Article published Mar 8, 2006
'Ballad of Billy McGee' hits airwaves
By Janet Braswell
A parody of Forrest County Sheriff Billy McGee's actions in getting ice to outlying areas after Hurricane Katrina is burning up the Pine Belt airwaves.
WBBN, better known as B95, first played "Hauling Ice - The Ballad of Billy McGee" during the 6 a.m. show Tuesday.
"I've had call after call after call," said Sandy Kitchens, the station's public services director. "We are trying to play it as much as we can."
Doug Vinson, a journalism and public relations instructor at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton, and Phil Coley, a musician friend, wrote the song after reading of the possible federal prosecution faced by McGee.
"I've always loved real country music," Vinson said. "You just can't beat it for telling a story and telling how you really feel about something."
McGee was to plead guilty last month to a misdemeanor charge of interfering with, intimidating and impeding a federal officer. The charge stems from McGee commandeering two ice trucks from a staging area at Camp Shelby on Sept. 4 for distribution in the Brooklyn and the Sheeplo communities.
A National Guard soldier who tried to stop the trucks was handcuffed and cited for interfering.
The case was transferred to federal court in Baton Rouge after Dunn Lampton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, recused himself last week.
Becoming the subject of a song surprised McGee.
"I never envisioned that," he said.
Mary Morgan of the Eatonville community heard part of "Hauling Ice" while waiting for Paul Harvey's newscast Tuesday.
"It is precious, I love it," she said. "I'm for our sheriff 100 percent plus. I just think it's the most wonderful, cute song."
Vinson heard of McGee's case from his department chairman, David Goff, former director of the School of Mass Communications and Journalism at the University of Southern Mississippi. Goff maintains a home in the Hattiesburg area and knew of McGee's situation.
"Knowing (Vinson's) hobby of writing country-type songs, I told him about it," Goff said. "I think it's great timing. I'm surprised that no one else has jumped in and done it. It's such a natural."
Vinson was intrigued by the case.
"I've been a teacher and worked for the state for 30 years and understand following rules, but something just didn't seem right," he said. "There's got to be some place in America for common sense."
He is trying to find a way to make copies of the song available on CD or through Internet downloads but at the same time protect his copyright, he said.
"I'm tickled for Doug, but I'm pleased it's also giving the community something to rally around in support of Sheriff McGee," Goff said.
Funds to help with legal expenses have been set up at BancorpSouth and Trustmark banks. Donations can be made at any branch.
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