Blind Lemon
Jefferson His Life, His Death, and His Legacy
by Robert Uzzel
Between 1926 and his untimely death in 1929, Blind Lemon Jefferson was the largest-selling black blues singer in the United States.
Blind from birth, Lemon wandered the streets of Wortham, Groesbeck, Marlin, and Kosse in Central Texas, playing his guitar and soliciting contributions with his tin cup. In 1912 he caught a train for Dallas, where he performed in the famous Deep Ellum district. He was discovered by a talent scout for Paramount Records and taken to Chicago in 1925.
Between 1926 and 1929, Lemon recorded more than a hundred titles and traveled extensively. His musical influence was widespread, affecting white and black musicians alike and extending to musical forms other than the blues.
$17.95 Paperback
ISBN 1-57168-656-8
endnotes, bibliography, index, 120 pages, 6 by 9
THE SONS OF THE PIONEERS By Bill O’Neal and Fred Goodwin
"Tumbling Tumbleweeds" and "Cool Water" are only a couple of the hundreds of songs created by the Sons of the Pioneers, the most famous singing group in the history of Western music. Charter members Roy Rogers (Len Slye), Bob Nolan, Tim Spencer, and brothers Hugh and Karl Farr (two gifted instrumentalists from Texas) developed a unique style of vocal control and harmony that became the
group's trademark. During the 1930s and 1940s, the prolific Nolan, along with other members of the Pioneers, composed hundreds of new songs, primarily for film appearances. Although Roy Rogers left the group for movie stardom, the Pioneers appeared with the King of the Cowboys in forty-two films. There were one hundred movie appearances in all, including Rio Grande and The Searchers with John Wayne. Alumni of the Pioneers include Pat Brady, Lloyd Perryman, and Ken Curtis ("Festus" of
TV's Gunsmoke), and today the Sons of the Pioneers carry on the long traditions of their group in Branson, Missouri.
$26.95 Paperback
ISBN 1-57168-644-4
7 by 10, 250 pages, photos, index, bibliography, endnotes
REEL
COWBOYS By Bill O'Neal
All over America, children watched Western heroes battle outlaws. There were fistfights and shootouts and galloping horseback chases. The cowboy heroes protected pretty girls and children and old people. They were brave and strong and always did the right thing. Good always overcame evil! The author takes the young reader down the sawdust trail of nostalgia with profiles of actors like Hoot Gibson, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, down through Audie Murphy, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood.
$16.95
Hardback
ISBN 1-57168-330-5
7 by 10, 80 pages, photographs
THE AUSTIN MUSIC SCENE:
Through the Lens of Burton Wilson
1965-1994 by Burton Wilson with Jack Ortman
What do Muddy Waters, Earl Scruggs, Jerry Jeff Walker, and Mose Allison have in common? Or Guy Clark, Fats Domino, Roy Buchanan, and Janis Joplin? The answer lies in the pages of photographs taken by veteran photographer Burton Wilson of Austin. The book is a collection of more than two hundred black and white photos of the American music scene made by Burton from 1965 to 1994.
$26.95 Paperback
ISBN 1-57168-444-1
7 by 10, 200 pages, photographs, index,
TEX
RITTER: America's most Beloved Cowboy
by Bill O'Neal
More than two hundred photographs from the
family files illustrate the remarkable story of country music legend Tex Ritter..
$22.95 Paperback
ISBN 1-57168-249-X
168 pages,81/2X11,photos,film list, discography, index
MY YEARS
WITH BOB WILLS
Revised Edition By Al Stricklin
Touching autobiography of Bob Wills' piano player. Available on Cassette: Al’s last hurrah, "Brother Al Stricklin
Now." His final recording.
