LikeTheDew.com

Before they died I was lucky to photograph these two southern icons: one who paid homage to the heart of white southern  provincialism, the other to civil rights when doing so meant putting your life on the line.

They were an unlikely pair and had never met before I brought them together but they instantly recognized a soul mate  when they saw one and bonded immediately.

Lewis Grizzard showed up first and was ready to leave when Hosea Williams finally pulled up in his Cadillac, arriving late  and coming from the wrong direction. I rented an old truck as a prop and they filled the back, although Hosea got the  biggest share.

Perfectly dressed for their parts: Lewis sans socks and Hosea in bib overalls, they dropped their swagger for a snapshot  and it was over, both going their separate ways to spout their wisdom in opposite directions.

1. LikeTheDew (LikeTheDew) says:

   December 31, 1969 at 11:59 pm

   New blog post: Sons of the South http://tinyurl.com/czhwvx

   Reply
2. Keith Graham says:

   March 28, 2009 at 10:03 am

   Billy: As someone who had a fair share of encounters with both of these guys, I just have to say this is an amazing photo.

   Reply
3. Alice Murray says:

   April 13, 2009 at 4:15 pm

   Billy: I’ve been a huge fan of your photography for years, but this shot is beyond amazing. Lewis was quite a talent, but I often admit to trying to strangle him on several occasions when he still showed up to work in the old Constitution newsroom. And I covered Hosea throughout the ’70s, quickly learning that while he was a great story and an admirable leader, he was the world’s worst driver. Putting them in a pickup truck is pure poetry.

   Reply
4. Ferdinand Pharao says:

   February 23, 2010 at 5:24 pm

   I have been following your web log for 7 weeks now and I should state i am starting to like your post. How do I subscribe to to your blog?

   Reply