I lived In Texarkana so you wouldn't have to. It's a spoonfork. I did 7 years in T-town in the 90's. Worked on the Ark. side but lived on the Texas side because I couldn't bear the stigma of having an Ark. address.
You also can go about 3 blocks behind the post office, on Broad, where they filmed that part in Smokey and the Bandit, also the Charles B Pierce film, "the town that dreaded Sundown"
Sitting here having my coffee and about to make a travel to the studio to do a record. Highlight of my day and getting me pumped for some creativity today. Never stop Otis. Best thing on CZcams by far. Never knew I needed this in my life so much. Thank you..
Drive up to Ely, MN sometime. Pop over to Hibbing-Bob Dylan’s hometown. Maybe make Duluth your home base-Dylan’s birthplace. Maybe do it in the summer though 😂😂😂
Plenty of good dairy up here in WI, lots of mom n’ pop ice cream spots around too, come see sometime…. What you are doing matters Otis. Thanks for the positive vibes in troubled times.
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I had some musician friends in Clarksdale. I don't know if the studio Clarksdale Soundstage is still there. Awesome studio opened by a Producer from Nashville. The year before I got to see the place, Robert Plant had booked the studio for a week to practice pre tour with his new band, The Shapeshifters. He premiered that band at the Sunflower Festival on the stage maybe 40 yards away. John Mayall was recording there a couple of months later. I just knew he was booked and somebody I knew came in to play something. It was a trip to see John Mayall walking down the street in Clarksdale. Morgan Freeman had his voice over studio in there. I think he actually owned it.
hey Otis, I'm glad Arkansas was good to you, it's my home state, and I gig in that part of the state quite a bit, helena/west helena, elaine, and even a private party in Turkey scratch occasionally, so I loved this post! stay safe out there, and be well my friend.
Just drove into work with my coffee. Otis a place in Arkansas you should check out for us so we don't have to, please. It is the subject of a Great Tony Joe White number, They Caught the Devil and They Got him in Jail, in Eudora , Arkansas . Right there close to where TJW was from just over the line in , LA , Thanks! Safe travels and how about , MORE Mrs. Gibbs Please
Morning all. My story for Helena is I went to the Blues fest there in 96 and saw a lot of good bands. Topping the evening I stopped a yard that was selling food for extra cash. The only thing the had left was BBQ Pig Ears on white bread. That was ny first and last time for that grub. Can I say terrible? Take care all and thanks Otis.
You're talking about Helena/West Helena, and they are bringing it back, slowly. It is the home of the King Biscuit Blues Festival, one of the oldest and largest, if not THE oldest and largest blues festival in the nation. We used to have loads of mom-and-pop dairy queens, but most were put out of business by the chains.
Don't forget that Robert Lockwood, Jr is from Turkey Scratch too, Otis. My sister can tell the most hilarious story about Pinetop Perkins and Robert Junior "backstage" in Helena at the Blues festival but I'll leave that for now. I was born in Texarkana (on the Texas side!) but grew up in Arkansas. They don't talk about it but Texarkana had a "race riot" too back in the bad old days. Safe travels. Big Sandy, Mooringsport and Ferriday are not too far away...
I just knew that you would check out levon helm home, I hate that about cash's home place , the only thing I hated to hear was about the 1919 union talk that turned into murder of 200 blacks, I just don't think any fuel needs to be added to this racial fire right now against all white people, I don't know how much more innocent people can take in America in today's time, I love the channel and everything it's about , I think you're a wonderful person and I'm amazed how many people you know and your wisdom is way beyond your years
My parents are from Newport, Arkansas. It's sad how Arkansas has let its history decay and die. Want to read some interesting rock and roll history, check out The Silver Moon Club, Newport, Arkansas. It was a big stop on the chitlin circuit. In the 50s they paid more than NYC clubs. Interesting history.
Otis, I have no idea where your headed next but if you're coming back through Arkansas you should stop in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Fayetteville was home base for The Hawks when the came back to the United States. There is lots of Levon Helm history in the Fayetteville and Springdale area. Levon lived in Springdale for a number of years in the 80's and he bought a home for his folks in Springdale. If you do pass through I'd be happy to show you some Levon history here. Oh, I almost forgot, Levon's younger brother Wheeler still lives here. Tulsa is worth checking out too - Leon Russell's Church Studio, Cain's Ballroom as well as the Bob Dylan museum. Be safe in your travels.
I live here lol, on the texas side. crazy you were here, it would've been really cool to meet you and shake your hand. I'm one of the electricians working on the 100 year old hotel, the grim at the moment, we're completely restoring it to reopen it as an apartment complex. it used to be for the very high class people in the 1920s.
Thanks for taking the time to document your adventure and finding internet service to share it with us. You are an awesome dude and I hope to be able to see you close up sometime.
Farmer's Market shopping done, chicken carved and sectioned, soup stock started, kitchen cleaned time for breakfast...( Otis and coffee ) Otis, thank you for your company Its like church.
It sounds like you had a good trip. BTW, what is billed as the Johnny Cash boyhood home has been fully restored in Dyess, Arkansas, which is southeast of Jonesboro.
Thank you Otis for a reminder of our past and including 44 oz milkshakes. What is the feather’s origin you had in your hat. Smart move to move away from an uncontrolled engine fire.☮
So you wouldn't have to. Good one! I've driven through there many times. Next stop.... Hope AK. Klipsch factory and museum. On the way to Memphis and Nashville of course.
FYI, if it is not in town, the Sheriff's deputies respond, not the city police officers, and sometimes there is only one on duty at a time, in small counties, and they may be at the other end of the county, patroling lakes, etc...
Hi Otis! Next time you’re in Tennessee or nine other states including Mississippi and you get a hankering for a milkshake, look for a place called Cookout. They have like 44 flavors of them . I don’t do sweet stuff but my wife says they’re great.
Hey, thanks for passing through muh glorious state. The observation about the police- so accurate. Mostly just looking for speeders and never around to help… anyone but themselves. I do wonder if Kenny Vaughn’s wife would be willing to tell some stories. I can’t remember her name, but I know she used to play in Patty Loveless’s band and worked on both of her bluegrass themed records. Just a thought. Thank you, Otis, for your levity and wit. Safe travels!
I’m from Northeast Arkansas, about 2 hours from Helena and there’s tons of history around these parts. Elvis performed in many of the small towns around here. There’s an entire Beatles festival held every year in Walnut Ridge, AR because their airplane landed there once hahah. Nice to hear you came through these parts!
First off, you pronounced it wrong. Texarkana, there is no accented syllable. Helena, not Helen, the entire River area, the best novel about the Elaine Massacre is "Blood in their Eyes" by Griff Stockly. (Levon Helm was from the area as well) . you should have went to Delight, (Pikesville) home of Glen Campbell. Foreman-Tracy Lawrence. Get on old 67 going out of Texarkana, lots of mom & pops. or take 71 south toward Shreveport, more mom & pop. I was born about a block from that post office on Arkansas side
Stay away from lithium battery electric vehicle fires they can be difficult to put out. Most of the water used is to cool down the battery before the water can help extinguish the fire.
Oh, man. While on the steps of the post office, you were only about a thousand feet from one of the best burger joints known to mankind, and Texarkana's saving grace: TLC Burgers & Fries. I can recommend the jalapeño and cheese, and extra Red River sand on your fries. I think they're only open for lunch, though. Of course, it ain't all southern charm and good grease - you were only about a hundred feet from the town's still standing (as far as I know) Confederate monument.
Otis, I love your content but it worries me you're not out playing your own music. When Kurt Vonnegut was the in demand speaker he made the observation that talking was death to a writer. Mr. Vonnegut was a wise man.
@@KittyCarlile-490 ‘Turkey Scratch, Arkansas is located just off Highway 243, near the Phillips and Lee County line. Even though unique names are common across the South, Turkey Scratch is even more special. This small and almost forgotten community produced two historic singers. Their names were Robert Lockwood, Jr. and Levon Helm.’ ☮
@@KittyCarlile-490 ‘Robert Lockwood was one of the first professional black entertainers to appear on radio in the South, on the King Biscuit Time radio show. Lockwood is known for his longtime collaboration with Sonny Boy Williamson II and for his work in the mid-1950s with Little Walter.’ I first heard an album in 1971 he recorded in 1970. There were all these great stories of blues players from the late 20’s and 30’s that were made available on the then new electronic media radio and then 78 recordings. ☮
@@artemisXsidecross I remember the Band talking about Sonny Boy Williamson. Little Walter had a rough short life w a violent end. I believe he played harmonica.
Your light was fading, fading fading, Otis.......but I'd happily listen to your story-telling in complete blackness! I hope you found a good, old-fashioned greasy spoon for breakfast and got yourself a proper cup o' joe!
Good to see you here Ms. Kitty. Small rural counties make their revenue from small infractions of automobile speed, taillight infraction, and what not. ☮
I lived In Texarkana so you wouldn't have to. It's a spoonfork. I did 7 years in T-town in the 90's. Worked on the Ark. side but lived on the Texas side because I couldn't bear the stigma of having an Ark. address.
😂
This describes the Texan Pride to a T!! Born and raised in Corpus, heard these stories my entire life!
@unclekrud Couldn't bear an Arkansas address - Wow! Pretty sad that was an actual issue for you.
You also can go about 3 blocks behind the post office, on Broad, where they filmed that part in Smokey and the Bandit, also the Charles B Pierce film, "the town that dreaded Sundown"
Sitting here having my coffee and about to make a travel to the studio to do a record. Highlight of my day and getting me pumped for some creativity today. Never stop Otis. Best thing on CZcams by far. Never knew I needed this in my life so much. Thank you..
Drive up to Ely, MN sometime. Pop over to Hibbing-Bob Dylan’s hometown. Maybe make Duluth your home base-Dylan’s birthplace.
Maybe do it in the summer though 😂😂😂
Plenty of good dairy up here in WI, lots of mom n’ pop ice cream spots around too, come see sometime…. What you are doing matters Otis. Thanks for the positive vibes in troubled times.
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Robbie Robertson told the story of The Band (The Hawks at the time) going to the Helena bottoms to meet Sonny Boy Williamson. It’s on here somewhere.
It’s in his autobiography. They found him, jammed with him. He’d been spitting in a container all night. Eventually they realized it was blood.
T-Town resident for many years ( Texas side ). Some of the best people on Earth !
I had some musician friends in Clarksdale. I don't know if the studio Clarksdale Soundstage is still there. Awesome studio opened by a Producer from Nashville. The year before I got to see the place, Robert Plant had booked the studio for a week to practice pre tour with his new band, The Shapeshifters. He premiered that band at the Sunflower Festival on the stage maybe 40 yards away. John Mayall was recording there a couple of months later. I just knew he was booked and somebody I knew came in to play something. It was a trip to see John Mayall walking down the street in Clarksdale. Morgan Freeman had his voice over studio in there. I think he actually owned it.
hey Otis, I'm glad Arkansas was good to you, it's my home state, and I gig in that part of the state quite a bit, helena/west helena, elaine, and even a private party in Turkey scratch occasionally, so I loved this post! stay safe out there, and be well my friend.
Good morning buddy. Always look forward to seeing you and hearing great stories. Cup of coffee and some Otis, life is good.
I was in Texarkana when I was 11 years old. Didn’t hit any bars or juke joints. Drove on to Dallas from there. Actually, dad drove. Good video, Otis!!
Hilarious trip through Hell...I'm from Ringold, OK in M Curtain Co near where you were.. I feel you!
Just drove into work with my coffee. Otis a place in Arkansas you should check out for us so we don't have to, please. It is the subject of a Great Tony Joe White number, They Caught the Devil and They Got him in Jail, in Eudora , Arkansas . Right there close to where TJW was from just over the line in , LA , Thanks! Safe travels and how about , MORE Mrs. Gibbs Please
Thanks Otis I really enjoyed my coffee this morning thanks to you. Much love to you as well. God bless your trip.
Morning all. My story for Helena is I went to the Blues fest there in 96 and saw a lot of good bands. Topping the evening I stopped a yard that was selling food for extra cash. The only thing the had left was BBQ Pig Ears on white bread. That was ny first and last time for that grub. Can I say terrible?
Take care all and thanks Otis.
Were you hauling a load of Coors like The Snowman? (who also happened to be a CGP)
You're talking about Helena/West Helena, and they are bringing it back, slowly. It is the home of the King Biscuit Blues Festival, one of the oldest and largest, if not THE oldest and largest blues festival in the nation.
We used to have loads of mom-and-pop dairy queens, but most were put out of business by the chains.
trukey scracth! Laaaavon! hoooray king harvest has surely come!
Greetings from Arkansas Otis,
Glad you made it safely thru the state.
Don't forget that Robert Lockwood, Jr is from Turkey Scratch too, Otis. My sister can tell the most hilarious story about Pinetop Perkins and Robert Junior "backstage" in Helena at the Blues festival but I'll leave that for now. I was born in Texarkana (on the Texas side!) but grew up in Arkansas. They don't talk about it but Texarkana had a "race riot" too back in the bad old days. Safe travels. Big Sandy, Mooringsport and Ferriday are not too far away...
I just knew that you would check out levon helm home, I hate that about cash's home place , the only thing I hated to hear was about the 1919 union talk that turned into murder of 200 blacks, I just don't think any fuel needs to be added to this racial fire right now against all white people, I don't know how much more innocent people can take in America in today's time, I love the channel and everything it's about , I think you're a wonderful person and I'm amazed how many people you know and your wisdom is way beyond your years
We need more labor history in this country
My parents are from Newport, Arkansas. It's sad how Arkansas has let its history decay and die. Want to read some interesting rock and roll history, check out The Silver Moon Club, Newport, Arkansas. It was a big stop on the chitlin circuit. In the 50s they paid more than NYC clubs. Interesting history.
I thank you for the world your describing. I miss rural life where time moves differently.
Thanks for the travel update, Otis. Coffee is great this Saturday morning. Y'all be safe and have a great trip.
Good morning, Otis
Another great story. Thanks for sharing.
Love Clarksdale! A town on the brink for sure, but there's a genuine effort to keep the town alive.
Otis, I have no idea where your headed next but if you're coming back through Arkansas you should stop in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Fayetteville was home base for The Hawks when the came back to the United States. There is lots of Levon Helm history in the Fayetteville and Springdale area. Levon lived in Springdale for a number of years in the 80's and he bought a home for his folks in Springdale. If you do pass through I'd be happy to show you some Levon history here. Oh, I almost forgot, Levon's younger brother Wheeler still lives here. Tulsa is worth checking out too - Leon Russell's Church Studio, Cain's Ballroom as well as the Bob Dylan museum. Be safe in your travels.
I've never even been a mile from there, but I've sung along about it and the surrounding agricultural activities.
Very cool update.
You’ll find more Johnny Cash landmarks in northeast Arkansas, where he actually grew up.
I live here lol, on the texas side. crazy you were here, it would've been really cool to meet you and shake your hand. I'm one of the electricians working on the 100 year old hotel, the grim at the moment, we're completely restoring it to reopen it as an apartment complex. it used to be for the very high class people in the 1920s.
So cool of you to do this. When I pull in at that time of day I just want to chill. Proud backer on Patreon.
Otis I am totally enjoying your travel logs. If you ever come the Virginia to do a concert or whatever, dude I am there!
I love the being in two states at the same time thing. Been marathon watching many older uploads. I love the channel. Greetings from the IL/WI border.
Good morning Otis! Got my coffee and sitting here waiting to go to work, it’s the highlight of my day!! Thank you sir 🙏🐿️😎🐿️
The only question that matters is, which teller made better biscuits? Your next album has to be called 44 ounce milkshake.
Yes, I Lived In Texarkana Many Years Ago!
Thanks Otis awesome story
Thanks for taking the time to document your adventure and finding internet service to share it with us. You are an awesome dude and I hope to be able to see you close up sometime.
Hometown of the great Scott Joplin.
Farmer's Market shopping done, chicken carved and sectioned, soup stock started, kitchen cleaned time for breakfast...( Otis and coffee ) Otis, thank you for your company Its like church.
Much Love to you Otis from Hazard, KY!
Did y’all play Kingbiscuit? My sister went but I didn’t realize it was going on til it was too late. Safe travels. God speed.
This is a cool video. Made me want to get in my truck and listen to your videos all day on a long drive to nowhere special.
If you ever come to Paris, Tx, I’ve got a couch you can crash on, guitars and good food.
It sounds like you had a good trip. BTW, what is billed as the Johnny Cash boyhood home has been fully restored in Dyess, Arkansas, which is southeast of Jonesboro.
Thank you Otis for a reminder of our past and including 44 oz milkshakes. What is the feather’s origin you had in your hat. Smart move to move away from an uncontrolled engine fire.☮
So you wouldn't have to. Good one! I've driven through there many times. Next stop.... Hope AK. Klipsch factory and museum. On the way to Memphis and Nashville of course.
That was great...thanx for sharing
FYI, if it is not in town, the Sheriff's deputies respond, not the city police officers, and sometimes there is only one on duty at a time, in small counties, and they may be at the other end of the county, patroling lakes, etc...
I love this stop used to do it on the way back and forth btwn memphis and houston you can still see the beauty even in the decay
Hi Otis! Next time you’re in Tennessee or nine other states including Mississippi and you get a hankering for a milkshake, look for a place called Cookout. They have like 44 flavors of them . I don’t do sweet stuff but my wife says they’re great.
Another great story Otis thanks for sharing, Arkansas has some crazy small town names my grandmother was born in Buck Snort Arkansas.
Travel safely ! Wishing you good coffee on the road : D.
Hey, thanks for passing through muh glorious state. The observation about the police- so accurate. Mostly just looking for speeders and never around to help… anyone but themselves.
I do wonder if Kenny Vaughn’s wife would be willing to tell some stories. I can’t remember her name, but I know she used to play in Patty Loveless’s band and worked on both of her bluegrass themed records. Just a thought. Thank you, Otis, for your levity and wit. Safe travels!
Crossed from Arkansas into Texas and the roads and bridges were night and day. Arkansas wasn’t the day.
I’m from Northeast Arkansas, about 2 hours from Helena and there’s tons of history around these parts. Elvis performed in many of the small towns around here. There’s an entire Beatles festival held every year in Walnut Ridge, AR because their airplane landed there once hahah. Nice to hear you came through these parts!
Great vid. Wild how fast it got dark on ya.
Hello, from Texas!
Appreciate it, saved me the trip. Enjoy! 😊
First off, you pronounced it wrong. Texarkana, there is no accented syllable. Helena, not Helen, the entire River area, the best novel about the Elaine Massacre is "Blood in their Eyes" by Griff Stockly. (Levon Helm was from the area as well) . you should have went to Delight, (Pikesville) home of Glen Campbell. Foreman-Tracy Lawrence. Get on old 67 going out of Texarkana, lots of mom & pops. or take 71 south toward Shreveport, more mom & pop. I was born about a block from that post office on Arkansas side
All this reminds me of a line from a Wille Nelson song "I bet you seen things in your time ".
I bet the car on fire was a Prius. I've seen a few, in various states of incineration, on the side of the road.
Stay away from lithium battery electric vehicle fires they can be difficult to put out. Most of the water used is to cool down the battery before the water can help extinguish the fire.
Dang............👍. Be careful Otis. You're in the town that dreaded sundown.
Otis: Bristol TN/VA has a post office that serves two states. They’ll cancel a post card with a TN/VA stamp. If memory serves the P.O. is in VA.
Beautiful piece.
Thanks, got my weekly Gibbs fix ❤
Oh, man. While on the steps of the post office, you were only about a thousand feet from one of the best burger joints known to mankind, and Texarkana's saving grace: TLC Burgers & Fries. I can recommend the jalapeño and cheese, and extra Red River sand on your fries. I think they're only open for lunch, though.
Of course, it ain't all southern charm and good grease - you were only about a hundred feet from the town's still standing (as far as I know) Confederate monument.
I`m still laughing at the title of the video. Thank you! lol
Otis, I love your content but it worries me you're not out playing your own music. When Kurt Vonnegut was the in demand speaker he made the observation that talking was death to a writer. Mr. Vonnegut was a wise man.
I’d drive there from California for a 44 ounce milkshake!
Someday you should write a book, Otis.
If you happen to come through Conroe Ill buy y'all dinner or breakfast or whatever.
I hope the day where you are was as beautiful I it was here in southeast Texas.
Be safe, Otis. ✌🏽
I just went thru there a few hours ago.
Helena, Ak I believe that's where Levon Helm is from
Yes! Levon talked about Turkey Scratch
@@KittyCarlile-490
‘Turkey Scratch, Arkansas is located just off Highway 243, near the Phillips and Lee County line. Even though unique names are common across the South, Turkey Scratch is even more special. This small and almost forgotten community produced two historic singers. Their names were Robert Lockwood, Jr. and Levon Helm.’ ☮
@@artemisXsidecrossI'll look up Lockwood bc I'm not familiar with
@@KittyCarlile-490
‘Robert Lockwood was one of the first professional black entertainers to appear on radio in the South, on the King Biscuit Time radio show. Lockwood is known for his longtime collaboration with Sonny Boy Williamson II and for his work in the mid-1950s with Little Walter.’
I first heard an album in 1971 he recorded in 1970.
There were all these great stories of blues players from the late 20’s and 30’s that were made available on the then new electronic media radio and then 78 recordings. ☮
@@artemisXsidecross I remember the Band talking about Sonny Boy Williamson. Little Walter had a rough short life w a violent end. I believe he played harmonica.
u found some stuff Otis I feel like if i did that drive id be lucky to see a cow lol
Nope I still will have to. I drive semi... Otis did you get my message about Waylon Jennings bass player?
Theres beer in texarkana according to J Reed.
Your light was fading, fading fading, Otis.......but I'd happily listen to your story-telling in complete blackness! I hope you found a good, old-fashioned greasy spoon for breakfast and got yourself a proper cup o' joe!
Otis, if you wanna come by Leonard TX, I'll tell you the story of the last recording of Richard Dobson
cool stuff
44 oz milkshake is the funniest thing ever
Drive safe ❤❤❤❤❤
u a hero Otis
What's w all the cops?
Good to see you here Ms. Kitty. Small rural counties make their revenue from small infractions of automobile speed, taillight infraction, and what not. ☮
@@artemisXsidecrosshey Artemis! Good to see u too. I like the name Ms Kitty 😊...Ms Kitty had red hair like mine
How are Big Enos and Little Enos? I hope the bet has been adjusted for inflation.
if u wanna get dpressed....title of many chapters of my life story lololol
Arkansas, definitely cop land.
Meth land. Only place I've ever been where a taxi driver offered me meth (crank).
👍☕️😉
u got a wave must have been arkansans
Be safe down there.
If you stay in Arkansas you should be fine
I think you mean Elaine, Arkansas.