San Antonio Rose: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF BOB WILLS (Music in American Life)

San Antonio Rose: THE LIFE AND MUSIC OF BOB WILLS-a volume in the series Music in American Life. You can change the name of an old song, rearrange it and make it swing. ---Bob Wills, Time Changes Everything One can only stand in awe at the kind of work that went into Townsend's book...San Antonio Rose must be recognized as a major advance in the study of American music It is a masterpiece of layout and design, rich with photos and well-done illustrations, and should be in the library of anyone interested in American music. ---Charles Wolfe, Journal of Country Music. In what was clearly a labor of love, Townsend has produced a thoroughly entertaining book, which is important both as a biography and as a study of popular culture. Townsend interviewed over 200 people, including Wills himself, listened to every known recording and transcription of Wills's music, and seems to have examined just about every piece of written material that is available on the subject. It is doubtful that anyone will ever write a more complete or more accurate account of Wills and his music. ---Bill C. Malone, Journal of American History A warm and honest portrait of the man who brought the music of 'country folks' to town, who merged the spontaneity of country fiddling with the Big Band Sound, giving birth to Western Swing. ---Louis Sahagun, Los Angeles Times Book Review A fine, engaging, and valuable biography...Townsend's affection for the music and the man is infectious. ---Publishers Weekly Will remain the definitive work and ultimate 'bible' of Wills and his music. ---Townsend Miller, Austin American-Statesman ~~CHARLES R. TOWNSEND, professor of history at West Texas State University, won a Grammy Award in 1975 for his brochure notes accompanying United Artists' release of For the Last Time, the last recording session of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.