A Few Honest Words: The Kentucky Roots of Popular Music

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments Like so many good things in life, this book began over a cup of tea—with Laura Sutton, former editor at the University Press of Kentucky. Her encouragement, particularly in the earliest stages, was invaluable. Likewise, the patience, insight, and über-coolness of my editor Anne Dean Watkins made this project a joy. Many thanks also to acquisitions assistant Bailey Johnson, for her wonderful administrative skills; to the stellar marketing team of John Hussey, Cameron Ludwick, Amy Harris, and Mack McCormick; and to skilled editors David Cobb, Ashley Runyon, and Linda Lotz. I am particularly indebted to the Anne Ray Charitable Trust, which generously funded a two-month fellowship at the Berea College Appalachian Sound Archives, as well as to the expertise of the college’s archival staff: Harry Rice, Shannon Wilson, Jaime Bradley, Grace Sears, and John Bondurant. The Kentucky Arts Council kindly provided both an Individual Professional Development Grant and an Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship. Ron Day, Judy Hensley, Le Datta Grimes, and Crystal Wilkinson were all quick to respond to specific research questions. Megan 235 236 Acknowledgments Naseman and Jordyne Gunthert proved to be amazing transcriptionists . Ronald D Eller, Ron Pen, and Holly George-Warren read portions or all of the manuscript at various stages and offered constructive feedback. Thanks to the artists who were unfailingly generous with their time, and to the managers and publicists who helped make our conversations happen: Alicia Brown, Lori Cloud, Kim Fowler, Connie Hunt, Drae Jackson, Lisa Klipsic, Laura McCorkindale, Jason Richardson, Jeffrey Smith, and Larry Strickland. Traci Thomas, Holly Gleason, and Marshall Chapman are good folk and fine raconteurs. Finally, the bulk of my appreciation must go to my family, both blood and chosen. Silas House provided steady companionship and words of encouragement as I wrote and made sure I took proper dinner breaks. Ann and Harold Hayden have always claimed me as their own; Marcy Hayden and Garrison Minor are two of my heartstrings. Marianne Worthington supplied good feedback and even better company. Kathi Whitley was available whenever I needed a sounding board and help gathering contacts, and this book benefited from her guiding spirit. My old friend Josiah Akinyele provided lodging and taxi service in Los Angeles ; Cyndi Williams and Kim Palmer offered insight, comfortable guest quarters, and the best bloody crumpets in NashVegas. I’m a better person and writer for having known the late Mike Mullins and being a part of the literary family he built at the Hindman Settlement School’s Appalachian Writers Workshop. Special thanks to Alice Hale Adams, Adanma and Shane Barton , Chad Berry, Donavan Cain, Diane Dehoney, Connie May Fowler, Kevin Gardner, Sam Gleaves, Jan Goff, Jeanne Marie Hibberd , Jane Hicks, bell hooks, Ron Houchin, Maurice Manning, Greta McDonough, Karen Salyer McElmurray, Jennifer Miller, 237 Acknowledgments Beth Newberry, Lisa Parker, Deborah Payne, Jackie Rogers, Amanda Runyon, Lee Smith, Lora Smith, Nick Smith, Erik Tuttle, and Neela Vaswani. In memory of Melody Record Shop and ear X-tacy. Long live all independent record stores. ...