Richard Carlin

This illustrated A-Z guide covers more than 700 country music artists, groups, and bands. Articles also cover specific genres within country music as well as instruments used. Written in a lively, engaging style, the entries not only outline the careers of country music's greatest artists, they provide an understanding of the artist's importance or failings, and a feeling for his or her style. Select discographies are provided at the end of each entry, while a bibliography and indexes by instrument, musical style, genre, and song title round out the work. For a full list of entries, a generous selection of sample entries, and more, visit the Country Music: A Biographical Dictionary website.

A Biographical Dictionary

Country Music

The traditional songs, dances, and legends of ordinary people in the United States have long served as a means of communication and a source of entertainment. Each group brought its unique song and dance music to America: The Irish brought jigs and reels, the African-American slaves work and dance songs, Hispanics their corridos and polkas, Cajuns their waltzes and two-steps. The interaction between these groups created the many rich hybrids that are American folk music.

Folk

(Music Sales America). One of the most delightful collections of lullabies and cradle songs ever gathered together in one book. Included in this illustrated collection are "The Man in the Moon," "Wee Willie Winkie" and "Rockabye Baby." All songs have easy-to-play piano accompaniment, words and chord symbols. Suitable for pianists from grade 3 up.

An Easy-to-play Collection of Lullabies and Cradle Songs : with Words, Piano Accompaniment and Chord Symbols

The Lullaby Book

Ken Bloom

"Eubie Blake tells the story of one of the key composers of 20th century American popular song. Through his music, he rose from the slums of Baltimore to the heights of Broadway success. His show Shuffle Along was the first African-American show to win a major white audience, becoming the tenth most popular show of the 1920s. The show introduced future black stars - including Josephine Baker, Paul Robeson, and Florence Mills - the syncopated chorus line, and introduced jazz-styled music to Broadway.Blake's composing skills were matched by his piano mastery. Even in the Depression, Eubie continued composing of innovative new works. At 61, he studied the Schillinger Method to expand his harmonic knowledge and ability to compose beyond the confines of traditional popular song.Blake's persistence in maintaining his ties to ragtime and Broadway paid off in the late '60s when he was rediscovered due to new recordings and personal appearances. In the last decade of his life he influenced an entirely new generation of pianists and composers from the jazz and classical worlds.This is the first biography to explore the wealth of personal records, interviews, and deep research to illuminate Blake's life and impact on over 100 years of American culture. It tells the true story of African-American performers struggling to achieve recognition and success in the popular music world at a time of deep racism. Blake's career blazed a path for countless others to rise above the limitations previously faced by blacks in the popular music world"--

Richard Carlin

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