Southwest Shuffle [Hardcover]

Rich Kienzle (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0415941024 | ISBN-13: 978-0415941020 | Publication Date: April 25, 2003 | Edition: 1

Southwest Shuffle documents an important period in country music history. During the '30s and early '40s, hundreds of thousands of "Okies," "Arkies," and other rural folks from around the Southwest resettled in California, in search of work. A country music scene quickly blossomed there, with performers playing Western Swing, Cowboy, and Honky Tonk country. After World War II, these styles rocked country music, leading to the innovations of '60s performers like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard in creating the so-called "Bakersfield Sound." These stories are based on original interviews and archival research by one of the most respected writers on this period of country history. Kienzle writes in a vibrant style, reflecting his long-time love for these musical styles.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kienzle is an encyclopedic authority on U.S. country and western music. His enthusiasms are intense and persuasive -- if you like anything at all about the genre, which is far from universal fondness. Here, in a scholarly but thoroughly readable volume, Kienzle explores the Southwest element of the genre, quite distinct -- especially before the 1950s -- from the more traditional Southeastern and Midwestern species. Even the casual fan can hear from memory the voices of Tennessee Ernie Ford, Hank Thompson and Willie Nelson, who figure strongly here. But there are a dozen other main players, and legions of lesser ones. A fine piece of cultural journalism about a powerful engine of music and poetry.
–Michael Pakenham, The Baltimore Sun

Kienzle, with the gift of a storyteller combined with the details of a professor's research, shows off our state's music roots in his book Southwest Shuffle, a must for anyone interested in the annals of country and Western music, a link to rock 'n roll, swing and rhythm and blues styles that owe a lot to country boogie.
–Daily Oklahoman

Kienzie has put together an absorbing and eminently readable account of an important period of music history that's often overlooked, filled as it is with engaging stories and personalities. Any self-respecting fan of the genre should hunt this book down.
–The Austin Chronicle, June 2003

About the Author

Rich Kienzle is a well-known writer on country music. He served as contributing editor to Country Music Magazine, has contributed to dozens of journals, and served as researcher, editor and principal writer for The Comprehensive Country Music Encyclopedia (Times Books, 1994). He has annotated over 200 albums, and has been an historical commentator on several Nashville Network documentaries. He lives in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (April 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0415941024
• ISBN-13: 978-0415941020
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,390,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars southwest shuffle, July 20, 2003

By 

Hugh Mathews (Chelsea, Ok USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Southwest Shuffle (Paperback)

great book.

Great book. I buy all books Rich writes. The only writer that does his research about guitar players. He always gives credit to other authors when he quotes their material.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating survey of the pioneers of honky-tonk, July 26, 2003

By 

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

This review is from: Southwest Shuffle (Paperback)

Southwest Shuffle by Rich Kienzle is a fascinating survey of the pioneers of honky-tonk, Western swing and country jazz music considers the evolution of musical styles and talents alike, from swing fiddler Spade Cooley to country musician Willie Nelson. The focus on musician interactions, collaborations and influences across genres is particularly insightful and rich in this fine history.

5.0 out of 5 stars Early country outside Nashville, August 9, 2003

By 

Janice Brooks (pleasant gap, pa USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Southwest Shuffle (Paperback)

All the bases for early country releases from Capital with a chapter on Ray Price. I also love the indeph mentions of the musicians particuarly the steel guitar players(not just Speedy
West).