Witness the last American tobacco harvest.The most comprehensive documentary about tobacco farming ever produced.
This clip includes a look at the extinct tobacco auction system and some of the most famous auctioneers of all time. Brought to life through government photos at the Library of Congress, classic cigarette advertisements, andrare footage from the archives of Lucky Strike, this enigmatic American subculture cannot be forgotten.
I am Speed Riggs' great nephew. His brother was my grandfather. If anyone has any more videos or recordings of Aubrey, please let me know. Thanks.
gabeproctor(January 3, 2008 at 4:48 pm)
Thanks for your interest in my videos. You may be able to obtain a copy of Joe Burnette chanting from the Duke Homestead Museum in Durham, NC. That's who provided the auctioneer audio you hear in this video clip.
I am still editing this documentary film and will offer a full-length version at some point in the future. Please stay tuned... In the meantime you can view the other two clips from this documentary posted to YouTube.
roofman123(December 21, 2007 at 6:15 pm)
Im from north of Danville, VA, and we grew flue cured K-326 variety.
Where could one find a recording of "Smoky" Joe Burnette? Ive searched the net but cant find one. I miss the auctions like crazy. I miss the whole way of life.
Thanks for posting this.
gabeproctor(December 20, 2007 at 3:10 am)
Cool man. Thanks for the nice words. Check out my other vids...
jackrun666(December 16, 2007 at 3:30 am)
wow dude i came across this video through the old camel video lol i didnt expect to learn so much thank you for this interesting information
fromthesidelines(July 16, 2007 at 12:34 pm)
You're welcome, 'gabe'. I've heard various recordings of the shows Riggs and Boone appeared on for Lucky Strike, and know the difference in their deliveries. Riggs even appeared in TV ads for Lucky Strike Filters in the mid-'60s...
gabeproctor(July 12, 2007 at 5:08 pm)
Although Lee Aubrey "Speed" Riggs (Goldsboro, NC) was more recognizable as the voice of Lucky Strike radio programming from the 1940s until the Congress banned electronic advertising of tobacco in 1969, the chanting style of F.E. Boone (Lexington, KY) was also a major part of Lucky Strike's "Your Hit Parade" broadcasts throughout the 1940s.
Thanks for posting a comment. - GP
fromthesidelines(July 12, 2007 at 2:23 pm)
The other tobacco auctioneer who delivered the "chants" for American Tobacco on their Lucky Strike radio shows was F.E. Boone, who had a "drier delivery" than Riggs.
