The Spree of '83 - The Story of Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers, Foreword By Tanya Tucker
by FREDDY & CATHERINE POWERS WITH JAKE BROWN
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Pub Date Jul 01 2017 | Archive Date Jul 25 2017
Description
Foreword by Tanya Tucker. Featuring Exclusive Commentary from Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson. Cast of Characters: Freddy and Catherine Powers, Norma Powers-Marlow, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Paul Buskirk, Coach Darryl Royal, Ann Reynolds, Bill McDavid, Marc Oswald, John Rich, Tanya Tucker, Biff Adams, Mary Sarah, Pauline Reese, Linda Mitchell, Sonny Throckmorton, Joe Gilchrist, John McGinnis Sizing up Powers' influence on country music, Country Music Television has noted that throughout his 50-year career, Powers has "demonstrated a dedication to broadening the perimeters of country & western, particularly in creating a fusion of country honky-tonk and swing jazz. This interest runs throughout Powers' career," while his hometown Austin Chronicle has affectionately concluded that "Powers' name stands alongside some of country music's most enduring classics." Now, for the first time, in the pages of his memoirs, "THE SPREE OF '83," Freddy recounts first-hand the highly-entertaining and emotionally-touching story behind his decades-long roller-coaster ride through the music business, to the top of the charts, and his inspiring struggle in recent years battling Parkinson's disease, all while his legacy endured through generations of fans. Helping Freddy tell his story are exclusive interviews from fellow country music legends WILLIE NELSON, MERLE HAGGARD, John Rich, Tanya Tucker, The Voice finalist/Powers' protégé Mary Sarah, and hosts of other Nashville luminaries. #RememberFreddy #TheSpreeof83
Advance Praise
BACK COVER REVIEWS
A freewheeling, often poignant oral history of one of the unsung heroes of Country Music. – Stephen L. Betts, Nashville music journalist, Rolling Stone Country
He was a great rhythm guitar player, and he wrote some great songs with and for Merle. – Willie Nelson
Freddy Powers is one of my favorite people in the world. Me and Willie were both in a position to influence him and to guide him a little bit as a songwriter. - Merle Haggard
Powers' name stands alongside some of country music's most enduring classics. – The Austin Chronicle
Freddy has been on the move most of his life, taking his music with him. – Austin City Limits
He’s a great a writer, and I think he’s one of the least-recognized of the great country songwriters. – Tanya Tucker
Marketing Plan
Sunday March 19th
Freddy Powers SXSW Pickin Party
Freddy Powers Pickin Pavilion located at La Hacienda RV Resort
5 - 6 pm
Featuring Steve Carter
Friday March 24th
Clear Springs Restaurant and Bar
Tyler, Texas
8 - 9 pm
Featuring Grey Gregson and Noel Haggard
Wednesday March 29th
Broken Spoke
Austin Texas
8 - 9 pm
Featuring Steve Carter and Ed Ferguson
Thursday April 1
Salt Lick
Austin Texas
Featuring Steve Carter and Ed Ferguson
Sunday April 16th
Flora-bama
Perdido Key, Fl/Al.
5 - 6pm
Featuring Chris Newbury Mary Sarah and Cass Hunter
MEDIA
Over 50 Media Interviews Secured
ü Rolling Stone Country (Review already written / commitment on follow-up feature about book's publication once it's out in stores)
ü -Music Row Magazine (Already plugged book's forthcoming release / Review Commitment)
ü Billboard Country (already plugged book's forthcoming release / Review Commitment)
ü Legendary Austin City Limits (already plugged book's forthcoming release / Review Commitment)
ü Austin Chronicle (already plugged book's forthcoming release / Review Commitment)
ü Country Music Hall of Fame (book release event planned for early summer in conjunction w book's retail release, country stars introduced in the book will be performing Powers' songs and a junket of prominent country music media will be covering the event. More details TBA)
ü Social Media promotional commitments from country music stars interviewed in the book to promote its release (including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard Estate, Big & Rich, Tanya Tucker, Mary Sarah, Gretchen Wilson, and more) amounting to millions of followers collectively
ü TheBook.com (Review Commitment)
ü Country Weekly (Review Commitment)
ü Book tour and corresponding performances by high profile country songwriters and stars celebrating Freddy Powers' catalog
ü March 17, 2017 Interviewed with Whiskey and Weed TV & Gibson Guitar
ü July/August 2016 Edition: Feature in Cowboys & Indians Magazine
ü June 2016: Featured on Billboard.com (With Memoir Mention)
ü June 2016: TasteofCountry.com
ü June 2016: AllMusic.com
ü June 2016: Austin Chronicle feature
ü June 2016: Wideopencountry.com
ü June 2016: SavingCountryMusic.com
ü April 2016: Billboard.com mention
One of Haggard's collaborators, songwriter Freddy Powers ("I Always Get Lucky With You," "Let's Chase Each Other Around the Room") also is expected to provide some insight on Haggard in his autobiography The Spree of '83, due in February 2017 through Waldorf Publishing.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781945174940 |
| PRICE | $24.95 (USD) |
Links
Featured Reviews
Educator 180154
Great book & insight into the live of Freddy & Merle. Interesting read for anyone who wonders how this relationship began & developed and the outcome of this lifelong friendship and it's impact on country music.
Katie C, Reviewer
“The Spree pf ‘83” is a conversation with music greats. The cast of characters contains headliners of country music and TV. The book approximates having a casual conversation with old friends on the patio, talking, reminiscing, and sharing jokes and funny stories, except that these old friends are the giants of country music. Eavesdropping on these personal reflections is entertaining, enlightening, and just plain fun to read.
Times were different in ‘83. There was no social media to report on every move, to tweet, to post funny stories on line. And funny stories were many:
“We went out on the highway and one of the guys in the band and I wrapped ourselves in tin foil, put plastic bags over our heads, stuck antennas on the bags. We had a huge amplifier in the car, and played that warbling whistle you always hear in flying saucer films. Cars pulled over, trucks pulled over, people were shouting. Not one paper printed a word about it.”
There are also background stories, stories of family, extensive charity work, and just plain enjoying life. “One day it was raining, and Merle and Freddy and Dean and I put on a play, made costumes and everything, and they recorded it as we did a play on the houseboat.”
The essence of this book can be summed up in this, “And if there were any bad days, they somehow have been erased from my memory. Or maybe it’s like one of Merle’s hit songs, ‘These were the memories I choose to recall.’”
Waldorf Publishing and NetGalley gave me a copy of “The Spree of ‘83” in exchange for my unbiased review. I am not a follower of country music; I knew nothing about these events or these performers. I selected this book because the description fascinated me, and I heard Merle Haggard play at a church. I was entertained all the way through. I am sure that true fans will unquestionably love the stories in this book.
Whitley A, Reviewer
First off, let me preface this by saying I was raised on country music. I’m talkin’ the good kind, to where I end up immediately disliking people who either A) talk mad shit about country music as a whole, or B) consider the majority of current country music as what the entire genre is about.
Now that I’m done with my little rant, let’s review this book!
With an introduction by Tanya Tucker, you know right off that this book is the real deal when it comes to the heart and soul of fine country. I’ll admit, I originally requested this because I thought it was mostly about Merle, but it’s more Freddy’s story, with Merle and Willie Nelson providing their commentary on Freddy and the times they shared.
I’m honestly a huge fan of multiple narrators. (Rant is my favorite Chuck Pahlaniuk book, to give you an idea.) So, even though it wasn’t what I initially expected, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading about some rad country history.
I give The Spree of 83 four out of five Gibsons!
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