Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music in America

Bys: Paul Kingsbury and Alanna Nash

Book Overview

An illustrated, literary work on the history and development of Country Music. Produced in association with the Country Music Hall of Fame, the highest authority on country music. Includes essays by... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0756623529
• ISBN13: 9780756623524
• Release Date: September 2006
• Publisher: DK Publishing (Dorling Kindersley)
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 3.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 8.9" x 11.0"

Customer Reviews

"Endorsed" by The Country Music Hall of Fame, "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" (A Carter Family Song) =

This book is simply outstanding. It is easy to read, it is very, well illustrated. It is very comprehensive, very authoritative, and was written & illustrated by many authors & contributors. "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" is displayed in big letters in the Rotunda of the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN. The Rotunda is where all the plaques of the inductees are on display. I've been there and I've seen this. The inductee plaques begin with the early inductees, like the Carter Family & Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams, and when I was there in 2006, the most recent inductee plaque was one for Alabama. Also, in this Rotunda, there is a large painting entitled "The Origins of Country Music". A picture of this large painting is in this Book "Will the Circle Be Unbroken". This book covers the complete history of Country Music, beginning with some of the early artists like the Carter Family & Jimmie Rodgers and others, and continues through all the major Country Music Stars up through Grechen Wilson and some the more recent stars. This book even covers Southern Rock & such bands as the Allman Brothers, the Charlie Daniels Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd & others. It also covers the legendary Gram Parsons and Alternative Country or "Americana". If I had to choose one book on American Country Music, I'd choose this one. If you like Country Music, you'll love this one, its well worth the price. I highly, and gladly recommend it. Thanks, and may God Bless!!!!

"A Complete Circle"

This book is a real treat. Each page comes alive with great photos, artist background and recorded information. Of all the books I have seen, own, or read about country music, this one is very comprehensive. I worked at a top country station in the 70's and early 80's and don't remember any books around that were nearly as well done as this one. You will enjoy it!

Just a Mention

I picked this up at the Great Bridge, (Chesapeake) Virginia library today. My sainted Dad is always wanting me to look up something on the net for him. Today it was stuff about the Country Music "Outlaws". Damned if that book didn't have a whole chapter on it. I just drove it over to his house and he's thrilled! Problem is, now I have to wait to look at it! I'll be buying this one for him-and for me...

Comprehensive country music history

This book provided just what I was looking for -- a thorough, well presented background on country music from the early days to the present. It is amply illustrated and serves as a history book/encyclopedia as well as a handsome coffee table book. I think any fan of this musical genre would be glad to own a copy.

Coffee Table Gem Delivers The Goods.

Slick, informative and beautifully rendered, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" may be the best country music book available today. It really rates 10-Stars. Five for the outstanding writing (over 43 writers contribute) and five for the terrific photos, great illustrations and the overall, art-concept. Quite a package. Subtitled "Country Music In America," it serves as an excellent reference book, covering country music from 1920 to present. Also featured are a foreword by Willie Nelson and articles by Rosanne Cash and Mary Chapin Carpenter. Rosanne, like her late father, does not suffer fools lightly. Here she aims her pen at the "music busines." She reveals the thinking of "corporate types" at a meeting very early in her career. They suggest she look "more f--kable." She was "too appalled to defend" herself, she relates. This was 1979 and Rosanne was 23-years-old. Lord knows what these charming folks tell young, upcomming artists these days. So the book is honest,too. And there's two great chapters, "When Two Worlds Collide" and "All Shook Up," highlighting country music's diverse influences. The stars of Sun Records and even Bob Dylan are given their due. One of Dylan's big hits and one of his very best records, "Lay Lady Lay" was off the "Nashville Skyline" album. This book is a coffee table gem which delivers the goods. High praise and kudos to Alanna Nash and Paul Kingsbury for putting the thing together. A great deal of credit also goes to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Nashville, for provding most of the photos and illustrations. So do yourself a favor. Slap your favorite country artist on the CD player, pour yourself a tall one and than turn a page or two of this book. I did. And all was fine with the world.