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>> THIS ORIGINAL WSRE
PRESENTATION IS MADE POSSIBLE BY
VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU.
>> THE SWEET POTATO QUEEN, BEST
SELLING AUTHOR JILL CONNER
BROWNE ON THIS EDITION OF
CONVERSATIONS.
>> FROM JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI TO
THE NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER
LIST.
JILL CONNER BROWNE'S LIFE
EXPERIENCES AN SENSE OF HUMOR
MADE HER A BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
AND IN DEMAND SPEAKER.
HER BOOKS INCLUDE SUCH TITLES AS
"AMERICAN THIGHS".
THE SWEET POTATO'S GUIDE TO
PRESERVING YOUR ASSETS.
THE SWEET POTATO QUEEN'S GUIDE
TO RAISING CHILDREN FOR FUN AND
PROFIT.
AND THE ORIGINAL SWEET POTATO
QUEEN'S BOOK OF LOVE.
THE SWEET POTATO QUEEN MOVEMENT
HAS LONG SINCE EXPANDED OUTSIDE
THE SOUTH AND HAS GONE GLOBAL.
NOT TOO LONG BEFORE THE THEATER
WORLD GETS AN UP CLOSE AN
PERSONAL LOOK AT SWEET POTATO
QUEEN'S BROADWAY MUSICAL IS IN
THE WORKS.
WE WELCOME TO CONVERSATIONS THE
NUMBER ONE SWEET POTATO QUEEN
JILL CONNER BROWNE.
THANK YOU FOR JOIN US.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> A LOT OF SWEET POTATOES IN
THERE.
HOW DID THE SWEET POTATO QUEEN
COME ABOUT?
>> I STARTED THE SWEET POTATO
QUEEN IN 1982 IN JACKSON,
MISSISSIPPI WHERE I'M FROM.
I HAD COME THROUGH A
PARTICULARLY ROUGH PERSONAL
PATCH, MY FATHER DIED, I WAS
DIVORCED FOR FIRST TIME AND
DADDY ALWAYS TAUGHT US TO THAT
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS
YOU CAN HAVE IN LIFE WAS THE
ABILITY TO MAKE YOUR OWN FUN.
AND A LOT OF TIMES WHAT YOU GOT
TO WORK WITH IS WHAT'S TEEN YOUR
OWN EARS AND IF U EAR LUCKY
THAT'S ENOUGH.
I HAVE EXTRAORDINARY NAIRL LIR
GIFTED IN THAT REGARD.
SO IN 1982 WHEN I HEARD THERE
WAS GOING TO BE A PARADE, AND
THE SAME TIME A FRIEND TOLD ME
HER FATHER HAD SOME LAND IN
MISSISSIPPI T SELF-PROCLAIMED
SWEET POTATO CAPITAL OF THE
WORLD.
I HAVE NO IDEA IF THAT'S
SUBSTANTIVE CLAIM OR NOT.
THEY'RE THE STORY AND THEY'RE
STICKING TO IT.
AT ANY RATE, SHE SAID THAT
VARTAM,AN HAD A SWEET POTATO
FESTIVAL AND I DECIDED MY LOT IN
LIFE WAS TO BE A QUEEN BECAUSE
MY EARLIEST DESIRE WAS TO BE 5,
2, LONG RED HAIR, LARGE ***
AND BE ABLE TO SING.
THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT BY I
DISCOVERED A FEW TALL LANTS THAT
I HAD THAT I COULD SMILE, WITH
NEARLY EVERY TOOTH IN MY HEAD, I
COULD WAVE AND THAT PEOPLE WOULD
MIND ME.
THEN I HAPPENED TO SEE A PICTURE
OF MY MOTHER WITH QUEEN
ELIZABETH NORKT TOGETHER, THE
PHOTOS WERE TOGETHER.
AND THEY LOOKED IDENTICAL.
SO I DECIDED I WAS INTENDED TO
BE A QUEEN.
BUT THERE WERE NO OPENINGS THAT
I COULD FIND.
SEEKING EMPLOYMENT IN THAT
REGARD.
BUT SO I HEARD THAT VARTIMAN HAD
A SWEET POTATO FESTIVAL I ASKED
MY FRIEND, I SAID DO THEY HAVE A
QUEEN?
AND SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T KNOW.
I SAID TELL THEM I'LL DO IT.
I'M LOOKING FOR A GIG.
AND SO THAT WAS -- DIDN'T
MATERIALIZE OF COURSE BUT THAT
WAS IN MY MIND WHEN I HEARD
ABOUT THIS PARADE BEING FORMED
IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.
I SAID WITH NO HESITATION
WHATSOEVER THAT I WAS GOING TO
BE IN THAT AS THE SWEET POTATO
QUEEN.
JUST BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT
SOUNDED FUNNY AND STILL DO.
THAT WAS BORN IN 1982 AND HERE
WE ARE TODAY.
THERE ARE PROBABLY OVER 6200
CHAPTERS OF SWEET POTATO QUEEN
WANT TO BE GROUPS IN 22
COUNTRIES.
THERE'S A CHAPTER IN SAUDI
ARABIA, THEIR MOTTO IS NO VEILS
FOR US.
GOT TO LOVE THEM, AND THEY ALL
COME TO JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
ONCE A YEAR TO DRESS UP FUNNY
AND WALK DOWN THE STREET.
>> AND SO IT'S KIND OF BECOME
LIKE A --
>> IT'S A CULT.
>> A CULT.
[LAUGHTER]
>> SO ON THE FIRST PARADE YOU
WERE IN, IS IT MY UNDERSTANDING
YOU DIDN'T THROW CANDY, YOU
THROUGH SWEET POTATO?
>> WE ROAD IN THE BACK OF A
PICKUP TRUCK.
I WORE MY SISTER'S 1964 PROM
DRESS WHICH WAS A SIZE 7 WHICH I
NEVER WAS.
AND WE RODE -- THERE WERE FOUR
WE ROAD IN THE BACK OF THE
PICKUP TRUCK AND THROUGH SWEET
POTATOES.
WE HAD HAND LETTERED CARDBOARD
SIGN MY GIRLFRIEND MISSPELLED
POTATO, CUSTOMARY DAN QUAIL --
ON POTATO AND WE JUST THROUGH
SWEET POTATOES.
AND THE PARADEAS ON
ST. PATRICK'S DAY AT THAT TIME
AND IT WAS ON THE DAY OF
ST. PATRICK WHICH WAS I THINK A
RANDOM WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY --
IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC.
WE WENT FROM ONE BAR TO ANOTHER
IN DOWNTOWN JACKSON.
THE STREETS WEREN'T BLOCKED,
NOBODY KNEW WE WERE A PARADE AND
WE WERE JUST -- AND EVERY ONCE
IN A WHILE THROWING A SWEET
POTATO AT THEM WHICH DID LITTLE
TO CLARIFY THE ISSUE FOR THEM.
>> HOW DIDHE MOMENTUM START?
>> I JUST -- IT WAS THE MOST FUN
I EVER HAD IN MY LIFE AND
SOMEBODY SAID TO ME WHEN I WAS
VERY YOUNG YOU SHOULD DO WHAT
MAKES YOUR HEART SING AND THE
MONEY WILL FOLLOW.
THE FIRST TIME IN 1982 I ROAD IN
THE BACK OF THAT PICKUP TRUCK I
SAID OUT LOUD SOMEBODY WILL PAY
ME TO DO THIS.
AND HERE WE ARE, AS FAR AS I
KNOW I AM THE WORLD'S ONLY FULL
TIME PROFESSIONAL SWEET POTATO
QUEEN.
JUST DOING IT EVERY YEAR AND
PEOPLE JUST KEPT COMING.
>> JUST KEPT COMING.
I WANT TO COME BACK TO
SOMETHING.
YOU MENTIONED YOUR FATHER, I WAS
DOING MY RESEARCH YOU MENTIONED
YOUR FATHER QUITE A BIT.
>> LOTS OF DADDY STORIES.
>> TELL MEN'T HIM.
>> THE FUNNIEST PERSON THAT EVER
LIVED.
I GREW UP IN ATALA COUNTY,
MISSISSIPPI, ETHEL, MISSISSIPPI,
A SUBURB OF COSIESKO IF THAT
HELPS.
[LAUGHTER]
>> OPRAH IS ALSO FROM THERE BUT
WE NEVER MET.
>> SO DAD HAD A GREAT SENSE OF
HUMOR.
YOU MUST HAVE GOTTEN SOME OF
THAT FROM DAD.
WERE YOU A FUNNY CHILD GROWING
UP?
>> WE'RE A FUNNY FAMILY.
I WAS ALWAYS WHICHTIEST AND YOU
KNOW.
>> CLASS CLOWN TYPE.
>> YEAH.
BUT I WANTED -- I WAS NOT HAPPY
ABOUT IT BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE
5, 2, LONG RED HAIR, GREEN EYES
LARGE *** LITTLE FEET AND BE
ABLE TO SING.
THAT WAS WHAT I WANTED.
I'M 6, 1.
NONE OF THAT WORKED OUT.
AND MY HAIR, I HAVE NOT PAID
SOMEBODY -- THIS IS NOT EVEN MY
HAIR.
[LAUGHTER]
>> THIS IS MY TRAVEL HAIR, I
CALL IT BECAUSE IT WILL JUST
STAY RIGHT ON THERE.
WE LOVE BIG HAIR IN THE SOUTH.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
THAT'S RIGHT.
>> BECAUSE IT MAKES OUR BUTTS
LOOK SMALLER.
[LAUGHTER]
>> TRADE SECRET.
>> I LOVE IT.
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU WERE
A SWEET POTATO QUEEN?
WHAT KIND OF CAREER DID YOU
HAVE?
>> WELL, I STARTED OUT, I WORKED
IN THE CREDIT DEPARTMENT AT
SEARS WIFE NOT ENTERTAINING AT
ALL.
AND BUT THEN I WAS A TRAINER AT
THE YMCA FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.
SO I NEVER ACTUAL HI WORKED.
I LOVED THE Y BECAUSE PEOPLE
CAME TO PLAY.
SO I'M YOUR GIRL FOR THAT.
>> YOUR FIRST BOOK, TELL ME HOW
THAT CAME ABOUT.
>> IT WAS COMPLETE ACCIDENT.
I HAD WRITTEN FOR THREE
DIFFERENT NEWSPAPERS AS A
STRINGER WHICH MEANS OF COURSE
FOR NO MONEY, VERY LITTLE MONEY.
AND I WORKED FULL TIME FOR THE Y
AND WROTE FOR THOSE THREE
PAPERS.
I WAS DIVORCED FROM THE
ANTICHRIST AT THAT TIME.
AND RAISING MY DAUGHTER BY
MYSELF AND VERY INCONVENIENT FOR
ME, MY MOTHER HAD A STROKE AND
MOVED IN WITH ME SO I COULD TAKE
CARE OF HER SO I WAS DOING ALL
OF THAT AND WAS ALSO $30,000 IN
DEBT FROM THE AFOREMENTIONED
ANTICHRIST.
>> THE FIRST HUSBAND.
>> HE WAS ACTUALLY NUMBER TWO.
NUMBER ONE WAS A VERY NICE MAN.
BUT HE LOVED CASHMERE SOCKS AND
RACING TIRES BUT ESPECIALLY
LIKED FOR THEM TO BE IN MY NAME,
I LEARNED REAL SLOW BUT REAL
GOOD.
BUT SO I WAS DOING ALL THESE
THINGS TO KEEP OUR HEADS ABOVE
WATER AND ONE OF THE PAPERS THAT
I WROTE FOR CHANGED HANDS AND
THE NEW PEOPLE THAT CAME IN
DROPPED MY STORY, WITH NO
WARNING.
AND I WAS COMPLETELY UNDONE AND
THE OTHER SWEET POTATO QUEENS IN
MY PERSONAL GROUP ALL WHOM ARE
INCREDIBLY ACCOMPLISHED WOMEN
AND HAIRESS, -- HEIRESS, SOME
ARE BOTH, ANNOYING GROUP, WHAT
DO THEY PAY YOU, $300 A MONTH?
I SAID IT'S MY LIGHT BILL.
I HAD EVERYTHING SO
COMPARTMENTALIZED IT WAS A VERY
BIG DEAL TO ME.
SO IT WAS REALLY ONLY TRYING TO
REPLACE THE $300 A MONTH THAT I
EVER PURSUED ANYTHING.
I WAS COMPLETELY HAPPY DOING
WHAT I WAS DOING BECAUSE I WAS
SUCCESSFUL TO THE LEVEL -- I HAD
NO AMBITION, NEVER HAVE.
JUST FINE THE LIGHTS ARE ON.
YEAH.
SO IT WAS JUST TO KEEP OUR HEADS
ABOVE WATER, THAT WAS THE ONLY
AMBITION THAT I HAD.
SO THAT WAS WHAT PROMPTED ME TO
PURSUE SOMETHING ELSE.
AND --
>> SO YOU STARTED WRITING THE
BOOK.
WHERE DID THE MATERIAL COME
FROM?
>> LIFE.
>> LIFE.
>> JUST MY LIFE.
>> SWEET POTATO QUEEN.
>> ALSO EVERYBODY ELSE'S, IF YOU
TELL ME ANYTHING BE CAREFUL
BECAUSE I PLIT IN A BOOK.
>> THE SWEET POTATO QUEEN'S BOOK
OF LOVE.
>> IF I READ IT WHAT WILL I
LEARN?
>> YOU WILL LAUGH OUT LOUD OR I
WILL PERSONALLY REFUND YOUR
MONEY.
THAT'S THE BEST GUARANTEE I CAN
OFFER.
AND ALSO RECOMMEND A THERAPIST
FOR YOU, IF YOU DON'T LAUGH OUT
LOUD, THERE'S SOMETHING BAD
WRONG WITH YOU.
>> WHAT WILL READERS FIND?
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU GET?
>> THE BEST ADVICE T ONLY ADVICE
MY GRANDFATHER GAVE IS THE BEST
ADVICE IN THE WORLD THAT I HAVE
HEARD TO DATE.
AND HE NEVER SAID BE GOOD OR BE
SWEET OR BE CAREFUL, HE SAID BE
PARTICULAR.
AND IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THAT
COVERS EVERYTHING.
IF YOU JUST DO THAT, IF THAT'S
ALL YOU DO IN LIFE, IN F THAT'S
ALL YOU GET FROM ME, I HAVE
SERVED YOU WELL.
BECAUSE THE TIMES IN MY LIFE
THAT I DID NOT FOLLOW THAT
ADVICE STICK OUT PRETTY
BLARINGLY AS IN HUSBAND NUMBER
2.
[LAUGHTER]
>> ARE THERE ANY SWEET POTATO
KING?
>> NO.
THERE ARE SPUD STUDS.
THIS IS A MATRIARCHY DEFINITELY.
I RULE WITH AN IRON FIST.
>> WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO TO BE
A SPUD STUD?
>> WHATEVER I SAY, WHENEVER I
SAY IT.
AS FAST AS YOU CAN WITH A BIG
GRIN ON YOUR FACE.
OTHER THAN THAT, I DON'T CARE.
[LAUGHTER]
>> THAT'S THE ONLY RULE WE HAVE
IN THE WHOLE QUEENDOM.
>> NO WONDER THERE'S SO MANY
SWEET POTATO QUEENS, RIGHT?
>> IT'S VERY SIMPLE.
TAKE ME BACK FOR A SECOND, YOU
SIT DOWN AND YOU WRITE THIS
ADVICE, SWEET POTATO QUEEN'S
BOOK OF LOVE.
AND WHY DO PEOPLE WRITE BOOKS
NOT MANY GET PUBLISHED.
HOW DID YOU GET PUBLISHED SO
QUICKLY?
>> I HAD GONE TO SEE JOANNE
PRICHARD MORRIS, THE WIFE AT
TIME NOW WIDOW OF WILLIE MORRIS,
ONE OF OUR MOST REVERED SOUTHERN
WRITERS AN JOANNE AT THAT TIME
WAS THE CHIEF EDITOR AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI.
I WENT TO HER WITH THE THOUGHT
IN MIND OF PUBLISHING A
COLLECTION OF THE STORIES THAT I
HAD ALREADY WRITTEN FOR THESE
ASSORTED NEWSPAPERS JUST BECAUSE
I THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE VERY
EASY AND I AM LAZY.
SO IN THE COURSE OF THAT
CONVERSATION I JUST HAPPENED TO
-- I HAD HEARD SOMEWHERE THAT
BOOK PUBLISHERS ARE NEVER
INTERESTED IN ONE BOOK, IT'S
ALWAYS WHAT IS YOUR NEXT THING.
SO TO MAKE IT SOUND LIKE I HAD A
LOT OF IDEAS WHICH I DID NOT, I
SAID I KIND OF LIKE TO WRITE
THIS SWEET POTATO QUEEN'S BOOK
OF LOVE AND TOLD HER MADE UP MY
THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT.
AND SHE LIKED THE IDEA BUT SHE
THOUGHT IT WAS A LITTLE TOO
SPICY FOR THE UNIVERSITY
PRESIDENT.
BUT ABOUT NINE MONTHS LATER
LITERALLY SHE WANTED -- SHE DID
WANT THE COLLECTION I PROPOSED
TO HER BUT SENT ME HOME WITH
INSTRUCTIONS OF WHAT I SHOULD
PERSONALLY DO.
I JUST HAULED IN EVERYTHING OUT
I HAD EVER WRITTEN TO HER
OFFICE, HERE, MAKE A BOOK.
AND BUT SHE SAID YOU NEED TO GO
HOME WITH THIS, AND IT WAS VERY
DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS OF WHAT I
SHOULD PERSONALLY DO WITH ALL
THESE STORIES THAT I HAD NO IDEA
WHAT SHE WAS TALKING ABOUT AND I
KNEW WHEN I LEFT THERE I WAS NOT
GOING TO DO IT WHICH I DID NOT.
BUT NINE MONTHS LATER SHE CALLED
AND ALL I COULD THINK OF WHEN I
KNEW THAT IT WAS HER ON THE
PHONE WAS OH, MY GOD SHE WANTS
THAT BOOK AND I HAVE DONE
NOTHING.
AND SO I WAS SOMEWHAT MORTIFIED
AT THAT BUT LUCKILY FOR ME SHE
HAD LEFT THE UNIVERSITY AND WAS
ACQUIRING FOR RANDOM HOUSE SO
SHE SAID SHE HAD TOLD THEM ABOUT
THE SWEET POTATO QUEEN'S BOOK OF
LOVE AND THEY WANT AD PROPOSAL
AND ALL I COULD THINK OF THANK
GOD IT WASN'T SOMETHING I WAS
SUPPOSED TO HAVE ALREADY DONE.
SO SHE HELPS ME DO THE PROPOSAL
AND IT BOUND AND LOOKED LIKE A
REAL BOOK AND PICTURES AND SHE
TOOK IT TO NEW YORK AND LOST IT
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE MEETING
WITH RANDOM HOUSE AND SO SHE
CALLED AND LEFT THIS FRANTIC
BREATHLESS MESSAGE IT'S ON A
TRAIN, I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS.
AND SO I HAD TO FAX TO HER HOTEL
ROOM IN THE MID OL A TORNADO
LITERALLY, WHO HAD A FAX MACHINE
HAD TO GO SOMEWHERE, AND SENT
THE 50 PAGES, SO SHE WENT TO THE
MEETING NOT WITH THE
PROFESSIONALLY BOUND BOOK WITH
PHOTOGRAPHS BUT WITH 50 CURLED
UP PIECES OF FAX PAPER WITH --
AND KNOWING JOANNE AS I DO NOW,
QUITE CERTAIN THEY WERE
LITERALLY COATED WITH CIGARETTE
BUTTS AND RED WINE STAINS.
HERE IS MY BOOK PROPOSAL.
BUT THEY LOVED IT AND GAVE ME A
TWO BOOK DEAL BASED ON THAT.
SO WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME NOW AS
THEY DO, HOW DO YOU GET A BOOK
PUBLISHED I SAID I CAN REALLY
ONLY SPEAK FOR MY OWN PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE, GO HOME AN WAIT FOR
THEM TO CALL AND ASK FOR IT.
THAT'S WHAT I DID.
I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT HAPPENED.
>> I GUESS THEY SAY OFTENTIMES
LUCK IS NOTHING MORE THAN WHEN
PREPARATION AN TIMING COME
TOGETHER SO --
>> IT'S JUST LUCK.
>> YOU DON'T BUY INTO THAT,
RIGHT?
>> IT WAS PURE LUCK.
>> JUST PURE LUCK BUT OBVIOUSLY
YOU HAD TO HAVE SHG.
YOU WEREN'T A ONE HIT WONDER,
THINGS TOOK OFF.
SO WHAT'S THE KEY TO THAT
SUCCESS?
>> WELL, I'M FUNNY.
I JUST AM.
AND THROUGH NO FAULT OR CREDIT
TO MYSELF, IT'S JUST WHAT COMES
OUT.
THAT'S WHAT I GOT.
AND I GREW UP IN THE SOUTH GOING
TO SUNDAY SCHOOL AND ALWAYS
HATED THAT PARABLE AS A TALENT
THAT SOME GOT MORE THAN OTHERS
BUT EVERYBODY GOT AT LEAST ONE,
YOU SHALL NOT HIDE YOUR LIGHT
UNDER A BUSHELL.
BECAUSE I WANTED TO SING AND I
DIDN'T GET THAT TALENT.
I HAD NO IDEA WHAT MY TALL LENT
WAS.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT MY LIGHT WAS,
LET ALONE MY BUSHEL.
BUT IT DID UNFOLD FOR ME THAT I
AM FUNNY AND I CAN PUT IT DOWN
ON PAPER.
A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE THAT I
DEDICATED THE FIRST BOOK TO,
BETH JONES WAS AN ENGLISH
PROFESSOR AT MILLSAPS WHICH IS A
VERY RESPECTED LIBERAL ARTS
COLLEGE IN JACKSON.
SHE READ MY STORYS FROM THE
EARLY WORK THAT I DID AND SHE
SAID YOU REALLY SHOULD DO
SOMETHING WITH THIS.
YOU HAVE A VOICE.
AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THAT
MEANT.
I SAID WELL THANK YOU, BUT WHAT
DOES THAT MEAN?
SHE SAID A VOICE MEANS THAT WHEN
SOMEBODY READS YOUR WORK, THEY
KNOW WHO WROTE IT, THEY CAN
TELL.
IT'S READILY IDENTIFIABLE.
AND SHE SAID MOST PEOPLE,
WRITERS WHO SPEND THEIR WHOLE
LIVES TRYING TO FIND A VOICE AND
THEY NEVER FIND IT.
AND YOU JUST HAVE IT.
SO THANK YOU, GOD.
>> IS THERE A MESSAGE THAT GOES
THROUGH YOUR WRITING?
OBVIOUSLY YOU WANT TO BE FUNNY
BUT IS THERE AN UNDERLYING
MESSAGE YOU WANT TO GET ACROSS?
>> YES.
THAT IT'S -- THE POWER OF PLAY
IN OUR LIVES THAT THE IMPORTANCE
OF PLAY IN OUR LIVE CONSIST NOT
BE OVERSTATED.
LIFE IS *** A GOOD DAY, I
DON'T CARE WHO YOU ARE AND THE
DRESSING UP FUNNY AND ACTING
STUPID LIKE WE DO MAKES IT
POSSIBLE TO STEP OUTSIDE
YOURSELF FOR A LITTLE WHILE AND
BECOME SOMEBODY ELSE THAT
DOESN'T HAVE A WORTHLESS
EX-HUSBAND OR A CHILD IN THERAPY
OR BREAST CANCER, WHATEVER
YOU'RE DEALING WITH AND IT MAKES
YOU A LITTLE BIT STRONGER TO GO
BACK AND TOTE THAT LOAD WHEN YOU
HAVE TO.
IN MY EXPERIENCE, THE LOAD WILL
BE THERE WHEN YOU GO BACK.
NOBODY IS GOING TO COME GET I
WILL WHILE YOU'RE GONE PLAYING.
SO IT IS A PROFOUND SPIRITUAL
EXPERIENCE, IT REALLY IS.
WE HAVE A PARADE EVERY YEAR IN
JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, THE LAST
WEEKEND IN MARCH, IT'S NOW
CALLED THE ZIPPITY DO DA PARADE.
THE BOOK FIGURES PROMINENTLY
INTO THAT.
IT'S A FUNDRAISER FOR OUR
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL THERE,
HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN THE ONLY
HOSPITAL IN THE STATE OF
MISSISSIPPI WHERE ANY CHILD CAN
BE TREATED REGARDLESS OF ABILITY
TO PAY.
SO WE RAISE MONEY EVERY YEAR,
THE WEEKEND IS DEDICATED TO
RAISING MONEY FOR THE CHILDREN'S
HOSPITAL.
AND I HAVE MADE MYSELF AVAILABLE
NOW TO THE ENTIRE CHILDREN'S
MIRACLE NETWORK.
AND ANY MEMBER HOSPITAL THAT
WILL PAY MY WAY THERE I'LL GO
AND SPEAK, WAIVE MY SPEAKER'S
FEE AND DO A FUND RAISER FOR
THEM.
THIS CRAYON YOU SEE HERE, I HAVE
THESE MADE, -- THIS CROWN, U I
HAVE THESE MADE, MINE IS MUCH
LARGE E, THIS ONE IS JUST TO
GIVE TO CHARITY.
LARRY VERBA IN NEW YORK CITY WHO
MAKES ALL THE JEWELRY FOR THE
METROPOLITAN OPERA, DOES THE
BROADWAY SHOWS, IF YOU HAVE SEEN
WICKED HE DID THAT. MAKES THESE
FOR ME SO I WILL DONATE ONE OF
THESE TO THE EVENT AND THEY'LL
RAFFLE IT OR AUCTION TO RAISE
MONEY FOR IT.
AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO
HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH YOURSELF
BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO
REMEMBER OTHER PEOPLE.
AND SAME THING WITH YOUR TALENT,
IT'S IMPORTANT TO USE YOUR
TALENT FOR YOUR OWN BENEFIT BUT
IT ALSO NEEDS TO BENEFIT OTHERS
THAT'S WHY WE'RE HEAR.
WE ARE OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER.
>> CURIOUS TO GO BACK FOR A
SECOND TALKING ABOUT HAVING FUN
AND BEING PLAYFUL, WHAT DO YOU
THINK AS A SOCIETY, WHY HAVE WE
GOT TON A POINT TO TAKE
OURSELVES SO SERIOUSLY?
>> I DO NOT KNOW BUT I'M NOT
BURDENED TO TO THAT.
I'M THE ANTEDOTE TO THAT.
I'M SORRY TO THOSE PEOPLE BUT I
DIDN'T GET THAT.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BOOKS.
THE TITLES ARE FABULOUS.
THE SWEET POTATO QUEEN'S GUIDE
TO MEN.
GIVE ME COUPLE OF --
>> SUBTITLED EVERY MAN I LOVE IS
EITHER MARRIED, GAY OR DEAD.
THAT WAS MY EXPERIENCE FOR MANY
YEARS.
IT IS SHARED BY A LARGE SEGMENT
OF THE FEMALE POPULATION.
IT'S -- UNTIL I DID FIND THE
CUTEST BOY IN THE WORLD.
>> A SPUD STUD.
>> HE IS THE ULTIMATE SPUD STUD.
THIRD TIME WAS THE CHARM.
WE HAVE BEEN -- WE DON'T KNOW
HOW LONG WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED.
WE GOT MARRIED ON NEW YEAR'S EVE
WE FORGET.
WE THINK MAYBE NINE YEARS BUT
NOT SURE.
>> SO WHAT DOES THE SWEET POTATO
QUEEN LOOK FOR IN A MAN?
>> LIKE I SAID, A SPUD STUD, WHO
WILL DO WHATEVER YOU SAY
WHENEVER.
A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO A FRIEND
OF OURS IN JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI
WAS THE MOTHER OF A PEW LIT SER
PRIZE PLAY RIGHT.
BUT MS. LIDDY SAID THERE ARE
FIVE MEN YOU MUST HAVE IN YOUR
LIFE AT ALL TIMES IN ORDER TO BE
REASONABLY HAPPY.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE ONE TO TALK TO,
ONE TO DANCE WITH, ONE WHO CAN
FIX THINGS, ONE WHO CAN PAY FOR
THINGS AND ONE TO HAVE GREAT SEX
WITH.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ALL BUT
ONE OF THOSE CAN BEGET.
SO IT DOES EXPAND THE POOL
CONSIDERABLY.
>> MOVING ON.
>> I WON'T DELVE TOO DEEP TO
THAT.
THE SWEET POTATO QUEEN'S GUIDE
TO RAISING CHILDREN FOR FUN AND
PROFIT.
>> IF YOU HAVE HAD OR KNOWN ANY
YOU KNOW IT'S NEITHER.
IT'S A CRUEL JOKE.
>> SO YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER.
>> MIGHT AS WELL LAUGH THOUGH.
I DO HAVE A DAUGHTER.
SHE IS 23.
AND THE COVER OF THAT BOOK IS MY
OWN PERSONAL DAUGHTER WHEN SHE
WAS NINE MONTHS OLE AND
HOPEFULLY SHE'S THROUGH POSING
NAKED.
BUT THE ONLY THING PHOTO SHOPPED
ON THAT PHOTOGRAPH WAS THE BOWL
WAS WHITE NOT GREEN BUT SHE HAD
THAT TIARA ON HER HEAD AND THE
PEARLS IN HER FOUR TEETH.
MY FAVORITE PICTURE.
WHEN I FIRST ASKED HER ABOUT
USING THAT PICTURE ON THE COVER
OF THE BOOK YOU WOULD HAVE
THOUGHT THAT I HAD ASKED HER TO
POSE NAKED IN THE BOWL TODAY.
AND SO I WAIT AD YEAR OR SO AND
UNTIL THE BOOK WAS ACTUALLY
COMING OUT AND I SAID HONEY, I
JUST BEG YOU TO RECONSIDER, THIS
IS THE COVER OF THIS BOOK.
SHE SAID I'D LOVE TO BE ON THERE
AS IF SHE HAD NEVER SAID
ANYTHING OTHERWISE.
YOU HAVE HAD TEENAGERS I'M
ASSUME SOMETHING
>> NO.
>> YOU HAVE THAT TO LOOK FORWARD
TO.
SO SORRY.
>> I HAVE A TEN-YEAR-OLD.
>> YOU NEED TO READ THAT BOOK.
SOON AND OFTEN.
>> WHAT'S YOUR DAUGHTER DOING
NOW?
>> SHE IS IN HER SECOND YEAR OF
LAW SCHOOL AND DOING VERY WELL.
DOING VERY WELL.
>> I SUPPOSE SHE'S A SWEET
POTATO QUEEN.
>> SHE STARTED OUT, SHE'S RIDDEN
IN THE PARADE EVERY YEAR SINCE
SHE COULD SIT UP.
IN THE BACK OF THE PICKUP TRUCK
THAT PULLED OUR FLOAT.
AND THEN SHE GRADUATED TO A
CONVERTIBLE.
AND SHE'S HEAD OF THE TAITOR
TOTS.
-- TATOR TOTS AND NEW THEY
GRADUATEED FROM THE CONVERTIBLE
AND THEY MARCH.
PEOPLE ASK ALL THE TIME BECAUSE
THERE'S SEVERAL DAUGHTERS IN THE
GROUP AND PEOPLE SAY WHEN ARE
YOU GOING TO LET THE GIRLS RIDE
ON THE FLOAT?
I'M GOING WHEN THEY CAN BUILD
THEIR OWN.
[LAUGHTER]
>> TELL ME ABOUT THE BOOK,
"AMERICAN THIGHS".
>> SWEET POTATO QUEEN'S GUIDE TO
PRESERVING YOUR ASSETS, IT'S
ABOUT GETTING OLDER.
THAT'S PART OF THE ONE OF THE
WORST PARTS ABOUT GETTING OLDER
NOT THAT I FOUND ANY OF THE GOOD
PARTS IS GIVING UP THE LONG
HAIR.
THERE'S REALLY NO WAY TO LET
SOMEBODY, A GUY KNOW SOME
FATTICLY AND DIPGHTLY THAT
YOU'RE NOT HAPPY WITH HIM IS
WHEN YOU'RE YOUNG AND GOT ALL
THAT HAIR TO SLING AROUND.
SO THIS WILL STAY ON FOR SOME
GOOD TOOSES TOSSES.
I WAS HONORED A YEAR OR SO AGO
TO SPEAK TO 8,000 SAILORS AND
FAIR -- THEIR FAMILIES ON THE
USS GEORGE W. BUSH AIRCRAFT
CARRIER.
SOY SPOKE AND THEN SO I HAD THE
TRAVEL HAIR ON WHEN I WAS
SPEAKING BECAUSE THAT'S PART OF
THE DEAL.
AND THEN LATER I HAD TAKEN IT
OFF AND LATER THEY WANTED TO
TAKE PICTURES ON THE FLIGHT DECK
AND I FOR GET THAT I HAD THE
HAIR ON AND SO WE'RE GOING 20
KNOTS.
SO THE HAIR IS LIKE -- BUT IT
STAYED ON.
[LAUGHTER]
>> I ALSO KNOW THAT THERE'S A
SWEET POTATO QUEEN'S COOK BOOK
OUT THERE.
>> UH-HUH.
BIG -- CAN WE SAY AS COOK BOOK?
SWEET POTATO QUEEN'S BIG AS COOK
BOOK AN FINANCIAL PLANNER.
WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT THEY
WANTED IT TO BE -- IF YOU'RE
CALLED A COOK BOOK IT GOES IN
THAT GENRE AND THEY DIDN'T WANT
IT TO BE -- THE PUBLISHERS
DIDN'T WANT IT IN THE COOK BOOK,
THEY WANTED IT IN HUMOR SO THEY
SAID CALL IT COOK BOOK AND
SOMETHING AND MY FIRST
SUGGESTION WAS COOK BOOK AND
CATECHISM AND THAT TERRIFIED
THEM.
OKAY, FINANCIAL PLANNER.
THEY WENT WITH THAT. MY
FINANCIAL PLAN WAS THAT MY DADDY
WOULD LIVE FOREVER AND I HAD NO
FALL BACK POSITION.
IT DOESN'T WORK OUT.
MAKE ANOTHER PLAN.
>> GIVE ME A COUPLE OF SWEET
POTATO QUEEN RECIPES.
>> WELL, THE -- MY FAVORITE
RECIPE WHICH IS IN THAT COOK
BOOK, AND ALSO CAME FROM THE
CHOCOLATE STUFF, MY FAVORITE ALL
TIME -- I DON'T CARE WHAT IS
HAPPENING TO YOU IN YOUR LIFE,
THERE'S NOTHING SO BAD THAT THIS
WON'T MAKE IT BETTER.
AND IT'S TWO EGGS AND A CUP OF
SUGAR AND HALF A CUP OF FLOWER,
STICK OF BUTTER AND TWO
TABLESPOONS OF HERSHEY'S COCOA
IN THE BROWNE BOX.
QUARTER TEASPOON OF SALT AND A
RUNNING OVER TEASPOON OF
VANILLA, STIR IT TOGETHER AND
BAKE IT IN A PAN OF WATER FOR
ABOUT 50 MINUTES AT 300-DEGREES
AND IT IS THE BEST THING EVER IN
THIS ENTIRE WORLD, LIVING OR
DEAD.
>> INTERESTING.
WHAT IS PIG CANDY?
>> PIG CANDY.
OKAY.
SECOND BEST THING.
[LAUGHTER]
>> THE BASIC FOOD GROUPS IN THE
SWEET POTATO QUEEN ARE SWEET,
SALTY, FRIED AND AU GRATIN.
AND BUT PIG CANDY, YOU TAKE
BACON, AND COVER IT WITH DARK
BROWNE SUGAR, ALWAYS DARK
BROWNE.
I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY MAKE LIGHT
BROWNE SUGAR, IT'S AN
ABOMINATION, AND CHOPPED PECANS
AND YOU BAKE IT AND YOU WILL
ASCEND DIRECTLY INTO HEAVEN.
>> GIVE ME A LITTLE BIT -- WE'RE
GETTING SHORT ON TIME BUT
THERE'S OOH BROADWAY MUSICAL
ABOUT SWEET POTATO QUEENS IN THE
WORK?
>> IN THE WORKS, THAT HAS ALWAYS
BEEN ANYMY DREAM FOR IT AND
MELISSA MANCHESTER IS WRITING
THE MUSIC.
SHARON DONOR IS WRITING THE
LYRICS, SHARON'S FIRST NUMBER
ONE SONG WAS MY HEROES HAVE
ALWAYS BEEN COWBOYS.
SHE'S WRITTEN ABOUT 9,000 NUMBER
ONES SINCE THEN AND RUE BETTER
HOMES IS WRITING THE BOOK.
RUPERT WROTE THE MYSTERY OF
EMOND DRUED, THE ONLY SHOW IN
THE HISTORY TO -- HE WON EVERY
SINGLE TONY THERE IS.
VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
>> VERY BEST OF LUCK TO YOU ON
THAT. IF SOMEONE WANTS TO
BECOME A SWEET POTATO QUEEN, HOW
DO YOU DO IT?
>> JUST ASK ME.
>> JUST ASK YOU.
>> EMAIL ME.
>> THE WEBSITE IS
SWEETPOTATOQUEENS.COM AND I
EMPHASIZE THE QUEENS.COM BECAUSE
ONE QUEEN IS A IMPORTANT SITE.
>> SO QUEENS WITH AN S.
>> PEOPLE SAY I WENT TO YOUR
WEBSITE AND THEY HAVE NAKED
PEOPLE WITH HORSES ON THERE.
WE DON'T HAVE ANY HORSES.
>> OKAY.
[LAUGHTER]
>> AND YOU CAN JUST --
>> FACEBOOK, I'M ALL OVER
FACEBOOK, TWITTER, ALL THAT.
>> AND THAT'S THE SAME WAY THAT
YOU ESTABLISH A CHAPTER SWEET
POTATO QUEEN CHAPT ?ER
>> ANYBODY CAN BE -- THERE'S
ONLY ONE RULE, WHATEVER I SAY, A
BIG GRIN ON YOUR FACE, OTHER
THAN THAT, DON'T CARE WHAT YOU
DO.
GLU EAR THE ABSOLUTE BOSS OF
SWEET POTATO QUEENS WHAT YOU SAY
GOES.
>> YEP.
>> WHEES OONT PIPELINE NEXT --
>> WHAT'S ON THE PIPELINE NEXT
BESIDES THE MUSICAL?
>> I HAVE A MOVIE COMING OUT IN
PRING -- NEW BOOK IN THE SPRING,
FAT IS THE NEW 30.
SWEET POTATO QUEEN'S GUIDE TO
COPING WITH THE CRAPPY PARTS OF
LIFE.
>> JILL CONNER BROWNE, VERY NICE
TO MEET YOU.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> GOOD LUCK WITH THE NEW BOOK
AND THE BROADWAY PLAY.
SWEET POTATO QUEENS WITH AN S.
SWEETPOTATOQUEENS.COM.
FIND MORE ABOUT BEING A SWEET
POTATO QUEEN, FIND OUT MORE
ABOUT JILL CONNER BROWNE.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.
AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND
OUT MORE ABOUT US SEE OUR PAST
EPISODES YOU CAN DO SO ONLINE AT
WSRE.ORG/CONVERSATIONS.
NOT NEAR AS EXCITING AS SWEET
POTATO QUEENS BUT HOPEFULLY
YOU'LL COME SEE US.
I'M JEFF WEEKS.
THANK YOU FOR ENJOYING THE
BROADCAST.
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, WE'LL SEE
YOU SOON.
>> SUPPORT FOR THIS PROGRAM IS
PROVIDED IN PART BY THESE
CORPORATE SPONSORS.