By Harold Brummett

Denmark Star Route

The Good Ole Boys and Gals get-together was Oct. 2. The crowd was smaller than I remember from the past, but still a good size. There was the Secretary of State, Secretary of Agriculture, Northern District Highway Commissioner, Lieutenant Governor, Governor, State Auditor and many other dignitaries in attendance. Several made speeches as John Morgan regulated the time to 3 minutes (more or less).  

John Morgan hosted the event and, of course, Carla Davis was the driver behind the scenes. The food was excellent in its plainness, BBQ chicken, beans, coleslaw and white bread. The chicken was spiced just right and cooked by the same crew that has been in charge of feeding for as long as I had been coming to GOB&G. 

As good as the food is, no one comes for just the chicken. See, be seen, reacquaint with old friends and make new ones. As people start to gather, no one talks openly about politics but talks around the subject quite a bit. 

The politicians who got on the stump and spoke were pointedly pro-Republican although all are welcome. More notables than can be mentioned attended and brought to the crowd’s attention by one speaker of the other announcing their presence. One speaker welcomed Governor Barbour and joked the past governor is the godfather of Mississippi politics. A few forced laughs at this half-truth. 

A favorite speaker of mine is the Secretary of Agriculture Andy Gipson. As a Baptist Preacher, Lawyer and Politician he practically bursts with enthusiasm when he gets up to speak. Commissioner Gipson falls into that old-time rhythm of speech, loud and mesmerizing that used to roll from the pulpits across the state every Sunday.  

Commissioner Gipson’s oration both entertains and enthralls as the tempo rises and falls with the message drawing the crowd in tight. Someday I would like to hear a sermon from him,  unrestrained by time. 

I walked around and listened to snippets of conversation getting a feel for the mood of those in attendance. Crowds are funny and when people come together at an event like this there seems to be a collective personality that forms. 

This crowd started out in tight little knots with the individuals engaged in conversation facing each other, backs to the world. As the evening wore on these circles softened and the crowd became more open to each other as familiarity eased those gathered into comfortable conversation. 

Johnny Morgan Memorial Highway was dedicated with several speakers giving homage to the founder of GOB&G. Some speakers knew him, others wished they had.  Sen. Nicole Boyd gave the best and most moving speech of the dedication. Sen. Boyd spoke from the heart as she reflected on Johnny Morgan. Thinking of what I knew of Johnny Morgan Senator Boyd echoed my sentiments. 

I smiled to myself reflecting on being pleased when Johnny Morgan actually remembered my name and asked me what I thought about a particular political situation, or who would win a certain election. I was always flattered when he asked me what I thought even knowing it was Johnny conducting a poll.  

Angie and I left Johnny’s Barn as the crowd dwindled. Several knots of people had re-formed, no doubt earnestly discussing issues of the day. I looked back over the soft glow of the Bar B Que pits cooling, looking into the dark shadows where the bright lights of illumination could not reach. 

I imagined Johnny standing there just inside the shadows – black hair combed straight back with his mischievous Johnny Morgan smile enjoying once again his friends and politics.