You Can Make It If You Try: The Ted Jarrett Story of R&B in Nashville (Paperback)

~ Ted Jarrett; Ruth White (Author)
Key Phrases: Gene Allison, Earl Gaines, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Ted Jarrett has been a central figure in Music City’s thriving rhythm & blues scene since the 1950s, working as a hit songwriter, musician, producer, label chief, artist manager, talent scout, and disc jockey. You Can Make It If You Try provides a fascinating and instructive look at one man’s drive to succeed in the world of music. In rich and frank detail, Jarrett and co-writer Ruth White describe the circumstances under which he discovered and nurtured top R&B talent; introduce the numerous musicians, nightclubs, record labels, and radio stations on the scene; and explain the inspiration behind Jarrett’s best known songs. Jarrett’s autobiography also offers an insightful look into the interaction of white and black musical cultures in Nashville and shares the personal challenges one man faced in pursuing a life of music.

About the Author

Ted Jarrett is a graduate of Fisk University whose compositions were first recorded by Nashville’s R&B stars such as Gene Allison, Earl Gaines, and Christine Kittrell, and were soon covered by a wide variety of acts including Webb Pierce, the Rolling Stones, Ruth Brown, and Hank Ballard. Still active at age eighty, Jarrett continues to work as a songwriter, producer, artist manager, and label executive. He is at the heart of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum's 2004–05 exhibition and Grammy-winning companion CD, Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues, 1945–1970. Ruth White, a fifty-year veteran of the music business, has worked in all phases of Nashville's music industry. A native of Nashville, she majored in music at Ward Belmont College, and became a song plugger in 1947. She worked as a copyright administrator for a number of music publishing companies and managed Porter Wagoner Enterprises. After retiring as manager of Reed Music Incorporated's recording, publishing, booking, and management operations, she began a writing career. She is the author of Every Highway Out of Nashville; Mecklenburg: The Life and Times of a Proud People; and The Original Goober. She is married to country musician and publisher, Howard White.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Hillsboro Press (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577363671
• ISBN-13: 978-1577363675
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,045,062 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars This is a good book about music, June 6, 2006

A Kid's Review

I love the book it's great. But the best part is the author, Ted Jarrett. He's a great author. And I love RB music, especially when ted jarrett writes about it. it's the best book ever!!! pOP

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Can Make It If You Try: The Ted Jarrett Story of R&B in Nashville, January 5, 2006

By	Mister "Mister" (TN) - See all my reviews

Very well written... Gives a complete view of Mr. Jarrett