Classic Country: Legends of Country Music [Paperback]

Charles K. Wolfe (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415928273 | ISBN-13: 978-0415928274 | Publication Date: December 31, 2000 | Edition: 1

Now for the first time, country music authority Charles K. Wolfe gathers together his profiles of 50 legends of country music, including Bill Monroe, Lefty Frizzell, and Kitty Wells.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Although it contains a few previously unpublished essays, this quirky collection comprises mostly previously published articles about country music pioneers that appeared in such publications as Country Music and Old Time Music, among others. Many of the pieces are based on Wolfe's own interviews. Be forewarned, though: this is not for people whose idea of "country music" is defined by the likes of such "New Country" stars as Shania Twain or any of the interchangeable crop of big hat-wearing male singers. Wolfe (English, Middle Tennessee State Univ.; A Good Natured Riot) takes some of the best- and least-known personalities of "Traditional Country" and gives them life in succinct but informative vignettes. A few fall flat, particularly where the artist has passed on; a postscript bringing the essay up-to-date would have helped. Still, whether Wolfe is retelling well-known lore or delving into the fascinating, forgotten, yet influential lives of lesser-knowns, he provides vivid, loving portraits of a country music that barely exists anymore. If you have fans of traditional country music among your patrons, this is a solid purchase; it will serve well-rounded pop culture collections, too.DDavid M. Turkalo, Suffolk Univ. Law Sch. Lib., Boston
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Wolfe takes some of the best and least-known personalities of Traditional Country and gives them life in succinct but informative vignettes...Still, whether Wolfe is retelling well-known lore or delving into the fascinating, forgotten, yet influential lives of lesser-knowns; he provides vivid. loving portraits of a country music that barely exists anymore.
–David M. Turkalo, Booklist

An essential book for popular music collections.
–ray Olson, Booklist

In lively, easy-going prose, he undertakes honest, generous, largely biographical investigations of the musicians to whom he's devoted his career... His sensitive, masterful essays elucidate the contributions these artists made to the great unifying, nourishing stream [that] runs through the history of country music.
–Publisher's Weekly

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (December 31, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415928273
• ISBN-13: 978-0415928274
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #388,879 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profiles of fifty selected country legends, March 3, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classic Country: Legends of Country Music (Paperback)

Profiles of fifty selected country legends accompany dozens of rare photos in a presentation which charts the Monroe Brothers, Louvin Brothers, and those who paved the way for future country artists. From bluegrass artists to country vocalists, Classic Country provides fine documentation of many lesser-known but important figureheads.

2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Pick a better researched book if you want the truth..., December 4, 2008

By 

Leesa Axley "Veteran MT" (Outside Nashville) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classic Country: Legends of Country Music (Paperback)

...not a fluff piece extolling the virtues of established artists who stepped on many to get to the top. As the granddaughter of that "textile worker" who had to sue Roy Acuff in order to make him stop claiming authorship of "I Didn't Hear Nobody Pray," (which he cleverly renamed "Wreck on the Highway"), I can tell you my grandfather never tried to ride on anyone's coattails, much less the likes of Acuff, who stepped on more than my grandfather in his climb to the top. Acuff and his lawyers succeeded in preventing my grandfather from obtaining the rights to his song until after its popularity had diminished and most of the money had been made from the song - by Acuff, of course. Very little research is required to find out this information - perhaps the author should have tried an honest representation of the events involved, instead of glossing over a distasteful part of Acuff's past in favor of making him out to be some sort of "put-upon" quasi-hero chased by money-grubbing textile workers.

Anyone wanting the actual story of what happened between my grandfather, Dorsey Dixon, and Roy Acuff need only google his name.

Leesa Dixon Axley