Tombstone of Meridian, Mississippi's Queen of the Gypsies

The Secret Gypsy Royalty of Mississippi

Meridian, MS, located near the Mississippi/Alabama state border, is perhaps best known as the hometown of actress Sela Ward.

Yet the town of Meridian holds a little-known secret. Except for the people who live here, few Americans knows that the town is the final resting place for a very colorful queen. In this episode of The Southern Way, Darrell Lee travels back to Mississippi to explore the secrets of the Gypsy Royalty of the state…

As always, this episode features music created by Darrell Lee that is available for purchase via digital download.

Know of other interesting graveyards in The American South? Leave a comment and tell us about it…

Darrell Lee standing by river explaining about SouthernWayTv.com video blog

Introducing The Southern Way Video Blog

The American South is, perhaps, the most distinctive of all geographic regions of the nation. Indeed, Southerners actively maintain (and even encourage) an identity that is separate from, but related to, the rest of the United States. The American South has developed its own set of customs, cuisine, literature, folklore, styles of worship and forms of music.

SouthernWayTV.com is currently creating our first set of online video episodes to chronicle the American South. Have an idea or suggestion? Send us the details.

Follow us on Twitter to monitor our progress. You can also sign-up for our mailing list and be notified when we’ve posted new episodes online.

Our episodes feature music created by Darrell Lee that is available for purchase via digital download.

Still Image of October 2010 Arkansas Promo Video Clip

Prepare to Explore Arkansas

The Natural State of Arkansas shares its borders with 6 other states (Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee). The state also boasts its own dinosaur. A fossil found within the state’s borders was named, appropriately, the “Arkansaurus.”

At SouthernWayTV.com, we plan to explore the people of this great state and bring you their interesting stories. From the capital of Little Rock, to the banks of the mighty Arkansas River, Arkansas and its people have much to offer.

We’re looking for suggestions about the unique elements of life in Arkansas. Have an idea? Send us a message with your suggestion. Your idea just might be the inspiration for a future episode on SouthernWayTV.com.

Still Image of October 2010 Tennessee Promo Video Clip

Prepare to Explore Tennessee

The Volunteer State of Tennessee takes its name from a Cherokee Indian village in the region called “Tanasie.” With the Mississippi River on its western border and the Appalachian Mountains on its eastern border, Tennessee offers a rich variety of natural resources.

At SouthernWayTV.com, we plan to explore the people of this great state and bring you their interesting stories. From the musical charms of Nashville to the mouth-watering BBQ of Memphis, Tennessee and its people have much to offer.

We’re looking for suggestions about the unique elements of life in Tennessee. Have an idea? Send us a message with your suggestion. Your idea just might be the inspiration for a future episode on SouthernWayTV.com.

Still Image of October 2010 South Carolina Promo Video Clip

Prepare to Explore South Carolina

South Carolina is often called the Palmetto State, a nod to the role the wood of the palmetto tree played in battles with the British army during the American Revolutionary War. During the battle for Sullivan’s Island, clever South Carolinians built a fort using wood from the palmetto tree. When the British fired cannons at the fort, the soft palmetto wood simply absorbed the on-coming cannonballs. Perhaps that spirit led to the selection of the state’s official motto, “Dum Spiro Spero” or “While I breathe, I hope.”

At SouthernWayTV.com, we plan to explore the people of this great state and bring you their interesting stories. From the capital of Columbia, to the state’s highest point atop Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina and its people have much to offer.

We’re looking for suggestions about the unique elements of life in South Carolina. Have an idea? Send us a message with your suggestion. Your idea just might be the inspiration for a future episode on SouthernWayTV.com.

Still Image of October 2010 Louisiana Promo Video Clip

Prepare to Explore Louisiana

In tribute to French King Louis XIV, French explorer Sieur de La Salle in 1682 named what is now known as the State of Louisiana. The French influence on this colorful state is still apparent today – witness the name of its capital city, Baton Rouge.

At SouthernWayTV.com, we plan to explore the people of this great state and bring you their interesting stories. Louisiana bills itself as the “Sportsman’s Paradise,” but the state and its people have even more to offer visitors. The people of this state do things according to their own rules. Perhaps that helps explain why the state did not adopt an official flag until 100 years after it joined the Union.

We’re looking for suggestions about the unique elements of life in Louisiana. Have an idea? Send us a message with your suggestion. Your idea just might be the inspiration for a future episode on SouthernWayTV.com.

Still Image of October 2010 Kentucky Promo Video Clip

Prepare to Explore Kentucky

Kentucky takes its name from an Iroquois Indian word – “Ken-tah-ten” – which means “the land of tomorrow.” When many think of the State of Kentucky, they conjure up images of rolling, beautifully fenced farms with pastures full of galloping thoroughbred horses. While neighbor Illinois touts itself as the “land of Lincoln,” Kentuckians known that the 16th President was, in fact, born within their borders.

At SouthernWayTV.com, we plan to explore the people of this great state and bring you their interesting stories. From historic Louisville to the waters of Lake Cumberland, the Bluegrass State and its people have much to offer.

We’re looking for suggestions about the unique elements of life in Kentucky. Have an idea? Send us a message with your suggestion. Your idea just might be the inspiration for a future episode on SouthernWayTV.com.

Still Image from 2010 Alabama Promo Video Clip

Prepare to Explore Alabama

In the native Creek Indian language, “alabama” means “tribal town.” It should be no surprise then that the 22nd state admitted into the Union, Alabama, is home to traditions and a culture deeply rooted in a sense of family and community.

At SouthernWayTV.com, we plan to explore the people of this great state and bring you their interesting stories. From the capital of Montgomery, to the state’s highest point atop Cheaha Mountain, Alabama and its people have much to offer.

We’re looking for suggestions about the unique elements of life in Alabama. Have an idea? Send us a message with your suggestion. Your idea just might be the inspiration for a future episode on SouthernWayTV.com.