Did you know that Roger Staubach--one of the greatest NFL Quarterbacks of all times--last played for Coach Tom Landry and the Dallas Cowboys in 1979?
The Dukes of Hazzard premiered the same year on the CBS Television Network starring the Dodge Charger-01 the “General Lee” that beautifully featured a Confederate battle flag on the roof and Dixie horn. The show was narrated by a legend of country music Waylon Jennings who sang the introduction song ‘Good Ole Boys’ which ended with a spectator car jump and a Rebel Ye’ll of a ‘Yee Hah’ from the Duke boys.
And in 1979 the country music brother-duo the ‘Bellamy Brothers’ released their song “You ain’t just whistling Dixie.”
Do you remember when Waffle House restaurants included Elvis Presley’s ‘Dixie-An American Trilogy’ on the jukebox where you could play six songs for a buck? Dixie was always my first selection and on one occasion brought cheer to a customer who whistled the song as he exited the building.
During America’s Bi-Centennial, in the year of our Lord 1976, ‘Dixie’ was played during the Brave’s baseball games at Atlanta’s old Fulton County Stadium and that same year by the Atlanta NBC TV affiliate in promotion of the NBC Television premiere of Gone With the Wind. Dixie was also played by the Lawrence Welk Band with George Cates conducting on a Welk show in 1976 commemorating America’s Bi-Centennial.
Sadly, Dixie is rarely heard anymore, and….
A recent newspaper headline reads “Howard County Schools disciplines student who displayed Confederate flag at game.” Read complete story at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/howard-superintendent-responds-to-display-of-confederate-flag-at-football-game/2014/09/09/a3903f22-3833-11e4-8601-97ba88884ffd_story.html
What happened to those days when it was cool for bands to play Dixie at both Northern and Southern schools while students cheered and waved Confederate flags? It was even cool for Rock, Country, Blues, Jazz and Big Bands to play America’s song Dixie that included Hank Williams, Jr. singing ‘Dixie on My Mind’; Dwight Yoakum’s ‘I Sang Dixie’ and hush my mouth Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ with the Confederate Battle flag hanging on the back drop.
Autumn-time is the time for football….But, gone are the days when school bands played Dixie, like the Dixie Redcoat Marching Band did at University of Georgia Bull Dog games, and….
The Ole Miss Cheerleaders and their school Mascot Colonel Reb that lifted the spirit of fans who waved Confederate flags and cheered to the band playing Dixie. Unfortunately, Colonel Reb has been replaced by a bear, flag waving has been discouraged and Dixie is rarely heard anymore. Some say this was done in the spirit of diversity. But, doesn’t diversity supposed to include everyone including: Black, White, Hispanic, Jewish and Native American folks from the South whose Confederate ancestors fought during the War Between the States?
Do you know the history of the song Dixie that is a joyful sound of inspiration and pride for many people? In 1859, Ohio Native Dan Emmett first performed “Dixie” in New York City to an enthusiastic-cheerful crowd. Two years later, on February 18, 1861, the band played Dixie at the Inauguration of Confederate President Jefferson Davis in Montgomery, Alabama, and….
On April 14, 1865, after General Robert E. Lee’s surrender, President Abraham Lincoln said: “Now Let the Band Play Dixie; it belongs neither to the South, nor to the North but to us all.”---New York Times Sunday Magazine, August 11, 1907.
For 150 years American school bands have played Dixie including the Milton High school ‘Dixie Eagles’ Band that performed Dixie at the invitation and inauguration of the late Lester G. Maddox as Governor of Georgia in January 1967.
In a cemetery in Mount Vernon Ohio lies Dan Emmett, the Composer of Dixie, whose headstone reads: "Daniel Decatur Emmett 1815 - 1904 whose song ‘Dixie Land’ inspired the courage and devotion of the Southern people and now thrills the hearts of a reunited nation." Three miles North of Emmett’s grave is the burial ground of Ben and Lew Snowden of a Black musical family. On their tombstone are the words “They taught Dixie to Dan Emmett.”
The Georgia Division Sons of Confederate Veterans http://150wbts.org/ commemorates the 150th Anniversary of the War Between the States.
Let the Band Play Dixie!
IMHO, there isn’t a more inspirational tune in the history of music than “Dixie.” In second place for me is “La Marseillaise.”
The P.C. thought police killed it.
When/where was that cool, exactly?
I am a relative of two grandfathers who fought for the Union, but I am with you in spirit BigReb555.
The bravery of Americans who fought on both sides is a testament to the character, fortitude, and courage of the American soldier.
“Dixie” is a great tune and I do teach it to my students in elementary school when I do a unit on the music of the American Civil War (or as you Southern fellows like to call it, the Second War of Independence).
So far I have never had anyone complain. I also like to display some of the other different states flags from that time period. I would love to use the Confederate Battle flag but that, unfortunately, would probably land me in hot water. However, the Confederate National Flag I have used because no one knows enough history to know what it is. They only know of the battle flag.
Anyway, I do what I can to keep our heritage alive.
The Confederate Air Force, an organization dedicated to restoring vintage warplanes renamed itself the Commemorative Air Force.
FYI “Dixie” did not always have pro-Confederacy meaning.
The Yankee version sung during the Civil War went like this;
O I wish I was from the land of traitors
Rattlesnakes and alligators
Then away, then away, then away
To the fight.
The high school I went to had a football team called The Fighting Rebels. They went to state nearly every year. Even though I was really not “into” school or school spirit the pep rallies were awesome. Great music...Dixie included (and, yes, a rebel flag). Of course, I’ve always been a sucker for a good drum line, lol. The black kids got into the spirit as well.
A couple of years after I graduated, P.C. became so important they were forced to change the name of the team and never went back to state.
It’s in the trash heap with Deutchland Uber Alles and the National Anthem of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Still interesting to listen to, for old time sakes. But their time has past.
Do you like this version of Dixie?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAp4PLNKXfw
Played by the best college band no longer in existence, the Long Beach State (California) Big Brown Music Machine. Played in Scotland in 1980.
Watch the alumni band play the National Anthem and pay attention at the end, you will like it if you like Dixie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKAjWkNoTwo
Auburn, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and I’m are there are more, all still have have fight songs with references to “Dixieland”.
This author hasn’t been to a football game lately?
“Liberals” found something to complain about and conservatives didn’t recognize the danger in what seemed to be inane. Now that we know the dangers, it’s all on our shoulders - we can’t blame the “liberals” any more than we think Obama can blame Bush for his own failures.