MuzikMafia: From the Local Nashville Scene to the National Mainstream

Acknowledgments

ix acknowLeDgMents There are many people whom I would like to thank for their assistance with and guidance through this project. First and foremost, I would like to express sincere thanks to my new friends and family within the MuzikMafia ’s inner circle: Cory, John, Kenny, Jon, James, Rachel, Pino, Chance, Max, Dean, Troy, Shannon, Mandy, Fred, Shanna, Damien, Adam, Brian, Ethan, SWJ, Alaska Dan, Sean, Jerry, D.D., Gretchen, Jules W., Paul, Ashley, Marc, Greg, Bill, Charlie, Jon A., Jeff, Deanna, “Mama” Alphin, Shawna P., Butter, Isaac, Virginia D., and Vicky M. Second, I would like to acknowledge numerous scholars from the International Country Music Conference and for our annual meetings at Belmont University. Specifically James Akenson, Don Cusic, Richard “Pete” Peterson , and Erika Brady have encouraged this study of the MuzikMafia and have welcomed the frequent presentation of my findings. Travis Stimeling, fellow country music scholar and drinking buddy, has contributed much to the development of many ideas found throughout this study. In addition, I owe special thanks to Charles K. Wolfe, who passed away much too soon, for his continual support and feedback on this and earlier projects. Several of my colleagues at Middle Tennessee State University deserve recognition. My close friend Stephen Shearon was the first person to emphasize to me the importance of this research. Steve’s continual support over the years has guided me through the tough times and has inspired me to keep refining my ideas and approaches. My colleague and former director George Riordan, who asked me each week for four years how the research was going, has earned my respect, trust, friendship, and heartfelt appreciation . I also owe a special debt of gratitude to Matt Baumer who accompanied me to my first MuzikMafia show on June 15, 2004. My editor Craig Gill is one of the best in the business. He showed genuine interest in this project years before I submitted a formal proposal to the x ACKNoWLEDGMENTS University Press of Mississippi, my first and only choice for a publisher for this work. Copy editor Will Rigby deserves additional thanks for a job well done. I would also like to thank my wife Laura, who by now certainly knows more about the MuzikMafia than I do. I am indebted to her for her unconditional support, her thoughtful criticism, her meticulous copy editing, and her continual guidance throughout this research’s numerous stages. Dad and Burgl also deserve acknowledgment for inspiring my love of country music and for their unconditional support over the years. Finally, I would like to recognize my son Alexander, who will one day read this book and learn about yet another facet of his southern roots. I dedicate this book to the MuzikMafia and its Nashville fans. Tuesday nights were not just another show. They were something special, almost like family. MuzikMafia This page intentionally left blank ...