User:Sonsofthepearl/Pearl of the Redneck Riviera

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Pearl of the Redneck Riviera

The Pearl of the Redneck Riviera is a common term for Mobile, Alabama, the seat of power of an area known as the Redneck Riviera. The area covers over 200 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, beginning at Dauphin Island, Alabama and ending in Saint Joseph Bay, Florida.

The area is a popular destination year round for the discerning Southern traveller. While many chose to holiday at the numerous secluded resorts that line the picturesque white sandy shores, the main destination is "The Pearl", Mobile, Alabama. Often compared with other exotic locales, such as Miami Beach, Monaco, and Saint Tropez, Mobile provides the finest in higher gastronomy offerings, an oppulent night life, and some of the most exclusive shopping outside of New York City.

Trailer Park King

Local Mobile entrepreneur, celebrity, and spirits producer/distributor, Jocephus Earl Gordon, known throughout the Pearl as "Big E." became known as the "Trailer Park King" of Lower Alabama. Believed to be born circa 1946 in Tillman's Corner, Gordon brought Mobile to the forefront of American culture. As early as the age of six, Gordon gathered Mason Jars for his father's White Lightning syndicate. After being fired by his father for burning down the Moonshine production shed Gordon found himself starting his own Moonshine smuggling ring at the age of twelve. Local legend varies but after a prolonged dispute, known later as the "Moonshine Wars", Gordon banished his father from Alabama.

After several stints in the Mobile County Prison Farm, Gordon resurfaced at twenty in the Mobile area. He quickly rose again in the Moonshine business, claiming the spotlight as a kingpin in the Redneck Riviera. Placing an emphasis on the Lower Alabama way of life structure and the importance of maintiaing the purity of the trailer park he soon became known as the "Trailer Park King". "Fast cars and faster women" became more than the anthem for the trailer park, it became the way of life; on any night you could find rubber burning, music blaring, and the trailer park screaming. Gordon's weekly trailer park rallies began to draw thousands from the rural areas; his motivational speeches promoted Redneck rebellions across the Redneck Riviera. Gordon soon came under federal investigation as his legend spread across the South.

In 1973, after seeing the Burt Reynold's classic White Lightning, Gordon was inspired to move into other ventures outside Moonshine distributionship. In a weekly rally held at the Tillman's Corner Wal-Mart he worked the crowd into a frenzy as he preached:

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This speech has been credited by many for ushering in the golden era of Southern Swagger. In the crowd that day was a young Tennesse specimen, David Schultz

Southern Swagger

The Pearl is credited as the foundation of a life style known as Southern Swagger; made popular by Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ric Flair, Burt Reynolds, and Dr D. Dave "The Redneck" Schultz. Southern Swagger became synonymous with extravagant clothing, depraived indulgence, and excessive personal confidence. Southern Swagger reached it's peak in the late 1970's into the mid 1980's. Much like the glory days of the discotheque at Studio 54 in New York City, the Pearl was known for it's decadent night life. Famous honky tonks and dance halls like the Velvet Oyster and Mike's Wagon Wheel emodied the culture of Southern Swagger.

External links

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