Oxford American is the pinnacle of cultural magazine writing—especially in the under-covered South. Each year OA publishes a music issue that spotlights one state, and this year it’s Mississippi, the magazine’s home state.
“We are in awe of the cultural richness of Mississippi,” writes editor Marc Smirnoff, “and while we have the sand to represent Mississippi music on paper (mag), on metal (CD), and in outer space (online), we at least know we must respect and somehow pay homage to the music and literary gods whose personal affection for the Magnolia State seems beyond doubt.”
Even compared to past music issues, OA really outdid itself. Some of the articles include a profile of braggadocious soul man Syl Johnson, who fought for his intellectual rights against countless hip hop DJs and producers; a sorta-oral history of roots-rock band The Hilltops; Jim Johnson’s stuffed pork chop recipe; the x-rated origins of blues lyrics; and some musings by Roseanne Cash. Although many of the articles will go online eventually, it’s probably worth grabbing at the newsstand when it goes on sale on December 1: The magazine will come packaged with a 27-track sampler of Mississippi music.
—Will Wlizlo
Ford seeks traction for turnaround.(Cover Story)(Brief Article)
Automotive News October 14, 2002 A year after Bill Ford replaced Jacques Nasser as CEO of Ford Motor Co., the company still is trying to convince the world that its turnaround is well under way.
So far, Wall Street is skeptical. Ford Motor stock is near a 10-year low, closing at $8.26 a share on Friday, Oct. 11. General Motors increased pressure on Ford Motor last week by sweetening incentives. And profits are slim. fordmotorstocknow.net ford motor stock
Ford Motor COO Nick Scheele says fresh products are on the way. But as he put it last week, fixing Ford is like turning a ship around in the Detroit River. website ford motor stock
Here is what’s happening:
Parts sharing is Job 1 Product czar Chris Theodore wants more parts sharing. And he is reorganizing the product-development bureaucracy to get it. | PAGE 38 | New car lineup Ford Division will add a mid-sized car in 2005. | PAGE 38 | Cutting costs Ford Motor will wring costs from vehicles for two more years by reworking them after they launch. | PAGE 39 | No more knockoffs Jim Padilla, Ford North America boss, promises that Mercury will no longer get cosmetic knockoffs of Ford vehicles. | PAGE 39 | Goodbye, two-door pickup The two-door F series will be history with next year’s redesign. | PAGE 39 | CAPTION(S):
Chris Theodore: Big plans to share parts * Scheele: Turnaround will take time * Padilla: No more Mercury knockoffs
“We are in awe of the cultural richness of Mississippi,” writes editor Marc Smirnoff, “and while we have the sand to represent Mississippi music on paper (mag), on metal (CD), and in outer space (online), we at least know we must respect and somehow pay homage to the music and literary gods whose personal affection for the Magnolia State seems beyond doubt.”
