Book Buzz:-->"The View From Nashville" - by Ralph Emery (1998)
"The constant sound
of aching sorrow.
But there's always tomorrow.
There's always a freeze
That'll bring you to your knees."
Kirk Rundstrom
NO SPOILERS:
Country music ambassador Ralph Emery has been associated with this genre ever since he was an all-night DJ at WSM AM radio in Nashville during the late 1950s.
I first became a fan of Ralph Emery when he was hosting the country television talk show..."Nashville Now" (1983-1993).
Admittedly...it was Ralph's sidekick...'Shotgun Red'...that first caught my attention. But Ralph's relaxing...down-to-earth...style won me over.
For over fifty years...Ralph Emery...has rubbed shoulders and befriended hundreds of country music stars. Many just trying to get their cowboy boots in the door...only later to become country legends themselves.
Ralph & Shotgun on Nashville Now - Last Show!
"The View From Nashville" (1998) is filled with funny stories...sweet memories...and surprising information about all facets of the country music business and the legends who carved their unique paths to stardom.
Brenda Lee to Dolly Parton.
Patsy Cline to Naomi Judd.
Porter Wagoner to Kris Kristofferson.
Hank Williams to Alan Jackson.
Roy Orbison to...Mick Jagger?
It's all included and so much more.
Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2007, Ralph Emery has had a ringside seat to the hardships and successes of so many legends...it is simply amazing. And Ralph shares his stories with a refreshing...'have a swallow of sweet tea'...style.
The book is a quick read and quite the page-turner. And one doesn't need to be a country music fan to enjoy these stories.
But if you are...all the better!
Good stuff.
AND ANOTHER THING:
There is an uncalculated pureness in the songs of Kirk Rundstrom.
They bump into country. Shove into bluegrass. Push into rock. All with plenty of rebellious buzz.
And..like his music with "Split Lip Rayfield"...there is a backporch beauty to Rundstrom's music. Even his darker numbers invite repeated listens. "Same Ugly Town" (2006) is a terrific CD and one I've been using to start my car.
Kirk Rundstrom - John Brown
Fifteen songs that will fill the listener with an urgent need to ditch their phone...escape all the walls and go outside.
Good stuff.
Casey
Kirk Rundstrom:-->"Abilene" (Same Ugly Town) (2006)
(Must Own)
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