Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2008 > February > 01 > Entry
Savannah Book Festival snags celebs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Apparently, no one ever instructed Savannah Book Festival executive director Matt Prickett to start small.
Even in its inaugural year, this weekend’s author extravaganza boasts some of the biggest Southern names in publishing, including “To Dance with the White Dog” author Terry Kay, Atlanta chick lit goddess Mary Kay Andrews (who used to toil at the AJC as Kathy Hogan Trocheck), Rosemary Daniell, Paul Hemphill, Tina McElroy Ansa, mystery novelist and Emmy-winning “One Life to Live” scribe Michael Malone and novelist Cassandra King who happens to also be married to one Pat Conroy.
Prickett, a Buckhead resident who purchased a second home in Savannah in 2004, says he was amazed that the seaside city didn’t already have an annual book festival.
“It’s like a movie set for a book festival,” Prickett says, laughing. “There are a lot of readers and retirees here. Plus, with Charleston, St. Simons [Island] and Hilton Head [Island] close by, the location is ideal.”
Prickett even invited a New Yorker to the festival this weekend: “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” author John Berendt.
“We flew to New York to discuss it with John and he couldn’t have been more gracious,” Prickett says. “After we explained what we were doing, the first thing John said was ‘What can I do to help?’ “
So in addition to a Saturday talk, Berendt also will play host at tonight’s reception with festival keynote speaker Kay.
When making the initial plans for this weekend’s events, Prickett says he relied on a 20-year friendship with Hemphill, a former Atlanta Journal columnist.
“The first person I called was Paul,” Prickett recalls. “His latest book [“Lovesick Blues, The Life of Hank Williams”] is just amazing and I knew that I wanted Paul to be a part of this.”
While Prickett doesn’t exactly know just how many readers will descend on Savannah this weekend, he says he’s encouraged by early response and the large number of hits the festival’s online Web site is receiving.
Readers also will have to double as efficient multitaskers in order to cram in all of Saturday’s scheduled author offerings.
“It’s ambitious but we’re extremely hopeful at this point,” Prickett told us just before heading out to pick up Berendt at the airport Thursday.
The weekend concludes Sunday morning with a book brunch hosted by acclaimed cookbook author and TV chef Nathalie Dupree.
For full details and a schedule: www.savannahbookfestival.org.
GPB HITS LENO’S ‘HEADLINES’
The folks over at Georgia Public Broadcasting are secretly thrilled at being included as part of “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” this week. During the late-night talk show host’s popular “Headlines” segment where he routinely spoofs small-town news, Leno featured a programming note from GPB’s monthly “Preview” viewer guide from November. Riffing from the listing for an episode of “Independent Lens,” Leno read the listing as printed: “For more than 50 years, the Miss Navajo Nation beauty pageant has given its contestants opportunities to showcase not just their beauty but their skills in dance, music and sheep slaughtering.” Added Leno as the audience laughed: “I tell ya, nobody’s gonna harass her!”
The GPB tipster who sent us an e-mail alert proudly wrote in her subject line: “And people think Georgia Public Broadcasting can be stuffy!”
PAUL IS DEAD. NO, HE’S SICK. NO, HE’S …
Paul McCartney says recent media reports that he had a heart procedure last year are “entirely untrue.”
“People are ringing and texting me saying, ‘Are you OK?’ ” he writes in a posting on his newly redesigned Web site. “I hadn’t seen the report so I was puzzled by so many enquiries about my health. So I think it’s a good time to put this rumour to rest.”
The 65-year-old ex-Beatle says that during a routine medical examination over a year ago, “there was a minor irregularity which I needed to have tests for and which I have now been assured is completely fine.”
Recent media reports “completely distorted the story, calling it an angioplasty, which is entirely untrue, and this is why so many friends have been concerned about my health,” he writes.
“I am happy to say that I feel great and I have passed my most recent medical with flying colours.”
McCartney, who is nominated for a Grammy Award for his latest album, “Memory Almost Full,” says he wants to assure friends and family that he’s in good health.
He adds: “I have secretly been enjoying all the sympathy I’ve been getting!”
All together now: Paul McCartney knows how to text!
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
Actor-comedian Garrett Morris is 71. Singer Don Everly of The Everly Brothers is 71. Singer Ray Sawyer of Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show is 71. Actor Sherman Hemsley is 70. Jazz pianist Joe Sample is 69. Bluegrass singer Del McCoury is 69. Actor-writer-director Terry Jones (Monty Python) is 66. Actress Sherilyn Fenn is 43. Singer Lisa Marie Presley is 40. Actor Michael C. Hall (“Dexter,” “Six Feet Under”) is 37. Rapper Big Boi of Outkast is 33.
OVERSCENE
Singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson and an assistant breakfasting at The Palm in Buckhead. Clarkson ordered a three-egg omelet. R&B singer J. Holiday spotted dining at the Chipotle location on Piedmont Road in Buckhead.
STORK REPORT
Actor Ethan Hawke and his girlfriend, Ryan Shawhughes, are expecting a baby.
“I can confirm and they are thrilled,” Hawke’s publicist, Mara Buxbaum, tells The Associated Press.
“No further details will be made available,” Buxbaum said in an e-mail.
Hawke, 37, has two children from his marriage to Uma Thurman.
Contributing: News services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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