Customer Reviews

Definitive Country: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Country Music

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As a reference for serious collectors of Country music, this volume [first published in 1995] contains a great deal of information, but at the same time there are some glaring errors and omissions which makes one wonder just how "definitive" it really is.

Not mentioned at all, for instance, are: Jerry Abbot; Don Adams; Daniele Alexander; Wyvon Alexander; Rayburn Anthony; Atlanta [nine Country hits from 1983-1988]; The Bama Band; Pop Eckler & His Young'uns, an early Bluegrass band from Kentucky well known in the late 1930s/early 1940s; Larry Ballard ["Young Blood And Sweet Country Music" - especially since his Elektra stablemate Linda Hargrove rates a listing];

The Canadian group The Family Brown - seven Country single hits from 1981 to 1986 is also missing, as are; Charlie Feathers [one of the better Rockabilly performers of the mid-1950s; Steve Fromholz; Orval Prophet [Johnny Six]; Tracy Nelson; Wayne Nutt [Oil Field Man/The Ballad Of Wendell Nutt]; The Poplin Family [Gwine Back To Sumter]; James Talley [Got No Bread, No Milk, No Honey, But We Sure Got Love]; Chip Taylor [brother of actor John Voigt]; Dennis Weaver [of Gunsmoke and McCloud TV fame] who did two Country albums: One More Road and Dennis Weaver].

There are many more missing from this huge volume [1132 pages], as well as outright errors such as having Claude King dying in 1983. Which, of course, could very well call into question some of the other "facts."

Unfortunately, in order to determine just how many omissions and inaccuracies there are would require meticulous research. Something the author and his publisher, Perigee Books, should have done before putting it into print.

The book is absolutely awesome. I ordered two copies...from two different sellers. There was a misunderstanding at first from the seller "rsovmo" but it was clarified. I have now given this seller a thumbs up rating of 5 stars.

1 000 stars from a country fan from Bulgaria

Thia book is absolutely nonpareil...To just cite one example of its incredible scholarship, the article on Gus Hardin notonly tells us that the very first song she ever sang in a night club was "You Make me Feel like a Natural Woman.", (How in Gods name did they find THAT out),it also tell sus that she was went to the same high school as David Gates, J.J. Cale, Hoyt Axton,Leon Russell,and Gaillard Sartain, Will Rogers High in Tulsa, whicH must have been one rocking place. The mere fact that this encyclopedia HAS an entry on the unfortunatly recently departed "fallen angel" is enough to tell any reader just how "definitive", Definitive Country is!

"Definitive Country" is by far the most thorough reference ever done on the subject of country music! It has been an invaluable source for material on my websites. I highly recommend it for all true country music enthusiasts.

Whether you are a veteran country music fan or just becoming a fan, this book is a must. It covers the entire spectrum of country: old time country, western swing, bluegrass, gospel, new country, etc. From country's roots to approx. 1993, if its not in "Definitive County" it may not exist. If you thought you knew everything about country music, guess again. With over 1100 pages it is possible to turn the pages over and over without recognizing the artists. Congratulations to the author for providing such a vast amount of information on the most well known artists and the those long forgotten. With the album recommendations you will be able to expand your country music library to include not only the past and present stars, but those who influenced them all. I could go on and on about this book, but the fact of the matter is if you love country music, this book is as valuable as your music collection. Consider the price of the book an investment in your country music education. Open the book and start reading, you may find it hard to put down. The title speaks for itself, other books may say they cover country music from the beginning, but "Definitive Country" means it.