Rick Bragg on Jerry Lee Lewis

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2014/11/JLL_bookcover.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:300;s:6:"height";i:449;s:4:"file";s:25:"2014/11/JLL_bookcover.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:6:{s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"JLL_bookcover-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:23:"JLL_bookcover-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"JLL_bookcover-208x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:208;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"JLL_bookcover-177x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:177;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"JLL_bookcover-300x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:300;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:25:"JLL_bookcover-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:157518;s:14:"optimized_size";i:77155;s:7:"percent";d:51.020000000000003;}s:5:"sizes";a:8:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:53:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/11/JLL_bookcover.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:74106;s:14:"optimized_size";i:20475;s:7:"percent";d:72.370000000000005;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:59:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/11/JLL_bookcover-80x80.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:3602;s:14:"optimized_size";i:3211;s:7:"percent";d:10.859999999999999;}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/11/JLL_bookcover-300x338.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:25731;s:14:"optimized_size";i:17165;s:7:"percent";d:33.289999999999999;}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/11/JLL_bookcover-300x300.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:22943;s:14:"optimized_size";i:15114;s:7:"percent";d:34.119999999999997;}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/11/JLL_bookcover-208x311.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:17064;s:14:"optimized_size";i:11576;s:7:"percent";d:32.159999999999997;}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:61:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2014/11/JLL_bookcover-177x265.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:14072;s:14:"optimized_size";i:9614;s:7:"percent";d:31.68;}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

)
1669803799 
1414972800

Jerry Lee Lewis is as famous for his colorful personal life as he is for his music. An early pioneer of rock and roll, Lewis soared to fame in the late ’50s with hits such as Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On only to be brought down by scandal when he married his 13-year old cousin. Author Rick Bragg spent two summers listening to Lewis recount the triumphs and tragedies of his life and the result is Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story. Bragg tells Greg Bass about Lewis’ first encounter with a piano in Ferriday, Louisiana…

Click here to listen to an extended interview.

Ric Bragg reading a passage on when Jerry Lee Lewis met Elvis Presely

The Alabama Booksmith, presents An Evening with Rick Bragg tonight at 6 o’clock. A portion of the proceeds will benefit WBHM.

 

Alabama Power seeks to delay rate hike for new gas plant amid outcry

The state’s largest utility has proposed delaying the rate increase from its purchase of a $622 million natural gas plant until 2028.

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones announces run for Alabama governor

Jones announced his campaign Monday afternoon, hours after filing campaign paperwork with the Secretary of State's Office. His gubernatorial bid could set up a rematch with U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, the Republican who defeated Jones in 2020 and is now running for governor. 

Scorching Saturdays: The rising heat threat inside football stadiums

Excessive heat and more frequent medical incidents in Southern college football stadiums could be a warning sign for universities across the country.

The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor

The Gulf States Newsroom is hiring an Audio Editor to join our award-winning team covering important regional stories across Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana.

Judge orders new Alabama Senate map after ruling found racial gerrymandering

U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued the ruling Monday putting a new court-selected map in place for the 2026 and 2030 elections.

Construction on Meta’s largest data center brings 600% crash spike, chaos to rural Louisiana

An investigation from the Gulf States Newsroom found that trucks contracted to work at the Meta facility are causing delays and dangerous roads in Holly Ridge.

More Arts and Culture Coverage