Whisperin' Bill Anderson
An Unprecedented Life in Country Music
by Bill Anderson
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Pub Date Sep 01 2016 | Archive Date Nov 10 2016
Description
Whisperin’ Bill: An Unprecedented Life in Country Music presents a revealing portrait of Bill Anderson, one of the most prolific songwriters in the history of country music. Mega country music hits like "City Lights," (Ray Price), "Tips Of My Fingers," (Roy Clark, Eddy Arnold, Steve Wariner), "Once A Day," (Connie Smith), "Saginaw, Michigan," (Lefty Frizzell), and many more flowed from his pen, making him one of the most decorated songwriters in music history. But the iconic singer, songwriter, performer, and TV host came to a point in his career where he questioned if what he had to say mattered anymore. Music Row had changed, a new generation of artists and songwriters had transformed the genre, and the Country Music Hall of Fame member and fifty-year Grand Ole Opry star was no longer relevant. By 1990, he wasn’t writing anymore. Bad investments left him teetering at bankruptcy’s edge. His marriage was falling apart. And in Nashville, a music town where youth often carries the day, he was a museum piece—only seen as a nostalgia act, waving from the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Anderson was only in his fifties when he assumed he had climbed all the mountains he was intended to scale. But in those moments plagued with self-doubt, little did he know, his most rewarding climb lie ahead. A follow-up to his 1989 autobiography, this honest and revealing book tells the story of a man with an unprecedented gift, holding on to it in order to share it.
Known as “Whisperin’ Bill” to generations of fans for his soft vocalizations and spoken lyrics, Anderson is the only songwriter in country music history to have a song on the charts in each of the past seven consecutive decades. He has celebrated chart-topping success as a recording artist with eighty charting singles and thirty-seven Top Ten country hits, including “Still,” "8 x 10", "I Love You Drops," and “Mama Sang A Song.” A six-time Song of the Year Award-winner and BMI Icon Award recipient, Anderson has taken home many CMA and ACM Award trophies and garnered multiple GRAMMY nominations. His knack for the spoken word has also made him a successful television host, having starred on “The Bill Anderson Show,” “Opry Backstage,” “Country’s Family Reunion,” and others. Moreover, his multi-faceted success extends far beyond the country format with artists like James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Dean Martin, and Elvis Costello recording his songs. Today, thanks to the support of musical peers and a few famous friends who believed in him, Anderson continues to forge the path of lyrical integrity in music, harnessing his ability to craft a song that tells a familiar story, grabs you by the heart and moves you. Modern day examples include "Whiskey Lullaby" (Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss), "Give It Away" (George Strait), "A Lot of Things Different" (Kenny Chesney), and "Which Bridge to Cross" (Vince Gill).
A product of a long-gone Nashville, Anderson worked to reinvent himself, and this biography documents Anderson’s fifty-plus-year career—a career he once thought unattainable. Richly illustrated with black-and-white photos of Anderson interacting with the superstars of American music, including such legends as Patsy Cline, Vince Gill, and Steve Wariner, this book highlights Anderson’s trajectory in the business and his influence on the past, present, and future of this dynamic genre.
A Note From the Publisher
Peter Cooper is a senior lecturer in country music history at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, writer-editor at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and former music writer for the Tennessean. He is also a touring musician and GRAMMY-nominated music producer.
Advance Praise
—Dolly Parton
"Very few songwriters or artists will be prolific or talented enough to
enjoy two or maybe three decades of success. Bill Anderson is going on
seven. His words and melodies are part of the very foundation upon which
country music is built. What an amazing life and career. I’m so glad he
chose to pick up his hammer and chisel . . . excuse me . . . pen and
paper (things have changed since he first began) to write down his story
for all of us fans and friends."
—Brad Paisley
"As a lifelong lover of songs, I had no idea what a profound impact Bill
Anderson would have on me. Still to this day when I hear one of my
favorite songs, Bill undoubtedly wrote it. When I asked him to write
some songs with me in the early 1990s, I was shocked to hear him say he
didn't write much anymore because he didn't think my generation was
interested in what he had to say. I told him I believed he was one of
the most prolific and important songwriters in our history, and it would
mean the world to me if we could try to write something together.
'Which Bridge to Cross (Which Bridge to Burn)' was the result of that
collaboration, and in Bill's words, it lit a fire to want to keep
writing with some of us kids. Well, believe me, we kids are better
songwriters because of Bill Anderson."
—Vince Gill
"The thing about Bill Anderson’s career, for me, is that he still
maintains it on the highest of levels. He’s been writing hit songs for
over fifty years and is one of the most successful songwriters in our
history. Wow! He continues to write and collaborate with young artists
and writers, keeping himself current, and continues to win awards for
his successes. As a person, I love how Bill always makes everybody feel
at home. As a veteran member of the Grand Ole Opry, he made me and my
whole family feel comfortable on my first, nervous performance on the
Opry back in 1992. He was always so kind to my family, my dad in
particular. They both went to the University of Georgia and had much in
common. He was one of the family when I was honored to take my place as a
member at the Grand Ole Opry in 1999. I know Bill was born in South
Carolina, but he was raised in Georgia so I’ll always own him as a
Georgia boy! He’s an iconic singer (everybody knows when you hear that
whisper EXACTLY who it is on the radio), a legendary songwriter, and
he’s one of the nicest folks you’ll ever meet. He’s definitely one of
the good guys. I’m proud to know him!"
—Trisha Yearwood
"A genial account of a gentleman musician's life in and around
Nashville. They don't make them like Whisperin' Bill Anderson (b. 1937)
anymore, though, as co-author Cooper suggests, it is the coda to his
career that has made it extraordinary, 'the most thrilling,
exhilarating, and unprecedented part of his journey.' . . . Anderson is a
uniquely country personality, and that personality shines through."
—Kirkus Reviews
"I like this book, written with Peter Cooper, music historian. I
especially like the part when Bill Anderson describes his personal
song-writing process, always a mystery to me. Which came first, I
wondered, the lyrics or the tune, or was it different with each artist,
or perhaps each song? Anderson is a lyrics man. . . . It's a funny book,
a story told without excess ego or exaggeration like some I've read in
this genre. Despite great success, he's kept his humility and remains
accessible to fans. . . . This book won't be in the inspirational
section of your local book store, but it probably should be. The main
message is to follow your passion, never give up and be nice to people."
—Rheta Grimsley Johnson, Daily Corinthian
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9780820349664 |
| PRICE | $29.95 (USD) |
