Voices of the Country: Interviews with Classic Country Performers

Voices of the Country presents interviews with innovative musicians, producers, and songwriters who shaped the last fifty years of country music. From Eddy Arnold's new, smoother approach to song delivery to Loretta Lynn's take-no-prisoners feminism, these people opened new vistas in country music - and American culture. Each has a unique, individual voice, including Chet Atkins' self-effacing modesty, Lynn's audacious story telling, Charley Pride's proud knowledge of his landmark status as among the only African-Americans to break through country's racial barrier, and Sheb Wooley's optimism that 'dreams will come true' - if you only choose the right goals. Streissguth is a sensitive and knowledgeable interviewer; he takes each subject not only through biographical highlights but investigates topics that others rarely broach, from how records were made to the inside politics and ego brokering that occurs behind the scenes. He gets beyond the standard publicity tales to the heart of the real voice - and real experiences - of these important figures.