Miracle Of The Music Man

Mark Cabaniss brings to life the rocky origins of this timeless show, the music behind it, and the against-all-odds success story of its creator. Interweaving behind-the-scenes perspectives, this book looks at Meredith Willson’s unusual career as a composer, conductor, radio personality, and flutist, which reached its pinnacle in The Music Man.

Chronicles the creation of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man—reprinted now as the Broadway Edition Composer Meredith Willson described The Music Man as “an Iowan’s attempt to pay tribute to his home state.” Now featuring a new foreword by noted singer and educator Michael Feinstein, this book presents Willson’s reflections on the ups and downs, surprises and disappointments, and finally successes of making one of America’s most popular musicals. Willson’s whimsical, personable writing style brings readers back in time with him to the 1950s to experience firsthand the exciting trials and tribulations of creating a Broadway masterpiece. Fresh admiration of the musical—and the man behind the music—is sure to result.

Dan Barker, ex-preacher and co-founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, travels widely, arguing in debates and speaking on his beliefs that Christianity is false, God does not exist, and the Bible is filled with errors and mythology. He has been touted as one of America’s leading atheists. Yet close examination of his arguments shows that Barker’s reasons for disbelief are poorly reasoned and miss the mark as they are aimed at a mistaken caricature of Christian theism. Answering the Music Man exposes Barker’s misunderstandings of Christianity and provides compelling answers to Barker’s arguments.

Meredith Willson – America’s Music Man is a loving, thorough and accurate examination of one of Broadway’s great composers. It tells the story before, during and after The Music Man opened in 1957. The story of Willson’s family, his life in Mason City, Iowa, and his eventual rise to the top of the music world forms the platform that led to four musicals and dozens of awards. Also included are Willson’s activities scoring movies, directing orchestras on Old Time Radio, and even becoming a character on radio and television shows. This is the first in-depth look at the career of a real music man from north central Iowa.

A moving musical journey based on the life of famed Canadian singer-songwriter, Rita MacNeil. The play incorporates MacNeil's lyrics to tell the tale of a little girl from Big Pond, Cape Breton, who dreams of having a singing career. From a childhood wrought with difficulty through to her struggles as a single mother on welfare, we see an artist who refuses to give up on her dream, a terribly shy woman who finds her voice as one of Canada's first and most vocal feminists. This is the story of an artist who has no choice but to pursue her destiny, even when it brings pain and heartbreak to those around her. It is ultimately about the power of art to sustain and inspire us.

Challenging the common assumption that the early 1960s were a drab time for American film, this book makes the bold case that 1962 was a peak year for the movies, giving audiences a prime mix of adult, artistic, and uncompromising work from Hollywood veterans, hot young directors, and international auteurs.

This account relates some of the achievements of Satya Sai Baba. His followers believe him to be the reincarntion of Sai Baba of Shirdi who died in 1918. He appears to have been born with phenomenal powers, which he used in childhood and has employed constantly and openly ever since. The author, a westener devoted to science and logic, spent many months with Satya Sai Baba to substantiate these miracles.

God's Hole-in-One and Other Miracles is a book about the Lord's miraculous workings in the life of one ordinary Christian. The book begins with an unusual event which happened a few months after the author found faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and Lord. He already had a series of miracles which led him to his knees in thanking God for his redemption. Therefore, he really didn't need the unusual event to confirm his faith. However, the irrefutable event listed first in this book, it is hoped, should most assuredly be found compelling. The rest of the book details a series of miracles in the author's Christian life of forty-three years. They include healings, lifesavers, a calling, and a few wonderful discoveries. The original purpose of the book was to encourage Christians of all denominational, nondenominational, and independent churches to not be afraid to share their personal miracles with others. Many today are intimidated to keep those events to themselves. However, we live in an age where biblical doctrine has been watered down to such an extent, that many don't really know what to believe any longer. God's Hole-in-One has also an evangelistic mission. Every person alive could have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ if they only knew the truth of who Jesus is. He had a mission to offer himself as the sacrificial lamb that would take away the sins of the world as well as its penalty. An explanation of Christ's finished work on the cross and what it means is woven throughout the chapters. He has made an offer to all of us to live with Him forever, but few today seem to understand what that means. The miracles presented in this book should encourage all who read it to seriously consider the claims of Christ. As he said, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32) His truth is so easy to see that even a child can understand it. He who has it will be "free indeed!" (John 8:36) The journey of miracles of this ordinary Christian, many against very high odds, was the Lord's doing, and it is finally time to share it with all who will listen. John has been presenting his message, 'The Importance of Miracles in a Christian's Life' to churches in Arizona. It's not about the book, it's a message of encouragement for all Christians in these chaotic times. If anyone would like to have John present his message to their church, Christian school, adult Sunday school class, Bible study, or any other Christian group, please contact John at: [email protected]