE DEAD.

>> Don: 94.1-- THAT'S CLINICALLY-- >> Randy: DECEASED.

>> SO LET'S TAKE THE BALL'S TEMPERATURE.

>> Randy: YOU GOTTA, I MEAN, IF IT GOES DOWN-- >> I MEAN IF IT GOES DOWN, THIS WHOLE SHOW IS-- >> KAPUTSKY.

>> KAPUTSKY-- OKAY, HERE IT GOES.

I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE ORAL PART.

TALK ABOUT YOUR CLOSE CALLS.

YOU ALMOST HAD MIKE TO DEAL WITH TILL THE HEALING POWERS OF YET ANOTHER CHEAP MOTEL KICKED IN.

RIGHT HERE IN OXFORD, HOME OF OLE MISS-- >> WOW--FAULKNER'S ALLEY.

>> Don: AS WELL AS A FAMOUS SOUTHERN AUTHOR WHO'S HONORED ON THE SQUARE WITH HIS OWN NARROW WALKWAY.

>> Mike: HE MIGHT HAVE SLEPT ON THIS BENCH, MAYBE.

>> Don: NOW, IF BILL WERE STILL WITH US, I THINK HE'D REVEL IN THE FACT THAT JUST A SHORT SPIT DOWN FROM HIS ALLEY-- >> Mike: THERE'S FAULKNER'S TRIPOD.

>> Don: LIES THE KIND OF PLACE WHERE OTHER SOUTHERN VISIONARIES ARE HELD IN EQUALLY HIGH ESTEEM.

>> Moorhead: YOU KNOW, IT'S AMAZING HOW, I FIND, THE FOLK ARTISTS HAVE THE SAME SUBJECT MATTER.

THEY'LL DO DOGS, THEY'LL DO BIRDS, THEY'LL DO SOMETHING THAT LOOKS ORIENTAL, FOR EXAMPLE, BUT THE TYPICAL THING WITH FOLK OR SELF-TAUGHT ARTISTS IS THAT THEY USE AVAILABLE MATERIALS, WHICH IS WHY YOU HAVE MacARTHUR CHISHOLM MAKING THESE BIRDHOUSES OUT OF BEER-- BEER TOPS.

WE HAVE THE BARS AROUND HERE COLLECT ALL THESE BEER CAPS FOR HIM, AND THEN THEY'LL COME OVER ON MONDAY MORNING WITH BIG SACKS FULL.

MacARTHUR WILL COME DURING THE WEEK, PICK 'EM UP, AND THEN IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS HE HAS, YOU KNOW, FIVE OR TEN OF THESE, WHICH HE EXPECTS ME TO BUY ALL OF.

JIMMY SUDITH-- YOU SEE ALL THESE PIECES?

HE STARTED FROM A HOUSE SITE WHERE PEOPLE WERE PUTTING WOOD PANELING IN, AND HE JUST TOOK THE SCRAPS OF PANELING AND TURNED THEM OVER-- THEY WOULD HAVE SOME FAKE WOOD PATTERN ON THE BACK, AND HE WOULD PAINT ON THE BACK SIDE, WHICH WAS SMOOTH, WITH MUD-- A MIXTURE OF MUD, SUGAR, AND SOMETIMES HOUSE PAINT.

BUT WHEN HE FINISHES SOMETHING, HE'S ALWAYS SO PROUD OF IT.

HE'LL LAUGH THIS GREAT BIG, WONDERFUL LAUGH, AND HE'LL SAY, "HEY, I GOT IT.

JUST LOOK AT THAT.

LOOK.

I GOT IT.

I NAILED IT."

AND HE'S SO HAPPY WITH HIMSELF.

>> Randy: BUT SUTTON ROGERS DOESN'T REALLY USE RECOGNIZABLE-- I MEAN, HE USES WOOD-- THAT'S RECOGNIZABLE.

>> Moorhead: HE LIVED IN SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, FOR 30 YEARS-- I TOLD YOU HE WORKED UP THERE WITH ALLIED CHEMICAL--AND HE HAD A GREAT SUPPLIER OF WOOD; BIRCH, PINE, REALLY FINE, UNKNOTTED PINE.

WHEN HE CAME HERE, HE LOOKED ALL OVER THE LUMBERYARDS, AND WE FINALLY FOUND A LUMBERYARD IN MARKS, MISSISSIPPI, WHICH HAD UNKNOTTED, BEAUTIFUL, CLEAR PINE.

HIS STYLE HAS STAYED FAIRLY MUCH THE SAME, ALTHOUGH HE CHANGES HIS SUBJECT MATTER.

THIS IS A PREACHER, BUT YET HE'S PREACHING OUT OF THE SIDE OF HIS MOUTH, AND HIS NOSE IS A SNAKE, WHICH IS THE EVIL SERPENT FROM THE GARDEN OF EDEN.

SO THIS IS HIS EXAMPLE-- SOMETIMES PEOPLE AREN'T ALWAYS WHAT THEY SEEM.

THIS IS CALLED THE DOG LADY, AND HE JUST GAVE HER MULTIPLE BREASTS.I I I I I I HIS IMAGINATION COMES FROM.

LOOK AT THE FACES ON SOME OF THESE WOMEN.

LOOK AT THIS WOMAN.

I MEAN, HER FACE IS BEAUTIFUL.

I LOVE THAT PIECE.

I DON'T KNOW-- HE HAS A THING ABOUT TONGUES.

LOOK AT THIS LADY.

I MEAN, HERE SHE'S GOT QUITE A BODY, AND HER TONGUE'S STICKING OUT.

IT'S AN ACTION PIECE, AND YOU CAN TELL BY THE EXPRESSION ON THE GUY'S FACE THAT HE'S SEEN SOMEBODY BEING HIT BEFORE.

HE HAS AN INCREDIBLE MEMORY FOR EXPRESSIONS, AND ACTUALLY HIS FACES ALL HAVE DIFFERENT EXPRESSIONS.

HE MADE THIS PREACHER A MULE.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT'S ABOUT EITHER.

HE'S POINTING HIS FINGER AT YOU TOO.

>> Randy: YOU SOUND LIKE YOU REALLY BELIEVE IN THIS STUFF.

>> Moorhead: OH, I LOVE IT.

I'VE BEEN SO FORTUNATE IN WHAT I DO, TO MEET SOME INCREDIBLE PEOPLE.

THE FOLK ARTISTS, TO ME, ARE JUST--THEY'RE NOT GREEDY, THEY'RE VERY GIVING, AND I LOVE THEIR ENERGY AND I LOVE THEIR CREATIVITY AND THEIR RESOURCEFULNESS.

I'M JUST--I'M JUST DELIGHTED, YOU KNOW, THAT I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT.

AND IT'S MY BLESSING, YOU KNOW.

IT'S BEEN GREAT FOR ME.

>> Don: OXFORD IS A LOVELY LITTLE COLLEGE TOWN, BUT FOR SOME REASON, ALL MY PICTURES SEEM TO COME OUT THE SAME.

MAYBE I'M NOT AS RECOVERED AS I THOUGHT.

AND SPEAKING OF PROBLEMS, THOSE NASTY NOISES IN THE VAN CAN NO LONGER BE IGNORED.

GUESS ITS TIME TO DROP OUR VEHICULAR DRAWERS AND COUGH.

>> Randy: WE KNEW IT WOULD COME TO THIS.

>> Don: THIS IS DON THE CAMERA GUY, SIGNING OFF.

>> Mike: OH, I'M SO SAD.

Captioning provided by KCPT Television.

Captioning byCaptionMax www.captionmax.com >> AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IT'S THE BEARING.

IT'S SO WORN, IT SOUNDS A LOT LIKE A CV BOOT, BUT IT'S NOT.

AND IT'S NOT THE RACK AND PINION.

IT WOULD CERTAINLY ACCOUNT FOR WHY IT'S GOING BRR-RRR-RRR-RRR.

>> Mike: HEY, WE'VE GOT SOME SPARE CHRYSLER PARTS WE COULD LET YOU HAVE.

HOW COME I GOT THIS CUP THAT'S DRIPPING?

THAT'S GOT A BAD GASKET ON THE CUP.

>> Randy: MARION, WHAT WOULD YOU DO ABOUT THAT CUP?

USUALLY I GO TO THE CAR DEALER AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALL THESE FROWNS, AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING GRUMPY.

IT'S HAPPY HERE.

IT'S THE HAPPY DEALER.

>> IT'S PROBABLY THE 46 BUCKS AN HOUR WE CHARGE.

>> Mike: BECAUSE YOU'RE OUR HERO-- >> Randy: THAT'S TRUE.

>> WE HAVE THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM T-SHIRT.

SEE THE LITTLE OIL LEAK DOWN THERE?

THAT'S THE VAN.

WORLD'S LARGEST BALL OF VIDEO TAPE-- WE GOT THAT IN THERE.

>> male announcer: THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY A GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION AND THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.