Interview with Charles Allen "Chuck" Perry, September 19, 2019

Partial Transcript: So we are at the Louis B Nunn Center for oral history, and we are speaking to Mr. Chuck Perry for the history of the University of Kentucky cheerleading squad oral history project.

Segment Synopsis: Charles Allen "Chuck" Perry, a photographer for the University of Kentucky's cheerleading squad, introduces himself and shares background information about his parents, the areas he grew up, and the schools he attended.

Keywords: Anderson County; Carter County; Cheerleading; Indiana; Kentucky; Schools; University of Kentucky; Photographers

Partial Transcript: So what was life like for you in high school, and what extracurricular activities or clubs found Chuck Perry to be a member?

Segment Synopsis: Perry talks about some of the extracurricular activities he participated in during high school, as well as the colleges and universities he attended. He describes the things he enjoys most about living in Lexington, KY.

Keywords: Colleges; Education; Fayette County; Kentucky; Lexington (Ky.); Universities; University of Kentucky; Extracurricular activities

Partial Transcript: When did you decide to bring your photographic skills to the University of Kentucky, and what was behind that decision?

Segment Synopsis: Perry explains how he first applied his photography skills at the University of Kentucky while teaching a history class, in which he photographed his classroom in order to memorize the names of his students.

Keywords: College classes; Historians; Instructors; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Professors; University of Kentucky; Teachers

Partial Transcript: So let me back up just a little bit then, and I assume that you had an interest in photography before that time.

Segment Synopsis: Perry explains how he began practicing photography and how he acquired his first 35mm camera. He talks about some of the early projects he worked on as a photographer, like creating a slideshow during his trip to Mexico and documenting the events at a church camp he attended.

Keywords: 35mm cameras; Cameras; Documentation; Photographers; Photographs; Slideshows; Photography

Partial Transcript: Share with us how digital imagery has changed the way you work and the way that you capture images.

Segment Synopsis: Perry explains how the rise of digital cameras and modern technology have shaped the ways that he and other photographers practice their art. He talks about and showcases some of his older film equipment, including a manual camera, film reel, and slides.

Keywords: Cameras; Digital cameras; Digital imagery; Digital photography; Equipment; Film; Photographers; Photographs; Slides; Smartphones; Photography

Partial Transcript: Let me move onto some, um, cheerleader-related questions, because you were the photographer for--you've been the photographer for a number of years for the University of Kentucky cheerleaders.

Segment Synopsis: Perry explains how he became a photographer for the University of Kentucky's cheerleading squad during the 1980s, and describes some of the notable events he photographed around this time.

Keywords: Cheerleaders; Cheerleading; Cheerleading competitions; Cheerleading photographers; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; College sports; Photographers; Photographs; Sports photographers; Traveling; University of Kentucky; Photography

Partial Transcript: And I'm going to ask you some questions about that in just a little bit, but you kind of touched on this, and I've made the point during this project, that at some point in cheerleading history, and we'll talk about that more...

Segment Synopsis: Perry explains how the cheerleading team at the University of Kentucky has changed over the years, and how cheerleading as a whole has become more widely accepted as a competitive sport.

Keywords: Athletes; Cheerleading; Cheerleading competitions; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; College sports; Competitive sports; Photographers; Sports; University of Kentucky; Cheerleaders

Partial Transcript: So you went on the Hawaii trip in eighty-four, and they did not win that year, but what do you recall about the excitement of, um, the cheerleaders going on that trip?

Segment Synopsis: Perry talks about his memories of traveling to Hawaii alongside the Kentucky cheerleading team, both during their 1984 and 1985 interregional championships.

Keywords: Championships; Cheerleading; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; College sports; Competitions; Hawaii; Interregional championships; Photographers; Traveling; University of Kentucky; Cheerleaders

Partial Transcript: Have you, um, photographed the tryout process?

Segment Synopsis: Perry explains how cheerleading tryouts are organized at the University of Kentucky, and what criteria is most important to the judges and interviewers who dictate the selection process.

Keywords: Cheerleaders; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; College sports; Interviews; Selection process; Tryouts; University of Kentucky; Cheerleading

Partial Transcript: What are some of your more memorable trips that you've been able to take, photographing the cheerleaders, or the basketball team, or the marching band, or the football team?

Segment Synopsis: Perry shares some of his fondest memories of traveling alongside the Kentucky cheerleading team, visiting and attending different locations and events, including the 1996 NCAA men's basketball tournament.

Keywords: Cheerleading; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; College sports; Men's basketball; NCAA; Photographers; Sports photography; Tournaments; Traveling; University of Kentucky; Cheerleaders

Partial Transcript: Let me ask you, as you look back through the photos from those years and even the videos, you can see a team that liked and possibly even loved each other a lot.

Segment Synopsis: Perry describes the Kentucky cheerleading team's ability to connect with audiences on a personal level, as well as their ability to cooperate with and trust one another during performances.

Keywords: Audiences; Cheerleading; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; College sports; Teamwork; University of Kentucky; Cheerleaders

Partial Transcript: I imagine photographing these stunts and these pyramids that you've been able to photograph, there's probably been moments where you've been also very fearful, um, for what you were, what you were photographing.

Segment Synopsis: Perry talks about some of the challenges, obstacles, and dangers he faces as a photographer for cheerleading and other college sports. He explains how he once abandoned a photograph opportunity during a game in order to protect one of the athletes from being injured.

Keywords: Cheerleading; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; College sports; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Sports photography; University of Kentucky; Cheerleaders

Partial Transcript: So I want to talk about the life-altering moment for Dale Baldwin, and this happened during your time you were photographing the UK cheerleaders.

Segment Synopsis: Perry describes his memories of Dale Baldwin, a Kentucky cheerleader who was severely injured and paralyzed after falling during a basketball game. He explains how he and several cheerleaders, both from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville, came to Baldwin's aid while he was hospitalized.

Keywords: Cheerleaders; Cheerleading; Cheerleading injuries; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; College sports; Photographers; University of Kentucky; University of Louisville; Dale Baldwin

Partial Transcript: You have, by nature of what you do, kind of been very much a historian for the UK cheerleaders.

Segment Synopsis: Perry shares his thoughts about the internet and the rise of social media, and explains how they have impacted the ways he documents and preserves photographs.

Keywords: Historians; History; Internet; Photograph preservation; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; Social media

Partial Transcript: Let me ask you, what do you think the legacy of the body of work that T. Lynn Williamson has contributed to, not only the cheerleading program, but to the University of Kentucky, what do you think his legacy will be to this university?

Segment Synopsis: Perry talks about the legacy and contributions of T. Lynn Williamson, the University of Kentucky's cheerleading squad advisor. He also explains how he became involved as a photographer for the university's marching band, and shares his memories of the band members and directors.

Keywords: Bands; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; College sports; Marching bands; Photographers; Photographs; Photography; University of Kentucky; T. Lynn Williamson

Partial Transcript: So you have brought some photos that you would kind of like to share with us, or I've asked you to share with us.

Segment Synopsis: Perry shares some of his old photographs of the University of Kentucky's cheerleading team, and explains how they each capture important moments in cheerleaders' lives.

Keywords: Cheerleaders; Cheerleading; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; College sports; Photographers; Photography; University of Kentucky; Photographs

Partial Transcript: And you mentioned, uh, wanting to talk about McCracken?

Segment Synopsis: Perry describes his memories of the people he has worked with and befriended throughout his career, as well as those who have supported him throughout difficult moments in his life, including when he was diagnosed with lymphoma.

Keywords: Bands; Cancer; Cheerleading; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; Chemotherapy; College sports; Lymphoma; Marching bands; University of Kentucky; Cheerleaders

Partial Transcript: So, what do people not know about you that, if they knew, they might be surprised to find out?

Segment Synopsis: Perry describes how he is generally a very open, public person who enjoys connecting with and being around others. He explains how his time with chemotherapy contributed to this facet of his personality, and talks about some of the people who have continually supported both him and his wife.

Keywords: Cancer; Cheerleaders; Cheerleading; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; Chemotherapy; College sports; Lymphoma; University of Kentucky

Partial Transcript: Let me ask you to imagine your hundredth birthday party, alright, and I'm going to ask you to think into the future.

Segment Synopsis: Perry explains that he hopes people will remember him as a kind, compassionate person who made a positive impact in others' lives. He says that, despite not being an employee for the University of Kentucky, becoming a cheerleading photographer was an advantageous experience that allowed him to travel to many places.

Keywords: Cheerleaders; Cheerleading; Cheerleading squads; Cheerleading teams; College sports; Competitions; University of Kentucky; Photographers