--the woman who created the windshield wipers is from Birmingham?
Who Knew? --Kate Jackson, one of the original "Charlie's Angels" is from Birmingham?
Who Knew? --Country singer Tammy Wynette was discovered on Birmingham's "Country Boy Eddie Show" on WBRC?
--The Civitan International Club was founded and is still headquartered in Birmingham?
--Birmingham is the only city to have TWO "American Idol" winners and a runner-up!
--US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is from Birmingham?
---Birmingham is home to the nation’s oldest existing baseball park, Rickwood Field which opened in August, 1910. Among those who played there: Jackie Robinson, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Satchel Paige. Lou Gehrig, Stan Musial, Rogers Hornsby, Willie Mays, Ted Williams, Josh Gibson, Reggie Jackson, Pie Traynor, Vida Blue, ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson, Dizzy Dean, José Canseco, Rollie Fingers and Bo Jackson.
--Confederate Motorcycles, a maker for the rich and famous (including Jay Leno, Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise), moved its headquarters from New Orleans to Birmingham in December 2005. The Magic City is also home to its design and assembly. The Birmingham News, December 16, 2005
Music
Birmingham, Who Knew?
--The soprano singing voice on the hit show “Star Trek” theme song is Birmingham’s Loulie Jean Norman. She also sings on “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
--Broadway composer Hugh Martin who penned the classics “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Skip to My Lou” is from Birmingham.
--Eddie Levert of the O’Jays was born in Bessemer and sang lead on classic, million-selling hits by Philly soul group the O'Jays.
--Chuck Leavell, former keyboardist for the Rolling Stones is a native son and records under the name Sea Level.
--Emmylou Harris, Grammy Award-winning Nashville recording star, grew up in East Lake and saluted her hometown in her classic Boulder to Birmingham.
--Erskine Hawkins known nationally as the “20th Century Gabriel” and the author and performer of the #1 national hit, “Tuxedo Junction”
--Eddie Kendricks, original lead singer of The Temptations, known for the hit song, “The Way You Do the Things You Do.”
--Dorothy Love Coates, renowned local singer who made the city a highly acclaimed pipeline for exporting gospel music to the world.
Movies
Birmingham, Who Knew?
--The multi-colored dance floor in the 70’s movie, “Saturday Night Fever,” starring John Travolta was inspired by Birmingham’s The Club’s dance floor. Director John Badham went there as a kid with his grandmother.
--Louise Fletcher, Academy Award winning actress from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
--Mary Badham, Oscar nominee for her role as Scout in "To Kill A Mockingbird"
Television
Birmingham, Who Knew?
--Nell Carter, gospel singer and television star of "Different Strokes" and "Gimme a Break."
--Courtney Cox Arquette, star of Friends
--Kate Jackson, original Charlie’s Angel, Scarecrow and Mrs. King
--Wayne Rogers from the hit tv show "M*A*S*H" is from Birmingham?
--Alan Hunter, original MTV VJ and 1980’s cultural icon
--Amber Benson, played "Tara" in the hit television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Books
Birmingham, Who Knew?
--Fannie Flagg, comedienne, author and screenplay writer (Fried Green Tomatoes, etc.)
--Daniel Wallace, author of Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions and a hit movie nationwide in 2004
Heroes
Luckie and Company for our awesome logo and ImageWorks for the fine products.
About me:
Eight Birmingham mid-level managers sat around a table trying to come up with a group project for the Birmingham Regional Chamber of
Commerce'sProject Corporate Leadership. The task was to create a project that could benefit Birmingham. The group, called Plugged-In, agreed the Birmingham region has a poor image not only externally, but internally. The light bulb went off when the group learned some fun, unbeknownst-to-them facts about Birmingham such as the man who wrote the classic song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is from Birmingham. It was after that amazement, someone said, “Birmingham,Who Knew?” That’s when www.birminghamwhoknew.com was born.
The purpose of this website is to get the word out about the great people, research and business going on right in our own backyard of Birmingham, AL. Remembering just one fact on this site is something you can tell to a co-worker, a friend, a visitor or the person sitting next to you on a plane the next time the subject of Birmingham comes up. Word of mouth is the cheapest and easiest way to improve Birmingham’s image. It all starts with a grassroots effort. It can start with you. Help us spread the word.
This awesome picture was taken by Birmingham's Dennis Lathem.
IN THE NEWS!! We are slowly getting the word out about us. We were written on the new website The Terminal. Go read more about BWK.
We were also featured in the Birmingham News on June 26, 2007.
CBS 42 also ran a story on us on June 27, 2007. If I ever figure out how to transfer the video to here, I'll put it up.
August Quiz Our August quiz is up so be sure to test your knowledge on the Ham! Go to our website
www.birminghamwhoknew.com and
click under the home button. Don't forget to pass it on to your friends.
Who I'd like to meet: You, especially from the Birmingham region. Help us spread the word about www.birminghamwhoknew.com.
Latinsoul Productions would like to welcome our new e-mail list members.
You asked for it and now you got it! Birmingham's first Salsa Bootcamp is coming. Many of you have been asking for a Salsa class where you can learn more than just the basic Salsa dance steps that are taught at all of our dance parties.
For over 17 years Latinsoul Productions has been the Latin dance authority in Alabama. Here is your chance to learn to dance Salsa and have fun at the same time. Learn how to dance Salsa in just one day!
What exactly is a Salsa Bootcamp??? A Salsa Bootcamp is a crash course 4 hour Salsa dance class that will touch upon not only basic moves but will also touch upon various techniques, styling, turns, leading and following as well as a bonus Merengue dance class.
The Latinsoul Salsa Bootcamp is taught by a Salsa dance professional. This will not be one long 4 hour class. There will be short breaks for beverages and snacks.
The Salsa Bootcamp will take place on Saturday March 7 from 1pm - 5pm at Workplay in Birmingham.
This class is for beginners and those of you that want to brush up on your Salsa dance moves. You do not need a dance partner to participate. You will have tons of fun and learn to dance Salsa.
Everyone attending will receive FREE beverages, snacks, Salsa CD and other great door prizes as well. Two lucky attendees will also win a pair of tickets to that night's hot Salsabor Latin dance party at Workplay.
This is your opportunity to learn and look like a Salsa pro. Don't miss this Salsa Bootcamp!
Per Person
In advance $30
At the door $40
Per couple
In advance $50
At the door $70
Please keep in mind that you would be paying 4-5 times as much if you took these classes at a dance studio and without any o
"When we remember a special Christmas, it is not the presents that made it special, but the laughter, the feeling of love, and the togetherness of friends and family that made that Christmas special. "
