The Dancing Outlaw

**Mels_Smileys45** · September 5th, 2005, 01:58 AM

Anyone ever heard or saw the story of Jesco. A friend of mine let me make a dvd of it from his VHS tape. Its sort of a cult classic and has been going around for many years. It may be found around here and there now days :icon_pira Im checking to see if its covered by copyrights, I'm not sure of that. http://www.juliescoggins.com/dancing_outlaw_page.htm

"Nestled deep within the heart of the mountains of Boone County, West Virginia reigns a King. The King - Jesco White, The Dancing Outlaw. Jesco is a living legend. The last of the Mountain Dancers, his style is unique to the mountain culture. Resembling tap dancing, it's a tradition passed down from father to son - as were his dancing shoes. His dance floor? An 8 by 4 piece of plywood or the roof of his canine companion Duke's doghouse.

His venue? The front yard, the den of Jesco's and Norma Jean's trailer, or any place the spirit moves.

But dancing isn't the only phenomenon that emanates from the cabin. On quiet nights, legend has it, you can hear the echoes of vintage Elvis tunes careening off the walls of Jesco's Elvis room and through the mountains of Boone county. Jesco belts out Elvis tunes as only a true King can. It's a beautiful thing, man.

Jesco's unique mountain wisdom and talents (and tattoos) have not gone unnoticed. His jewels of wisdom are downright profound. His talents have made him the subject of two documentary films and scored him an appearance with Dweezil Zappa ("Weezil" as Jesco puts it) as a country cousin on the "The Roseanne Show." (The tattoos were a big hit, just ask Tom Arnold.)"

**Mels_Smileys45** · September 5th, 2005, 02:36 AM

If anyone can help me find out if this video is copyrighted I would be very thankfull. It was first shown on West Virginia public TV and has since made the rounds bootleg style. If it is legal to do so I would like to release this through BT and give a link for people to send money to Jesco White who has seen some very hard times these last few years.

"The Dancing Outlaw" was released to videocassette after becoming something of a cult sensation through circulating "bootleg" tapes. Film and TV actress Roseanne is among Jesco's many fans.

**bigchingan** · September 21st, 2005, 06:53 PM

I am very interested in obtaining a copy of the Dancing outlaw. I own the videotape, but it was taped off of public access 14 years ago, and the quality has become very poor. Any chance you'll be making a torrent of this anytime soon? Also, I don't know if you knew, but there is a sequel out there called "jesco goes to hollywood" about him guest starring on the Rosanne show. Havent seen it, but it can't be half bad considering the subject matter.

Cheers

**bigchingan** · September 21st, 2005, 06:55 PM

Also, it was broadcast on public access when it was new, and made by some students from WVU. I'm not 100% sure its copyrighted, but I would think that it maybe isn't because it was a student project that was broadcast on public television.

Cheers

**Mels_Smileys45** · October 7th, 2005, 11:06 PM

Im still looking into this videos copyrights but not having much luck, I would reaaly like to help Jesco out with a link to send donations provided with the download, hope it all works out. I have all three parts of TDO, part 1, Jesco goes to Hollywood and out takes. Its some funny shit.

If anyone can help me dig up info on this video please do so, I'm jst not sure how to find such things out.

**Mels_Smileys45** · March 3rd, 2006, 04:46 AM

This video is now on BT if you look around (episode 1)

**Mels_Smileys45** · June 18th, 2006, 08:56 PM

I uploaded a 1o minute segment to youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUe1l64eg9I

If the demand is there I will upload all 3 episodes. Watch this redneckploitation show and tell me what ya think. Get a double super buzz with Jesco White! A cult legend!

The last part of this episode (which I will likely post tomorrow) is actually kinda touching, when he talks about how his father was killed I felt bad for the Jesco.

**Mels_Smileys45** · June 18th, 2006, 09:17 PM

Well hell, I just went back to his web site and you can now watch 2 episodes there http://www.juliescoggins.com/dancing_outlaw_page.htm

Scroll down the page and check them out

Famous quote: "If you wanna live to see tomorrow, you're gonna start fryin' 'em eggs a little better'n what'chu been fryin' 'em. I'm tired of eatin' sloppy, slimy eggs!" - Jesco White to wife Norma Jean White

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesco_White

Life

Jesse "Jesco" White was born in the Appalachians and is an acclaimed mountain dancer. He is best-known for the two short films about him which detail his desire to follow in his famous father's footsteps, while trying to overcome depression, drug addiction, and the poverty that afflicts most of rural Appalachia.

His father was Donald Ray White, who was profiled in the PBS documentary Talking Feet. Before his murder, Donald Ray White was known as one of the greatest mountain dancers in the United States. His style, along with Jesco's, is a subtle mix of tap and clog dancing that is native to Appalachia.

He met his wife Norma Jean on Christmas Eve of 1974 and their on-again, off-again marriage was one of the focal points of the first documentary.
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Short films

Jesco White was first profiled on the Public Broadcasting Service's "A Different Drummer" Series. Because of his popularity, PBS eventually released two documentaries about Jesco. The first was The Dancing Outlaw (1991), directed by Jacob Young, which featured him at home in West Virginia and gave audiences a glimpse into his troubled life.

As the popularity of The Dancing Outlaw grew, he was asked by comedian Tom Arnold to perform on the television show Roseanne. He travelled to Los Angeles for the performance, which was chronicled in the 1994 short film Jesco White 2: Jesco goes to Hollywood - directed by the original's Jacob Young.
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Musical connections

Jesco has been linked to many popular artists through song. Big and Rich mention his name in their single "Comin' To Your City". Hank Williams III wrote the song "Legend of D. Ray White" which honors the cultural significance of Jesco's father. It also mentions Jesco, as well as another legendary Boone County artist, Hasil Adkins.

Tribute songs include "Jessico" by The Kentucky Headhunters, "Jesco" by Trailer Bride, and "Dancin' Outlaw" by Ekoostik Hookah. The rock group Live included the line "....we'll lay flowers at the grave of Jesco White, the sinner's saint" in their song "Rattlesnake".

A short clip of Jesco dancing can be seen in Beck's "Loser" music video.

Jesco has stated to the media numerous times that all references to him in song have been without his express authorization. He has requested, yet never received any, monetary compensation.