"How old would ya be, if ya didn't know how old you was?" - Satchel Paige.
My purpose in creating this blog, Meridiana, is to identify and capture an essence of those people, places and things that have contributed and, in some cases, continue to contribute meaning, texture and enrichment to the lives of those of us who grew up in Meridian, Mississippi during the ‘50s 'n' ‘60s.
And, maybe i'll add a few surprises, too.
These are stories I’ve been told over the years. Some I know to be true. Elvis came to Meridian to take guitar lessons from several people. Mrs. Harvey & Carl Fitzgerald. The story goes he would hitch a ride from Tupelo & ride in the back of a truck. He entered the Jimmy Rogers talent contest twice but lost both times. Once at Ray Stadium he was called back for numerous encores & another time he performed from a flatbed trailer at the old Jimmy Rodger’s roadside park on Tom Bailey Drive/ I-20. I was told he gave Mrs. Draven of Draven’s Dress Shop a pink Cadillac. Located next door to Saul’s Clothing. a black clothing store that sold suits & shirts with big collars & bright colors. I worked with a guy who claimed he sold Elvis a Pink suit on the way to Louisiana Hayride. Draven’s was located across the street from the current Sam’s Menswear. I used to work in the RCA recording Studio B in Nashville where Elvis recorded. I used to go to Gordon Stokers house who sang with The Jordonair’s & Elvis for 16 years. I met Chet Atkins his producer. But, that’s about as close as I got to Elvis. - Aubrey Fulton
These are stories I’ve been told over the years. Some I know to be true. Elvis came to Meridian to take guitar lessons from several people. Mrs. Harvey & Carl Fitzgerald. The story goes he would hitch a ride from Tupelo & ride in the back of a truck. He entered the Jimmy Rogers talent contest twice but lost both times. Once at Ray Stadium he was called back for numerous encores & another time he performed from a flatbed trailer at the old Jimmy Rodger’s roadside park on Tom Bailey Drive/ I-20. I was told he gave Mrs. Draven of Draven’s Dress Shop a pink Cadillac. Located next door to Saul’s Clothing. a black clothing store that sold suits & shirts with big collars & bright colors. I worked with a guy who claimed he sold Elvis a Pink suit on the way to Louisiana Hayride. Draven’s was located across the street from the current Sam’s Menswear. I used to work in the RCA recording Studio B in Nashville where Elvis recorded. I used to go to Gordon Stokers house who sang with The Jordonair’s & Elvis for 16 years. I met Chet Atkins his producer. But, that’s about as close as I got to Elvis. - Aubrey Fulton
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