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I have lots to share and will be back to post again soon. There's been so much going on lately and I'm exhausted.

The new job is so much fun!

Here's a fun read:

I found the book in Borders a few weeks ago and began to long for Paris in a major way. If you've ever gone to Paris in your early 20s, it will help relive some memories for you.

My Own Ponder Heart

Initially I wrote: "I am currently starting a new job." That doesn't quite fit. Let me try it again.

I am currently taking a leap of faith. Actually quite a few leaps have taken place.

There have been several leaps of faith materializing over the past several months. The leap didn't happen overnight, yet in many ways it has felt like it did. It is exciting and daunting, as all leaps tend to be. It's a strange feeling to have planned, waited (impatiently, I might add), to let the timing simmer to the right temperature for the precise chemical reaction to occur; and suddenly, the time is now.

So, alls I have to do is live it?! That's the best option I've had in some time! The opportunities coming my way are further steps in fulfilling my dream of being a creative and getting paid for it.

It was not an easy decision. Ok, yes, it was. It is scary and exciting, especially as the economy of our country goes down the tubes; but, I hate to dwell on that. (Don't get me started on my soap box on that topic!) The Lord brought these opportunities to me and the transitions happened before my very eyes.

While I will continue to work with the Mississippi Humanities Council,* I made the decision to officially launch a freelance business in music and film**, and accept a part-time position with the Culture & Heritage Development area for the Mississippi Development Authority and Department of Tourism.***

Wow.

For some time, one of the main things that I've wanted to do is be able to work in the arts in Mississippi and get to know the state better by traveling to most every corner. (I've also wanted to travel more, period, but that's beside the point at the moment...)

*It's thrilling for me to work for the Mississippi Humanities Council, which supports so many incredible research and community programs across the state. What is fascinating to me is how the Humanities Council truly rounds out the arts and development programs throughout the state and sadly, doesn't get half of the recognition it deserves. It is truly an incredible organization. I cannot stress enough to please be aware of the local Humanities Council in your own state and find out, and most importantly PARTICIPATE, what they are doing to preserve your regional culture, heritage and community.

**My freelance business, Anna Kline, Creative Project Management was a culmination of about 3 years worth of work and exploration in music and film. I have quite a few projects that I have been hired to do. Just recently, I changed the focus and scope of my business to include all the new projects I've been acquiring. Not a bad problem to have, eh?! I am currently finishing my first short film as well as collaborating on several other projects in music licensing, film production and PR.

***Thursday (yesterday) I was officially hired by the Mississippi Development Authority/Department of Tourism to work with their department of Culture & Heritage Development.

MDA has many facets. There is a Film Office, Culture and Heritage Division and Blues Trail, among others - but these are my favorite! :) (I have worked with the Blues Trail folks when I coordinated Malaco's Blues Marker Ceremony in April 2008.)

I will be working with Mississippi's Literary Trail and also with the Film Commission eventually. From what I understand, I will be traveling to the location of famous Mississippi writers and creating itineraries for potential travelers - recommending sites, restaurants and other pertinent information and taking photographs as well. Potentially even video footage, too.

Today I purchased my first real camera: an Olympus e410 kit that comes with 2 lenses. I have no clue how to operate it yet (I know how to work a camera, but this one has all kinds of bells and whistles). It will arrive sometime next week.
I am so excited and can't wait to get started!!

As Nanci Griffith sings, "...the asphalt is burnin' tonight." I'm ready to be where the rubber hits the road.

My first assignment is to complete the itineraries for Eudora Welty. Here is an quote from Eudora Welty as she talked about her job with the Works Progress Administration as a Junior Publicity Agent in Jackson:

"It took me all over Mississippi, which was the most important thing to me, because I'd never seen it ... [The experience] was the real germ of my wanting to become a real writer, a true writer" natural wonders. "there’s so much more of life that only words can convey.... "

She feels that southern writers care deeply about place. Nevertheless, she fears this subtle element may be escaping. Photography has a profound influence on Welty’s mode of writing, teaching her that “Life doesn’t hold still.” (by Carol Ann Johnston)

If you've made it this far, then you will now know the true purpose on this blog.

I will report about my adventures
across the state and beyond,
as I explore

Soulsville USA.

Directions to Soulsville, USA

Whether you take I-55, Hwy 51, I-240, Hwy 61, I-40 or whether you take the Old Bridge or the New Bridge, it all takes you to the same place: Soulsville, USA.

the best remedy for anything is Highway 55/
you head across the River/
to the Arkansas side...

~Anna K.

One of the first songs I wrote.

Soulsville USA, to me, is also a state of mind. As I delve more into being more authentic, it carries a deeper meaning each time I say it.

I consider Memphis my home away from home. I grew up in a small town in North Mississippi named Hernando. Home of The North Mississippi All-Stars, Garrison Starr, Robert Wilkins and Jim Jackson...and me. Ha! :) It's nestled between Soulsville USA and the Mississippi Delta. When I was a kid, it was a small town of 4,000 people at the very most.

Hernando is now officially a bedroom community, with close to 12,000 people, located just off of I-55 (or Hwy 51 if you like slow two-laners) just about 20 minutes south of Memphis. This is where my journey began and its course runs deep.

It reminds me of a quote from Mississippi writer, David Cohn, who said:

"The Delta begins in the lobby of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis
and ends on Catfish Row in Vicksburg."

Before I go too much further, please note I'm not going to attempt a history lesson. (Other people have done that, much better than I could, but I do know my fair share!)

People can say what they want, but it seems my rose-colored shades immediately materialize when I say the name Memphis. I do expect a little ridicule from my friend, Jeff, who lived there for a long time and absolutely hates it. He said, "We live in the Bible Belt and Memphis is the ass hole."

I will never forget that as long as I live! It's not a perfect city, by any means, but I love it, regardless.

Before things get going, it is my staunch recommendation that you go online and buy this album immediately:

There are 12 new and used for $2.80 on Amazon, so they'ain't no excuse for you not to have it in your car, on your iPod or somehow, somewhere on your person. I'm juss sayin'.

My two favorite classes at the University of Memphis were Memphis Music and Songwriting/Publishing. Dr. David Evans taught the Memphis Music class and Danny Jones taught part of the Songwriting class.

Each had its own pull for me. In Danny's class: how can I resist being told that we had to listen, analyze and be tested on the album "Thriller" and its production/recording techniques?! He played those songs for us as we sat there, thoroughly amused (needless to say) and mentally confirming we'd chosen the right major after all, naysayers be damned!

Danny then put in another CD called Memphis Soul Classics. My life was never the same again. That sparked my love affair with Memphis. Danny talked about Malaco and Muscle Shoals, we listened to Wilson Pickett, The Box Tops, Booker T and the MGs along with gems from Hi Records.

As far as the Memphis Music class, Dr. Evans, helped nurture my love for early blues recordings. You almost hear more scratchiness from the old recordings themselves than from the guitarist's fingernails on the strings. Handy's Mr. Crump and Memphis Blues. Stories of five Handy bands playing at five different parties and he'd make an appearance at each one before the night was over. Gus Cannon and Jim Jackson. It's good stuff. I'm tellin' you, it's good stuff.

Memphis got its name "Soulsville USA" during the heyday of Stax Records, after the advent of Sun.

I wrote a paper on Jim Dickinson for Dr. Evans' class. I grew up with his boys. Jim told me how he'd listen to a radio station that was just across the river in West Memphis, Arkansas while he was under the covers at night with his flashlight. He was over there and saw Howlin' Wolf walk out of the studio. Heard the Memphis Jug Band on Beale Street. How when the Rolling Stones landed at the Memphis airport, Furry Lewis went to greet them. They sat down right on the tarmac and began playing music.

This ain't child's play. This is Memphis. (I only use the word "ain't" when it's appropriate...and it is.)

I was at a Halloween party in Midtown several years ago and started talking to a lady named Connie. She worked in the office at Stax Records when Otis Redding recorded Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay. They all stood around and listened to the track and thought..."Wow." Hardly a week later, he died in a plane crash.

For the past four years, I worked in the same office as Tim Whitsett, the man in charge of Stax Records publishing, became friends with songwriter George Jackson and worked for the men who recorded Mr. Big Stuff.

That's full circle for me in a big way.

...to be continued...