Nelson Sullivan discusses his family in South Carolina with illustrations

Nelson Sullivan loved his parents and his Aunt Nancy very much, and he discussed them on the set of The American Music Show in Atlanta. Their relationship is illustrated with a video Nelson made of a trip to his late father's country cabin near Liberty Hill, South Carolina.

[@tokinbowls]

"I like to be around good vibes" 36 years later and this saying is bigger than ever. Nelson was so far ahead of his time.

[@veenelson5049]

Vibes are actually a big thing in India, they were the originators of the concept/word :)

[@JohnS-il1dr]

@@veenelson5049 the Beach Boys sang about vibes and it was slang in the 60s.

[@dadecountess8]

Nelson’s videos give me a sense of peace , it’s like I’m going back in time ,and away from the craziness of 2019 .

[@eily_b]

And 2020 turned out to be even crazier....

[@jsat4202]

@@peregrino9154 Way worse lmao

[@robbiedimes]

Mmm Agreed!

[@ashfrancine5901]

For sure 😂

[@alstinson]

Spoiler alert it gets crazier, enjoy that year while you can.

[@mwells4413]

I'm not sure why but I am so enjoying Nelson's videos. I feel like I knew him!

[@markjanssens1658]

me too

[@gracetaylor4429]

me tooo!

[@teeshark6584]

It's odd how many of us are drawn to Nelson's positive, uplifting personality. He is like the earth and us the moon, tidal locked into Nelson's life. It's a shame he passed away so soon. It would be so cool to see "Where are they now" video with Rupaul, his friends in NYC, Atlanta & everywhere in between.

[@teeshark6584]

Wow! We need to be seeing clips like this... this is what America is today. Not what the main stream media news would have you believe. The stories THEY CREATE are designed to foster this false racist views of our country. Does anyone else find it odd how all of a sudden we have white cops killing black folks and black folks killing little white kids at an alarming rate just ahead of an important election?

[@louisea6109]

Same here😊🎥💕

[@FolkRoots]

I like Albert. He seems like a nice man.

[@MrJamesy1893]

I stumbled across nelsons videos 1 week ago and i just cant believe how much effect watching his videos has had in me he was amazing and comes across as so sweet clever funny and ahead of his time his last video had me in tears so sad

[@miketate8554]

James Smith i just was in new york this weekend and walked 4.2 miles to his house and it still looks the same. Vine is there door still aint been painted.

[@paulym9969]

Its funny I share the same story as you one year later

[@aviratica6370]

@@miketate8554 there is another door behind that one now. The Art Gallery people there love Nelson's videos.

[@raymondsolisjr.1262]

His last video is so sad knowing he only had hours left. Knowing that, he doesn't look good health wise in the video was he sick?

[@TS-qq7vr]

I watched that video once. I don't want to watch it again.

[@terrimeowdasher3791]

I wish I had recordings of my parents, I lost them in 88 and 94. Even to have just a recording of their voices would be wonderful. He's right you never know how long you have. Isn't it weird and wonderful how watching this so long after it happened of someone we didn't know, lived completely different lives, but have a connection with It's a magical thing.

[@BlondeRockChick]

Oh I know… I have one saved from my stepfather and it sounds so weird hearing his voice. It doesn’t even sound like him to me but it is. He left it on my answering machine and I never erased it. This was before smart phones I had a plain flip phone at time but that don’t matter except I won’t even get rid of the phone because of it

[@samyhannah9563]

I cannot belive no one hasnt turned all his videos into an amazing documentary!!! we love you Nelson!

[@homer8029]

Netflix should pick it up.

[@asleepbydawn137]

Because that is illogical and impractical, and they are archived in the library special collections where they belong. They are preserved and protected. You need to get out in the real world, ffs. When people make historical documentaries of this period and want to use some of his footage, they need to go to the library and follow protocol for proper usage, as it should be.

[@origintrackz5235]

Fuck off I'll download the whole archive off thepiratebay 😆

[@sint5990]

“I like to keep the camera on as much as possible around my loved ones because you never know how much longer they’ll be with you” 😢this one got me hard in the feels This proved important for Nelson but I wonder if he ever considered himself being the “they” that wouldnt be around much longer. Regardless, I’m sure glad he did so we could enjoy him and his lovely family as much as possible before his passing. ❤

[@Mikeycrzed]

Dear Nelson if you only knew, How important your videos are to millions of people. Truly miss the 80s and it’s great watching these over and over and aver again

[@pinky567]

I love the way Nelson always spoke to all animals. He seemed very caring. I always wondered why he seemed to like to hang with a lot of self absorbed people in his other videos. He seemed so different and very intelligent.

[@cmdrriotz5283]

So sad this guy is no longer with us. I would love to hear him talk in 2021.

[@lawrencehackett6479]

So ahead of his time it's scary. Imagine a 74 yr old nelson today? He'd be a legend & originator of vlog style content

[@RegalCandy]

SC accent and cadence is like music to my ears. My accent is a little watered down but his mom sounds like my grandma. Love it!

[@thunderliberalcrat6719]

Lord I just discovered Nelson. These videos are GOLD! He reminds me so much of my uncle (he died in 93’) it’s amazing. Truly a special Man, wish they were both still here. My uncle lived in ATL ❤

[@danieljamesmead]

Just watching a few people I've never met trying to get out of a field. And Im totally engrossed.

[@michaelfrazia4569]

the dignity and respect people spoke to eachother with in this video is good for the soul

[@pussyri0t741]

what an impressive creature ! i love his voice and aura

[@ms.martiegallego8834]

Thank God Nelson had the insight to video all of this history!!! I would have loved to have known him!!!!! I'm back in 2022, and still enjoy this !! The Southern manners are lovely !! I'm refered to as Miss Martie, and I Love it, and feel respected when it is used !! I'm 71 and I'm from a different time, this reminds me of some of the kinder Ways of life , slower, not so rushed !! Luv Ya !!

[@The_A_Cast]

I love how they talk with such class!

[@nyc8802]

How Peaceful that looks. AMAZING Property

[@Mr_Sev]

As a person from (and still in) South Carolina, Nelson’s words really resonate with my feelings toward my family. Despite the characters they are, you’ll always love them. You lived through the best years before it all went dark, Nelson. God bless.

[@dennybenz5846]

Oh how much i wish he was still with us. He is wonderful and so real . So handsome . Such a southern gentlemen. Souther gentlemen in new york

[@avalondreaming1433]

Maritza Aponte Yes he was. I just LOVE his accent. He was adorable.

[@TS-qq7vr]

Driving Miss Nancy

[@juliejerkoff]

Love this

[@johndavis_]

I started watching this guys videos, I watched a-lot of them and I just love this guy. God bless him in heaven.

[@jami1730]

I’m from Charleston, South Carolina. My family is from Bamberg, South Carolina. This accent is home 💖 I love that he has family down here 🥺🥰

[@accountaccount180]

Its crazy to think that everyone and everything in this video is long gone. What a trip. Thx for the uploads.

[@guydreamr]

Southern gentility and manners at their finest.

[@catzhakury]

Thank you for your video tapes Nelson..we are watching those videos again and again..Rest In Peace 🙏🏽

[@epipd5712]

I would so like to have a place like Nelson's family did on the water. Beautiful country up that way.

[@giovanniribisi8276]

Bible stories are the best stories- and the truth, the way & the life! Thankyou Nelson for saying that. I've wept for your soul, praying you were taken with Jesus. Watching your Aunt Nancy videos and your interactions with her is comforting & gives me hope 💖 thanks for sharing these. You were a true artist and visionary. Your videos are more interesting than Hollywood blockbusters. May God bless your soul and forgive all inequity

[@kychororo]

What a beautiful smile nelson had 💗

[@imthepopcornman]

Man Albert's truck was beautiful.

[@user-oo8mb6el5j]

Enjoyed this video tremendously ❤

[@brightindigoblue]

Nelson seems like he was such a warm person. But I got a chuckle from him saying how his Aunt was the warmest person he ever knew. Yet she hardly spoke. And gave off a very stoic vibe. lol

[@dormantrabbits]

Maybe she was uncomfortable bring filmed.

[@michellesmith5436]

In one of the video descriptions it says she had a lobotomy

[@musicaltheatergeek79]

*michelle smith* in her head?

[@TS-qq7vr]

If you're still getting notifications from this, check out his videos of him singing hymns with her and his last trip home where he visits her in an assisted living home.

[@rocknroller77]

musicaltheatergeek79 really. Did you have a lobotomy?

[@GettingLean99]

I can't stop watching Nelson's videos, it just takes me back to my childhood (I was born in 1980) and this footage is so relaxing......I wish we could see all of the videos he ever made!

[@jacquelinegillespie6367]

Just discovered Nelson about a week ago and the more videos I watch the more I'm loving him. So sad he died so young. But hey look at you now sir!

[@sunnydaygina]

Truly love this video. Nelson was so ever kind

[@teacherheart77]

Representing South Carolina. Would’ve love to have known him. These are so fascinating.

[@naughtydorf18]

I live not too far north of him in Pleasant Hill

[@sunnydaygina]

Oh dear Nelson. How I wish that you were alive breathing here. You're so very kind and unique. So very blessed that I ran across your channel. You, your family and friends have touched my heart. Hopefully will meet you one day in Heaven❤️🙏🏼✝️

[@philipcramer940]

❤ I found this channel just 2 or 3 days ago and it is absolutely wonderful. It brings back so many different emotions. This was my era in the city. It's when the shit hit the fan. I lost so many loved ones.

[@towerofresonance4877]

I love to actually see Nelson laughing

[@commentcopbadge6665]

My gawdz what a beautiful place.. If that's where Nelson grew up then i see why he's such a beautiful person.

[@commentcopbadge6665]

LOL!! Nelson speaks just like aunt Nancy. I love it.

[@sonadordeloimposible4077]

I feel so much peace watching your videos Nelson, I don't know where you at, if your alive or dead, I'm just so thankful for your videos of a different time of life 🙏🏻

[@MayorGoldieWilson825]

He died in 1989

[@serchizm]

Wow. I recently stumbled across this mans videos, been watching them daily. And I think this is the first time I’ve seen him smiling

[@shanny4306]

The ❤️ is real

[@CharliRay]

Nelson was a pioneer of social media

[@MachineGun-]

💙I love Nelson 💙

[@wanya_telborn]

Awe miss mama is too sweet ❤

[@angelanetherton8240]

I love Nelson.. I could listen to him all day. He grew up in the south same as me and when he is talking about his family in N.C. And what they do it reminds me of my family .. Bible stories were the best.. I wish I could of met Nelson he would of been one of my best friends. It’s sad he left this world so early.. Your loved and missed still to this day Nelson.. May you be with God , family and friends that passed away.. Hope your still taking your videos !! R.I.P. Nelson 😙

[@rachelone1308]

6/25/2019 .. can’t stop watching now... luv it

[@KC-ky2re]

I keep watching these videos everyday! I can’t believe how many years ago this was and how his vlog style is like the OG of vlogs lol!! Such simple times for sure

[@flyingnimbus4282]

Damn I love alberts truck

[@notsoeasy9487]

When Albert asked him about being married 😂😂. Not in those days.

[@redcomic619]

I think Albert knew he was gay but didn’t want to make him uncomfortable.

[@2comedyfan2]

It sounds like Albert was actually asking about Nelson’s brother. I think Albert knew Nelson was a “confirmed bachelor” as they used to say

[@imperial1371]

I love Nellsons Videos!

[@Montana-Skies]

Aunt Nancy looked liked she didn't play NO GAMES!!!

[@cesarcueto1995]

Haha what a poker face

[@zylk160]

may nelson rest in peace :(

[@EphemeralProductions]

kind of eerie and ironic, how he said he tried to video his family whenever he went home because you never know how long they'll be around, but yet he ended up passing not long after this, long before any of them did. :\

[@PlumCrazyShaker]

Yeah I like that guy!

[@Heramitep]

Oh my that car is gorgeous!!

[@jeremiahallyn4603]

@@JDHyt I thought it was a Parisienne. Either way it's a nice relic from the past.

[@EphemeralProductions]

I think it a 1980 or 81

[@juliejerkoff]

I really enjoy watching these videos

[@rubydawn1]

what a wonderful family they must be because Nelson he just the best

[@CaptchaNeon]

*Little did Nelson know, his family would watch his videos over and over again*. They had to live for years without their son and having to bury him too. No parents should ever have to bury their child*

[@timwilson4772]

Captcha Neon how do you know that they watched his home videos

[@iMelanin]

Tim Wilson Because what mother wouldn’t? God forbid, but if I lost my son so suddenly, or even generally speaking, and he was a well known videographer, with plenty of videos he left behind, I’d definitely watch them to admire him, as well as all the beautiful memories we shared together.

[@hospitalfood6621]

Tim Wilson What? Do you think they wouldn’t want to watch them? Why’d you ask such a stupid question Tim🙄

[@hospitalfood6621]

RYKERS DAD 420 AKA FATDABZ 🙄🙄🙄

[@Mylo12321]

Hospital Food exactly. It goes without saying.

[@donmulder8061]

I lived in the rural south in the 80s and found people to be friendly and warm and never saw racial tension. Much like this interaction with their neighbor.

[@lisawalker91]

That's what folks don't understand about the south. Smdh.

[@maxtaylor1210]

There’s no tension as long as people ‘know their place.’ Nelson and his family were the beneficiaries of a large cotton fortune ... so to pretend that the exchange they had was an exchange that was free of tension is to forget the larger historical context in which all of the people having that exchange existed in. Albert probably had little to no education and didn’t own anything of any significance when he retired ...

[@donmulder8061]

@@maxtaylor1210 See,to me that is a comment born from prejudice (no disrespect intended). You don't know Albert yet you assume he is still in some Antebellum South plantation mind set. For all you know he is a retired Army Command Sergeant Major with master parachutist wings and ranger tab and three bronze star medals and is just a helluva nice man wanting to help this lady and her son. I never once felt like nice black people had a gun to their heads when I lived down there in the 80s and 90s and 2000s. I always just enjoyed the fellowship. Black people will put you in your place just as quickly as white people. They aren't some sub class like you describe, victimized by the past and forced into submission. Yes there is a past and it was wrong. But the people are very much free and the south is not as you describe.

[@maxtaylor1210]

The “past” is not so far in the past as many Americans thk it is or would like it to be...recent current events have starkly underlined this...as to the rest of your comment - perhaps we just see this differently as we are likely of different races - yet another dynamic that underlines the “past” is in some ways actually the “present”...

[@donmulder8061]

@@maxtaylor1210 Maybe. I have also seen many social justice minded people reimagine events to meet their preconceived notions. Like when I went into a nightclub once outside Atlanta and was the only white person in the place. I went anyway and had a great time and was treated like everyone else. Glad I didnt have any preconceived notions or thoughts about the past to contend with.

[@shametosmokeititslikekilli4455]

LMAOOOO at Nelson just shouting " Albert" into the trees, thinkin' he's just gonna pop on out and be like "Yes Nelson, U need the key?"

[@TS-qq7vr]

Never spent much time in the countryside, huh?

[@kilogmatt]

@@TS-qq7vr I have, things are really far apart. Maybe if he hollered at the top of his lungs Albert might've heard him way over on the other side of the hill but Nelson was straight up shouting like he could be hiding in a nearby bush. I'm pretty sure it was for the camera though and not him actually trying to find Albert.

[@Thomas-fu8vp]

'Nelson had' an actual family'. Sitting in the back seat was the 'actual Aunt Nancy' . In fact, she didn't look like no phony.Nelson would have made a brilliant US senator for South Carolina , long before Lindsey Graham.

[@NovoBrooklyn]

Beautiful video.

[@eneri008]

He turned off the camera to help his aunt 😍😍

[@queencerseilannister3519]

Man, Nelson came from some of that good Southern old money. My grandma was old money and a socialite... it was fun. :)

[@queencerseilannister3519]

@Skip Ads Nah, they were professors at university. Not sure about the old money though. Slave was abolished way before 1980s.

[@queencerseilannister3519]

@Skip Ads Money from slavery would dry up fast...especially during the Great Depression. Old money is mainly oil tycoons, land owners, ceo's, governors, Mayor, etc.

[@R-Lee-]

I think if this man wouldn't have died so young he would have been bigger than RuPaul. he was already doing the video thing he had just quit his job to get into television. was RuPaul even thinking about doing stuff like that, and look how big he is.

[@LisaMarie-xp4ym]

What was his job??

[@robbiedimes]

@@LisaMarie-xp4ym he worked at the sheet music store behind Carnegie hall.

[@robbiedimes]

@@LisaMarie-xp4ym Nelson was a skilled trained classical pianist.

[@gr8t1bobo]

I don't know why, but the Aunt sitting in the back seat reminded me of that movie National Lampoon vacation. (Aunt Edna)

[@paulj.thaddaios]

Dang I wish I had that truck

[@auntemmyd1604]

Id Love to know more about Aunt Nancy!

[@jstrange6009]

It's kinda weird how they don't talk in the car. I like these videos though because it's like a window to the past.

[@ShaunCollins]

He must've had a bag full of batteries and blank tapes! These things were power hungry!

[@TS-qq7vr]

I've always thought that. It must've chewed into his income working at a sheet music store and paying Manhattan rent, going to clubs all the time.

[@rocknroller77]

T S think his family came from money. Probably got money from back home

[@SpaceGhost999]

If you notice, most of his videos seem to be 9-15 minutes long. I'm sure that was part of the reason.

[@SpaceGhost999]

@@TS-qq7vr in one of his videos he mentioned picking up money from his mom. Something to the effect of, he was missing work to visit her, so she needed to pay him.

[@LisaMarie-xp4ym]

I don’t think he needed the cash, if you get my drift...

[@dawndawn45]

He talked to the cows 🐄 🤣😂🤣

[@margoburns9085]

He was so ahead of his time.

[@BlondeRockChick]

Nelson was a very nice guy. To me not everyone treated him as good as he did them. Most of them are so narcissistic and self absorbed it ain’t funny. Wish he was still here. I’m so glad he made all these videos. I love watching them. May you R.I.P. Nelson. You are truly missed!

[@JohnS-il1dr]

It is sad he doesn't bring up his older brother. In one of his vlogs he had lunch with his brother and you can feel an uneasy tension between them. On another note Albert has one hell of a Chevy.

[@briankelly85]

where does the time go?

[@planetX15]

Down the gurgler

[@TexasNewsOwL]

brian kelly i know

[@saave200]

Nowhere, it just fades away

[@anthonyr587]

4 years since you wrote this man, bet that went fast too. I swear the world is getting quicker, so scary.

[@whoareyoutoaccuseme]

I have no videos, and just 5 photos of my mother, who died when she was 50. I'd been estranged from her since she was 42 though. I wish everyday I'd at least got the old photo albums from her house, but her relatives stole everything (and made a lot of money from her antiques). I got nothing and it still hurts to this day.

[@0urMutualFriend]

A crying shame, hope you are able to heal from this

[@LisaMarie-xp4ym]

I know how you feel. Same with me. Fucking vultures!

[@handsomeX]

Still cant get over the fact that this was 40yrs ago. I was 10.

[@TheSpock23]

I like how before cell phones people just stood in a field and yelled out someone's name to call them.

[@KC-td8um]

Who else waved to Albert at the end 😄

[@mariannejohannessen9751]

I wish we knew what happened to this Cabin and this place?? 🙌🙂❤️👍

[@EphemeralProductions]

Probably got sold when they all passed on

[@patterson4763]

Love the South Carolina accent. So charming

[@johnniejohnson2329]

Liberty south Carolina Kershaw South Carolina nelson was a homeboy God bless you nelson and family

[@TS-qq7vr]

10:38 Rural Southern boy

[@kengeorgejones6855]

Always enjoy these quieter videos and family videos. It was a bit odd hearing him say "Albert" and not have Albert Crudo pop up, probably wearing short-shorts and a tight green shirt.

[@TS-qq7vr]

I way, way more enjoy Nelson at home or by himself than with the forced show offs he associated with in Manhattan.

[@92RedRevolver]

@@TS-qq7vr Wow, RuPaul and Lahoma might be show offs but they're clearlyquite sweet show offs...

[@Antny.25]

Nelson 💘

[@alicezecevich2654]

I would of loved to talked to nelson about his family tree, his family would of had an interesting life!

[@pudddingpie]

Such a lovely video I loved Albert wonder if he still alive xx

[@robdub82183]

I don't think he was that old. He mentions recent retirement. People retired earlier back then. The cost of living was lower, men started careers earlier and employers weren't as greedy. They didn't make a game of pure profit over the well being of others. Albert looks to me to be about 54-56. He possibly got out of ww2 and put 30 years in a career. Mrs Sullivan @70 here is about 15 years older then him. She passed in 2012. Alberts not super ancient just yet. I wouldn't be blown away if he's still with us even 10 years from now.

[@cesarcueto1995]

It's possible.

[@keithnichols7926]

@@robdub82183: As he said, Albert occupied his retirement painting houses, etc. I imagine his life was spent in service to families or employers such as the Sullivans, and retirement did not mean leisure financed by a company pension.

[@wanya_telborn]

See we can all just get along

[@sereevesify]

my grandfather’s family were from Liberty Hill, SC..

[@westtexasdave2140]

I’d love to fish that pond

[@mariaager1924]

Aunt Nancy sounds just like my grandmother (who was born and raised in SC). Nana is gone now. 🥺😩

[@screamingtima1318]

I wonder if Nelson’s family knew he was gay. It’s just, back in the 80’s, people were still very naive and cruel when it came to homosexuality. Nelson’s family was obviously very religious and a good piece of religious ppl do not accept gays. I would think that Nelson’s family would have known though and accepted him because their love for him was unconditional.

[@mariaager1924]

I’m sure they knew

[@buddypng31]

Some things you just don't discuss because you dont want to hear it

[@nuclear9977]

@@buddypng31 His elder brother didn’t liked him because of his sexuality.

[@vicenzor3625]

Highly religious from the south? Chances are high they just lived in denial. "poor Nelson, he's still single because he's so darn picky. He just hasn't found the right girl yet" There's a reason he moved to NYC

[@Ilianafaith_]

​@@nuclear9977: Nelson's brother Mark loved his brother very much. Nelson's sexuality was never factor.

[@0urMutualFriend]

I hear these accents and think of Angela Davis and Kevin Spacey, very smooth, very musical

[@Mylo12321]

Alberts like - Just get the hell on already!

[@pauliecopez2683]

Na , Albert was a nice man and they respected each other. He wasn't thinking that at al.

[@Carmello-ng4hq]

Lol aunt Nancy

[@b.abrackus6403]

I wish Nelson wouldn't have fallen in with the bad crowd that he did a few years after this Video.....Otherwise he might still be living today..

[@trashbiscuits1906]

he died of a heart attack, he was predisposed to this heart condition as his father passed the same way, don’t be dumb and presumptive as this is readily available info.

[@dawndawn45]

No one talked in the car

[@keithnichols7926]

My family didn't talk in the car, or anywhere else. It wasn't needed unless we had something new to report, and in small towns like ours, there wasn't that much new going on.

[@EphemeralProductions]

@@keithnichols7926 not everyone's gotta be Talkin every second. Lol