I admit... I have been looking for a reason to add multimedia to my website, but I needed a darn good excuse. Clay County has an eclectic history when it comes to what has been filmed here, and which stars and musicians were born / or decided to reside here. Enjoy the links!
TV
**New** as of December 12, 2007. A reported new reality show will soon call Camp Blanding home to 10 women in CMT's newest reality show "Bridal Boot Camp", and the winner of the competition will receive the wedding of her dreams.
Ladies, if you are searching for your 15 minutes of fame, then you are in luck! EVERY prospective contestant can apply for the show by e-mailing their name, contact information, location, wedding date, current weight, weight-loss goal and current photo to Bootcampcasting@hotmail.com.
The show is seeking engaged women who long to lose 10 to 60 pounds. You must be getting married in May, June or July of 2009.
Work It Girl!
Movie Stars & Movies
"G.I. JANE" In 1997, Camp Blanding was used for another Buff Gal for the movie "GI Jane". Demi Moore enrolls in the Navy SEAL program, has 20 hour training days, shaves her head, and saves the day. This clip is the opening where her trainers first see her in formation with the troop.
"Creature from the Black Lagoon" In 1954, Creature from the Black Lagoon was a science-fiction thriller where it originally was first seent to audiences in 3D. Parts of this movie was filmed at Wakulla Springs, and south of the Acosta Bridge in Jacksonville. Although, we just like to claim it part of our history too!
Meindhart Raabe - "Wizard of OZ" Actor
Meindhart Raabe currently resides in Penny Farms Retirement Home, and is the oldest living Munchkin since the 1939 movie "The Wizard of Oz". Even though his role was only 12 seconds long and he said a single sentance, it was the very quote most people recognize from the movie!
I accidentally discovered this great little interview on YouTube. Mr. Raabe is simply a great man, and his story is remarkable! Enjoy!
As coroner, I must aver
I thoroughly examined her
And she's not only merely dead
She's really, most sincerely dead! - The Coroner of Muchkinland (Meindhart Raabe)
I just discovered this rare 1939 home-movie that Harold Arlen filmed. Harold Arlen wrote the score to 'The Wizard of Oz" and the the exquisite melody "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". I know you'r going to enjoy the screen shots of the most familiar faces!
Musicians
Slim Whitman - Country Music Artist
Slim Whitman is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in country music history with his combined albums sold over 70 million albums sold worldwide, and yet at the same time is one of the most unrecognized by the American public at large. He is a self-taught left hand guitarist and his album All My Best, which went on to be the best-selling TV-marketed record in music history, with almost 1.5 million units sold. A fun note is that his song "Indian Love Call" hit the charts in 1952, and then saved the world in Tim Burton's movie "Mars Attacks!" in 1996.
My favorite scene is when a boy is pulling a wagon with a boombox playing "Indian Love Call" and he is indeed jamming to the music. All right!
Slim Whitman - Current Resident
Ronnie, Johnny, Donnie and Melody Van Zant
LYNYRD SKYNYRD
Combined total worldwide sales have totaled over 30 million albums sold. Clay County helped shape this legendary band and helped them to form their sound, and the foundation of original band memebers that stemmed in the mid 60's who would to take on the 70's.
How did the the band members of Lynard Skynyrd meet?
In 1964, Ronnie Van Zant hits a line drive that strikes Bob Burns in the head, who was watching the same game with Gary Rossington. Burns is knocked unconscious but the three became friends and have a common interest in music. They soon form a band along with Allen Collins and Larry Junstrom. They created the band called 'The Noble Five', and that fall they play their first gig for $10.
Lynard Skynyrd - Early years (1970–1972)
In 1970, the band began rehearsing at the Hell House, an isolated farm in Green Cove Springs, FL. What was so significant about this location was that it was the only location they could practice without receving police complaints! This small farm had a tin roof that made the temperatures extreemely hot and the nick-name "Hell House" came to be. This location is where Lynyrd Skynyrd developed their sound and where they wrote their first two albums. The songs the world is most are familiar with were written in Green Cove Springs, Florida!
"Free Bird" appeared on the original album "Prounounced Leh-nerd Skin-nerd" released in 1973. "Sweet Home Alabama" first appeared on the albumn "Second Helping". This album was released in 1974.
Lynyrd Skynyrd is playing at the Musikhalle in Hamburg, Germany Dec.5 1974 - "Second Helping" just came out because the southern favorite "Sweet Home Alabama" is introduced as a just released new song.
Ronnie Van Zant and his band wrote the classic Lynyrd Skynyrd son "Sweet Home Alabama" in Green Cove Springs! This video was recorded in Germany, andI think this perspective is funny because I know today when the first chord is played the crowd goes wild. However in this footage the song is first introduced and when the first chord is played and no one screams immediately.
.38 Special
Ronnie's younger brother Donnie had a musical incline also and created .38 Special, the band exploded onto the rock-n-roll scene with the same degree of pride and grit as Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the 80's welcomed them with open arms. They continue to play over 100 concerts a year and a new album is coming out DRIVETRAIN. An album with an attitude as described by the band. One of their first and most recognized hits, 'Hold on Loosly' is seen in this live recording.
Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
In 2003, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus was a local band formed in Middleburg, Florida. The band consists of lead vocalist Ronnie Winter, lead guitarist Elias Reidy, bassist Joey Westwood, guitarist Duke Kitchens, and drummer Jon Wilkes; all perform back-up vocals.
Where did the band name come from? The name, "Red Jumpsuit Apparatus", was chosen by placing random words on a wall, and then blindfolding one of the members and choosing three words. As a result "Red Jumpsuit Apparatus" was pieced together.
"It blends propulsive, chugging guitars, a steady beat and yearning pop vocals and climaxes in a detonation of dissonance and a volley of screams. " (their website)
Yup, all that and its fun to dance too!
Faith Hill She came to GCS and filmed the video "Secret of Life" in Chaney's Diner. This diner used to be next to Clay Theater, you can see Walnut Street and the old Qui-Si-Sana Hotel.
