>> 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: >> 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: DO THEY HAVE WATERFALLS HERE?

>> Randy: WHY DO YOU ASK?

>> YOU NEVER HEARD OF THE "PRATFALLS?"

>> Don: DEAR T.V.

MAILBAG, HOW DO I DO IT?

HI, DON THE CAMERA GUY HERE, STILL CRACKIN' WISE, EVEN AFTER ALL THESE DAYS AND NIGHTS COOPED UP WITH TWO PRODUCERS, ONE OF WHOM IS NEVER MORE THAN A PHONE CALL FROM HOME.

>> Mike: MOM, I DID FOLD ALL THE CLOTHES.

THEY LOOK GOOD.

THEY'RE HOLDING UP FINE.

SHE SAYS, "DON'T SHOOT TOO MUCH STUFF OUT THE WINDOW."

I GUESS THAT WOULD BE DIRECTED AT YOU, DON.

>> Don: NOW, WHAT MIKE'S MOM DOESN'T SEEM TO GRASP IS THAT THERE'S A POINT TO WHAT I'M DOING.

AND THAT POINT WOULD BE THAT BY SHOWING YOU THE RELATIVE NORMALITY OF THE SCENERY PASSING BY, YOU'LL BE ALL THE MORE AMAZED WHEN OUR PATH CROSSES A GAJILLION CROSSES JUST DOWN THE ROAD.

THE MIRACLE CROSS GARDEN BEGAN, IN A WAY, IN 1960, WHEN W.C. RICE FIRST FOUND THE LORD, AND IN EARNEST IN 1976, WHEN HIS MOTHER DIED, AND HE BEGAN ERECTING CROSSES IN HER HONOR--AND MORE CROSSES, AND MORE CROSSES.

THE NEIGHBORS HAVE NEVER TAKEN TOO WELL TO IT, BUT THOSE WHO TRACK GRASSROOTS ART AND AMAZING ROADSIDE SIGHTS ALWAYS SAY WHAT W.C. HAS BUILT IS A MUST-SEE.

>> W.C.: THESE PEOPLES IN THAT FOLK ART, THEY ARE IN THE BUSINESS TO MAKE MONEY.

I'M NOT IN THAT BUSINESS.

I CALL MYSELF A JESUS MAN, BUT I DON'T FORCE RELIGION ON PEOPLE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, FORCE IT ON YOU.

>> Mike: THAT'S TRUE.

>> I DON'T DO THAT.

>> WOULD YOU HAVE FORESEEN THAT IT WOULD EVER GROW THIS BIG WHEN YOU STARTED?

>> W.C.: NO, NO.

>> Mike: JUST--IT WAS A VISION THAT CAME TO YOU.

>> I HAD NO IDEA.

I WAS JUST LIKE YOU STARTING OUT.

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN YOUR LIFE TOMORROW?

HMM?

I DIDN'T KNOW NOTHING BUT ONE THING-- JOHN 3:16.

>> Randy: NOW, THE MESSAGE SEEMS TO BE THAT HELL IS A BAD PLACE.

>> W.C.: YEAH.

>> AND YOU DON'T WANT TO GO THERE.

>> NO.

>> AND SO YOU WANT US TO KNOW THAT SO MUCH THAT YOU WOULD DO ALL THIS WORK.

>> YEAH.

WELL, SEE, I DIDN'T KNOW THAT IT WAS GOING TO TURN OUT LIKE THIS.

IT'S JUST LIKE Y'ALL.

Y'ALL DON'T KNOW WHETHER YOU'RE GOING TO GET BACK TO KANSAS OR NOT.

I HOPE YOU DO.

I HOPE YOU DON'T GET IN A CAR WRECK AND KILLED.

BUT YOU CAN'T STAND HERE AND TELL, "I KNOW I'M GOING TO GET BACK."

THAT'S LIKE ME SAYING, "I KNOW I'M GOING TO GET IN THE HOUSE."

I DON'T KNOW IT.

>> Randy: AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO TELL PEOPLE.

>> W.C.: YEAH.

BUT THE THING ABOUT IT IS, YOU BETTER BE PREPARED FOR THIS HELL, THIS STUFF THAT'S-- WHAT'S TO HAPPEN TO YOU.

YOU BETTER BE READY TO MEET JESUS.

>> Randy: WOW, THE FIRST THREE CROSSES PUT ON OUTSIDE, RIGHT THERE.

>> Don: I LIKE THAT.

>> Randy: SOME OF THESE ARE PRETTY WEATHERED, AND I SAW OTHERS--I SAW ONE THAT WAS LIKE OCTOBER 2, 1998.

THAT'S THIS YEAR; THAT'S LAST WEEK.

>> YEAH, I THINK HE'S STILL WORKING.

>> Don: NOW, THESE ARE OLD AIR CONDITIONERS, AREN'T THEY?

>> Randy: IT'S PART OF THE CHARM OF IT, YOU KNOW.

HELL IS HOT, HOT, HOT, AND WHAT'S IT WRITTEN ON?

Don: AN AIR CONDITIONER.

>> YEAH, I MEAN YOU'RE GETTING IT, DON.

YOU'RE GETTING IT.

YOU KNOW, IF I JUST DRAG YOU ALONG IN THIS THING LONG ENOUGH, YOUR KNEES DON'T BUCKLE ON YOU, YOUR LUNGS DON'T GIVE OUT, YOUR BRAIN DON'T ROT, YOU'LL DO OKAY.

>> YOU'RE NOT PREACHING TO ME NOW, ARE YOU?

>> HE'S GOING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT MY DRIVING NOW.

>> ACTUALLY, WE'RE ALL WORRIED ABOUT THAT, BUT BECAUSE OF RANDY'S REGURGITORY PAST, WE HAVE FEW OTHER OPTIONS.

SO WE ALL PILED BACK INTO THE VAN HEADING TOWARDS MONTGOMERY, THE FIRST CAPITAL OF THE CONFEDERACY AND HOME OF THOSE FABULOUS PAINTING TOLLIVERS.

MOSES' NAME ON A PIECE HAS BEEN NOTEWORTHY FOR SOME TIME, BUT NOW DAUGHTER ANNIE IS RIGHTFULLY PICKING UP PRAISE FOR WORKS OF HER OWN.

>> Annie: YES, I PAINT MOSTLY ABOUT MY CHILDHOOD AND THINGS I GROWED UP AROUND.

I STARTED OUT, I WAS WORKING-- DOING HOUSEKEEPING, WORKING DOING MOTEL WORK.

SO I STARTED SITTING AROUND MY FATHER AND WATCHING HIM PAINT.

AND I STARTED PAINTING AROUND HIM.

AND HE'D TELL ME, "KEEP ON DOING IT.

YOU'RE DOING GOOD.

YOU'RE DOING GOOD."

I'D PUT PAINT-- I'D TRY TO PAINT JUST LIKE HIM, BUT IT NEVER DID COME OUT LIKE HIM.

>> Mike: AND HOW COME PLYWOOD?

>> Annie: IT'S--I PAINT-- WELL, I HAVE TRIED CANVAS, BUT I CAN'T--IT DON'T COME OUT LIKE THE BOWS AND THIS, BECAUSE I USE HOUSE PAINT.

THIS PAINTING HERE I'M DOING IS ONE OF DANIEL.

THERE'S A BIBLE STORY THAT HE DREAMED ABOUT THE SOUL BEASTS.

THIS IS ME AND MY THREE SISTERS GOING SHOPPING HERE.

AND THE ONE UP HERE IS MY FAMILY FISHING, RED SNAPPERS.

THAT'S MY FAMILY RIDING IN A BUS.

WE'RE ROCKING; WE'RE GOING ON A BUMPY ROAD.

[laughs] >> Mike: WHAT'S THIS ONE HERE, PLAYING CARDS?

>> Annie: MM-HMM.

>> Randy: PLAYING CARDS, AND WHO'S WINNING?

>> Annie: I AM.

[laughter] AND THIS PAINTING HERE, THIS ONE--THIS IS MY FATHER, HERE, ON HIS BIRTHDAY, 4th OF JULY, AND ALL OF HIS 11 KIDS.

WE'RE GIVING HIM A PARTY HERE.

>> Randy: WHICH ONE'S YOU?

>> Annie: RIGHT THERE.

AND THERE'S MY BROTHER JIMMY BARBECUING.

THIS IS MY FATHER HERE; HE'S DRINKING HIS BEER.

MOST FOLKS COME IN, SAYING, "OH, YOU'RE JUST GETTING SO GOOD.

YOU'RE GETTING SO GOOD.

YOUR WORK IS BETTER THAN YOUR DAD.

I HATE TO SAY THAT, BUT IT IS."

>> Randy: IT'S ALWAYS SIGNED "ANNIE T.,"--ANNIE TOLLIVER."

>> Annie: RIGHT, "ANNIE T." PERIOD.

>> Don: NOW, ANNIE NEEDED TO GET BACK TO WORKING ON DANIEL AND HIS DREAMS, WHICH REMINDS ME: THE BOYS SAY TOMORROW WILL BE A VERY BUSY DAY, AND I SHOULD STRIVE FOR A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP.

SO WHY DON'T YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE MAP AND SEE WHERE THAT PROBABLY WON'T OCCUR.

SO FAR, IT'S BEEN HARD TO GUSH ABOUT THE FOOD DOWN HERE.

GRITS DON'T MAKE ME GRIN, AND AS A PRACTICING VEGETARIAN WHO ISN'T GETTING MUCH PRACTICE, IT SEEMS PRETTY HOPELESS, EVEN WHEN THESE TWO PRETEND TO KEEP MY NEEDS IN MIND.

>> Mike: WE GOT YOU AN EGGPLANT FOR THE BIG BARBECUE TODAY.

>> NOT JUST AN EGGPLANT; >> Don: AN EGGPLANT AND AN ONION?

OH, MAN.

>> Randy: THERE'S LUNCH, BABY.

>> WHOO!

>> Mike: OH, NO, THOSE ARE DON'S.

PUT THEM IN THE BACK.

>> Don: WHY DON'T EACH OF YOU GUYS PICK A GOURD AND SIT ON IT?

[laughs] >> Randy: IS THAT A SOUTHERN TRADITION?

>> Don: THERE IS A TRADITION DOWN HERE OF GOOD GOLF ON FANCY COURSES, WHERE PEOPLE PAY BIG BUCKS TO CHASE A LITTLE BALL.

WE, ON THE OTHER HAND, CARRY WITH US A BIG BALL, THE WORLD'S LARGEST BALL OF VIDEOTAPE, IN FACT, WHICH, AS YOU CAN SEE, IS SOAKING UP SOME HISTORICAL AMBIENCE-- BUT ONLY BRIEFLY, BECAUSE AS USUAL, WE'RE ALREADY LATE FOR AN IMPORTANT DATE IN PITTSVIEW-- IMPORTANT ENOUGH THAT IT'S ADVERTISED WITH ALL THE RIGHT SIGNS.

WELL, TWO OUT OF THREE ANYWAY.

>> Mike: THAT'S A HOT GOOBER?

>> OH, YEAH.

TASTE, IF YOU WANT.

THEY'RE HOT.

>> I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ART, BUT I HAVE BECOME THE LOCAL EXPERT, AND THE FOLK ARTISTS ARE COMING OUT OF THE WOODWORK.

>> Don: THEY CALL FRANK TURNER "THE MAYOR," NOT BECAUSE HE WON AN ELECTION, BUT BECAUSE OF THE WAY HIS ANTIQUE SHOP HAS EVOLVED INTO AN ALL-OUT, BALLS-TO-THE-WALL FOLK ART EMPORIUM.

IT ALL BEGAN WHEN BUDDY SNIPES CONVINCED FRANK AGAINST HIS BETTER JUDGMENT TO BUY THIS PIECE, WHICH HE, IN TURN, SOLD TO SOME BIG-CITY COLLECTOR.

SINCE THEN, BUTCH ANTHONY, WHO ALSO HAS A MUSEUM OF HIS OWN NEARBY, AND PAINTER JOHN HENRY TONEY HAVE ALSO GOTTEN INTO THE ACT.

>> Frank: THIS IS THE TYPE OF STUFF THAT BUDDY SNIPES DOES.

HE DOES IT ON OLD RUSTED TIN AND FRAMES IT IN STICKS, AND THEY'RE ALWAYS PEOPLE THAT HE KNOWS.

HE SAID THIS IS SALLY; SHE WORKED FOR MAMA SISTER AUNT IN SOCIETY HILL.

HE SAYS THOSE PEOPLE ARE UP ON THE HILL, WATCHING TO SEE THAT THEIR CHILDREN DON'T GET LOST IN THE CANE PATCH.

AND THIS IS ME.

>> ALL OF MY DAYS, I DIDN'T MAKE A THING FOR--WHEN I WAS SMALL.

SEE, WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO PLAY WITH.

SO I MADE A THING FOR THIS KID AND THAT KID.

AND THIS RIGHT HERE WAS A PIECE OF WOOD THAT I GOT FROM DOWN HERSCHELBARREL ON THE CEDAR LAKE.

AND I SEED IT, AND I BROUGHT IT HOME, SO I MADE A CRAB OUT OF IT.

EVERYTHING THAT I DO IS SOMETHING ABOUT SOMEBODY THAT I KNOW.

AND SO THEM ARE LITTLE PAINTINGS OVER THERE, LIKE ON THE LITTLE BOAT YONDER.

THEM ARE MY SISTER.

THEY SHARON.

NOW, LIKE, THESE GOT SHARON TOO.

I MAKES THEM TOO.

LIKE THE LITTLE BITTY ONE ON HIM.

SO THIS IS THE CATFISH, AND THIS IS A DOG--A POODLE-- A POODLE CATFISH.

>> Randy: AND SO WHAT'S THIS ONE?

>> AND MERMAIDS--GOT A LOT OF THOSE IN ALABAMA?

>> WELL, NO, I JUST COME UP WITH THAT.

I LOVE--THE WORK THAT I'M DOING, I REALLY LOVE IT, I REALLY DO.

SO I TAKE NOTHING, MAKE SOME ART.

AND I REALLY DO LOVE IT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET ME TAKE A LOOK IN YOUR HAND.

>> Mike: OKAY.

>> DREAD DAY.

>> Randy: JOHN HENRY, HE'S OUT THERE DISPENSING A LITTLE ADVICE.

>> Frank: YEAH.

HE'S VERY RELIGIOUS ORIENTED.

IN FACT, HE SAID HE WAS GLAD THIS WAS HAPPENING, SAID IT WOULD PROBABLY PUT HIM UP IN THE CHURCH.

THIS IS LITTLE TOM WILLIAMS SMOKING HELL OFF THE HINGES.

LITTLE TOM WILLIAMS IS AN IMAGINARY CHARACTER THAT JOHN HENRY BLAMES THINGS ON.

>> SEE, HIS MAN HERE WAS RICH WHEN HE WENT IN HERE, BUT WHEN HE COME OUT HERE, HE WAS POOR LIKE ME.

[laughs] HERE'S AN INDIAN GIRL.

SHE'S 23 YEARS OLD.

THERE'S HER HATCHET, AND THERE'S HER PEACE PIPE, THEM HER FEATHERS, AND SHE'S GOT A RIBBON TIED AROUND HERE.

THERE'S A DINOSAUR RIGHT THERE.

HE'S SMOKING A PIPE.

I WAS 69 WHEN I DRAWED THAT.

>> Frank: HE PAINTS A LOT OF DINOSAURS.

HE SAID THIS IS THE CHAMPION OF THE DINOSAURS.

HE TOLD ME ONE TIME, HE SURE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A DINOSAUR.

I SAYS, "IF A DINOSAUR NEEDS YOU, MAN, YOU COULD DO SOME OLD PLOWING WITH A DINOSAUR."

>> John Henry: IN YOUR HAND RIGHT THERE, I SEE SOMETHING I AIN'T NEVER SEEN.

NOW, I WANT YOU TO TAKE A LOOK RIGHT THERE.

SEE RIGHT THERE?

THAT LOOK LIKE A HOUSE, DON'T IT?

THAT LOOK LIKE SOMETHING IN HIS HAND.

NOW, YOU SEE IT FOR YOURSELF.

>> GO OUT IN THE WOODS, I FIND THESE TREES WITH WEIRD ROOTS AND STUFF ON THEM.

YEAH, THEY LOOK LIKE DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

LIKE THAT ROOT RIGHT THERE LOOKS LIKE JANE FONDA.

PLOWED THAT THING UP IN THE WOOD.

THAT ONE'S THE BLUE DAMNUDE, THERE.

>> Randy: HOW 'BOUT THIS ONE?

>> Butch: THAT'S JAMES BROWN.

THAT'S A BIRD NEST HAIRDO.

THIS HERE'S ONE OF THEM FABERGE EGGS.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THEM FANCY EGGS.

YOU OPEN IT UP THERE, AND IT'S GOT ALL... >> Mike: WOW, JEWEL-ENCRUSTED.

>> Frank: BUTCH IS TERRIBLY VERSATILE.

AND HE REALLY HASN'T FOUND HIS NICHE YET.

BUTCH IS HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, THOUGH.

THIS IS ONE OF BUTCH'S PUPPETS.

HERE WE GO.

>> THAT'S ALABAMA MAMMA JAMMA SMOKIN' A CIGARETTE.

AND THE ALABAMA PIT BULL-- THAT'S ONE OF THEM CHINESE SHITZU DOGS.

I DROVE IT ALL THE WAY TO CALIFORNIA AND BACK, 6,000 MILES, AND GOT MARRIED IN IT.

>> Randy: IN IT?

>> Butch: YEP, WENT THROUGH THE DRIVE-THROUGH WINDOW IN LAS VEGAS.

DROVE IN THERE FOR A BIG MAC, COME OUT WITH A WHOPPER.

>> Randy: CAN MIKE TAKE IT FOR A TEST TOO?

>> Butch: YEAH.

>> Mike: LET'S GO FOR A RIDE, BOYS.

YEAH.

OH, YEAH.

>> Randy: FEEL THE POWER.

>> YOU KIDS, GET OUT OF THE WAY!

[rock music] HEY!

♪ ♪ >> Don: NOW, DRIVING THE ALABAMA MAMMA JAMMA CAR MUST MAKE A MAN HUNGRY, BECAUSE NO SOONER WAS IT PARKED THAN THE MEAT-EATERS AMONG US BEGAN PIGGING OUT-- >> Randy: HERE, DON.

>> Don: LEAVING ME AS USUAL TO FEND FOR MYSELF.

GOOD THING I DO KNOW HOW TO RECYCLE.

>> GOOD IDEA, DON.

THANK YOU.

WHY, THANK YOU.

AH.

>> Don: ANYWAY, AS MENTIONED BEFORE, BUTCH HAILS FROM SEALE, JUST SEVEN MILES DOWN THE ROAD, SO WE WOULD BE REMISS NOT TO DRIVE OVER AND SEE WHAT HE'S MANAGED TO CURATE IN HIS OWN ALABAMA MUSEUM OF WONDER.

[bell ringing] >> Butch: WELL, IT'S 25¢ TO GET IN, NOW ONLY $1.

NO GROUP DISCOUNTS.

THAT'S THE FAMOUS TURNIP ROOT THAT GOT IT ALL STARTED.

IT WAS ABOUT THAT BIG AROUND AND IT SWIVELED UP TO THAT BIG.

IT GOT TWO EYES, A NOSE, AND A MOUTH.

>> Randy: ALL THIS STUFF'S RARE, ISN'T IT?

>> Butch: YEP.

THAT MILE-A-MO BIRD, IT LIVES WAY DOWN IN THE SWAMPS IN ALABAMA.

THEY FLY UP IN THE AIR AND FOLDS HIS WINGS UP, AND HE DROPS DOWN AND STICKS HIS BEAK IN THE MUD, AND THEN HE WHISTLES DIXIE OUT HIS BUTT, AND YOU CAN HEAR IT FOR A MILE OR MO'.

HERE'S SOME NOSE HAIR FROM THE LOCH NESS MONSTER.

>> Randy: HEY, DON, LOOK.

"WORLD'S LARGEST GALL STONE.

REMOVED, NOT PASSED, ACTUALLY."

>> Don: LIKE MIKEY IN SEVENTH GRADE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT: REMOVED, NOT PASSED.

>> Randy: WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE THE WORLD'S LARGEST BALL OF VIDEOTAPE IN HERE?

>> Butch: YEAH, RIGHT NEXT TO THE GALL STONE.

I'LL CLEAN ELVIS'S PELVIS OFF THERE, AND WE'LL PUT IT RIGHT THERE.

RIGHT NEXT-- BETWEEN THE GALL STONE AND DON KING'S ILLEGITIMATE SON.

>> Mike: I THINK THE BALL WOULD BE HAPPY HERE.

>> Randy: WHAT DO YOU THINK?

YOU'VE GOT A MUSEUM; YOU'D UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS.

>> Butch: IT'S A HEAP OF TAPE.

I FIGURE THAT THING OUGHT TO BE WORTH ABOUT $3.

>> Randy: SO DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WOULD FLOCK TO YOUR MUSEUM IF YOU HAD THIS?

>> THEY PROBABLY WOULD.

>> OKAY, SO WHAT'S IT WORTH NOW?

$3.50?

>> YEAH.

>> Don: THEY COULD HAVE HAGGLED ALL NIGHT, BUT SOMEONE REMEMBERED WE DO HAVE GEORGIA ON OUR MINDS, JUST OVER THE LINE NEAR "BYUOONA VISTA"-- THAT IS HOW THEY SAY IT-- TO GAWK AT PASAQUAN.

SEEMS ONE EDDIE OWENS MARTIN, WITH HIS INITIALS TO GUIDE HIM, SPENT DECADES TRANSFORMING THE FAMILY FARM INTO A VAST, COLORFUL COMPLEX.

>> Randy: IT'S BIG, IT'S BOLD.

>> Mike: IT SHOULD JUST ABOUT KILL YOUR SHOULDER.

BUT THIS IS ALL YOU GOTTA DO TODAY.

THIS AND TOTE OUR BAGS INTO THE NEXT HOTEL.

LORD, ALMIGHTY.

>> Randy: OH, YES.

LORDY, LORDY, LORDY.

>> Gwen: IT WAS BACK IN THE 1930s THAT EDDIE CAME DOWN WITH WHAT THE FAMILY THOUGHT WAS A PNEUMONIA.

BUT HE SAID THAT HE WAS BEDRIDDEN, RUNNING THIS ENORMOUSLY HIGH FEVER, AND HE DIED.

HE SAID THAT THIS GIANT APPEARED TO HIM, HAD THIS LONG BEARD THAT WAS BRAIDED, MATTED, IT CAME UP INTO UPSWEPT HAIR.

AND THIS IMAGE GAVE HIM A CHOICE ABOUT LIVING OR DYING AND TOLD EDDIE, "WELL, IF YOU GO BACK, YOU'LL CREATE SOMETHING NEW, AND YOU'LL CALL IT PASAQUAN."

AND EDDIE TOOK A LOOK AT THIS EXPERIENCE AS A CLEANSING AND A PURIFICATION TO GET RID OF ALL THE EVIL THAT HE HAD BEEN THROUGH IN HIS LIFE.

"THE HOME OF THE OM" IS WHAT I CALL THIS.

>> Mike: THE HOME OF THE OM.

>> Gwen: EDDIE BUILT ALL OF THIS THROUGH VISIONS THAT HE HAD PRETTY MUCH BY HIMSELF.

EDDIE WAS OUT HERE WITH A SHOVEL, A WHEELBARROW.

I THINK HE EVENTUALLY DEVELOPED, LIKE, A PORTABLE-TYPE CEMENT MIXER.

HE USED TRASH CAN LIDS, TUPPERWARE DISHES, POTS, PANS, HUBCAPS, ANYTHING THAT WOULD SERVE AS A MOLD.

HE STARTED THIS WORK WHEN HE WAS 49 YEARS OLD, TRIAL AND ERROR.

HE HAD A SIXTH-GRADE EDUCATION.

HE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LINE OR FORM.

MANAGED TO COVER A GOOD FOUR ACRES IN 30 YEARS.

PEOPLE THAT COME OUT HERE AND THEY THINK, YOU KNOW, "WELL, THIS GUY WAS DROPPING A LOT OF ACID.

THIS IS THE 1960s.

THIS IS LIKE A DRUG-RELATED KIND OF THING," ASSOCIATE THIS WITH COMMUNES OR CULTS, WHICH IT ISN'T.

THIS IS STRICTLY, AGAIN, THIS IS ONE MAN'S INTERPRETATION OF LIFE AND HIS PRIORITIES AND THE WAY THE HE COULD SEE THINGS.

HE HAD THESE COSMIC MIRRORS THAT HE DREW OUT, AND HE CONSTANTLY WARNED PEOPLE THAT YOU DON'T COME OUT HERE AND HAVE EVIL THOUGHTS OR THINK BAD THINGS.

AND CERTAINLY, IF YOU TOOK SOMETHING, THEN IT WOULD COME BACK ON YOU.

THIS BACK DOOR: THIS IS EDDIE'S HANGING-OUT, BACK-PORCH DOOR.

AT THE BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND AS FAR AS THE FAMILY COMING OVER AND CELEBRATING DIFFERENT EVENTS, THIS IS WHERE THEY SOCIALIZED.

THIS IS THE DANCE PIT THAT HE USED FOR RITUAL DANCING.

THE TYPE OF DANCE THAT HE DID, TO ME, LOOKED-- IT WAS MORE LIKE A TAI CHI.

EVERYTHING OUT HERE HAS A MEANING.

THIS IS MULTICULTURAL, PRIMITIVE CIVILIZATIONS.

>> Mike: GREAT HAND RAILINGS.

>> Gwen: SNAKES OUT HERE ARE-- THEY REPRESENT GOOD LUCK; THAT MUCH WE DO KNOW.

THESE ARE WHAT THEY CALL-- THESE ARE THE BLACK RAT SNAKES, LIVE UP IN THE TREES.

AND EDDIE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A RADIO, AND HE'D SET A RADIO UP IN THE LIMBS AND CREATE THE VIBRATION TO GET THE SNAKES TO COME OUT.

>> Randy: THIS IS A PRETTY GOOD PLACE TO STAND, BECAUSE YOU CAN LOOK AROUND AND SEE IN EVERY DIRECTION THE THINGS THAT HE WAS DOING, AND THEY'RE DIFFERENT.

I MEAN, THERE ARE THE DISKS THERE, THERE'S THE MASK THINGS HERE, THERE'S THE TIN WORK AND WHAT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A STEAMER SHIP OR SOMETHING IN TERMS OF THE WAY THAT ROOF WAS BUILT.

>> EDDIE WAS ADAMANT ABOUT-- HE DIDN'T CALL THIS "ARTWORK;" HE SAID, "THIS IS A LIFETIME OF HARD WORK."

PEOPLE WERE ASKING HIM, YOU KNOW, "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS, AND WHERE DID YOU LEARN THIS?"

AND OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS MORE CONVENIENT TO SAY, "WELL, BACK IN THE 1940s WHEN I WAS IN NEW YORK, I WAS CALLED UP FOR THE DRAFT.

I WAS A MERCHANT SEAMAN.

I'VE TRAVELED TO INDIA, BURMA, THAT'S WHERE I LEARNED ALL THIS."

NOW, IF HE WOULD HAVE SAID, "I'M SAINT EOM, THE FIRST PASAQUANIAN, AND I'M HAVING VISIONS."

>> Mike: HE KNEW HOW TO SURVIVE.

>> Gwen: HE KNEW HOW TO SURVIVE.

THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Don: AMONG OTHER THINGS, EDDIE DID SOME FORTUNE TELLING OUT HERE, AND WHILE I'M NO SAYER OF SOOTH, I DO KNOW THEY CAN'T FINISH THIS SHOW WITHOUT ME.

SO I PREDICT, VERY SHORTLY, RANDY WILL DO SOME VERY BAD BACKING.

THEY SAID IT WOULD BE A LONG DRIVE, BUT ROME?

ALL I KNOW IS, IT WASN'T BUILT IN A DAY, AND WHEN YOU'RE HERE, YOU SHOULD DO AS THOSE WHO ARE HERE ARE DOIN', THOUGH I DON'T SEE ANYONE ELSE DOING THIS.

>> Mike: GETTIN' WARMED UP FOR HOWARD FINSTER!

>> Don: I HEARD OF THE GOLD OF ROME, BUT NOT THE DIAMOND.

>> Randy: HOW DOES THAT T-SHIRT FEEL, DON?

>> I TELL YOU.

IT'S ALL COTTON, FIRST OF ALL.

ISN'T IT?

>> I WOKE UP THIS MORNING, I WAS SO SAD THIS IS OUR LAST DAY, I GREW A NEW PIMPLE RIGHT THERE.

>> Don: OH, YEAH, LET ME SEE.

>> Randy: I'M GOING TO GROW A GOITER.

>> HOW'D YOU FEEL?

>> Don: NOTHING LIKE SOME CATCH ON A CRISP AUTUMNAL SUNDAY MORNING TO GET YOU READY FOR THE DRIVE ON OVER TO SUMMERVILLE TO BASK IN THE GLOW OF HOWARD FINSTER'S PARADISE GARDENS.

WITH HIS ALBUM COVERS AND POSTERS, MUSEUM PIECES AND BIG TIME T.V.

APPEARANCES, THIS BAPTIST PREACHER IS PRETTY MUCH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD WHEN IT COMES TO VISIONARY ART.

AND BECAUSE THESE PRODUCERS ARE MORE LUCKY THAN THEY ARE GOOD, IT APPEARS HOWARD WILL BE MAKING HIS ONCE-A-WEEK VISIT TO THE GARDENS THE SAME TIME WE ARE.

>> Denise: WE'VE MARRIED PEOPLE IN THIS GARDEN; WE'VE HAD PEOPLE COME UP HERE TO GET REMARRIED IN THE GARDEN.

AND HE USED TO PREACH ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> ♪ GIVE ME ♪ ♪ THAT OLD-TIME RELIGION, ♪ ♪ GIVE ME ♪ ♪ THAT OLD-TIME RELIGION.

♪ ♪ I'VE HAD LOTS OF-- QUITE A FEW VISIONS EVER SINCE I WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

AND WHEN I HAD THIS VISION, IT COME TO ME.

IN MY 80 YEARS PASTORING TEN DIFFERENT CHURCHES, I NEVER HAD NO SUCH VISION AS THIS.

>> Denise: HOWARD'S 81 YEARS OLD, AND HE'S QUITE ACTIVE, I THINK, FOR HIS AGE.

HE STILL PAINTS EVERY DAY.

HE HAS A-- JUST A REALLY HARD WORK ETHIC.

>> Howard: ♪ SOME HAVE FATHERS ♪ ♪ OVER YONDER.

♪ ♪ I WAS RAISED UP FOOLING WITH JUNK.

I ALWAYS SEE WHAT I COULD DO WITH JUNK AND WHAT I COULD MAKE OUT OF IT.

AND I JUST HAD MORE JUNK THAN ANYTHING ELSE, AND FINALLY JUNK STARTED BRINGING A LITTLE MONEY.

AND I STARTED DEALING IN JUNK, AND THEN I GOT TO THINKING ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT KIND OF DISPLAYS IN MUSEUMS THAT PEOPLE HAD.

WHY DIDN'T SOMEBODY HAVE A MUSEUM OF THE INVENTION OF MANKIND?

AND I NAMED THE GARDEN "PLANT FARM MUSEUM."

MY INTENTIONS WAS TO RAISE EVERY KIND OF EDIBLE FRUIT THAT YOU COULD THINK OF FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

AND I STARTED THAT IN ADDITION WITH THE ITEMS LIKE OLD RINGS AND ALL KINDS OF OLD JEWELRY THAT PEOPLE BREAK OR GET IN BAD SHAPE.

AND THEY GIVE IT TO ME, AND I GET TO MOLDING IT IN.

NOW, I JUST FILLED THAT GARDEN UP WITH ALL KINDS OF THINGS, LIKE THE INVENTION OF MANKIND.

>> I SEEN HIM BUILD THE PLACE.

SEE, I SEEN HIM WHEN HE BUILT ALL THIS.

THIS GLASS HOUSE HERE IS WHEN HE FIRST STARTED, TOO, AND HE BUILT THIS OLD ONE HERE.

THAT'S MADE OUT OF BOTTLES, COKE BOTTLES.

>> Randy: THAT A REALLY BIG SPARK PLUG?

>> Don: YOU'RE NOT WORKING ON MY CAR, BUDDY.

>> Mike: LOOK AT THAT.

ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL?

>> Randy: "LOVE MAKES LIFE, HATE MAKES DEATH, YOUR BAD HABITS STARTS BY YOU."

>> Denise: WELL, THIS WHOLE AREA IS RECLAIMED SWAMPLAND.

AND THERE'S LITTLE BROOKS AND LITTLE CREEKS.

NOW, WE'VE GOT ONE IN BETWEEN-- TWO ABOVEGROUND-- THAT DOESN'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO BE ABOVEGROUND OR UNDERGROUND YET.

I CALL IT THE "MUD HOLE."

YOU WANT TO BE CAREFUL AND NOT FALL INTO IT.

THE LAST PERSON THAT FELL INTO IT WAS CARRYING THE TRIPOD.

>> Don: MIKE, GET THE TRIPOD, WILL YOU?

♪ ♪ >> Howard: I'VE RUN INTO A LOT OF THINGS IN MY LIFE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE NEEDS TO HEAR, BECAUSE THEY NEED TO LAUGH, AND LAUGH AS WELL AS I DO.

THEY NEED TO SEE THINGS AS WELL AS I SEE THEM.

AND MY LIFE, HOW CAN IT BE A HELP TO ANYBODY UNLESS THEY SEE SOMETHING ABOUT MY LIFE, WHAT'S HAPPENED IN MY LIFE?

>> Denise: THIS IS HIS WORK OVER THE LAST 27 YEARS.

AND HOPEFULLY, Y'ALL WILL GET SO ENTRANCED WITH THE ARTWORK THAT YOU'LL FORGET ALL ABOUT THE SNAKES.

>> Don: NOW, MAYBE I'D BE MORE WORRIED ABOUT SNAKES IF I HADN'T BEEN SPENDING SO MUCH TIME WITH WEASELS.

AND AFTER ALL, ONE MAN'S SWAMP IS ANOTHER MAN'S PARADISE.

ONCE AGAIN, THIS WOULD BE DON THE CAMERA GUY SIGNING OFF.

Captioning provided by KCPT Television.

Captioning byCaptionMax www.captionmax.com >> Howard: I LIKED ELVIS.

I LIKED HIS HUMBLENESS, AND I LIKED HIS PERSONALITY.

I NEVER DID GET TO GO TO ONE OF HIS SHOWS, AND ONE DAY DOWN IN MY GARDEN, I WAS STOOPED OVER WORKING IN MY FLOWERS, AND SOMEBODY WALKED UP BEHIND ME.

AND I JUST KNEW THE DEAD, AND I JUST TURNED AND LOOKED UP LIKE THAT.

AND I SEEN HIS SHIRT COLLAR FROM DOWN TO HIS SHOES, AND HE WAS STANDING BEHIND ME.

AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY OR EVEN WHAT TO DO, BECAUSE I'D NEVER HAD THAT, THE DEAD STANDING BEHIND ME LIKE THAT BEFORE.

AND WHILE I WAS STANDING ABOUT WHAT TO SAY OR WHAT TO DO, FINALLY, I ASKED HIM, WITH MY BACK TURNED TO HIM, I SAID, "HOW ABOUT STAYING A WHILE WITH ME?"

HE SAYS, "HOWARD, I'M ON A TIGHT SCHEDULE."

>> Randy: YOU THINK WE CAN MANAGE TO MISS THE MUD HOLE?

>> OH, YES.

YOU LOOK LIKE INTELLIGENT HUMAN BEINGS.

>> Mike: OH, I HOPE YOU WERE ROLLING WHEN SHE SAID THAT.

WERE YOU ROLLING WHEN SHE SAID THAT?

>> Randy: MUST BE THE LIGHT, THOUGH.

>> 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.