Country music has exploded across the U.S. and undergone a sweeping revolution; transforming the once ridiculed world of Nashville into an unlikely focal point of American pop culture. Bruce Feiler was granted unprecedented access to the private moments of the revolution. Here is the acclaimed report: a chronicle of the genres biggest stars as they change the face of American music.From the historic stage of the Grand Ole Opry to the dim light of a recording studio; here is a ruggedly authentic behind the scenes tour that takes you places outsiders have never been allowed to go. Part social history; part backstage pass; this penetrating and graceful book presents the most comprehensive portraits yet painted of Garth Brooks and Wynonna Judd-two of the most celebrated artists of our times-as well as a touching picture of Wade Hayes; a young man who hopes to follow them to the exalted heights of one of Americas richest traditions: the world of country music.
#1541924 in eBooks 2009-10-13 2009-10-13File Name: B000UVBT0E
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Itrsquo;s a story told with a lot of inside knowledge and a lot of love: Doherty became a friend of Lynottrsquo;sBy Maria HaskinsThe story of Thin Lizzy is in many ways the story of Phil Lynott; and itrsquo;s a story with a lot of glorious highs and a lot of tragic lows. This book by Harry Doherty goes deep inside the life of the band: how it formed; how it struggled through the early lean years; and then hit the big time. Itrsquo;s a story told with a lot of inside knowledge and a lot of love: Doherty became a friend of Lynottrsquo;s; and his love and respect for the band; the bandrsquo;s music; and for the front-man is obvious and really adds to the reading experience.Gorham provides some real insight as well; and some heartbreaking and hilarious insider stories: his feelings of trepidation the first time he hit the stage with Thin Lizzy in Ireland is a prime example. Both Gorham and Doherty illustrate vividly in this book how hard it was for Thin Lizzy to find a producer capable of capturing the bandrsquo;s live energy in the studio. (Just imagine if Thin Lizzy had found their own George Martin!). There are lots of stories here about the many different guitarists that came and went (and came back again) through the years; and some brilliant tales from Gorham about writing songs with Lynott; touring the US; and how that signature guitar sound came about.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Great info about great band; needed a wee bit editingBy EdvisAny fan of Lizzy will find this interesting; and the book makes a strong case that these lads were the best live hard rock band ever; but never reaching their true potential due to hard drugs and lack of care and feeding from beginning to end. Like the Stones; the bands greatness was due to a perfect core -- bass and vox (Lynott); drums (Downey); and guitar (Gorham) -- and seemed able to keep making decent music and weather almost any storm; mainly the revolving door of lead guitar players. Except there was no Mick to get his head above water and keep the sub connected to the surface when too much of the core (Lynott and Gorham) sunk under the weight of it all -- especially the drugs.All that writ; the book could have used a decent editor to eliminate some needless typos and factual faux pas; plus build a better armature to tell a very dramatic story. This is a rock n roll tragedy of the highest order; a great band that could have taken the crown had Lynott been able to pull out of the dive. Especially at the end; things jump around a bit and some sentences simply dont make sense. Lizzy deserves a decent edit; boys!0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. It all makes sense nowBy Lucky DayAs a fan since 1978s Live and Dangerous album; it finally all makes sense now. There are some serious grammatical issues in the book; more so as it nears the end. On at least one occasion a whole sentence was omitted. Other times sentences were incomplete; or difficult to comprehend either because of grammatical issues or the Irish jargon. I get the sense that the writers/editors were crunching to get the book finished by a release date. That aside; this is a great and insightful book about the life and times of Thin Lizzy from beginning to end. It seems to cover just about everything I never knew but always wondered about the band. I could hardly put it down; and there werent too many boring spots like there are in a lot of rock star biographies. Not sure what else to say except that its a fabulous read for Thin Lizzy fans.