The Songs That Made Nashville Music City U S A

How did a Southern town become one of the most important music centers in America? This fascinating book explains it all and includes a full-length CD with 12 recordings of some of Nashville's most famous artists from the early days of Music City.

How Nashville Became Music City, U.S.A. was first published in 2006 and quickly became the go-to reference for those seeking to understand the Nashville music industry, or write about it. Now, Michael Kosser, prolific songwriter and author, returns with an updated and expanded edition, bringing the history of Music Row up to the present, since so much has changed over the last fifteen years. This new edition of How Nashville Became Music City, U.S.A. details the history of the Nashville song and recording industry from the founding of its first serious commercial music publishing company in 1942 to the present. Kosser tells the history of Music Row primarily through the voices of those who made and continue to make that history, including record executives, producers, singers, publishers, songwriters, studio musicians, studio engineers, record promoters, and others responsible for the music and the business, including the ambitious music executives who struggle to find an audience who will buy country records instead of just listening to them on the radio. The result is a book with insight far beyond the usual media stories, with plenty of emotion, humor, and historical accuracy. Kosser traces the growth and cultural changes of Nashville and the adventurous souls who fly to it to be a part of the music. He follows the changes from its hillbilly roots through its “Nashville Sound” quasi-pop days, from the outlaws, the new traditionalists, and the mega-sellers to the recent bro country and the rise of mini-trends. This edition also bears witness to the huge influence of Music Row on pop, folk, rock, and other American music genres.

If you're interested in working in movies or making music and you were not privileged to be born the son or daughter of an already established named actor, writer, or musician that can open the door for you, then this book is your guide. Should you decide to take that leap from the normal to what everyone else considers the abnormal career choice the advice in this book can not only save you months and years of getting that first background artist job, but can also save you hundreds and thousands of dollars that you do not need to spend in pursuit of the entertainment industry as a career. Consider this book a basic training manual, a no punches pulled guide to the obstacles that you are guaranteed to face while pursuing entertainment as the industry of your choice. The main focus of this book is to educate those that wish to pursue show business regardless of one's area of interest within the performing arts, whether one wants to be an actor, or writer, producer or director, songwriter or recording artist. They all have one ugly thing in common and that is the con-artist. They will promise you the world just to empty the contents of your wallet and bank account. They will prey upon your dreams so that their gain is your nightmare. Let this book be your shield for those that will use unscrupulous and unethical tactics against you. While pursuing the entertainment industry as a career, you will also be confronted with more obstacles, walls, and closed doors, that will be just as disappointing as getting ripped off. One thing you will find is that if you can't handle rejection and do not have thick skin then the entertainment industry definitely isn't for you. However if you can keepgetting back on that horse no matter how many times it throws you then this book will help you keep dusting yourself off and staying in the saddle. Consider me as your wagon master guiding you through dangerous territory, with all of its unpleasantness and uncertainties, although I can't guarantee the success of your journey through show business, as can no one, I can at least point you in the right direction so you won't be lured off the beaten path by the bandits that hide and wait for you. There will be those that will tell you that you will not succeed, but in my opinion if your only goal is to work in movies and you only work as a movie extra then you have succeeded, as success itself has many levels and one has to start somewhere. Trust me some of today's big names were also once told, go home you'll never make it and now they have a net worth of over $600,000,000.00. You may never become the $600,000,000.00 man or woman but no matter, follow your heart do what you love and love what you do.

With some 6,000 entries, A Bibliography of Tennessee History will prove to be an invaluable resource for anyone--students, historians, librarians, genealogists--engaged in researching Tennessee's rich and colorful past. A sequel to Sam B. Smith's invaluable 1973 work, Tennessee History: A Bibliography, this book follows a similar format and includes published books and essays, as well as many unpublished theses and dissertations, that have become available during the intervening years. The volume begins with sections on Reference, Natural History, and Native Americans. Its divisions then follow the major periods of the state's history: Before Statehood, State Development, Civil War, Late Nineteenth Century, Early Twentieth Century, and Late Twentieth Century. Sections on Literature and County Histories round out the book. Included is a helpful subject index that points the reader to particular persons, places, incidents, or topics. Substantial sections in this index highlight women's history and African American history, two areas in which scholarship has proliferated during the past two decades. The history of entertainment in Tennessee is also well represented in this volume, including, for example, hundreds of citations for writings about Elvis Presley and for works that treat Nashville and Memphis as major show business centers. The Literature section, meanwhile, includes citations for fiction and poetry relating to Tennessee history as well as for critical works about Tennessee writers. Throughout, the editors have strived to achieve a balance between comprehensive coverage and the need to be selective. The result is a volume that will benefit researchers for years to come. The Editors: W. Calvin Dickinson is professor of history at Tennessee Technological University. Eloise R. Hitchcock is head reference librarian at the University of the South.

This behind-the scenes look at the Nashville music industry reveals inside tips on how to break through the system and get heard. The new edition includes the latest strategies for Internet marketing, best techniques for pitching songs and artist packages, and more. Songwriters and musicians learn how to get their songs heard in Music City, USA, and find the industry's decision makers.

Provides an overview of the state of Tennessee, covering its history, geography, economy, people, and points of interest.