DANCIN OUTLAW

(1991) Director: Jacob Young

DVD

SUMMARY:

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.)

In the end, Elvis, the King, is the first royalty of rock'n'roll.
Jesco, the King, is the Dancing Outlaw, the last of the mountain dancers.

- www.juliescoggins.com

VIDEO: FULL FEATURE



REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, CREDITS:

• Austin Chronicle interview with director Jacob Young

NOTES:

• As the popularity of Dancing Outlaw grew, Jesco White was asked by comedian Tom Arnold to perform on the television show Roseanne. He traveled to Los Angeles for the performance, which was chronicled in the 1994 short film Dancing Outlaw 2: Jesco Goes To Hollywood - also directed by Jacob Young.
• Jesco has been linked to many popular artists through song. Big and Rich mention his name in their single "Comin' to Your City," although Jesco is not a fan and feels as if they are capitalizing on his name. 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, and Jesco's sister Mamie White. Jesco also dances on the Hank Williams III song "Louisiana Stripes."
• A short clip of Jesco dancing can be seen in Beck's "Loser" music video.
• "I enjoyed myself from within myself on behalf of myself" - Jesco
• "My past is coming up into my future and messing with my good life" - Jesco
• Official site
• Jesco White's MySpace page