Tennessee Music: Its People and Places [Paperback]

Peter Coats Zimmerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1998

In an ideal sampler for those who want to learn more about a uniquely diverse microcosm of American music, past and present, "Tennessee Music" presents interviews with blues, gospel, country, and soul musicians across Tennessee. 60 photos, 30 in color.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Home of the blues, rock, and country, the South is the nursery of American pop music, and Tennessee has been especially fertile ground for it. Chet Atkins, Roy Acuff, Bobby "Blue" Bland, and, of course, Elvis Presley all started there, and so did a multitude of lesser lights, such as Fiddlin' Arthur Smith--" the most famous long-bow fiddler," Zimmerman says--and Doyle Lawson, purveyor of "a hybrid of a hybrid: bluegrass-gospel." Zimmerman emphasizes locale and style more than individual artists, and coverage of single musicians, though satisfying enough, is fleeting. Zimmerman proceeds regionally, dividing the state into Nashville, Memphis, and East, West, and Middle Tennessee areas, and by genre (old-time, blues and roots, gospel, bluegrass, country, soul, and new acoustic). He augments his own writing with a fine selection of essays and excerpts by other hands, including veteran rock scribe Nick Tosches (on Jerry Lee Lewis) and Davy Crockett (on Davy Crockett!). Every state celebrates its musical heritage, but Zimmerman makes it plain that Tennessee has greater reason to celebrate than most. Mike Tribby

Review

"A valuable, informative companion for any traveler through that state, or indeed for anyone with a hankering for bluegrass, gospel, soul, country, blues, or new acoustic music. Based on personal interviews and ardent legwork, enlivened with bright critical commentary, this well-illustrated guidebook looks at a gamut of artists." -- America West, December 1998

"If you're a fan of country music, you'll want to read Peter Coats Zimmerman's great new book!" -- CountryNow website, September 1998

Product Details

• Paperback: 275 pages
• Publisher: Backbeat Books (1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879305339
• ISBN-13: 978-0879305338
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #658,771 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lively, well-researched overview of great musical tradition., November 30, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tennessee Music: Its People and Places (Paperback)

What a feast. Zimmerman has given us a rich and deeply enjoyable tour of one of the cradles of American music. It's always a pleasure to read a critic/musicologist who so clearly loves his subject matter. You'll learn and smile a lot.