Yankee Twang: Country and Western Music in New England

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Yankee Twang Country andwestern Music in new england clifford r. murphy university of illinois press Urbana, Chicago, and Springfield Publication of this book was supported by a grant from the L. J. and Mary C. Skaggs Folklore Fund.© 2014 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois All rights reserved Manufactured in the United States of America c 5 4 3 2 1 ∞ This book is printed on acid-free paper. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Murphy, Clifford R., author. Yankee twang: country and western music in New England / Clifford R. Murphy. pages cm. — (Music in American life) Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 978-0-252-03867-9 (cloth: alk. paper) isbn 978-0-252-09661-7 (ebook) 1. Country music—New England—History and criticism. I. Title. ml3524.m87 2014 781.6420974—dc23 2014012436 To the many women and men of New England country and western music: this book is for you, that the world should know you, your music, and your contribution to the character of New England community life. To the memories of those who contributed so generously to this work and who have traveled on before seeing their names in print: Wendell Austin, Angelo Boncore, Vinny Calderone, Bill Chinnock, Jerry Devine, Doug Garon, Flo Cody Hooper, Gene Hooper, Clyde Joy, Herb LeBlanc, Paul Roberts Metivier, John Penny, Rusty Rogers, Jim Senter, Johnny Smith, Rex Trailer, John Lincoln Wright, and Richie Zack. To the memory of my late father, Gordon D. Murphy, Jr., who always dreamed of publishing a book: this one’s for you. To Mom and Peter, for always encouraging me to follow my muse. And, finally, to my wife, Monica, without whom my life would be so very empty. You are profoundly beautiful by every measure. I love you so much. ...