Country Music: A Biographical Dictionary

by Richard Carlin

Overview

This illustrated A-Z guide covers more than 700 country music artists, groups, and bands. Articles also cover specific genres within country music as well as instruments used. Written in a lively, engaging style, the entries not only outline the careers of country music's greatest artists, they provide an understanding of the artist's importance or failings, and a feeling for his or her style. Select discographies are provided at the end of each entry, while a bibliography and indexes by instrument, musical style, genre, and song title round out the work.

For a full list of entries, a generous selection of sample entries, and more, visit the Country Music: A Biographical Dictionary website.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781135361112
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/25/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	540
File size:	41 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Richard Carlin

Table of Contents

Entries include: Alabama * Allen, Rosalie * Area Code 615 * Armstrong Twins * Baker, Kenny * Banjo, 5-string * Beverly Hills Billies * Bluegrass Music * Brooks, Garth * Buffalo Gals, The * Carlin, Bob * Clement, Cowboy Jack * Country Gazette * Delmore Brothers * Dillards, The * Evans, Sara * Friedman, Kinky * Glaser Brothers * Griffin, Rex * Harris, Emmylou * Honky Tonk Music * Keith, Bill * Kristofferson, Kris * Lulu Belle and Scotty * McCall, C.W. * Minstrel/Traveling Shows * Nashville Sound, The * Nitty Gritty Dirt Band * Parton, Dolly * Pierce, Webb * Rube/Hillbilly Humor * Shelton Brothers * Smith, Connie * Truck Driving Songs * Watson, Doc * Womack, Lee Ann * and many more.

Editorial Reviews

Containing a mix of nearly reverential (a few) and tongue-in-cheek (many) entries, Country Music earns high marks for inclusiveness. Refreshingly, Carlin (Southern Exposure; World of Music) does not suffer from star fixation, as too many authors do; his characterization of the opening of Donny and Marie Osmond's 1970s TV show is priceless for its humor and biting sarcasm. But Carlin is not only out for yucks-he also aims to inform. Included here are more than 700 insightful, alphabetical entries on some of the major subgenres of country music as well as informative and entertaining biographical sketches, the volume's focus. Despite the breadth and generally right-on assessments, the book occasionally suffers from overgeneralization and some factual errors. For example, Carlin's portrayal of country rocker Michael Nesmith as "the only star of The Monkees TV show who actually played his instrument and wrote songs" is just plain wrong (Peter Tork did as well). Likewise, his suggestion that Bill Napier and Charlie Moore's Vietnam-era song Is This a Useless War? is antiwar in sentiment presents a highly debatable interpretation of the songwriters' eventual domino theory- inspired conclusion. Still, the book is especially strong at making the important but too-often-underplayed connections between folk and country music. Serious country music fans are likely to find Carlin's style a bit too flippant at times, particularly if their favorite performers happen not to be the author's favorites (Marie Osmond fans beware!). On the other hand, more casual fans or even high school students writing papers on the genre will find much useful information and insight, provided that the book is used in conjunction with more in-depth material (e.g., The Encyclopedia of Country Music: The Ultimate Guide to the Music, edited by Paul Kingsbury). In addition to listings of artists by subgenre and musical instrument, the book contains more than 70 photos. Recommended especially for school and public libraries looking for a current, not-too-scholarly, single-volume biographical reference.-James E. Perone, Mount Union Coll., Alliance, OH Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal

"This spirited look at country music is recommended for large music collections as well as for any library serving fans of the genre." — Booklist/RBB
"High remarks for inclusiveness... Included here are more than 700 insightful, alphabetical entries on some of the major subgenres of country music as well as informative and entertaining biographical sketches... Recommended especially for school and public libraries looking for a current, not-too-scholarly, single-volume biographical reference." — Library Journal
"Will serve any country fan well." — Lawrence Looks at Books, Gale Reference Reviews
"A very readable biography... Most welcome." — Country Standard Time
"Carlin generally succeeds in creating 'feels' for the music or the personalities, and sometimes both." — Tracey E.W. Laird, "Notes" Dec. 2003

'High remarks for inclusiveness ... Included here are more than 700 insightful, alphabetical entries on some of the major subgenres of country music as well as informative and entertaining biographical sketches ... Recommended especially for school and public libraries looking for a current, not-too-scholarly, single-volume biographical reference.' - Library Journal

From the Publisher