From the New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Walk West comes Barbara Jenkins’s long-awaited tale of her walk across America, So Long as It’s Wild: Standing Strong After My Famous Walk Across America (Dexterity) an adventure that once captured the national media spotlight.

From the untold narrative of her impoverished hillbilly upbringing, to the crushing aftermath of her walk toward newfound courage and strength, So Long as It’s Wild is her story.

As a child growing up in the wild beauty of the Ozarks, Barbara often spent her days exploring outside and daydreaming of faraway places to escape the realities of poverty. She longed to trade her homemade clothes and outdoor toilet for spectacular adventures around the world. That chance came in the form of a young wild-eyed, long-haired “viking” man named Peter.

After an exciting courtship and a wedding on a dime, the young couple departed on foot from New Orleans on July 5, 1976, heading toward the Pacific Coast. News of the couple’s expedition spread like wildfire, landing them on the cover of National Geographic Magazine and countless other publications.

Soon after beginning their nearly three-year journey, Barbara realized the funny, adventure-seeking, charismatic man she married was not the loving partner she thought. Despite this realization, and a devastating heartbreak that caused her to feel lost and alone, Jenkins pushed through with grit and determination.

With lyrical, transportive prose, So Long as It’s Wild: Standing Strong After My Famous Walk Across America is one woman’s tale, stepping out from behind the man she had married, to find her voice and claim her story.

Johnie B. and Queen Iretta Sanders are a power blues duo – on and off stage – who’ve been wowing audiences for more than 25 years.

Johnie B. honed his guitar skills in his native Chicago while Iretta, born in Tunica, MS, got her singing start in church.

After meeting in 1986, the two married, and raised a family before eventually relocating to Mississippi and committing themselves to music full-time.

The two perform classics of the genre as well as originals. Their releases include the albums, Mississippi (containing the single, Grown-Ass Woman), Blues Club Jumpin and Let’s Party Right!

Note: The Sanders are known as two of the best-dressed blues performers. They believe in looking sharp!

Alicja-pop is both a solo endeavor and a group venture based in Memphis. Alicja-pop performs as a live band currently featuring Lori McStay, Jared McStay, and Andrew Geraci. Alicja Trout also performs with River City Tanlines, Mouserocket, and Sweet Knives (ex-Lost Sounds).

Alicja-pop’s current release is the album Howlin’ Black and Wyatt Records.

Check out this excellent Memphis Flyer piece.