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Post by oldredfox on Jul 1, 2008 15:25:16 GMT -5
My name is Allen Ellis. I am a librarian at Northern Kentucky University, where I also teach an Introduction to Popular Culture course, and, occasionally, a Film and History course, focusing on Alamo films. I joined the Alamo Society in, I think, 1994, and was profiled in The Alamo Journal #131, December 2003. My fascination with the Alamo comes from the 1963 rebroadcast of the Disney Davy Crockett trilogy, having been too young to appreciate the first go-round. I've been to the Alamo three times (and the John Wayne set once), being fortunate to have academic conferences located in San Antonio. The next is the Popular Culture Association in 2011. I was not even aware of this forum until I was referred by Bill Chemerka after I asked him about the status of the unceremoniously-dumped Alamo Movie Site. This site looks great, and I certainly don't miss all the nonsense that made the other site so irritating. Nonetheless, there was a lot of good information there – is it lost forever? Missing here is a section to discuss the Alamo in film and other areas of popular culture. To me, the symbolic power of the Alamo is much greater than its historical significance. After all, what most "normal" folks know about the Alamo comes from our popular culture. Another area of interest is East Tennessee in the Civil War. I am writing a book about an ancestor, Captain Daniel Ellis, who guided thousands of escapees from the Confederacy over the Appalachian Mountains to the Union lines. Please see my website at www.nku.edu/~ellisa/danielellis. If anyone has any information to share, I'd be much obliged. Go Ahead, Allen
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Post by Allen Wiener on Jul 1, 2008 16:02:09 GMT -5
Welcome, Allen. Sounds like you've done some interesting things re: Alamo in popular culture. I agree that this is a relevant area and discussion of the Alamo in film, TV, music, literature, etc., has taken place in the "Off Topic" area, although I agree that this could warrant an area of its own. Not only because, as you say, most people get their history from TV and movies, or at least their initial interest in a historical subject, but because it offers the opportunity to point out the differences, and in some cases flaws, in the way the Alamo has been represented in pop culture. I think most of us are grateful to Walt Disney for producing the original Crockett TV trilogy as our interest in him and the Alamo grew exponentially from that experience. As a kid, I found that many Disney (and other) movies stimulated my interest in other historical events and eras.
Glad to see you here and I look forward to reading your posts.
AW
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Post by bobdurham on Jul 1, 2008 16:02:34 GMT -5
Welcome aboard. We share an interest in addition to the Alamo -- the Civil War in East Tennessee. I did some research on Carter's East Tennessee Raid a while back -- thought I might try to put it together into a magazine article and shop it around but I got sidetracked. I may pick your mind some time.
Bob Durham
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Post by Herb on Jul 1, 2008 16:43:08 GMT -5
My name is Allen Ellis. I am a librarian at Northern Kentucky University, where I also teach an Introduction to Popular Culture course, and, occasionally, a Film and History course, focusing on Alamo films. I joined the Alamo Society in, I think, 1994, and was profiled in The Alamo Journal #131, December 2003. My fascination with the Alamo comes from the 1963 rebroadcast of the Disney Davy Crockett trilogy, having been too young to appreciate the first go-round. I've been to the Alamo three times (and the John Wayne set once), being fortunate to have academic conferences located in San Antonio. The next is the Popular Culture Association in 2011. I was not even aware of this forum until I was referred by Bill Chemerka after I asked him about the status of the unceremoniously-dumped Alamo Movie Site. This site looks great, and I certainly don't miss all the nonsense that made the other site so irritating. Nonetheless, there was a lot of good information there – is it lost forever? Missing here is a section to discuss the Alamo in film and other areas of popular culture. To me, the symbolic power of the Alamo is much greater than its historical significance. After all, what most "normal" folks know about the Alamo comes from our popular culture. Another area of interest is East Tennessee in the Civil War. I am writing a book about an ancestor, Captain Daniel Ellis, who guided thousands of escapees from the Confederacy over the Appalachian Mountains to the Union lines. Please see my website at www.nku.edu/~ellisa/danielellis. If anyone has any information to share, I'd be much obliged. Go Ahead, Allen Welcome, Allen, a few of us remember you. As for as the Alamo of popular culture goes, or for that matter just about any other subject feel free to start a discussion anywhere that seems appropriate, to include off topic if it doesn't fit anywhere else. I think the only topic, we have kind of agreed (besides the obvious, eg spam/porn, etc) that won't be discussed is current politics.
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Post by Jim Boylston on Jul 1, 2008 20:11:50 GMT -5
Welcome, Allen. The Alamo Studies Forum was created just over a year ago as a refuge for those who desired to discuss the history of the Alamo and related subjects in an environment that was largely free from unnecessary interruptions and distractions. By design we shied away from discussions about Alamo films and pop elements because we felt there were ample opportunities to discuss these aspects of the subject elsewhere. Since the demise of the Film Site other members of ASF have also voiced their desire that we add a board here for film discussions. We're now happy to do so. Members can rest assured that we will continue to apply the same moderation standards to this new board as you've come to expect on the history boards. We appreciate your suggestions and again thank all our members for their contributions in making the Alamo Studies Forum a success. Jim and the Moderators
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Post by elcolorado on Jul 2, 2008 11:13:26 GMT -5
Howdy, Allen
We're always happy to include another stalwart to the Alamo forum family. Like you, I have a passion for the American Civil War, though no state in particular. I look forward to reading your posts and listening to your point of view.
Glenn
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Post by pegleg on Aug 17, 2008 23:00:12 GMT -5
Hi everyone!
My name is Kevin McCann. Growing up in Jackson, TN and being a history buff as a kid, I enjoyed visiting the David Crockett Cabin in Rutherford and reading about his time spent in West TN. My first Crockett book was Ernest Thompson's "The Fabulous David Crockett" (a booklet bought at the Cabin); that was where I first read about Crockett's political nemesis, Adam Huntsman.
While in college, I wrote a paper on Huntsman and twelve years ago expanded it into a self-published book, "The Peg-Legged Politician: The Life of Adam Huntsman." I'm very interested in working on a revised and expanded second edition sometime in the next year or so.
My g-g-g grandfather was an old Revolutionary War veteran and an early settler in Lawrence County, TN. While I can't prove it 100%, I've uncovered circumstantial evidence that he may very well have known Crockett when he lived there.
Thank you to Jim Bolyston for inviting me to join the group. I look forward to the discussions!
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Post by Jim Boylston on Aug 18, 2008 9:33:38 GMT -5
Glad you found your way over, Kevin! Make sure to tell the ACW guys here about your book on Tennessee Cavalry, too. Bob Durham and Allen Ellis might be especially interested. Jim
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Post by TRK on Aug 18, 2008 9:42:44 GMT -5
A Huntsman versus the Bear Hunter: perfect!
Nice to have you here, Kevin!
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Aug 18, 2008 10:24:56 GMT -5
Hey, Kevin -- welcome aboard. Interesting bit of family history, for sure.
It's a pleasure to welcome a new member to the fold.
Paul
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Post by Allen Wiener on Aug 18, 2008 10:50:43 GMT -5
Welcome Kevin! Glad to see someone here from Crockett country.
AW
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Post by pegleg on Aug 19, 2008 21:31:06 GMT -5
Make sure to tell the ACW guys here about your book on Tennessee Cavalry, too. Bob Durham and Allen Ellis might be especially interested. Jim Sure thing. Back in college, I worked on my family history and learned that my g-g grandfather from McNairy County, TN--a native Southerner--fought for the Union during the Civil War, specifically the Sixth Tennessee Cavalry. I also discovered that my paternal ancestors sided with the Union as well. So there went my hope to join the SCV! My curiosity led me to research the Sixth Tennessee over 10 years ago and last year, I published a revised and expanded edition. The book is entitled "Hurst's Wurst: Colonel Fielding Hurst and the Sixth Tennessee Cavalry U.S.A." (Hurst was himself an ardent Southern Unionist and an interesting character in his own right.) If anyone would like to know more or might be interested in buying a copy, please visit my site at www.kevindmccann.com
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Post by pegleg on Aug 19, 2008 21:34:32 GMT -5
Welcome Kevin! Glad to see someone here from Crockett country. AW AllenW and everyone, Thank you for the warm welcome! Crockett has always been a favorite historical figure for me (and I never refer to him as "Davy.") growing up, aside from the Disney movies. I look forward to learning more about him here.
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Post by elcolorado on Aug 20, 2008 8:43:12 GMT -5
Hello and welcome, Kevin
It's great to see another history buff join our growing circle of friends. I look forward to your contributions to the forum.
You mentioned McMairy County. Isn't that the area Sheriff Buford Pusser use to roam?
Glenn
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Post by pegleg on Aug 20, 2008 18:38:43 GMT -5
Buford Pusser was indeed sheriff of McNairy County and is buried at Adamsville, TN.
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