Research Catalog

Title

Kilgore Rangerettes / photographs by O. Rufus Lovett ; foreword by Elliot Erwitt ; introduction by Katy Vine.

Author

Lovett, O. Rufus, 1952-

Publication

Austin : University of Texas Press, 2008.

Supplementary Content

Publisher description

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Vine, Katy.

Description

133 p. : chiefly ill.; 31 cm.

Summary

"Whether she knows it or not, every girl who has ever dreamed of taking her place in a line of high-kicking dancers on a football field at halftime has been inspired by the Kilgore College Rangerettes, the world's first precision dance drill team. Founded in Kilgore, Texas, in 1939-1940 by the incomparable Gussie Nell Davis, the Rangerettes have performed for national and international audiences, appearing frequently at events such as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and major football bowl games across the nation, including the New Year's Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas each year since 1951. An icon of Americana, the red-white-and-blue clad Rangerettes have drawn the attention of numerous photographers and writers seeking to understand the enduring appeal of a group that some might view as anachronistic. O. Rufus Lovett, a fine art photographer who has taught at Kilgore College for more than thirty years, began photographing the 'Rettes in 1989. His interpretive photo essay in this book expresses his fascination with "the glamour of the Rangerettes' performances juxtaposed with the small-town atmosphere, football turf, metal bleachers, chain-link fences, and asphalt and concrete environment." In Lovett's masterfully composed photographs, the Rangerette performances captivate with their multiplicity of "shapes, patterns, and designs." While Lovett treats the 'Rettes as an artistic subject, he also captures the esprit de corps that keeps the girls smiling even when they have to march on icy pavement and prompts their mothers to wear T-shirts that proudly proclaim "Rette Mom." An affectionate, yet unsentimental and occasionally irreverent portrait, Kilgore Rangerettes beautifully conveys the timeless quality of this unique subculture of young American womanhood." . From publisher's description.

Series Statement

Clifton and Shirley Caldwell Texas heritage series ; no. 13

Uniform Title

Clifton and Shirley Caldwell Texas heritage series ; no. 13.

Subjects

• Dance photography
• Dancers > Texas > Pictorial works
• Cheerleading > Texas > Pictorial works
• Kilgore College > Rangerettes > Pictorial works
• Marching drills > Texas > Pictorial works

Note

• Includes index.

Contents

Kilgore College.Ragerettes -- Pictorial work ; Marching drills -- Texas -- Pictorial works ; Cheerleading -- Texas -- Pictorial works ; Dancers -- Texas -- Pictorial works ; Dance photography. I. Vine, Kathy II. Title.

Call Number

MFX+ (Lovett) 13-7568

ISBN

• 9780292716735 (cloth : alk. paper)
• 0292716737 (cloth : alk. paper)

LCCN

2008001832

OCLC

190877104

Author

Lovett, O. Rufus, 1952-

Title

Kilgore Rangerettes / photographs by O. Rufus Lovett ; foreword by Elliot Erwitt ; introduction by Katy Vine.

Imprint

Austin : University of Texas Press, 2008.

Edition

1st ed.

Series

Clifton and Shirley Caldwell Texas heritage series ; no. 13

Clifton and Shirley Caldwell Texas heritage series ; no. 13.

Connect to:

Table of contents only

Publisher description

Added Author

Vine, Katy.

Research Call Number

MFX+ (Lovett) 13-7568