What They Say About This Book
Reviews
From a 1998 conversation with Mr. Lance LeRoy, The Lancer Agency,
“…But anyway, Barry, It’s just a whale of a book and I think the most valuable thing in bluegrass I’ve seen. I’m really proud that I don’t own any other bluegrass book, by the way. I don’t own any of them. None of ‘em.
Barry: Why would you buy this one, then?
Lance: I just thought ‘cause it quotes the artists and I thought that was very important, you know. Those quotes are so valuable from artists over the years, you know. So much [in other books] is so much the writer’s speculation, which I often don ‘t have confidence in. And so many of these are quotin’ the artist and right comin’ from the source. And, I agree, some of the artists—I’ve read a few of their things—That I do think they glossed it over and kind of hyped it, you know, but it’s still comin’ from them, you know. And there is some valuable information here about these artists about when they recorded this or that or the other or who played on ’em or information leadin’ up to the session. Various things. Just little color and background history. It’s very valuable.
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Stephen Hanes, Director, Ottawa Valley Bluegrass Music Association.
“Author Barry Willis has penned one of most fascinating and comprehensive books detailing the history of bluegrass ever! Over 600 fact-filled pages give detailed descriptions and information about historical events that have long been debated in the bluegrass community. Now many of the discrepancies can be put to rest. With page after page of recollections and anecdotes, many from the participants themselves, you are able to get a clearer picture of just how this music evolved.
“I found that many of the stories concerning a particular event were recounted by more than one person—in some cases a fascinating glimpse into the perception of the story teller—in others, aa confirmation of the facts. It is this personal touch that gives the book a lot of its color. Stories told by the legends of bluegrass themselves brings this history to life. One can easily imagine driving endless miles of country roads searching for the next venue, the thrill of performing on stage for the first time, the excitement of meeting a hero and mentor in person. All these tales, and many more, await the reader.
“The book is well organized, with the chapters detailing the usual bluegrass instruments as well as a (fairly) chronological presentation of the events. Photos are liberally sprinkled throughout the book, adding to its readability. There’s a good index, with each chapter having its own individual detailed table of contents. A section at the back of the book lists all the performers, with personal information on each tat is most valuable as a resource guide.
“My copy is already filling up with autographs and notes from the performers as I meet them at festivals and meet and chat with the stars and spend a few minutes leafing through the pages with them.
“All in all an excellent read as well as one of the definitive resources for anyone interested in the music. I strongly recommend it as a great addition to your library. Visit their website at www.barryrwillis.com for more information, ordering details and reviews.”
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Larry Sparks, Larry Sparks and the Lonesome Ramblers, October 1999.
“A great book. A must for everyone.”
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Richard Greene, The Grass Is Greener, October 1999.
“It’s an important book! All the rest is garbage.”
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Dr. Ron Cohen, Colorado School of Mines, July 1998
“Being a compulsive bluegrasser, I own and have read Bill Malone’s book as well as Rosenberg’s, Cantwell’s, Bossmen, Willis’, Kochman’s Big Book of Bluegrass, That Half Barbaric Twang and every other bluegrass or banjo-related book I could get a-hold of. Malone’s Country Music USA is very well done and very readable. Rosenberg’s book is informative, extensive and a little academic sounding. Cantwell’s Bluegrass Breakdown was a tough read. To me, he seemed to be straining, trying too hard to be a great writer and ended up sounding pedantic and stilted. I could only bear a little at a time. Barry Willis’, of all of them, was the most fun to read. It was both informative and entertaining. Bossmen, by Rooney, was also good. All this IMHO.
“Barry Willis’ book America’s Music Bluegrass is a great adventure to read. It doesn’t follow a simple chronological sequence but puts together interviews of the bluegrass pioneers, the second generation of bluegrassers, and modern bluegrass musicians. There is little in the way of conjecture and interpretation—a style that tends to take on more of the writer’s personality. This is the grit from the horse’s mouth. Learn why Jimmy Martin is considered such a character. Find out what it was like to be on the road as a bluegrass band way back when. Read it from front to back or back to front or read the middle first—choose your own topics to focus on. Good stuff.
“Barry Willis spent years, perhaps more than a decade, putting the pieces together. The project required a dedication and love of bluegrass that is admirable and unusual.”
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Debbie Brightwell, July 1998
“This book is an EXCELLENT reference source and I’ve turned to it many times since purchasing it at the Denton festival. Now, if only they’d put out a CD-ROM…oops, that’s the research librarian in me coming out. But, no kidding….one of the most comprehensive books I’ve seen on bluegrass…past, present and future.!”
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Curly Seckler, Hendersonville, TN, February 1999
“One of the pictures that I saw in the book that I do appreciate so much was Henry Whitter. I remember paying a dime to get in to see him at a school near China Grove when I was just a kid.
“Out of all the bluegrass books I have seen and read, this is the most complete book I have seen starting with the beginning and moving up with the times. I haven’t had time to read a whole lot of the book yet, but I am really impressed with what I have read.
“I can say that Barry didn’t add to or take away from anything I said and I do appreciate that.
“I would think that any bluegrass lover would enjoy reading what you have brought forth about all the entertainers all across the country.
“I think Barry did a great job in putting this book together.
“Sincerely, Curly Seckler”
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Mike Auldridge, December 1998
“Hi Barry. I’m sorry for the delay in answering your email. I’ve been on tour with Lyle Lovett since last September and just returned a few days ago.
“Your book is wonderful! After jumping here and there in the book, I decided to start at the beginning and read a few names a day in alphabetical order. I can’t remember right now where I left off (it was too big to take with me on the road so I’ve been away from it for a while), but I’m at least half way through. I’ve learned more things about people I’ve known, or known of, than I can begin to tell you.
“Fascinating stuff. What a huge undertaking! I can believe you tackled it, but I’m very happy you did. Thanks.”
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Raymond Fairchild, Maggie Valley, NC. February 1999
“You are a great writer, man. I like it but I ain’t read it all yet. There’s a whole lot of quotes in there on me. I like that. What I like about your book is you come to the point, see. You read so much stuff and they talk around something fer eight or ten chapters before they come to the point. When you say that Bill Monroe is not the only person responsible for what bluegrass is today, you done it right. You’re the first one I ever saw who wrote it right. ‘Cause I’m a-speakin’ true words. Flatt and Scruggs are just as important and should be called the “Father of Bluegrass” just the same as Bill Monroe.”
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Chick Rose, Portland, OR October 1998
“As an instructor, I teach a lot about the culture of bluegrass and find America’s Music: Bluegrass a resource for background information. As a writer, I use it to fill in the gaps left in the liner notes of my old record jackets or just to check the spelling of someone’s name! Anyway you cut it, your book is a welcome addition to my country music literature collection. I encourage my students to buy it!”
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Dr. Dan Crary, University of California at Fullerton. 1994. Taken from the Foreword of this book
“This is the book about how it really is in bluegrass music today. It will be the most talked-about book every written on bluegrass by far… The data it is based on represents the most exhaustive compilation of information about the history and personalities of bluegrass every attempted, and certainly ever achieved.
“The ‘skinny’ is here, my friends. But the overall effect is to show bluegrass as a very human enterprise which has moments of greatness and a few not so great, yet maintains its position as one of the great traditional arts of the world.
“Barry Willis has tried to tell the whole story, warts and all, and he has done it with a fanatical sense of detail and an attempt at an evenhandedness with the darker, more controversial material…
“This road is rough and rocky in this book, the heroes are noble and human, and the foibles are juicy. But the music has inspired a richly diverse story of the people that played it. Read this book and you[‘ll love the music even more.”
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George Shuffler, February 1998
“The best book on bluegrass I ever read.”
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Chris Lunn, Victory Music Review, February 1998
“This is a meticulous, scholarly and yet very engaging book at bluegrass with all its bumps and bruises. It traces the music from the late Georgia Old-Time Fiddle Contest, the beginning of the Grand Ole Opry, the invasion of Bill Monroe, how the music became more mobile as we all did after World War II, the cause of the split between country and bluegrass music, the influence of Flatt and Scruggs, Elvis, Bill Keith, how the festivals saved the music, women’s role in bluegrass, and what is happening today and in the future. The book is very well written, takes controversial stands and has hundreds of quotes like the extensive section on ‘How Do You Make Bluegrass Music?’
“Over 1200 bands and musicians are referred to with names, birthplaces, birth and death dates in an appendix. The author explores the instruments with well thought out sections on fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass. He also looks at the pioneers and the influence of the Dobro-resonator guitar. The reader gets a feel for the business of bluegrass in the old days as well as the current hoopla at the IBMA. Each section has a page-by-page table of contents, and the entire book is put together for easy reading, reference and abstracting of information. This book will leave you discussing bluegrass for years and belongs in every personal and public library. America’s Music: Bluegrass is a monumental task and my hat is off for the work of Barry and all who helped.”
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Bob Cherry, Cybergrass: The Internet Bluegrass Magazine. February 1998
“This is a MUST HAVE of bluegrass publications.”
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Harley and Shera Bray, Friends of Sally Gooden. Harley is formerly in Red Cravens and the Bray Brothers a.k.a. The Bluegrass Gentlemen. March 1998
“Just a note to…say you have written a great book here. Anyone with the slightest interest in bluegrass music should read this. It is packed full of info and hard to put down.”
July 1998: We just happened to be looking through the County Sales newsletter from Jan-Feb ’98 and saw your book got a Special Mention under ‘Best of the Year.’ Big congratulations!”
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Bill Foster, Co-host “Bluegrass Overnight” WAMU 88.5 FM, Washington DC. June 1998
“Barry…great book…lots of good reference material.”
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True Blue Bluegrass
January 13, 2018
After reading through this comprehensive timeline of Bluegrass music I appreciated my own music studies in a deeper way. After reading it cover to cover four times, I gained gratitude to the artists who forged ahead on some rocky roads. This one time printing had been hard to come by before such outlets as Amazon. If one is getting taken by the current bands and artists of this music, a reading of the pioneer’s efforts to gain ground and any outlet to perform will prove eye opening. I found I could usually get a cassette of the musicians from an old recording to follow the chronology outlined in this well researched presentation; of the people and instruments that came together to make America’s music. This is not “pop” music reading; it’s roots are mountain and tough living immigrates from Scotland, Ireland and the addition of true ‘blues of African neighbors. Just one of the best reads worth your while.
***note to reader. Writer’s name is unknown. He calls himself Banjopilot. Interesting. Barry R. Willis***
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From Bill Turner, a friend on Facebook. November 30, 2018
Barry–I bought (and read) your book, “America’s Music, Bluegrass” and I just wanted to say that it is the BEST book ever written on Bluegrass and I’ve read them all. What I like most about it, is how you let the artists who were there tell the story in the ‘first person’ account…that is so much more credible and historically accurate, than the approach taken by Robert Cantwell in his book, “Bluegrass Breakdown” which was an arduous task to read. It was so dry–like a thesis, and he was obsessed with minstrel shows, slaves, the African Savannah–you’d think that blacks invented the music and Bill Monroe just somehow ‘stumbled’ upon it. No disrespect meant to Mr. Cantwell, or our black brethren, but his account was so…’romanticized’ and removed from the actual participants. Anyhow, I wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed your book!
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