Meeting Brian Jay Jones, Muppet Fan and Jim Henson Biographer

I was nervous and excited about a tell-all biography of my hero, Jim Henson.  I was able to make my way down to the Mississippi Delta to meet the author, Brian Jay Jones, who is a great writer and a great person.  Super friendly, fun, and always ready to talk about The Muppets, and real cool to meet him in Leland.

Having left early the morning of November 7, I also had it in mind to visit some sites of Blues History; but, first, there was a sign that (since my first visit in 2007) I wanted to turn into a joke. 
"Turn left at the croc' in the road!"

Then, it was on to the Delta Blues Museum where I got to see great articles of Blues History--but, no photos to share and there was also no slides available; but, there was a GREAT reconstruction of a log house like Muddy Waters lived in and a whole Muddy Waters section which I got a kick out of. 

I went across town to the Rock and Blues Museum which was fun--a hodge-podge mix of all kinds of memorabilia including some items from Wade Walton's barber shop.  When I was a kid, I wanted someone to take me to Clarksdale, MS, so I could meet him at his barber shop and, hopefully like others in Blues history, learn harmonica from him.  But, then, I read an article that said he found 'religion' and would chase you out of his barber shop if you mentioned the 'devil's music.'  However, this video tends to make that article look like bunk.

After some eats, it was on to Leland, MS, home of the Jim Henson Delta Boyhood Museum and Frog Fest, to meet Brian Jay Jones at The Leland Progress, home of the town's famed newspaper!  I stopped in at the museum where I caught up with old friends and met Lucas Ervin, a long time old buddy from the Muppet Central fan forums.  I showed him the area believed to be where Jim grew up, the school, the theater where he watched movies as a kid--it was his own personal mecca (mine was several years ago).  I'd met Lucas many years earlier at the open Muppets auditions in Los Angeles.

We ended up at the Progress to get signatures and photos.

After the event, we all ended up for dinner at Vince's where, on that beautiful, white paper table cloth I drew everyone's favorite Muppets. 

I hope you get a copy of the book and get a chance to meet Brian Jay Jones in person!  Both are worth it!

Have you ever read anything that just seemed to flow so well that once you started you didn't realize how long you've been reading before you realize that, "Dang, time flew by?"  Well, this book reads like that.  It's 600 pages long; but, you get so involved that you don't even realize how many pages you've read until you come back to this side of the book and notice it.

Everyone has 'that side' of their life that isn't anybody's business, but when discussing it the details are handled respectfully and then gets right back to the story of Jim's life. 

For me, a biography includes a personal life as well as a career story, and I want to get inside the mind of the subject, to learn what drives them creatively and what area of their lives end up pushing their work.

No matter what one thinks of the side of Jim Henson that would be his personal life, we get the opportunity to focus on his work's philosophy, the joy he brought us all, and the many creatures he and his team has brought us and continues to deliver today.
 

2013 Leland MS Frog Fest

There are some places that I just feel at home.  You all have heard me talk about Metropolis, IL, which is home of the Superman Celebration, and how I gush about the great people who live there and those who visit during the Celebration.  I love it and consider myself an ambassador for that great town.  Could I live there?  I think most certainly.

Another such place is Leland, MS, which is the birthplace and childhood home of my hero, Jim Henson.  Situated on the banks of Deer Creek, the Jim Henson Delta Boyhood Museum features gems of Jim's childhood in photos, history, and his career.  There are a ton of great collectibles on display and even books to read, videos to watch, and toys to play with.  They also have a great scrap book collection which you can thumb through.

For the past three years, they have held the Leland Frog Fest in celebration of the Birthplace of the Frog!  I've been lucky enough to be invited down for each of the Fests and get to do some artwork and puppetry each time, and I love that.  You can tell that the gentleness of Jim's philosophies come from there, and the people who are there exude that feeling of sweet, down-home folk.  I have made several good friends there over the years and, just like those in Metropolis over the past 12 or so years, I have come to cherish them.

This year, Muley and I showed up just in time to get over to the stage and host the kids' costume contest as great Blues artists were wrapping up.  Muley even jumped out of shot for a bit for his own costume as Kermit the Frog!  We went over to the Art Tent to teach folks to draw Muppets.  Then, on to see the talents of Peter Zapletal and his puppetry troupe.  Muley was interviewed by a Delta State University student and visited with kids. Unfortunately, we missed Doris Jones' story telling; but, we got to see Doris as we got into town.  You can see all the performers on this list. 

Oh, and someone please tell me who had the food truck with the chili-cheese-onion covered deep fried tamales that one kids told me I needed to eat, because it was DELICIOUS!  Speaking of delicious, my place to go in Leland for a delicious dinner is Vince's--they open at 5:30 pm, don't go before, but the wait is worth it.  Your mouth will beg for more!  Our favorite there is Deborah who, even a year later, remembered me and the puppeteers* of "SuperMule and the Cookie Caper."  (*If you don't know who supports the Muley team: Buford the Dog and Missy Mule are supported by Martheus Wade, Janet Wade and last year Roy Duck was supported by DaMarco Randle, but nowadays Andrew Chandler.)

Below are photos of this year's event to enjoy!  Have fun, and meet my friends in Leland, MS!

A billboard on HWY 61 heading down to Leland, MS.

Pat Thomas: The son of famed Mississippi
bluesman James “Son” Thomas

Chili Cook-off.  Don't be fooled: It's illegal to eat frog's legs in Leland!

This was a sign dedicated to the bridge at the first ever Frog Fest!
Learn more about that event by clicking here.

Muley hosting the kids' costume contest, something he's very
good at, and gets a 'kick' out of as well.  Ashley Zepponi of
the JH Museum helps a pirate on the stage.

Muley felt back at home in Memphis when Elvis showed up.

Muley rouses an applause from the crowd for the first group of
great kids costumes!

Muley was glad to see this Dr. Kermit who came all the way
from Louisiana to visit the museum and Frog Fest! (If you're a
Muppets fan, you get the joke of the Dr. Kermit costume since
Kermit the Frog is said to be named after Dr. Kermit Scott who
was from Leland, MS.)

Muley is glad to be seen with all the great kids in the second group
of costumes, again rousing the crowd to applaud these wonderful children!

Muley and Kev in a selfie by the Rainbow Connection Bridge sign.

Great Muppet Merchandise!

My own drawings during the "Draw Muppets"
classes at the Art Tent!  Everyone did a great job!

Peter Zapletal introducing his puppet show. Probably the
10th show I've ever seen and not been in.

A beautiful Sky God puppet which was very reminiscent
of the African Masks puppets on the Harry Belafonte
episode of "The Muppet Show."

Do you know what comes up next and where it's located?

When I see this, I always get excited in my heart!

When I see this, I get happy in my heart!

When I walk up to these doors, joy 'hops' all over me.

A decorated pumpkin in the museum next to the guest book.

From our initial visit in 2007 when we took the famous "Kermit & Jim" photo.
Lin Workman, Martheus and Janet Wade, and I drew the image shown and
our photo together has ended up in the museum's scrapbook.

In his own unique way, Muley choosing the
museum's door prize (a Gund Talking Abby Cadabby).

Kids' art adorns the museum!

A close-up of some art.

Artwork by Jessie Oliver, a Facebook friend, that is framed and
sits next to a Jane Henson Memory book for guests to fill out.

Next to the photo that we took the famous "Kermit and Jim" photo with.

Muley and I donate an official 8x10" copy of the photo to the
museum to Dot Turk and Ashley Zepponi.

One of my favorite images of Jim and the Muppets.

I sit on the Rainbow Couch with a Giant Kermit plush I wish I
owned holding Ashley's large Fozzie plush that I also wish
I owned.  (I asked her to let me inherit it one day.)

Menu at my favorite eaterie in Leland!

Lobster and shrimp cannelloni in a
white cheese and wine sauce. Delicious!

 

October Appearances - Last Minute Update

Short notice, but places where you can find Kevin L. Williams this weekend, along with Muley the Mule:

Friday, Oct. 25 from 6 – 9 pm: Kevin is appearing as a proud member of Expedition Unknown at the Woodruff-Fontaine House’s “Haunted Happenings,” where you get to explore the house museum, take a mini-ghost hunt, and learn the history of this beautiful Victorian style home!  $20 for the event, food, and to see Kevin in a 16^th century outfit.  Costumed garb suggested!

Saturday, Oct. 26, all day: Leland Mississippi’s FrogFestival, celebrating the Birthplace of Jim Henson and Kermit the Frog featuring bands, costume contest, art activities, puppet shows, and more.  Muley will be on hand (ha ha) to host the costume contest and possibly judge a chili contest.  Kevin will be doing art activities teaching how to draw some Muppets along the banks of the famous Deer Creek!  Be sure to stop in the Jim Henson Delta Boyhood Museum!!