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2 The PINES

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holler@thepines.ms advertise@thepines.ms

4 Southern Miss Centennial 8 Budget Crunch10 William Baggett 12 Superfan14 Golden Eagle Football16 Dining Guide26 Horizon32 Rearview36 Hub Grub38 Beer Review39 Wine Review40 What Book?41 45 Stories42 New Music43 Evil Eye44 Cagelian Eclectic

Sumner Baggett

Ryan BarroneCarsten Cagle

Troy CollCarl van Coppenhagen

Josh CrossMik Davis

Phillip DeanChristy Dyess

SR EarlFairchild East

Bryant HawkinsKyle Hilton

Cathy HopkinsShaw IngramJustin Martin

Jason McClureTim Parris

Will PoynorMeredith Price

Brian Shaw

Chris Cagle: content

Tyler Morgan: web Josh Oberst: design

Pine Printing

601.450.PINE

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Take us back to the construction of the campus, its original incarnation, and discuss how that design has remained important to the University's physical identity.

Architect R. H. Hunt's original design was quite remarkable, and in some ways it has been preserved. It radiated from two axes, one running north from Hardy Street and intersecting the second, an east-west axis, at the current site of the Administration building, which was in Hunt’s plan but was designed later by another architect. Hunt envisioned a quadrangle with that building at the center and pairs of buildings facing each other across the rectangle. College, Southern, Hattiesburg, Forrest County, and Mississippi Halls were all in that original design, but later construction deviated from Hunt’s plan significantly.

“One of the most difficult parts of the project is that it's obviously celebratory, but as a historian, not a propagandist or PR person, I must still balance the celebration with the truth, and the truth is not always pleasant.”

There was something of a struggle over the selection of the site, but the Hardy Street location was chosen, about two miles from the original Downtown business district. It was by design to a certain degree to keep Southern Miss connected to Hattiesburg but also to itself. However, the demographics of the growth of the town did not work out to keep it that way. The city grew westward, eventually expanding westward beyond the University into Lamar County.

What was the original mission of the College?

When the school was founded in 1910 as Mississippi Normal College, the state was still overwhelmingly agrarian and rural. In fact, the institution was intended to train not just teachers for the public

schools but particularly for small rural community schools. Current teachers needing more training could receive a five year teaching license through a two year program or a lifetime teaching license from a four year program. Every course was tailored to teachers, even the agricultural program.

How quickly did the school grow?

For 10 years it offered no baccalaureate degrees. By 1922, when the first degree—a bachelor of science in education—was awarded, the school had done its job well enough that the public schools were able to raise their standards for teachers. The Normal College had improved the quality of education so much that public school systems began to require bachelor’s degrees in education.

USM Centennial:An Interview with Dr. Chester “Bo” Morgan, author of Treasured Past, Golden Future: The University of Southern Mississippi, 1910-2010by Chris Cagle

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Two years later, it became State Teachers College and began focusing on educating secondary school graduates to become teachers. By 1940, when it became Mississippi Southern College at the end of the depression, many of the students who were coming did not intend to teach. Lots came to get a quick degree and then go on to law school or other professional training. In the same year, it granted its first bachelor of arts degree.

When did change really come to the College?

In WWII, most male students left to serve in the military or the war economy in some capacity. But, Camp Shelby, Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, and Ingalls Shipyard (now part of Northrup Grummond) in Pascagoula really increased the industrial growth of South Mississippi. Reflecting a broader trend toward a return to normal life, R. C. Cook became president in 1945 after serving in Europe. He had been trained in higher education, had the doctoral degree, and he had real vision for growth of the institution. He might not have admitted the desire to become a university then; that would have been politically unwise at the time. But, Cook promoted social life, especially fraternities and sororities. The strength

of the music program predates him, but he put the resources there to make it a crucial part of the curriculum, which helped the College develop a healthy arts environment.

After 1950, South Mississippi became the most industrialized and densely populated area in the state. The region became economically diversified, and it modernized much quicker than the rest of the state. The growth of Mississippi Southern College reflected these changes. Before that, if students from McComb, Magee, Gulfport, or Hattiesburg wanted to pursue public higher education, they had to travel at least four hours north. South Mississippi had developed rapidly and began to require a nearby college with a broad curriculum.

How did the College finally become a University?

McCain followed Cook in 1955, and he had the political savvy to get the university status in 1962. Cook laid the groundwork to become a university, but McCain made it happen. He prepared the educational curriculum in advance of the political situation that would enable the change. Fortunately, the achievement of that university status coincided with the greatest boom in

higher education in American history. Support for colleges and university mushroomed throughout the 1960s.

Were there other significant changes during McCain's tenure?

The school is landlocked. Space, from the mid-50s onwards, has been a real problem, largely thanks to the building boom immortalized in McCain's promise to keep the campus “dusty or muddy with construction.” McCain increased the number and size of residence halls, instructional buildings, buildings across the campus. The area north of the original quad was more or less developed during the McCain era.

What about integration?

When it did come in 1965, integration came largely without incident. It was relatively peaceful and uneventful, notwithstanding the terrible tragedy surrounding Clyde Kennard’s earlier efforts to break the school’s color barrier. The Kennard story was worse than tragedy, really, but the decision to refuse him admission came from a level higher than McCain; it was state policy, and he knew that to keep his job he had to enforce it.

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McCain was a hard-nosed realist, and he knew that integration was going to happen, even though he had publicly opposed it. He wanted the changes to be as peaceful as possible. McCain deserves credit for fostering an environment that would enable the first black students to remain at the university in a calm and mostly tolerant atmosphere. The school has for the most part remained that way ever since.

Dr Lucas really made diversity work. He moved the institution along in its commitment to diversity, encouraging black student organizations and activities, which then greatly increased the attractiveness of the university to the State's minority population. McCain led a small teachers college to become a university; he created the structure. Lucas wanted to give that structure substance; he wanted to make it a distinguished university.

How does the era during which Aubrey Lucas led the University, from 1975-1996, differ from years past?

As I was writing the 75th Anniversary History, something portentous was occurring. During the early 1980s, the IHL board mandated that each of the eight state higher learning institutions develop mission statements to help eliminate duplication of programs. After exhaustive evaluations, leadership roles were assigned to various programs at different schools. That process was indicative of a major transition in higher education across the country, but especially for our University.

The good times of ever increasing state financial support had ended, which ushered in an era of recurring budget crises. In 1987, many USM programs were consolidated in a sweeping reorganization. In 1992, programs and even entire departments were eliminated as well as consolidated. Another round of budget cuts in 2000-2001 contributed

to the resignation of President Horace Fleming. During the 1960s and ‘70s state appropriations for higher education went up steadily. By the early 1980s, however, the flow of money was becoming constricted.

Do the current budgetary problems have roots in that situation?

Oh, definitely. It's unfair to look at what’s happening now in isolation. It must be seen in the context of long-term trends, and it's obvious public funding for higher education has been much restricted compared to the decades before. Institutions like Southern Miss have to adjust to a new reality, which is still unfolding, which the University is still figuring out. We can simply no longer count on state funds increasing every year, or even remaining flat. It becomes critical to decide who we are and which programs are essential to that identity.

In Dr. Saunders' convocation speech, she pointed out that 90% of the students are enrolled in 40% of the programs. What might we anticipate in the light of that statistic, in deciding who the University is? Isn't the choice clear?

It would not be just or prudent to assume that all programs that attract fewer students are expendable. But in a higher education world that has changed dramatically in the last 30 years, significant adjustment is necessary. It will be impossible to construct a budget for fiscal 2012 with $15 million less than is now available without significant reallocation of resources. But what criteria should guide that reallocation? It would seem sensible to identify and protect not only those programs that attract large numbers of students, but also those without which our claim to academic distinction would be diminished. All others, however desirable and affordable in earlier days, have to be scrutinized. It's painful to cut

programs, especially good programs in which people are doing good work, but financial reality and responsibility require it, as they already have several times since 1980.

What makes the situation today different?

2010 is different because the current crisis requires eliminating programs with people in them. It's not a pleasant prospect, but we find ourselves in the most challenging economic conditions since the Great Depression, when the University was still a modest Teachers College. The pain is real, but the more widely it is spread, the more the institution’s quality as a whole will be diminished.

When do you feel we can expect things to return to stability?

Like much in life, progress often comes accompanied by pain. Difficult but bold decisions now can position Southern Miss to capitalize on its unique advantages within higher education in Mississippi.

Since World War II, much of the state’s growth and development has been between Jackson and the Gulf Coast, and there, in terms of degree-granting public institutions, we are the only game in town. But we have to be more than that. I have heard Dr. Saunders say that sometimes we at Southern Miss do not realize how really good we are. To remain a truly distinguished university, we must not let the pain of this necessary process define our identity as an institution. As has been true of so many challenges we have faced in our history, our goal must be not to survive, but to be better. I believe that, the current challenge notwithstanding, Southern Miss truly does have a “Golden Future.”

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BUDGETCRUNCH

by Phillip Dean

Looking back, June 2009 may be remembered as the height of the President Martha Saunders era at the University of Southern Mississippi. At that moment, the surprising exploits of the Golden Eagle baseball team in reaching the College World Series seemed to bode well for a then-new president still capitalizing on the good fortune of not being Shelby Thames.

Saunders’ only pronounced sin to that date had been the ill-advised rental of an airplane (Beechcraft King Air 200: Price tag $1.89 million for five years) to keep up with the Joneses at the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University - a move that had even earned a head-shake at the time from school Provost Bob Lyman when explaining it before the faculty senate.

It was that same plane that Saunders boarded with her husband and several administrators to watch the swift elimination of the Golden Eagles in Omaha.

Two months later, the school’s standing budget cut committee - blandly called

the Academic Planning Group - released its list of over $8 million in academic cuts for the 2010-11 academic year. Included on that list were eight tenured or tenure-track faculty members from the College of Business’s economics department.

And everything changed for Dr. Saunders.

Cuts

There was an obvious and well-discussed dissonance in cutting the economics department during a moment of economic crisis for the state’s entire public university system. The move reflected, it seemed, a Southern Miss administration unsure of how to manage the financial problems crippling the institution.

Southern Miss eventually moved half of the faculty to the College of Arts and Letters, but since then, dissonance has only grown louder. After a spring and summer of new building openings, the unveiling of the centennial gate and an eerie silence concerning the budget-cutting process facing the university,

the administration announced 29 faculty cuts and 28 program cuts to combat an anticipated $15 million shortfall for the 2011-12 academic year.

And so, as summer turned to autumn, Southern Miss looks now to be in the final year of offering Latin, German, a bachelor of arts in Religion, a master of arts in Philosophy and a bachelor of science in Marine Science - to name a few of the programs that have been put on the block for next year. The appeals process has begun and Saunders will reach her conclusions soon.

All the while the athletics budget continues to grow, thanks to the highest per student tuition contribution in the state. As for the plane, it’s still in use to “maximize administrative time” - funded by $17,000 monthly payments.

Big Picture

It’s tempting, of course, to blame the powers in the dome. But the noise out of Jackson concerns issues more pressing than the sins and virtues of Martha

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Saunders. In January, Higher Education Commissioner Hank Bounds met with leaders of the state’s eight public institutions to consider ways to handle an anticipated $200 million shortfall coming round the corner for the 2011-12 academic year.

University leaders proposed tuition hikes to cover one-third of that deficit. The trouble was that other two-thirds. At the time, the universities were already reeling from a series of mid-year cuts. When FY 2010 began on July 1 2009, the state Legislature had awarded the eight universities approximately $420 million in its annual budget. Five cuts pushed funding down $38 million - or approximately nine percent – but just part of over $400 million in state budget cuts overall.

For FY 2011, the eight universities received $369 million. With the possibility of school consolidation now a dead letter, that means a smaller pie cut into the same number of pieces. Southern Miss received over $90 million last year in state appropriations. This year, it received $79 million. Next year, it anticipates receiving in the vicinity of $68 million.

One solution, of course, is to increase higher education funding: the current equivalent of politely requesting blood from a turnip. Legislators throw up their hands and point to the zero sum game of funding programs during an economic recession, which has seen 46 states cut their services, including 43 states cutting education. If we fund higher education more, they argue, what do we fund less? K-12 schools? Medicaid?

But the question of funding higher education in Mississippi predates even the current economic crisis. State higher education funding has stagnated in relation to the university costs over the past decade. In 2000, 36 percent of the operating budgets of public universities came from public dollars. In 2009, that number was down to 25 percent.

“When I came here (in 1975), I thought wow ‘Higher education flourishes in this state.’ The legislature bows and scrapes, because they see education as a way of moving out of the bottom,” said recently retired Political Science Professor Joe Parker, who taught at Southern Miss for 33 years. “That has declined over the years obviously.”

In that sense, Mississippi has caught up with the rest of the country.

“The trend of declining public share of university budgets is national, long-term, and likely irreversible, given the general preference for market-driven over tax-based financing,” said Southern Miss Dean of the College of Health Michael Forster earlier this year. “To some degree, the drop in public funding may be exaggerated by a rise in educational costs that has consistently exceeded the rate of inflation.”

Futures

Likely irreversible, huh? What does that mean for Southern Miss? Probably nothing to be optimistic about. As the daily headlines remind us, Southern Miss has felt the brunt of this economic crisis more so than its state peers Mississippi State University or the University of Mississippi, neither of which have plans to cut tenured faculty members.

Meanwhile, as tuition climbs upward (7 percent this year; 7 percent next year), the enrollment surge that Southern Miss so desperately needs tapers off in comparison to Ole Miss and Mississippi State - partly the function of signing up a significantly poorer student body as a whole.

Southern Miss likes to consider itself a regional university - the university of the Gulf Coast, as its slogans proclaim. But Southern Miss may be a regional university in a different sense soon, becoming a school with Delta State or Jackson State-type financial resources attempting to educate the same size student population and capture the same national presence as its peers at Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

Saunders’ legacy, currently trending downward, will likely be defined by realizing the full picture of her rhetoric on that academic side, i.e. that Southern Miss “cannot do everything” and remain a viable institution. That means perhaps that Southern Miss cannot be a Division I athletic powerhouse or continue to have a bloated administration that outpaces, in size, the number of faculty members on campus. It may also mean that it makes no sense to point towards Ole Miss and Mississippi State when justifying an outrageous airplane lease.

In short, if Latin is to go, shouldn’t an eight-seat private airplane be close behind?

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The Intelligent Eye; Reality Re-Seen: Recent Paintings by William Baggett

The Museum of Art at The University of Southern Mississippi

September 9 - October 9, 2010

“For me, there is tremendous satisfaction to be had from working on a two dimensional surface in paint. Anything becomes possible, so there is only the limitation of one's mind and the painting medium in which one works. I'm less inclined to set goals for my work now - I simply do it.” - William Baggett

Anything Becomes Possible

by Ryan Barrone

Avocado Econony

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Two eggs, sunny side up. Several bodies of water. A barbecue. The thirty paintings which make up William Baggett’s “The Intelligent Eye - Reality Re-Seen” operate in something of a dream state, flirting with a number of twentieth-century genres and exploring reality with a penchant for the abstract. Reconstructing space as a latter-day Cubist, Baggett transforms everyday objects and expansive landscapes into flat, almost unnavigable compositions coyly reminiscent of Juan Gris. A departure from the murals which have come to define Baggett’s career, the paintings, which are on view at The University of Southern Mississippi’s Museum of Art through October 9th, represent a three year transition into the unknown.

Although Baggett's stylistic approach has shifted, his dedication to craft remains steadfast. A formalist at

heart, Baggett works in a graphic yet non-confrontational style, as if improvising on the controlled approach of his murals. Unlike The Library of Hattiesburg’s The Spirit That Builds (1995), a colossal undertaking underscored by years of research and preparation, Baggett’s recent paintings are modestly sized and conceptually ambiguous. Liberated of the external pressures which have plagued his tenure as a muralist, “The Intelligent Eye” documents a seasoned artist renewed by introspection.

Living in a society defined by a desire for the new, Baggett’s recent paintings strike a curious cultural discord. Though recently created, content is decidedly ahistorical and Baggett’s approach to painting borders on romantic. To experience “The Intelligent Eye” is to become dislodged in time; figures are treated as archetypes and objects

are recognizable, but rarely specific. Punctuated by a hushed psychedelic palette, Mammatus Birth (2009) borders on non-objectivity, deftly merging geometric and organic forms: a glimpse of the artist at his most courageous.

“The Intelligent Eye” debuts at a tumultuous time for The University of Southern Mississippi, as Baggett’s former employer, The College of Arts and Letters, can expect budget cuts to the tune of $918,000. Going forward, as Professor Emeritus of the Department of Art and Design and an artist clearly indebted to the political works of Diego Rivera and the Mexican Muralists, one wishes for some semblance of outrage from Baggett, even if by paint alone. Do not be misled by the untamed waters of Crucible (2008); William Baggett isn’t ready to make waves. Yet.

Anything Becomes Possible

by Ryan Barrone

12 Spotlighted Bouys

12 The PINES

How'd you end up in Hattiesburg?

Well, when I was conceived in 1958, my father was a seventeen year old quartterback from Panama City. After mom and I were able to travel, we checked into Pine Haven -I was about six weeks old- which was home from that point until Vann Hall opened in 1968. My parents were known as “Dorm Parents” and we moved into the apartment at Vann Hall. Every night I ate at the the training table with USM athletes.

What was it like growing up on campus?

For the first fourteen years of my life, I literally lived, ate, and breathed Southern Miss sports. I was the ball boy, bat boy, or water boy for whichever sport was in season. The campus was my home, one big playground, and kind of like my backyard: I knew every inch. I remember when the area where frat row, Reed Green Coliseu, the Payne Center, and Pride Field are now was a nine-hole golf course. Everyday of my life I could hear The Pride practicing in the background, hearing the fight song a dozen times daily. For those fourteen years, everyday I saw the commitment and sacrifice -the blood, sweat, and tears- required of student athletes, and I have tremendous respect for them to this day. I feel lucky, for sure. What kid wouldn’t want to be in my shoes, seeing what I saw? Even though I used to go door to door in Vann Hall shining shoes for 10 cents a pair to earn money.

What were just a few highlights that still stick in your mind?

One highlight of my days includes the year we beat Ole Miss for the first time ever, in 1970, when Archie Manning was up for the Heisman Trophy and the Rebels were ranked third or fourth in the nation, but we spanked that ass!

Also, the next year, Ray Guy kicked a punt from the Golden Eagle end zone that would travel across the entire field, over the other end zone and right over the fence on the other end of the field. Hearing pregame, half-time, and post game speeches in the locker room with Coach Vann and Coach Underwood was always amazing. One of the most special moments in my youth was the year we won the Conference in Basketball, while they were cutting down the nets, the team started chanting “Jimbo! Jimbo! Jimbo!” to get me to climb the ladder and cut the net down.

Then there’s Coach Bower. I've known Coach Bower since the day he walked on this campus and checked into Vann Hall. When he was a student, he used to take me out to play golf with him when most of the players were telling me to “get lost” or “go play in Highway 49.” One of the biggest thrills was when he came and suw us play youth baseball in the Summer. I idolized the guy: the way he conducted hisself as a teenager, the way he wore his uniform... I had to have the same cleats he had. And he was a hell of a good quarterback.

Also, Being the ball boy, I got to run out on the field while the team fight song would be playing. Coach Bower told me that not only could I run out onto that field with them, that I could lead the team! I told him years later, “I’ve won a state championship in golf, pitched for a state championship in baseball, among a lot of other achievements, but if I could relive one feeling, it would be running out on that field again.”

What are your feelings about the current state of Southern Miss football?

Well, first, I’ve got a whole lot of respect for Mr. G (Southern Miss Athletic Director Richard Gianni). In his time here, the team has definitely gone to

the next level. But, I still feel we had something really special going on here, a kind of Bobby Bowden or Joe Paterno thing on a different level. You know, go to bowl games every year with a clean program. We’re talking about a guy that dedicated thirty years of his life as a Golden Eagle, from a player through almost every step in the coaching hierarchy before becoming head coach. I still miss him, straight up.

How do you expect to be remembered?

My most important legacy will probably be being remembered as the guy that would see the teams off when they were going out of town. Sometimes, I would paint signs and wave pom-poms, raise a ruckus. Back in the day, cheerleaders, pep band, wives or girlfriends, and random students would come out to the “send off.” I would always see them home, too, after battle, whether it was 3:00 AM or whatever, it didn’t matter. They knew when they rounded that corner - win, lose, or draw - I’d be there. Sure, I would love to get into the Alumni Hall of Fame, but that'll never happen unless I win the lottery or strike it rich somehow and buy a building to put my name on.

I know I’m bouncing around from subject to subject as stories pop into my head, and I apologize for the sloppy writing: it's really hard to write on a moving bus. When I was ten or eleven, behind Vann Hall was just a big field. I used to hit golf balls off the side wall of the dorm, drop the golf club to pick up my baseball glove and chase down the fly ball Willie Mays style. One day, I hit a bad golf shot and shattered the window of our back door. As punishment, my father made me pay for the window ($5 or 50 pair of shoes). But, now, 40 + years later, as Vann is being torn down, that window is still shattered. I want the door, I paid for it!

JIMBO BERRY

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“I respect the founding fathers and old school people that have supported this University through thick and thin, the good and bad times.”

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Here in southern Mississippi, summer tends to make an awkward, languid transition into autumn. Our weather is rarely a reliable indicator of the time of year so we count on other events to mark the passage into fall. As campus fills with students and local waterways fill with late-summer precipitation, we know we don’t have to wait too much longer for the oppressive heat of the waning season to transition into the slightly-less-oppressive heat of early fall, weather suitable for being outdoors, grilling, and most importantly in this context, football season. For Hattiesburg, that means trips to the District and watching the Southern Miss Golden Eagles go to war in M.M. Roberts Stadium.

Last year, in his second season as USM’s head coach, Larry Fedora led the Eagles to their sixteenth consecutive winning season and their eighth consecutive bowl berth, finishing at 7-6. Despite closing the season with a disappointing showing in the New Orleans Bowl against Middle Tennessee State, 2009 gave USM fans plenty of reasons to expect great things from this year’s squad. The Eagles started last season 3-0, including a defeat of Virginia at home, before dropping a close and bruising game to a ranked Kansas team in Lawrence.

Less than a week later on a Thursday game, USM lost starting QB Austin Davis in the fourth quarter of a devastating defeat by UAB. Davis would be out for the remainder of the season with torn ligaments in his foot. In his four starts before being injured, Davis posted stats of 1,165 yards passing (with a 68% completion rate) and ten touchdowns to only two interceptions. Junior QB Martevious Young filled in ably, but the team was hampered by sloppy pass defense, a tough road schedule, and an inconsistent kicking game.

With four out of their six losses decided by a touchdown or less, last year’s performance made it clear how tantalizingly close the Golden Eagles are to reclaiming their rightful spot in the national college football conversation. The Eagles return only three starters on offense this year, but Austin Davis, wide receiver DeAndre Brown, and center Cameron Zipp comprise a strong nucleus that will ease the transition for newcomers and players stepping into starting roles.

At 6’6” and 230lbs, Brown has the physical tools of a first-round NFL prospect, and, when healthy, he puts up numbers that back that assessment. After setting school records with 67 receptions and 12 touchdowns in 2008

SOUTHERN MISS2010 football

before suffering a gruesome leg injury, Brown slowly regained his form in his sophomore year, finishing with 785yds receiving and nine touchdown grabs.

Zipp is the point man on an offensive line that is replacing four starters, but Fedora and his staff made O-line recruiting a priority this offseason, picking up a couple of massive, highly-sought JuCo prospects in Jason Weaver (6’5”, 320lbs) and Lamar Holmes (6’6”, 335lbs).

With the departure of all-time leading rusher Damion Fletcher, the Eagles will rely on a three-deep backfield-by-committee. Senior V.J. Floyd and redshirt freshman Kendrick Hardy figure to be the primary ballcarriers, with home-run threat Tracy Lampley contributing on the ground, in the slot, and in the return game. Last year’s crew ranked 33rd nationally in rushing yardage and hopes to produce at least one 1,000yd rusher for the fifth consecutive year.

USM’s defense enters the 2010 season with a chip on their collective shoulder. Though the unit showed improvement in some areas, upping their sack total from 93rd to 18th nationally, a ranking of 109th (out of 120 FBS teams) in pass defense won’t cut it against their schedule’s high-scoring spread offenses.

Photo by Meredith Price

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Senior DT Anthony Gray is the centerpiece of an experienced defensive line, along with junior DE Cordarro Law, who led the team with 14.5 tackles for a loss last year. Fortunately, the Eagles return all three of their starting linebackers, who also happen to be the team’s three leading tacklers from last year. Junior Korey Williams finished last season with 121 tackles, including 12 for a loss, and supporting castmembers Ronnie Thorton and Martez Smith round out what figures to be the best LB unit in the conference.

Senior C.J. Bailey leads a green but promising secondary, including Alabama transfer Alonzo Lawrence. Defensive back performance is one of the biggest question marks for this year’s team, but if the collection of redshirt freshmen at cornerback and three upperclassmen at safety can even show modest improvement, it should be enough to turn a few of last year’s close losses into wins.

The accepted wisdom among college football fans is that it takes about three years for a new coach to install his scheme, corral his staff and get his recruits plugged into the system. With Coach Fedora entering his third year, Eagle fans are justifiably hopeful that this year’s squad will take the next step.

The Eagles play their toughest opponents at home this year, with UCF likely providing our biggest challenge in an away game. Homecoming against East Carolina, after last year’s loss to them, will be a decisive crossroads before the conference schedule really bears down. A ten-win season is certainly within reach, and if a healthy offense, an improved defense, and a refocused kicking game can gel, the Golden Eagles could exceed expectations.

103 E. Front Street 601.545.2250 www.brownstones.com

Great Food. Good Music. Downtown.

Photo by Meredith Price

myspace.com/benniesboomboomroom

142 East Front StreetDowntown Hattiesburg601.544.7757

10.15 Mississippi Shake down

10.22 Glitter Boys

10.23 Paul Johnson & The About Last Nights

10.30 Wisebird

11.05 Eric Lindell

11.06 Conspiracy of Hope Benefit

11.12 Johnny Vidacovich & Alvin Youngblood Hart

11.13 Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes

11.19 Devon Allman

11.20 Revivalists

12.03 Soul Rebels Brass Band

16 The PINES

A veritable gumbo of various cultures, ethnicities, and styles, Hattiesburg encompasses numerous social and economic differences between the people who live throughout it. But, there is one theme that unites us all: We love to eat!

With a plethora of choices, it's easy to get overwhelmed (or spoiled). New dining establishments open up all the time in and around the Hub City; meanwhile, the scene remains dominated by successful standards. Without a doubt, in accordance with the nature of the restaurant industry, places regularly come and go, but the community contains a surprising diversity of local restaurants.

It is without a doubt worth your time to visit every single one and discover your favorites. You will encounter many familiar faces and probably make new friends. Employees of restaurants are notorious supporters of other local businesses so spreading your hard earned dough amongst these places will probably reverberate around the city in ways we can't anticipate.

For a little statistical perspective, if Hattiesburg’s approximate square mileage is about fifty, we have more than four restaurants per square mile. Two hundred sixteen different eating establishments occupy real estate within the Hattiesburg area. Eighty-four of those have local owners. Sure, the other one hundred twenty-two are pretty evenly split between corporate fast-food and casual eateries, but it's pretty excellent that nearly forty percent exist only here.

It's simple. We require food to function, and The Pines knows y'all don't cook every meal. There may be foodies out there that don't need this, but for those of us that may not often turn to the yellow pages, here's our attempt at a local dining directory, complete with a few reviews of places we love.

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Caliente GrillMexican3319 Hardy St.

Homegrown version of the classic burrito spot. Pick your conveyance from burrito, quesadilla, or salad (among others), and fill it with a variety of meats, rice, beans, and a plethora of sauces and toppings. Fantastic guacamole speaks to the fresh, carefully chosen ingredients; monster burritos will fill you up, and fresh fried tortilla chips and queso will test your limits. Beer and margaritas, plus occasional live music, make it a nice spot to kickstart your weekend adventures. Follow them on twitter for notice of special events and discounts. - Troy Coll

Mama Alma's KitchenMexican5096 Highway 42

Massive portions, great prices, and a few atypical menu items define this family-owned spot on the 42 Bypass. Renowned citywide for her tamales and homemade salsas, Mama Alma covers all of the staples of chain Tex-Mex along with exclusive items like pozole and menudo. Fantastic lunch prices and some wonderful enchiladas offset the middling atmosphere and inconsistent service. - Troy Coll

The New YokelSoup, Salad, Juices & Smoothies205 N. Main St.

If you are looking for something delicious for lunch that will leave you satisfied and energized then swing by New Yokel Market located next to The Thirsty Hippo. Make your own salad with an array of the freshest greens, veggies, and other delightful components; grab a bowl of the soup de jour and complementary cornbread muffin; choose a fresh vegetable juice pr whole fruit smoothie finished off by some of the best espresso. Treat yourself to a meal that’s as good for your body as it is for your taste buds. And don’t forget to indulge your sweet tooth with one of the fresh baked goodies.-SR Earl

T-Bone's Records & CaféSandwiches, Coffee2101 Hardy St.

As if being Hattiesburg's music Mecca wasn't enough, T-Bone's Records now houses a coffee and sandwich shop. Pressed panini-style sandwiches on white or wheat, fresh salads, and Zapp's chips complement coffee, espresso, teas and desserts. Homemade dressings add some character to classic deli offerings like the club sandwich, tuna melt, and Cuban. Attentive service for such a casual spot, and Harry's cold-brewed coffee is amazing - rich and chocolatey, no sugar necessary. Fun atmosphere, live music, and an absurd selection of new-and-used CD's, vinyl, and DVD's make it hard to talk yourself into leaving. - Troy Coll

Photo by Christy Dyess

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Po Boy ExpressSandwiches2511 W. 4th St.

Iconic New Orleans-style po-boy shop. The Steak Bomb, their original creation, is a Philly cheesesteak with a strip of fried Gulf shrimp through the middle, and it will open your third eye. Perfect bread – the crust provides the right level of resistance, leading to a soft, slightly chewy crumb. Po-taters are seasoned fried potato wedges, and they are a great counterpoint to any of the sandwiches or burgers. Delivery and low prices equal a dangerously convenient eatery, or dine-in and up your odds of running into some local celebrities. -Troy Coll

Winged ItWings, Sandwiches207 S. 40th Ave.

Occupying Coop De Ville's former location, with an identical menu but a little more care. Properly fried wings get coated in any number of over a dozen sauces, with the standard celery or french fries on the side. The fries are sort of a seasoned potato wedge/fry hybrid, common to a couple places around town, and they do the trick. Sandwiches feature fried or grilled chicken tenders on hoagie rolls with a variety of toppings, including the Combine (cheddar and bacon) and the Free Agent (Thai chili sauce, mozzarella and cheddar). Ask them to roll the tenders in your choice of wing sauces to add an extra layer of flavor. - Troy Coll

The Gold PostSandwiches, Southern2210 Hardy St.

The Goldpost is simply a Hattiesburg landmark, around for 39 years now and counting. With the wide windows on every side, Hattiesburg is the décor and main theme for this restaurant. The friendly staff loves to discuss the menu and help diners. MWF are the days for gumbo (heavy on the shrimp and rice), TTH it’s vegetable soup. Also known for bountiful iceberg salads featuring homemade dressings. The unusual shrimp po boy is fried in a loaf instead of as individual shrimp. The Roast Beef Po Boy, a specialty, is a nice choice with its Mississippi tomato gravy. Classic sides include a vinegar-based Coleslaw with celery seed punch. - Cathy Hopkins

Leatha's Bar-B-Que InnBarbecue6374 U S Highway 98

The Mecca of Mississippi barbecue, tucked behind an RV lot in West Hattiesburg. Magical pork ribs are the star of a church picnic-style menu, which also features pulled pork, boneless beef ribs, and chicken. Side item choices are limited but full of quality and care - potato salad and cole slaw are exemplary, and even the fried potato wedges are fresh and delicious with some of Leatha's homemade sauce blanketing them. Little details like an actual bread roll (you can keep your Wonder Bread), washcloths for napkins, and some of the friendliest staff in the city make Leatha's the Platonic ideal of Southern barbecue. Takeout and tailgate packages are available, and don't balk at the prices - most meals/combo's are easily enough for two. -Troy Coll

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Flamin' PineappleSpecialty Meats3315 Hwy 11Moselle

With outside seating on a covered porch, a trip just outside of Hattiesburg to the Flamin' Pineapple feels a little like eating out on vacation. Known for their unique meats like kangaroo, buffalo and alligator, they also feature less exotic fare as well. The appetizers are great (and inexpensive), crisp and non-greasy. The Swamp Platter is a bounty with alligator, catfish, crawfish etoufee pies, and frog legs. The portion could feed at least two people and probably three. The sides do not taste like after thoughts. The restaurant's namesake, a delicious combination of grilled pineapple, caramelized sauce, vanilla ice cream and – of course – flambé sauce. They cannot serve alcohol but you can quietly bring your own. - Cathy Hopkins

Nanny's Country KitchenAmerican907 Edwards St

Old-school cafeteria-style home cooking. Nanny herself dishes out huge portions of Southern favorites like chicken and dumplings and chicken-fried steak with mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, greens and cornbread. The menu features different items daily, but the format is always one entree, two sides, roll/cornbread, dessert and a drink for just seven bucks. The fried chicken is some of the best in town - appropriately greasy with meat that's not too lean or too grisly. Tasty vegetables (not a given at these sorts of spots), fresh tea, and a quaint atmosphere separate Nanny's from the rest of the pack. - Troy Coll

Hattiesburg 206 Front 206 W Front St. 601.545.5677

A & B Discount Grocery 700 Emerald Lane 601.584.6811

Alumni House Bar 204 N 40th Ave. 601.602.4606

Angus Jacks Steakhouse 3200 Lakeview Rd. 601.582.7637

Bianchi’s128 E Front St.601.450.1263

Baker’s Burger6154 US 49601.336.5042

Brownstone’s103 E Front St.601.545.2250

Cadillac Pig706 Hall Ave.601.336.7790

Caliente Grill 3319 Hardy St. 601.261.5423

Chef Hoyt Tanner’sDirty Water Dogs841 Timothy Lane

China Buffet 4600 Hardy St. Ste 22 601.264.0688

Crescent City Café3810 Hardy St.601.264.0657

Conestoga Steak House 6313 US Highway 49 601.264.8816

Coney Island Lunch Stand 400 N Main St. 601.582.8513

Coop Deville 4960 Hardy St. 601.264.9600

Cuco’s Mexican Café 6104 US Highway 49 601.545.8241

Del Sol Mexican Restaurant 560 Weathersby Rd. 601.264.0104

Mac’s CaféSoul Food, American422 Mobile Street, Downtown

Just over the tracks from the old Hattiesburg Coke Bottling Co. is the best Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich and Crinkle Cut Fries I have had in my life. You may not can tell it is a restaurant from the old white building, but you’ll find some of the best food around, things like fried catfish and wings. If you eat inside be sure to check out the jukebox and see if it’s working. In addition to regularly scheduled street parties, Mac’s Café also hosts “Christmas on Mobile Street,” a yard party with special guest T-Bone Pruitt, where all you need is a lawn chair, an appetite for Mac’s good food, and a thirst for the blues. - Sumner Bagget

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Donanelle's Bar & GrillSteakhouse4321 US Highway 49S

If you drive too fast you will miss this gem amongst the pines, just south of town. The sign claims, “You can’t beat our meat” and there is not much to argue with here. The menu is purposefully sparse. The façade is one of a classic roadhouse meets juke joint with décor appropriate for a biker bar. The servers are scantily clad and efficient. Staple items include: ribs, steaks (ribeye, New York Strip and filet) Yellowfin Tuna and a Ribeye Sandwich. You can’t go wrong with any of these items. The meat is high-quality and all choices are excellent. - Cathy Hopkins

The End ZoneBar, American2505 W 4th St.

Hattiesburg's original sports bar now serves the best and most comprehensive bar-food menu in town. Whether it's wings and sandwiches or originals like gravy, cheese, and bacon-covered fries, the End Zone hits home runs in consistency and quality. Their ribeye nachos inspire embarrassing levels of gluttony in public, with salty bits of ribeye scattered on a mountain of cheese-coated chips. The place has got great prices, a huge selection of bottled beer along with several taps. Jovial employees are a pleasant departure from the local trend, and with the front bar covered in flatscreens it's a great place to watch the game. - Troy Coll

Keg and BarrelPub1315 Hardy St.

Hattiesburg's preeminent beer bar offers a crowd-pleasing menu to go with their vast selection of taps and bottles. Burgers, bacon cheddar fries, and some fantastic wings satisfy your need for greasy pub food; more refined options like Wasabi-Crusted Tuna and a Chicken Hummus Pita bring some diversity to the party. John Neal's Chicken and Waffles are an item one could build an entire restaurant around. A comfortable atmosphere, plenty of outdoor seating, and frequent special events (including AJ's earthshaking BBQ buffet) make the Keg a sure bet for a good time. Show up early on busy days if you're eating - service tends to take a dip as the crowd grows. - Troy Coll

Louisiana Sisters Cajun Café3971 Hwy 49 South

If you are in the mood for a drive or happen to be heading south during lunch time, visit Louisiana Sisters. It’s a place that makes a lot of promises and delivers on each one. The style of the menu – scrawled on chalkboard – promises that this is a place where everything is done by hand. The menu itself promises authentic Cajun cooking by way of: meat and two sides plate special, Muffuletta, Po-boys, jambalaya, red beans, gumbo, and other zesty Creole specialties. With moderately priced lunch time meals, the sisters’ word is good. - SR Earl

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The Magic TomatoItalian, Pizza 5182 Old Hwy 11, Suite 5

Locally-owned pizzeria that brings quality big-city Italian fare to our neck of the woods. Fresh ingredients, homemade sauces, and a mastery of the pizza oven lend real depth to pizzas, pastas, sandwiches and salads. Their calzone is a work of art - a crisp, golden shell of dough surrounds any combination of meats, cheeses and veggies. Fettucini Alfredo and lasagna are the stars of the city's best pasta menu. Toasted subs like the Meatball and Philly Cheesesteak are just as hearty as the pastas, while the pressed paninis such as the Mediterranean BLT and Californian (turkey, roma tomatoes, avocado and spinach) fill you up without slowing you down. Reasonable prices and the option for delivery make the Magic Tomato a viable option any night of the week. - Troy Coll

This amazing Vietnamese restaurant covertly plays at being a seafood and Po-boy restaurant. Unfortunately, many of the diners present seem to be in on the joke. Divine Vietnamese food is being missed. The main entrees, huge bowls of Pho noodles (combinations of bbq pork or seafood, rice or egg noodles, chicken or beef broth) are literally huge. The flavors are distinct and lovely, tasting of Summer but appropriate for cold weather. Each dish comes with a side of Cilantro, jalapeño, bean sprouts and lime “salad”. There's so many choices to make one happy, highly unlikely one will go home unhappy or hungry. -Cathy Hopkins

Pho nam Huu / New Orleans Po-Boys # 2114 Hwy 42, Petal

Donanelle’s Bar & Grill 4321 US Highway 49S601.545.3860

Dragon House 6131 US Highway 49 601.261.9255

Edo Sushi6414 US Hwy 98601.261.5277

El Taco Loco Bar & Grill 602 Broadway Dr. 601.583.9166

Farmer’s Market 6581 US Highway 49 601.261.5221

Gatti Town Pizza 4600 Hardy St 601.261.3141

Gold Post Sandwich 2210 Hardy St. 601.583.9454

Grand China Buffet 560 Weathersby Rd. Ste 10 601.296.8062

Hub City Diner631 Main St. 601.544.7448

Jaybird’s Camp ShelbySouth Gate

Jutama’s Thai910 Timothy Lane601.584.8583

Keg & Barrel1315 Hardy St.601.582.7148

La Fiesta Brava124 Grand Dr / 6168 Hwy 49601.584.9484 Leathas Bar B Que Inn 6374 U S Highway 98W 601.271.6003

Lee’s Bar B Q & Grocery 2830 Edwards St. 601.582.1340

Little Tokyo 3800 Hardy St. 601.579.8666

A & B Discount Grocery Asian, American700 Emerald Lane

Hidden in a nook off Broadway Drive, Hattiesburg’s auto dealership/parts house district right outside of downtown, it's is the best all-around value on a meal that this town has to offer. Yes, it is in a convenience store. No, there is not much seating. It’s an order at the register, ask for what you need, and throw away your own trash kind of place. But, the lasting impression a diner will have is that of great food at an even better price. This friendly, family-run establishment features a variety of Asian dishes as delicious as they are diverse, and a modest selection of Po-boys and American standards. - SR Earl

Photo by Christy Dyess

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Mac’s Café 422 Mobile St. 601.583.0168

Mack’s West Catfish 7329 U S Highway 98 601.296.9360

Mama Alma’s5096 Hwy 42601.336.7763

Mandarin House 4400 Hardy St. Ste A7 601.268.1776

Mellow Mushroom Pizza 6133 U S Highway 98 601.268.6969

Mexican Kitchen 406 Classic Dr. 601.450.4811

Movie Star Restaurant 5209 Old Highway 11 601.264.0606

Nanny’s Country Kitchen 907 Edwards St. 601.583.1117

New Yokel Market 205 S. Main601.582.5048

Newks Express Café 4700 Hardy St. 601.602.0189

Old Athens Grill 6174 U S Highway 49 601.336.5314

Oishi 3606 Hardy St. 601.264.7377

Panda Express1900 Hardy St. Ste E601.582.5999

Pho Nam Hu114 Hwy 42601.544.0231

Po Boy Express 2511 W 4th St. 601.582.9945

Purple Parrot Café 3810 Hardy St. 601.264.0656

Qdoba Mexican Grill 3705 Hardy St. 601.450.4822

Old Athens GrillGreek, American6174 US Highway 49,

Old Athens Grill is a perfect place for a quick bite convenient to campus. Located just across from The Rock with a nice bar, great food, and eccentric atmosphere, Old Athens has just opened a sprawling new back patio. They have their own twist on gyros, hummus, and kebabs, American variations on Greek standards. For example, the BBQ Ranch Gyro or Hot Ham and Cheese Gyro are enticing hybrids. My personal favorite is the Falafel Red Pepper Gyro where the falafel is smothered by roasted red pepper hummus inside warm pita bread and topped with a remarkable feta dressing. Old Athens Grill is very affordable with only three entrees over $10. Want to take some homemade hummus and other specialties from the restaurant? Ask about the Old Athens Hub City Grocery on your next visit. - Sumner Baggett

Sunflower Steak Trailer AmericanSunflower on Hardy St.

It's simple: a Styrofoam box containing one delicious thin-cut rib eye, one foil-wrapped baked potato, a packet of butter, a packet of sour cream, and a slice of garlic toast for less than $7 dollars. It's worth standing in an open parking lot on a smoldering afternoon to wait patiently behind 20 other people. Recommended to anyone from steak snobs to savage carnivores. To enjoy like a pro, take your box to a secluded spot in the park, toss the utensils packet, take off your shirt, and rip into it like a Neanderthal. You know it tastes better that way, the plastic knife is worthless, and it’s so much cheaper than therapy. - SR Earl

Shucker’sOysters, Seafood6409 U.S. 98W

Once in a while a great idea is born, and this time it brought us oysters, year round! Shucker's menu also includes gumbo, bisque, red beans and rice, and a shrimp po-boy – all from the Louisiana Seafood Connection next door. Did I mention oysters? Fresh, clean, grit-free Gold Band oysters on the half shell. With a unique cold pasteurization, the oysters are always safe, while the natural farming techniques ensure maximum freshness. Shucker's hosts live music all weekend and various specials throughout the week. A Humidor encourages your smoking pleasure on the patio. - SR Earl

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Rio Grande 163 Turtle Creek Dr. Ste 10 601.264.8115

Rose’s Bar B Q & Catering 4697 U S Highway 49 601.584.8691

Sake Café 24 Cross Creek Pkwy 601.296.7588

Sakura 6194 U S Highway 49 601.545.9393

Shenanigans 2100 W Pine St. 601.261.0730

Shuckers Oyster Bar 6409 U S Highway 98 Oak Grove 601.271.7896

Southbound Bagel Shop 217 E Front St. 601.583.8001

Spicy Pickle 6156 U S Hwy 98 Ste 80 601.264.0724

Stonewall Bbq 2663 Oak Grove Rd. 601.450.3533

Strick’s Bar B Q & Catering 3802 W 4th St. 601.264.2502

Surin of Thailand 6101 US Highway 49 601.296.9686

Magic Tomato Bistro 5182 Old Highway 11 Ste 5 Oak Grove 601.450.3617

T-bone’s Records & Café2101 Hardy St.601.583.0099

Topher’s Grill 5252 Old Highway 11 Oak Grove 601.336.7418

Villie’s Subs And More 6158 U S Highway 49 601.544.3354

Walnut Circle Grill 115 Walnut St 601.544.2202

The Martini Spot120 Westover Drive

There’s something fresh being served up at the Martini Spot – and it’s not just the olives. It is lunch, and it’s surprisingly good! I must admit that I was ready for just another bar serving more bar food when I first sat down. The menu is modest – a few sandwiches, some appetizers and a handful of salads – but the meals are worth bragging about. The salads are a handsome bounty of freshly tossed greens, veggies, and nuts; and the sandwiches and appetizers are also prepared with top-quality ingredients. So if your taste buds need a break from all things dyed and fried then stop in. It really will hit the spot! -SR Earl

The Depot Coffeeshop & Bistro127 Buschman St # 50

Since the beginning of Rare Design's rehabilitation of the old Smith Bakery Building near the Historic Train Depot, expectations have run high for a real coffeeshop to become a fixture downtown. When John Neal and Stuart Gates thankfully entered the picture after the previous owners vacated overnight, the reality began to manifest. The new vision for The Depot Coffeeshop & Bistro will please everyone, encompassing coffees of every type – obviously - within a larger menu that puts a creative spin on approachable cuisine for lunch and dinner, featuring unique specials, and a list of nice wines and craft beers. Best part is: that's before the kitchen expands to become the catering arm of The Venue, a large event and convention space occupying the bulk of The Bakery Building! -Cornelius Evans

A tagine is a type of dish found in the North African cuisines of Morocco, Tunisia and Libya. The tagine cooking vessel is formed entirely of a heavy clay, which is often painted or glazed. Consisting of 2 parts, a circular flat bottom base with low sides and a pointed, conical top, the large surface area of the top allows for the return of all condensation to the base, greatly intensifying the flavors of the dish. If you are interested in learning about this wonderful piece of cookery, please join the Kitchen Table on October 7th at 5:30 p.m. for a tagine cooking class.

3720 Hardy StreetUniversity Mall Suite 3Next to Corner Market

601.261.2224

www.kitchentablenow.com

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We Have a Malady: Mike Dillon & Earl HarvinBenny's Boom Boom Room September 29

"Earl and I have been playing together since 1985," explained Mike Dillon. "Earl Harvin is one of the greatest musicians on the planet. He is unknown to many because he fancies living in Europe and studying art and motor sports." As a drummer for Seal, Air, and currently Tindersticks, Earl Harvin keeps busy on the Continent, to say the least. The second stop on the first We Have a Malady tour, Harvin joined Mike Dillon at Benny's for an unfortunately under-attended night. Featuring pieces from an album the two recorded nearly five years ago but are only now releasing, they explored a range of percussive textures, with Mike's vibes, marimba, tabla supported by Harvin's unique low-slung kit assemblage encompassing tympani and broad cymbals. Hopefully the steady stream of Mike Dillon's trios at the Boom Boom Room will continue unabated because each one definitely leaves its mark.-Cornlius Evans Photo by Tim Parris

Photo by Tim Parris

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Dax RiggsThe Thirsty HippoSeptember 25

Louisiana native son Dax Riggs has had a varied and rich musical career since the early 90s. From the pseudo-psychedelic, dark metallic, swampy sonic assault of Acid Bath to the heavy, yet more restrained, reflective musings of Agents of Oblivion and Deadboy & The Elephantmen to the current majestic, mystical plateau he's reached as a solo artist, Dax has traveled a lot of musical landscapes. His music is the type one plays at midnight when the moon is full, darkness calls, and a hand of fate burns brightly behind the wall of sleep. His unique dark lyrical imagery and vocal stylings bear the stamp of originality and innovation that blend together musically in a style all his own. Dax plowed into the sold out Hippo on the last date of an extensive national tour with his new band and music from the new album. -Brian Shaw

Photo by Tim Parris Photo by Tim Parris

Photo by Tim Parris

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Inner VisionsThu Sep 23The Thirsty Hippo

The Virgin Islands may not immediately spring to mind as a roots reggae homebase, but the family band of brothers from two generations bring their authentic sound all the way from St. John, Virgin Islands. Their unwavering adherence to traditional roots reggae, reminiscent of essential 1970s reggae, not only adds to their appeal but allows us, as listeners, a unique source of live, powerful roots reggae.

Inner Visions visited Hattiesburg first several years ago, and we have been fortunate to watch the band grow musically. Grasshopper, the band's lead singer and guitarist, began playing years ago in the military, and eventually taught himself how to make the sounds he heard coming from Jamaica in the heyday of reggae. He helped his brother and two sons learn roots’ pulses, bubbles, and slinks. Meanwhile, the songs became messages, observations and feelings about pretty serious issues. But, the answer is always inclusion and understanding with honesty.

Attendance has been a little weak, for whatever reason, the last two times they've performed at the Hippo. The Pines think that's a shame. The band deserves to be heard, and multiple times serves one better. When they come back through, try hard to go. -Fairchild East & Chris Cagle

Photo by Sam Miller

Photo by Sam Miller

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GIVERSTue Sep 14The Thirsty Hippo

These pictures come from the first time Givers came through town, the night of the Saints victory over Brett Favre's Minnesota Vikings. They more or less proved that all the accolades and praise soon to come their way would be more than deserved. The night ended far too soon.

After touring most of the country and finishing a new record that we long to hear, they decided it was finally time to make the couple hours' tow from Lafayette to make more friends in Hattiesburg. Indeed, they did.

Featuring an additional percussionist and singer, the singer's broken foot, and still more dance partying, there could no possibly be a better place to find oneself on a Tuesday night. It's energy - joyous enthusiasm - that they give.GIVERS: "We're all in this together." -Cornelius Evans

Photo by Bekah Garrison

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The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Starting out in a little 300 square foot tin shack in Ocean Springs, nine years ago, The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint is now looking at the largest Shed yet - at a whopping 16,000 square feet. The new location is in the Coca Cola Bottling Company on Mobile Street in downtown Hattiesburg. The massive building is filling up quickly with a plethora of unadulterated junk. The Shed is nationally known for its eclectic décor of roadside trash finds to cars and helicopters that look as if they crashed into the buildings. The Shed Hattiesburg will be no different.

The Shed is also bringing their Nationally Award Winning Barbeque to the table. The Shed competition team has a huge trophy case full of wins including 3rd Place in the Memphis in May International BBQ competition 2010. Three Pit-Masters have been rigorously trained for several months to perfectly duplicate the quality of the original Shed’s slow smoked sweet southern barbeque.

The Shed Hattiesburg will be more than just a place to eat, though. Entertainment Director Brett Orrison will be bringing the best of today's Blues to the stage, in time for the early risers to get their fill! In the first month, expect visits from a variety of regionally well known names, as well as a Halloween night concert featuring a young blues crooner from Boston named Eli “Paperboy” Reed.

At 11 am on Tuesday, Oct 12th the doors will open to the public. The Shed will be open from 11am until 9 Mondays – Thursdays, 11am until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

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Domestic Landscapes: Photographs by Bert TeunissenThu Sep 30 – Nov 21Lauren Rodgers Museum of Art

The Lauren Rogers Museum of Art will present Domestic Landscapes: Photographs by Bert Teunissen on display in the Lower Level Galleries September 30 through November 21.

Over the past decade, Dutch photographer Bert Teunissen has documented hundreds of old European homes. These are rudimentary yet cultured settings aglow with a warm, timeless atmosphere; spaces in which a primary interior feature is that of natural light. Old World details crowd the frame of each image. The homes pictured here were built before the World Wars, before electricity was a standard feature, at a time when sunlight played a pivotal role in the conception of architecture. Teunissen renders these last vestiges of old Europe with a palette and sensitivity to light that recall Dutch masters like Vermeer and Rembrandt.

The genesis of Teunissen's work is intensely personal. When he was eight years old, the traditional house he grew up in was knocked down and replaced by a new modern one. For him, the new home lost its character along with its sense of light and atmosphere. The locations he photographs for this series evoke this lost childhood home. Taken in numerous countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Italy, France, Great Britain, Spain, and Portugal, these poignant photographs capture and record architecture and a way of life that is quickly disappearing.

Aperture, a not-for-profit organization devoted to photography and the visual arts, has organized this traveling exhibition and produced the accompanying publications. The exhibition is generously sponsored by Regions Bank, Sanderson Farms, and The Jean Chisholm Lindsey Exhibition Endowment Fund.

The Union LineOct 12Thirsty Hippo

Recently, these California boys have been touring with Local Natives, The Love Language, and The Ruby Suns, so they've had their share of traveling; we're all just lucky that The Union Line's travels are taking them through Hattiesburg on a night off from that tour.

No one can deny that there are definitely some similarities with fellow Orange County friends, Local Natives. The ribbons of harmonies and solid drum fun reveal some parallels of the two bands, especially in the song "Pearls," but they have their own somber other-worldliness to their music... or maybe it's just the echoes.

The song "Goldmine" is one of my favorites thus far with unguarded and stirring lyrics like" in the center of my inner man/ I'm like the gold in the mountain/ I've been waiting for the rush to come dig me out/ I've been digging so long/ I forgot all about/ my heart." The Union Line somehow created a song about turning from wickedness into a dancing good time.

The Union Line will be another classic example of the band that you saw right before they got really big and don't pretend you don't secretly love the bragging rights 'cause you do! All of that being said, expect to hear them on college radio and at your indie-loving best friend's party in the near future. Until then, make sure you head down to the Thirsty Hippo to be among the first to hear The Union Line. -Sumner Baggett

OPEN SATURDAY 9 TO 5118 Buschman StreetDowntown Hattiesburg

MEN WOMEN CHILDREN

juicy couture, lucky brand, dkny & more

designer clothing outlet

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USM Department of HistoryWorld Civ. Film SeriesLiberal Arts Building, Room 108

In conjunction with the USM History Department's World Civilization courses, the department offers a film series during the fall and spring semesters. The approximately twelve films each semester highlight the cultural diversity of the world and the ways in which history is depicted differently by different societies. This semester's Film Series examines work – and those who work for a living – across the globe and throughout time.

Oct 6 Germinal (France, 1993; dir. Claude Berri)The dramatic tale of a coalminer's strike unfolds in Northern France in the 1860s, based on the novel by Emile Zola

Oct 20 Pitfall (Japan, 1962; dir. Hiroshi Teshigahara) A surreal ghost story about work and unions in post-World War II Japan.

Oct 27 Black Girl (Senegal, 1966; dir. Ousmane Sembene)Attitudes towards race shape the relationship between a governess and the family that employs her in this African film.

Nov 3 Tout Va Bien (France, 1972; dir. Jean Luc-Godard)Controversial satire about a strike a sausage factoryset in 1970s France and starring Jane Fonda.

Nov 10 Mondays in the Sun (Spain, 2002; Fernando Leon de Aranoa)A look at the degrading effects of unemployment on group of men left jobless by the closing of a local shipyard.

Nov 17 Bread and Roses (United States, 2000; dir. Ken Loach)Explores the lives of two Latina women living in Los Angeles who get involved in a campaign to secure “justice for janitors.”

Dec 1 Up in the Air (United States, 2009; dir. Jason Reitman)Starring George Clooney, the film tells the story of corprorate downsizing in modern America.

Madeline AlbrightOct 19Hattiesburg Saenger Theater

The University of Southern Mississippi’s second biennial Lt. Col. John H. Dale Sr. Distinguished Lecture Series in International Security and Global Policy will feature Former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright. Entitled “The Future of NATO,” her speech will draw on her role as chair of a group of experts focused on developing NATO’s New Strategic Concept. Free and open to the public, the event begins at 6:30 p.m.

"Secretary Albright served as Chair of the Group of Experts on the NATO Strategic Concept Expert Group, a group created by NATO Secretary General Rasmussen to provide him with an analysis of NATO’s role in the 21st Century and recommendations for the next Strategic Concept,” Dr. Beverly Dale said.

This lecture series is presented by the College of Arts and Letters and made possible through a generous donation by Southern Miss alumna, Dr. Beverly Dale, in honor of her late father, Lt. Col. John H. Dale Sr.

“I feel it honors my father particularly well to have this distinguished American speak to us at Southern Miss and in Hattiesburg about the future of the organization that was so much a part of the last twenty years of his active military duty."

From 1993-97, Albright served as the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations and as a member of the President’s Cabinet. In 1997, Albright became the first female Secretary of State and the highest-ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government. As Secretary of State, she reinforced America’s alliances, advocated democracy and human rights, promoted American trade and business, as well as labor and environmental standards abroad.

She is a professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service. She chairs both the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, the Pew Global Attitudes Project and serves as president of the Truman Scholarship Foundation. Albright serves on the Board of Directors of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Board of Trustees for the Aspen Institute.

photo by NASA, via Wikicommons

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Rocky Horror Picture ShowOct 29Hattiesburg Saenger

Every holiday has it's own revered traditions. Reverence has nothing to do with the Rocky Horror Picture Show. The Rock Musical / Sci-Fi B-movie enjoyed abysmal box office sales when it was released in 1975, but has since developed a world-wide cult following of "unconventional conventionalists."

Don't be offended when these followers show their love to the screen by shouting their cleverest witticisms at the movie, singing along loudly with every song, throwing various theatre-supplied props, shooting water pistols, dancing, occasionally even acting out scenes in the aisles.

A brief synopsis, for the virgins in the readership: Two very average young Americans on their way to announce their engagement to an ex-professor get side-roaded into meeting Dr. Frank N Furter, a transvestite mad scientist who proceeds to introduce them to a lifestyle devoid of inhibition or traditional values. It's not for the faint of heart, weak of tolerance, children, or squares. This movie seems to be written and directed with one macabre goal: to show you at least one thing that makes you feel, for whatever reason... vulnerable.

Halloween only comes once a year, so make it count. In lieu of tradition, the Saenger Theater is bringing this trans-atlantic classic back, bigger and better. This year's showing features a costume contest, with winners to be announced before the show, which starts at 8. Tickets are $9 at the door. Props are supplied. -Josh Oberstd

Members of Morphine & Jeremy LyonsOct 23 Thirsty Hippo

Everyone that stays around town has their moment, the realization that leaving may not be necessary after all, that where you ended up after university or on accident is perhaps right for you for now, for awhile. When I attended a Sunday show (back when shutdown occurred at 10 pm) featuring Twinemen, sometime well before Katrina, that moment occurred.

Years before, Morphine had changed the way I heard music from the first time I heard them. Something about the low end power - the strange slide bass, the baritone sax, and percussion heavy on big drums – shifted my expectations and opened horizons. Sadly, Mark Sandman, the band's bassist, singer and principal songwriter, suffered a heart attack on stage in Rome, leaving this life tragically and too soon.

Seeing Twinemen was a special moment.. Consisting of a laid back front-woman right at home, Laurie Sargent, and two-thirds of Morphine (Dana Colley on sax & drummer Billy Conway), in the tiny Hippo space, the sound and atmosphere captured me completely. I have never really wanted to leave Hattiesburg since.

Earlier this year, another manifestation of the band's legacy began to take shape, again featuring saxophonist Dana Colley but now including Morphine's original drummer, Jerome DuPree. Handling the unenviable task of third point in the triangle, Jeremy Lyons has stepped in with full awareness and serious strength. A New Orleanian displaced by Katrina, Lyons ended up in Boston, finding himself a pretty fine niche appropriate for his powerful performing.

Lyons' productive working relationship with DuPree led to the initiation of the The (Ever-Expanding) Elastic Wasteband. Playing the music of Morphine and beyond, the band has struck a nerve and begun touring extensively. The next tour begins in Louisiana and will come through Hattiesburg for its third show.

People that know and love Morphine should be ashamed if they miss, even if they may leave with gripes. Meanwhile, for many that have learned of Morphine in the decade since Sandman's death, this group will move you on several levels. Simply put, no one that remembers the 1990s should dare miss. -Chris Cagle

Lady Luck Tattoo & Body Piercing“No attitudes; just nice, clean work.”

6230 US Hwy 49 Hattiesburg, MS 39401 601.584.6488

34 The PINES

Manno CharlemagneNov 5Thirsty Hippo

In early November, Hattiesburg will host a former mayor of Port-au-Prince without much fanfare, unless you are one of the the Hub City's music lovers. Manno Charlemagne was definitely once mayor of Port-au-Prince, at a critical juncture in Haiti's history. His tenure is not remembered for its productivity, but the people elected him in a sincere attempt to communicate dissatisfaction with corruption and violence.

First and foremost, Charlemagne is a songwriter, a musican, but as a man that communicates for people, his people, for Haitians, his stature has few paralells. One reads names like Bob Dylan and Bob Marley alongside his. Much of the lyrical content will be delivered in Haitian creole, a patois nearly unintelligible to most of us. And, that's unfortunate... Manno Charlemagne delivers a message of literary dexterity, intense clarity, ferocious integrity, and sincere solidarity. He pays attention and understands the global score. He tells it like it is.

The fact that he's visiting Hattiesburg while exploring a residency in New Orleans speaks volumes about our fortune here. It's important that we attend and listen,even if we don't understand the words. The songs may sound like love hymns, but they speak of other truths, perspectives that deserve awareness, insights that require open-minded attention. Again, it's incredible we will be able to hear this man perform his songs at arm's length on the floor at the Hippo. The stars have aligned again...

Here's a translation of a brief portion of his song “My Brother”

“You would like me to sing yet again / the sweet song about the little birds to please you / even as I hear the cries of the dead / coming from our filthy prison cells / You'd like me to sing of the clear water / of the streams and rivers / of the Artibonite / red with the blood of our brothers / You call yourself a pacifist / You call yourself apolitical, my brother / You really like the romantic crooners / it pleases the beautiful women / who love to faint / it doesn't hurt anyone / when the singer shakes it / in front of a clucking America / idols supply the thrills / which make us forget about the missiles / El Salvador and Haiti / Grenada and company, my brother”

Photo by Smalagodivia WikiCommons

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Eric LindellNov 5Benny’s Boom Boom Room

Making one’s home in New Orleans can say a lot about someone. New Orleans has been a stop on many people’s journeys, typically starting as research and development in an artist’s journey. The romance and history associated with the city make life there seem exciting and exotic, and there is some truth for that. For others, more rare in the mix, a move to New Orleans is akin to stripping off the varnish of modernity and finally being comfortable in one’s skin. Although I do not know Eric Lindell personally, his records evidence that he belongs to the latter set of people.

While Lindell’s California past includes skateboards and hardcore punk rock as well as a stop in NYC for a short time, New Orleans soul permeates his sound, as does his masterful guitar playing. After numerous DIY affairs, Lindell released three records with well-respected Alligator Records - your belief that he is “the real deal” does have a foundation. Lindell has decided to go the route that makes sense for him and reactivate his own Sparco record label for his latest release – in today’s music business, if you don’t own everything from the song to the tour bus to the masters, you don’t get paid.

Lindell is making a stop in Hattiesburg on Friday, November 5, at Benny’s Boom Boom Room, so go see what “new” soul music is about (as a note, it isn’t any different from “old” soul music, except to record label marketing departments).-Justin Martin

Johnny Vidacovich w/ Alvin Youngblood HartNov 12Benny's Boom Boom Room

What would an edition of The Pines be without a Johnny Vidacovich show to talk about? Thankfully, Benny's has developed a steady relationship with one of New Orleans great musical ambassadors. His last trip to town featured him along with Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey,and his contributions were potent. On the next trip to town, Vidacovich will bring a friend that has been working out with him regularly at the weekly Trio gigs at The Maple Leaf in Uptown New Orleans.

Alvin Youngblood Hart's reputation reaches across all musical boundaries. Known primarily for his powerful interpretations of country blues, currently manifesting in the South Memphis Jug Band, Hart gets comfortable with anybody that speaks in pitch and meter, and Vidacovich speaks through both at the same time. It's hard to have fixed expectations for the night, other than general audience stupefication.

Vidacovich and Hart command a certain level of respect within the world of popular music, but it's not necessarily popular, despite Grammy's, classic sessions, and legendary status. It offers another moment to ponder a music lover's fortune: Hattiesburg makes up for less volume with greater weight.

36 The PINES

Burgers are good. There’s not really any arguing with that statement. For Americans, the hamburger is the one and only food that sticks with us, despite changes in age, income level, social status, location, mood and palate. We eat them by the billions from fast food drive-thru’s, and we order grass-fed Kobe beef burgers from five star restaurants. Even vegetarians can’t get by without an approximation of the burgers they enjoyed in their carnivorous days. There’s something about the combination of bun, beef, and condiments that elevates the burger above mere sandwich status and into the pantheon of American food.

The folks at bakers Burger Co. understand that such a venerable meal deserves more respect than what it receives from the fast food and chain restaurant industry. Embracing the motto of “Everything’s from Scratch,” Bakers offers burgers, breads and desserts that are made in-house, along with quality hot dogs and fresh-cut french fries. It’s a concise menu, but there are enough options and accessories to keep things from getting stale.

Their brand new building at the old Popeye’s site is casual and welcoming. It can get a little noisy during peak hours, so there’s a side room with additional seating if you prefer to

devour your burger in a more meditative environment. Ordering is done at the counter, deli-style, and your name is called out when your order is ready. In addition to the beverage options we’ve come to expect from local delis, Bakers serves beer, in the bottle and on tap. Selections include Lazy Magnolia and Sierra Nevada, and I’m sure we can expect a bump in variety as sales increase.

If Bakers’ mission is to produce the archetypal hamburger, they have succeeded. Fresh, 100% ground chuck, free of hormones and antibiotics, is formed into quarter-pound and half-pound patties on location every day. The oven at Bakers is continually churning out white and wheat buns for the burgers, and Bakers also offers a different specialty hamburger bun daily - jalapeno cheddar and asiago garlic bun change the burger’s character from backyard cookout to gastropub.

Burgers come fully dressed, with any combination of lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, mayo and mustard. Bakers also offers the Dirty Burger - a big burger with chili and cole slaw. With the option of adding bacon or cheese, you can fully customize your burger experience. My current favorite is a big bacon cheeseburger with onion and mustard. Bakers’ chili is a marvel of chili

Baker's Burger Co.6154 US Hwy 49by Troy Coll

Photo by Bryant Hawkins

thepines.ms 37

engineering. Typical chili burgers are drippy, unwieldy messes, but Bakers’ chili clings to the bun and burger without sliding uselessly onto your plate.

After just a few visits I’ve got a stable of three or four bun/burger/condiment combos to choose from, depending on my mood. Just as I began to get comfortable, though, word came that an expansion of the menu was imminent. Soon, the straight ahead burger menu would give a little room for grilled chicken, hot dogs, grilled cheese, and several more sauces.

Without fail, though, the fries are there to keep the sandwich company. It’s kind of hard not to like a fresh-cut french fry. Bakers are cut to roughly finger-size,

crispy at the edges and softer in the middle, with a healthy amount of salt. I prefer my fries a little bit thicker, for a fluffier inner texture, but Bakers fries are great for dipping. One order of fries is easily enough for two people, especially when there’s still dessert to come.

Bakers’ sweet stuffs carry out the restaurant’s mission to completion. Cookies, pies, and tasty mini icebox pies come in different varieties daily, and if you’re lucky you’ll catch an employee walking around offering free samples. These desserts further enhance Bakers’ neighborhood barbecue feel.

It’s the commitment to doing things on-location, by hand that really elevates Bakers Burger Co. over other

Hattiesburger joints. Little details like the thick butcher paper used to wrap the burgers and the freshness of the produce make you feel good about patronizing bakers, even though you might be cramming a Big Bacon Chili-cheeseburger into your face.

There’s no drive-thru, which may inconvenience some, but food this good needs to be ordered face-to-face, and you can’t rush it. And why would you want to when there’s beer inside, served by friendly employees? Burgers from other places in town might punch your junk food button a bit harder than Bakers, but for classic American hamburgers with everything you’d expect to go with them, Bakers Burger Co. is on top in Hattiesburg.

Photo by Bryant Hawkins

38 The PINES

Russian River SupplicationSanta Rosa, CAStyle: American Wild AleABV: 7%

American Wild Ale is a style that's sprung up in the last decade, with brewers drawing their inspiration (and yeast cultures) from the open fermentations of Belgium's Senne Valley. These primitive brews, known as Lambics, are native only to that particular region of Belgium. Most producers of American Wild Ale choose to isolate particular strains of wild yeast and bacteria and inoculate finished beers with them, thus providing a greater level of control and consistency to the finished product.

Russian River brewmaster and owner Vinnie Cirluzo decided to take the idea a step further by fermenting his beers in wooden barrels from local wineries, often with fruits added. His beers are not the sweetened, brightly-colored Lambics that define people's notion of the style in the U.S.; rather, they're bracingly tart and unimaginably complex.

Supplication sits in your glass looking like cherry soda – fizzy and slightly cloudy, with no head to speak of. This beer started its life as a simple brown ale, then spent over a year in an oak barrel that formerly housed a pinot noir, with some sour cherries and wild yeast and bacteria added to keep the beer company. Cherries of all types practically jump from the glass. A single sip contains enough sourness to start your brow sweating, but it's balanced by fruity sweetness and cleansing acidity. Light oak and tropical fruit fill in the corners, with any hop contributions being lost in the tidal wave of sourness from the wild yeast.

Strawberries, cola, caramel, and pound cake are just a few of the delectable flavors this beer brings; the beer's vinous, oaky qualities call to mind traditional cider or white wine. Accordingly, this beer fills that niche when it comes to food – heavier seafood preparations, duck, venison and other game meats, and nearly any dish with cherries all work great with Supplication.

Sam Adams OctoberfestBoston, MAStyle: Oktoberfest/MärzenABV: 5.3%

In the pre-industrialized world, beer was very much a seasonal product. The brewing season was limited to the months of the year in which temperatures allowed for outdoor fermentation, which in Europe means August to March. At the start of the season brewers focused on lower-alcohol, high-turnover beers for daily drinking. By March, it was time to cook up something that could withstand months of lagering – a bigger beer to be consumed throughout the late spring and early summer. German brewers named this style Märzen, after the month in which it was brewed.

By the beginning of the next brewing season, all of last year's Märzen was due to be consumed, else it would spoil. The Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria thought that early fall was a great time for a wedding, too, and commissioned a party in Munich on October 18th of 1810. Thus, Oktoberfest was born. The festival has expanded to sixteen days, and the start date has moved up to early September, but Munich's Oktoberfest is the world's largest fair, with over six million attendees each year, and Märzen is still the most prevalent style at the festival.

Sam Adams tackles a number of classic styles, but none of their seasonals are as heavily anticipated as their Oktoberfest. A brilliant copper in the glass, with a white skim of foam that leaves minimal lacing. Though the nose is rather quiet, a base of caramel and toasted bread supports hints of leaves, grass, and dough. The flavor is malt-forward and quite dry, with a balance between toffee and bready barley flavors. Pear and apple notes trail behind balancing bitterness from the hops, which lend some more herbal, earthy flavors.

Carbonation and viscosity are befitting for a style that's designed to be drunk by the liter. This beer pairs fantastically with the rich, savory foods of its birthplace: pork of all kinds, sausage, chicken, dumplings, and potatoes all find perfect harmony with this sweet-but-balanced brew.

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The roots of the South African wine industry back to 1652. The Dutch East India Company gave Jan van Riebeeck, a Dutch surgeon, the task of managing vineyards planted around the supply station that would become the site of the city of Cape Town. The wines and grapes were used to ward off scurvy for sailors on their voyages along the spice route. In the early 1800s, interest in South African wines was sparked by Napoleon Bonaparte’s insistence that 30 cases of the Cape dessert wine “Vin de Constance” be shipped over to Elba each month to ease his confinement.

For much of the 20th century, the wine industry of South Africa received very little attention worldwide. Its isolation was further deepened by boycotts of South African products in protest of the country’s system of Apartheid. It wasn’t until the late 1980s and 1990s when Apartheid ended that the world’s export market opened up to South African wines to help enable a renaissance. Today, South Africa is producing some of the best Southern Hemisphere wines on the market.

South Africa has most of its wine regions located near the coastal influences of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. These regions have a climate similar to the Mediterranean, with intense sunlight and dry heat in the Summer while Winter (June – August) tends to be cold and wet.

1. Villiera “Down to Earth” White (2009) Paarl - 12.5% abv. This blend offers herbaceous, grassy character from the Sauvignon Blanc and rich, tropical flavors from the Semillon. It is well balanced with good length. In production, the use of additives were limited and all animal products were avoided, resulting in a wine that is suitable for vegetarians. Serve with seafood salads or Asian flavored dishes.

2. Fleur du Cap Chenin Blanc (2008) Stellenbosch – 13.5% abv.South Africa’s most widely planted variety, this wine is juicy, spicy and savory with a chewy texture. It has a touch of sweetness but is crisp and laid back. Subtly wooded with aromas of melon fruit and honey blossom. Accompanies vegetables, poached oysters and grilled veal, lobster or duck.

3. Boekenhoutskloof “The Wolftrap” Red (2009) Paarl – 14.5% abv.The country’s favorite red blend – it’s what the locals drink! Aromas of black pepper, wild strawberries and smoke are immediately noticeable. This wine is full of black fruits, red cherry and some violet flavors. Pair this lovely wine with BBQ ribs, grilled steaks or red beans and rice.

4. Nederburg Pinotage (2007) Paarl – 13.5% abv. This signature grape of South Africa is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault (also called Hermitage). The best word to describe this wine is “earthy”. It is intense, fruit forward with gentle tannins and a hint of subtle, sweet oak. Pinotage is a perfect match for any lamb dish, but it will also pair well with hearty pasta, tuna or swordfish. For a unique taste treat, try this wine with dark chocolate during dessert.

*All four wines tasted are readily available in Mississippi and retail for about $13/bottle.

40 The PINES

Big Star: “September Gurls”by Will Poynor

“Won’t you tell your dad 'Get off my back.' Tell him what we said about ‘Paint it Black.' Rock n’ roll is here to stay. Come inside where it’s ok” - Alex Chilton

Some kids are born into rock n' roll. Those kids got their name from rock n 'roll. Alex Chilton, the singer/guitarist for Big Star – was one of those kids. Chilton came from a musical family. They encouraged him to pursue music by allowing him to drop out of high school. At the age of 16, he joined the Box Tops.

The group scored a #1 single in 1967 with the "The Letter" and spent the next three years touring relentlessly. Songwriters Chips Moman and Dan Penn assembled The Box Tops and wrote most of the band's songs, alongside legendary organist Spooner Oldham. They only enabled the young Chilton to submit an occasional tune.

From the road, Chilton saw a lot of what this life offers, and most of it was far from glamorous. Chilton would later claim that Carl Wilson of the Beach Boys taught him about playing guitar. The pair forged a friendship while playing a run of show in late Sixties. After the Box Tops folded in 1970, Chilton had clearly paid his dues and decided to embark on a solo career. Following a few demos with Dan Penn in New York, Chilton chose to return home to Memphis, where he co-found the group Big Star.

Big Star, starting out in 1971, included members Chris Bell, Andy Hummell, Jody Stephens, and Alex Chilton. They were signed to Ardent, a new Memphis label at the time whose distribution and promotion was being handled by its parent company, Stax, the legendary Memphis label. Chilton and Bell were the chief songwriters for the band's debut "#1 Record."

The sound of Big Star is often compared to the Beatles, only if they were from Memphis. The quartet was heavily influenced by the bands of the British Invasion, but they instead reconstructed the central ideas of these bands in a way that had never been heard before. Big Star featured beautiful, lush harmonies alongside a mix of exquisite songwriting craft and full-on rock n' roll jams.

While "#1 Record" was critically acclaimed, poor distribution prevented even those who wanted to listen from hearing it. This problem, and a feud over Bell's desire for Big Star to only function as a studio band, caused increasing tension

and ultimately led to Bell's departure in late 1972. Chris Bell followed with a brilliant solo album that lay unreleased until 1992.

As a three piece, Chilton wrote most of Big Star's songs on my favorite of their records "Radio City", released in 1974. Following its release and another distribution failure, Hummell resigned, leaving only drummer Jody Stephens and Chilton to record their last record, the amazing "Third/Sister Lovers." Since I cannot talk about every gem in the vast catalog of Big Star, I chose to examine the one that stuck with me first...

“September Gurls” is one of the best pop songs ever and it was never a hit. It's a song of true heartbreak, but it remains one of the most exhilarating ones you’ll most likely ever hear. I had been searching for this original 45 for years. Finally, a few weeks back I tracked down a reissue of "September Gurls" from "Radio City." The vinyl was released only in Britain in 1978 under Stax but still contained the wonderful B-side “Mod Lang.”

The influence of Big Star cannot be denied and the band will go down as one of the best rock n’ roll bands in music history, definitely for me. Despite Alex Chilton's untimely death in March of this year, the music of Big Star and Alex Chilton will never be forgotten. As Paul Westerberg of the Replacements sang in his tribute to Alex Chilton from 1987, “children by millions, sing for Alex Chilton when he comes ‘round, they sing, I’m in love, what’s that song? I’m in love with that song.”

6374 US Hwy. 98 West Hattiesburg, MS 39402Tues-Sat 11 am-9 pm 601.271.6003

“If the customers are pleased, I’m Pleased! If the customers are not pleased... I want to know, so I CAN PLEASE YOU!!!”

Tues-Sat 11 am-9 pm 601.271.6003

“If the customers are pleased, I’m Pleased! If the customers are not pleased... I want to know, so I CAN PLEASE YOU!!!”

6374 US Hwy. 98 West Hattiesburg, MS 39402

thepines.ms 41

The State of Jones concerns itself with local history in the most obvious sense, but there are many layers to this story crafted by authors Sally Jenkins (of Washington Post) and John Stauffer (a professor at Harvard). Despite that the roots of the notion of the “Free State” predate the War, it’s a pretty well known fact that there were many unsympathetic Southerners to the Confederate Cause. The mythic South remained an unrealistic dream for most of its inhabitants, even though representatives signed the Secession document of Mississippi in 1861 that would precipitate the war.

Jones County was an area where the vast majority of folks were neither slave holders nor remotely wealthy. They were poor, mostly white farmers eking out a tough existence on the land, suspicious of the wealthy planter class who propelled the war into bloody fruition. Many men in this area had to be conscripted for Confederate service, and, when the opportunity arose, some actively opposed their conscription with arms.

In Jones County, a rabble-rouser by the name of Newton Knight led an active group of deserters known as Knight's Company in open opposition to the Confederacy in its attempts at conscription. Rebelling against the ideas of his slave-holding grandfather and wealthy extended family held about the South and slavery, he openly opposed the obsession with racial purity and subverted traditional marriage, having a common law ex-slave wife and a Caucasian legal wife. Fathering children with both women, he mostly lived with his black family, which even thirty years ago would have been bold by most standards.

Newton Knight makes an interesting central character in the story of “The State of Jones.” The authors deftly write the book utilizing Knight’s own words as well as interviews and journals of Jones inhabitants. They bring the Civil War home to this area, as horrid fighting raged in North Mississippi just four hours away. While some of the early battle accounts around Corinth and North Mississippi may only interest military buffs, it adequately displays the utter depravity the Confederates faced during this blight in our national history.

Against this backdrop, Newton Knight becomes an outspoken opponent of the war amongst mostly confederate supporters in Jones County. Eventually actively reaching out to the Union, his Company nevertheless remained guerillas throughout the rest of the war, waging small skirmishes that did little to effect the big picture, which increasingly began to swing against the Confederacy anyway.

Jenkins and Stauffer's book relies heavily on scholarship by previous authors, especially Victoria Bynum, and was crafted to more or less complement a screenplay developed by director Gary Ross (Seabiscuit) for a film that has been in production for several years. Needless to say, many criticisms have emerged in regards to their treatment of Newt Knight. The tremendous complexity of the individual specifically and the time in general continue to confound commentators. Just as the picture of Jones County during the Civil War remains cloudy, the truth about Newt Knight seems elusive as ever. Whatever the truth is, the story continues to be undeniably engaging and relevant to the collective identity of the Pine Belt.

whatbook?by Cathy Hopkins & Chris Cagle

Mississippi Magazine2010 Best of Mississippi

“Best Place to Find a Great Book”

Tue. October 12, 12:00-1:30pmLunch with AuthorMary Anna Evans signsStrangers

Thur. October 21, 4:00-6:00pmGordon A. Martin, Jr. signsCount Them One by One:Black Mississippians Fighting for the Right to Vote

210 Main StreetDowntown Hattiesburg

601-584-6960

visitmainstreetbooks.com

42 The PINES

Matthew DearBlack City

Despite that he has current or planned release, electronic music this year is shaping up to be the year of David Bowie. While James Murphy's skin-shedding routine on LCD Soundsystem's "This Is Happening" carries the essence of "Low", Matthew Dear follows in that wake with an album that revives the paranoia travelogue that was Bowie's "Lodger."

"Slowdance" is the closest track to Murphy's revision of Bowie (and begs for an LCD Soundsystem remix). The rugged examination of a faltering relationship provides the backdrop for a song that pulses and throbs like either a broken heart or a splitting headache. While that pain may sound less appealing as a single track, the album must be heard in sequence as Dear constructs a virtual song cycle for you to experience.

"Honey" crawls out of the gate before leaping into an atmosphere reminiscent of Brian Eno's work on "I Can't Feel." Here, Dear begins to employ a mix of high and low vocals to recreate an alien environment (similar to "America is Waiting"). However, if alienation is always huge artistic step, Dear quickly reverses the downward spiral with the album's nine-minute centerpiece "Little People (Black City)". On this stellar cut, the high-low mixture of vocals become more focused and Dear tosses in melodies constantly as the accompaniment loops spin in different time sequences like aural concentric circles.

Following that pattern, when the content grows more salacious (the sexually charged "You Put A Smell on Me") the beats become more sinister and sinuous. Late in the album, as Dear reaches some resolution, he offers a pair of Krautrock-esque tracks that work ("More Surgery") and do not ("Monkey", which despite his neatest lyrical hook on the album, quickly loses energy). Finally, the piano-based "Gem" gives the work a simple ending before fading to reveal the faintest glimmer of hope. -Mik Davis

Dax Riggs Say Goodnight to the World

From cover to cover, from beginning to end, Say Goodnight

to the World is pure darkness. Full of foreboding soundscapes and vivid imagery, Dax Riggs’ latest release

follows in the spiritual footsteps of his earlier work. The album sounds deliberate, often beautiful, sometimes

sentimental, and always very, very dark.

Say Goodnight represents singer-songwriter Dax Riggs second solo effort since the dissolution of Dead Boy and

the Elephant Man. The material ranges from ballads to punkier, upbeat tunes, but the lyrical content is almost universally

macabre. Some tracks seem minimalist, obviously crafted to a very specific aesthetic.

Riggs’ voice is a treat throughout, whether he’s softly singing lines about “moonlight

on your tongue” or launching through wild, echoing vocal riffs. The album is tight – nothing feels like filler, and nothing

goes on a second longer than needed.

“Gravedirt on My Blue Suede Shoes” almost sounds like early Queens (of the Stone Age) covering The King (of Rock ‘n’ Roll), and the

feel is reinforced when Riggs covers Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” two tracks later. These songs have a playful sort of irony to them that lightens

the mood a bit, but they don’t sound out of place.

Some of them might even pass for love songs, though always through a veil of darkness, as on “Let Me Be Your Cigarette”. Other notable tracks include the colossal

opener, “Say Goodnight to the World” as well as “I Hear Satan”. Lines like “I hear Satan in the basement of the Pentagon” are bound to grab any listener’s full attention.

“Say Goodnight to the World” is a success, full of tracks that roll right down your ear canal and into

your bloodstream. Dax Riggs has delivered another terrific release, and further proof that he is a singer/

songwriter of extraordinary talent. -Shaw Ingram

thepines.ms 43

Blood Diner by Cthulhu Carl

There have been many movies made about cannibalism and blood cults over the years. Most of them are incredibly grim and don't contain the wacky, comedic ingredients found in the humanary stew known as "Blood Diner". How can one not enjoy a feature film containing a talking brain in a jar, Nazi wrestlers, and a cowboy ventriloquist doll?

In the mid 1960s, Anwar Tutman was brutally gunned down in front of his favorite nephews, George and Mike, after massacring a glee club for body parts to try and summon the ancient, Sumerian god Sheetar. Twenty years later George and Mike dig up their favorite uncle's body, remove his brain and eyes, and re-animate them using ancient magic. Anwar's essence guides his favorite nephews, who own a health food diner serving "special" dishes.

Detectives Jackson and Shepard are baffled by the mysterious random slayings as George, Mike, and Anwar's brain collect the body parts of immoral girls, ready a virgin sacrifice, and prepare an ancient, Lemurian blood buffet to try and once again summon Sheetar into this mortal coil.

"Blood Diner" is good, splattery, delicious fun for those with a black sense of humor and for folks who enjoy a side-dish of crazy humor with their horror.

114 40th Avenue

Hattiesburg, MS 39402

601.336.7361

www.recroomrecordingservice.com

44 The PINES

“Only in Baltimore” is the refrain... An independent city since 1851, Baltimore does not busy itself with a county capitol, which moved to nearby Towson, MD. St. Louis is the only other city outside of Virginia considered independent. Less than 20 years short of 300 years old, Baltimore has its own quirks, a unique accent, and a ridiculous amount of powerfully creative and special people that call it their hometown.

On September 19, Baltimore will add another reason to visit, as if the amazing Visionary Art Museum weren't enough. Home to a variety of work that challenges all notions of traditional art, the Museum offers a peek into the world of outsider artists of all sorts. Furthermore, you could explore places that one of this country's greatest filmmakers (no, not Barry Levinson) has utilized regularly throughout his twelve films, movies as important as Pink Flamingos, Hair Spray, and Pecker. John Waters remains in many ways the unofficial spokesperson for Baltimore for many, and that alone says enough about Baltimore.

Furthermore, if Mississippi forms a web of roots to anchor American music, Baltimore features flowers. From a list including Billie Holiday, Tupac, Cab Calloway, Dan Deacon, Phillip Glass, Bill Frisell, and David Byrne, we're going to focus the Eclectic approach on one of Baltimore's favored progeny, Frank Zappa.

He'd be 69 years old if he hadn't succumbed to prostate cancer in 1993. He might have been much more well known around the world than he is now and probably not quite as infamous among those for whom his name rings a bell. Zappa made music that wrestled with a lot of weighty social issues, especially those concerning sex, when it was not concerning itself with lofty compositional concepts. But, he did it with complete countercultural irreverence, rejecting any attempt to candy coat or access the commercial cash cow. Indeed, he's often making fun even of his listeners.

Operating according to an approach to life (Anything, Anytime, Anyplace, For No Reason At All) that practically guaranteed creativity without many boundaries, after over 35 years Zappa would create a canon with scope beyond almost any other single contributor to postwar popular music, groping as many sacred cows as could possibly be fondled, leaving a wake of works that will reverberate indefinitely on many frequencies.

Beginning an obsession with music in his pre-teen years, ignited by the rhythmic experiments of avant-garde composer Edgard Varese, Zappa would seek to synthesize the pantheon of recorded music, feeding his imagination with doo-wop and bebop, blues and modern ballets, science fiction and romantic trash, and use his live rock and roll concert tours to fund his hunger for making movies and to hear his music performed by symphonies.

Leading The Mothers of Invention beginning in 1964, he pushed like a conductor during performance and like a tyrant during practice. His early bands consisted of zany seasoned barroom professionals, unafraid to take the night to uncomfortable places full of dance contests, ballets, and freak-outs. The attention to detail and demand for commitment eventually prevented any except the most learned and determined musicians. During his last tour in 1988, he took 12 accomplished musicians who were ready to perform, over 100 compositions literally on his signal. The dedication of musicians to his music remains a hallmark, and The Mothers served as

“Being cynical is the only way to deal with modern civilization, you can’t just swallow it whole.” -FZ

:FRANK ZAPPA DAY

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the testing ground for more than a few talents that found solo acclaim in later years.

His notorious 1972 film 200 Motels perfectly illustrates that Frank Zappa remains also the most important amateur anthropologist to study the culture of rock and roll. Known to record sprawling and incredible group conversations, utilizing observations of his bandmates' ridiculous behavior and the absurd events that befall a band in places like Finland or Great Britain, Zappa sometimes cruelly tells all. It’s easy to believe the lyrics refers to his personal life, but he was a person of serious constraint that mostly worked, even on the road. The stories he shares in his songs reflect a considerable appreciation for humanity's dark side, but he couches everything in hilarious, ribald humor that hides other meanings well. It often seems clear that many of the words simply serve the music, but they do so with gusto galore.

Zappa became quite politically active as he entered his forties. 25 years ago, his testimony before the Senate became renowned, defending free speech in a famous public example of his lucid reasoning. Regarding the establishment of a music ratings system being supported by a group of Senators' wives in the Parents Music Resource Center, Zappa argued the system was “an ill-conceived piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to children, infringes the civil liberties of people who are not children, and promises to keep the courts busy for years.” He added, succinctly, that the “demands are the equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation.”

Following his diagnosis with cancer, during his last three years, Frank Zappa finally focused full attention on his “serious” music, performed at this time on one of the most advanced music software programs ever developed, the Synclavier. Pushing his essential notion of “conceptual continuity” to its zenith, his last work, Civilization Phaze III, recalled his music from throughout his career, pushing those ideas to their fullest realization. It is music that time will catch up to. His final years also saw a critical acceptance of his works within the European orchestral communities that must have given Zappa great pleasure.

It is a travesty that prostate cancer, so often detected before any chance of serious risks exist, would take his life. He makes clear in interviews from this time that he was quite disgusted to have his life cut short. He was aware that he was entering an entirely new era of his career, and that he had his best work ahead of him.

A large bust dedicated to Zappa was erected in Lithuania in 1995. Since 2008, Lithuania has been working with the City of Baltimore to find a suitable place for a replica. On September 19, exactly 25 years to the day of his testimony before the Senate, Frank Zappa will gaze over the park at Baltimore's Southeast Anchor Library.

To celebrate the occasion, heretofore known as “Frank Zappa Day,” the City will throw a festival featuring Zappa Plays Zappa, a group led by Frank's oldest son, Dweezil. Meanwhile, Gail Zappa, Frank's wife and estate executor, has continued to promote newly released music from the huge vaults Frank meticulously kept throughout his career. In addition to the 60 plus albums released during his lifetime, Frank Zappa made several movies and videos, and wrote an excellent autobiography entitled, The Real Frank Zappa Book. Each component of his output complements others to the extent that all his work can be considered nearly one long undertaking.

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