Most authors immerse themselves in their subject either by delving into their music or films, by reading other books on them or by talking to people their subject knew. Douglas B. Green has done all of that, but he has also immersed himself into the music business as a performer. Better know professionally as “Ranger Doug,†Green serves as lead singer and guitarist for the Western music outfit Riders in the Sky.
Classic Country Singers is Green’s third book and he has taken the opportunity to profile 46 country artists. Among them are artists that have faded in the collective memory of general country music fans of today. Artists such as the influential Blue Sky Boys (Bill and Earl Bolick), Ted Daffan, Riley Puckett and Hank Snow are covered here among many others including popular, and well-known, artists like Minnie Pearl, Bill Monroe (whom Green played with in the 1970s as a Blue Grass Boy), Kitty Wells and, of course, Hank Williams.
For studious fans of country music history, Classic Country Singers doesn’t break any new ground; there are no bold revelations or tell-all tales included. Green draws from many sources to give a sketch of each artist’s life and career. His warm and personal writing style sets the book apart from other books on the subject that are written more in a textbook style.
Another thing that sets this book apart is the gorgeous design. The design uses bright colors that draw you into the readings. Using old photographs, song books and sheet music as illustrations and design elements, the book shares a consistent look with much of the subjects of the book.
One of my favorite country music history books of the last few years is Will The Circle Be Unbroken (edited by Paul Kingsbury and Alanna Nash and published by DK Publishing and the Country Music Hall Of Fame). That book gave a wonderful overview of country music history from its beginnings to more current days. Classic Country Singers serves as an excellent, while unintended, companion to Will The Circle Be Unbroken. Where Will The Circle… touches briefly on influential artists in the genre, Classic Country Singers gives them a deeper profile.
For newer country fans that might be interested in digging a little deeper in the history of this music Classic Country Singers would provide an excellent starting point.
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I love Blue Grass. I think the music is pure and the lyric are a story.