James Luther (“Jim”) Dickinson described his handwriting as resembling that of a schizophrenic six-year-old boy or Beethoven. Dickinson’s widow Mary Lindsay and his son Luther spent months transcribing Jim’s handwritten manuscript of I’m Just Dead, I’m Not Gone. Son Cody was the go-to guy if there were any questions.
Before he passed, Jim chose Birdman Records’ David Katznelson to work with Luther and Mary Lindsay on the manuscript. Thank you, David, for your brilliant contributions. I’m Just Dead, I’m Not Gone would not be the same book without you.
Our friend and colleague Robert Gordon introduced Mary Lindsay to Microsoft Word. “It’s the industry standard,” said Robert. “The manuscript must be in Microsoft Word before you can submit it.” Thus began one of the worst years of Mary Lindsay’s life. Word seemed crazy, headstrong, erratic, and uncontrollable. Many thanks to Andrew Paslay. With your patient tutoring, we did it!
Jim’s working title for I’m Just Dead, I’m Not Gone was The Search for Blind Lemon. When Mary Lindsay decided to prepare a compilation of music, film, video, and text to present it to the public, John Fry made the full facilities of his Ardent Recording Studios, Memphis, Tennessee, available to her. John, you left us too soon and are sadly missed. You and Jim must be smiling down on us from Heaven. “Production in absentia is the highest art.”
The efforts of Elizabeth Montgomery-Brown, Jody Stephens, Adam Hill, Chris Jackson, and others at Ardent were invaluable. Rachel Hurley put together the presentation and a gorgeous Facebook page, Jim Dickinson’s Legacy. Thanks to you all. Your loving care for us is never-ending.
The Search for Blind Lemon program had a rousing start. With Dr. William Ferris’s nod of approval, Mary Lindsay’s intern Reed Turchi put together a fantastic day celebrating Jim Dickinson’s genius, beginning with Mary Lindsay’s presentation of The Search for Blind Lemon in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and ending with a concert of live music from Big Star’s Third album, originally produced by Jim Dickinson. Thank you, Reed. As Dr. Ferris put it, “Reed Turchi can move mountains.”
When portions of The Search for Blind Lemon were being excerpted for publication in the Oxford American magazine, Laura Foreman and Bill Newport protected us from contractual problems. Thank you.
Former background singer and lawyer Saul Belz has been effective through countless legal complications during Jim’s career and ever after. We sleep better at night due to your outstanding efforts on behalf of Jim and his estate. Thank you, dear friend.
One day the phone rang. When Mary Lindsay answered it, Sarah Lazin introduced herself. (Writer Holly George-Warren had mentioned her to Mary Lindsay as a top-notch literary agent.) Sarah said, “Mojo Nixon told me about Jim’s book when we met at South by Southwest music conference in Austin. I’d like to read it.” Thank you, Mojo. You couldn’t have made a better connection for us.
Dr. David Evans invited Mary Lindsay to give a presentation of The Search for Blind Lemon to his History of Memphis Music class at the University of Memphis. Afterward, Dr. Evans said the manuscript was entertaining and educational and invited Mary Lindsay to submit it to the University Press of Mississippi, where it was not accepted for publication. “The manuscript needs to be cut, edited, and have an introduction written,” judged Dr. Evans.
About this time Mary Lindsay read a comment by Ernest Suarez published in the Washington Post: “The music of the Dickinson family is a major thread in American Art.” Mary Lindsay called Luther: “I like the way this man thinks. Maybe he could be our editor. Can you get in touch with him?” “Not a problem,” said Luther. “He’s a friend of mine. We’re having lunch next week.” Ernest Suarez has been angelic in his devotion to Jim and his book. He will always live large in our hearts. Thank you, Ernest. You have our gratitude. Your editing prowess and heartrending introduction tell readers who Jim was, what he did, and why they should care. Your work led to the manuscript’s acceptance for publication.
Sarah Lazin and her assistant, Julia Conrad, shepherded Jim’s manuscript through the process of making a deal with primo Editor-In-Chief Craig Gill of the University Press of Mississippi. Sarah, thank you for representing our interests with your much-appreciated tact and professionalism.
Craig, words cannot express our admiration for the expertise you gave the publication of Jim’s book, now called I’m Just Dead, I’m Not Gone. Your devotion made us feel at home. Your assistants Katie Keene and McRae intern Emily Bandy were kind yet strict in insisting we meet our deadlines. Good job.
David Leonard donated his time and artistry to ready the photographs for publication. Thank you!
Many people have supported us over the years as we struggled to get I’m Just Dead, I’m Not Gone published. We wish we could mention every one of you. Please know that you are appreciated.
“I’m just dead, I’m not gone,” is Jim’s self-penned epitaph.
MARY LINDSAY DICKINSON
Zebra Ranch
Independence, Mississippi
A complete discography of Jim’s work can be found at WangDangDula.com (http://wdd.mbnet.fi/jimdickinson.htm).