East Nashville Skyline: The Songwriting Legacy of Todd Snider
East Nashville Skyline: The Songwriting Legacy of Todd Snider
East Nashville Skyline: The Songwriting Legacy of Todd Snider
Description
Description
In his introduction, author Brian T. Atkinson calls singer-songwriter Todd Snider "a marvel and a mystery" who "creates at any cost." Snider, originally hailing from the Portland, Oregon, area, arrived in Texas as a teen and was captured by the troubadour life while at a Jerry Jeff Walker show at venerable Gruene Hall in 1986. He honed his craft for the next three years at the feet of legendary muse and mentor Kent Finlay at Cheatham Street Warehouse in San Marcos.
After moving to Nashville--or, more properly, East Nashville--around the turn of the twenty-first century, Snider has garnered a loyal following from regular fans to influential industry leaders like MCA Records executive Tony Brown, iconic producer Don Was, respected artists like Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Jason Isbell, and Hollywood heroes such as the late comedian Richard Lewis and notorious scenester Pamela Des Barres (I'm with the Band). His songs have been recorded and performed by artists as diverse as Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn, Elvis Costello, and Tom Jones.
Atkinson interviewed Snider, members of his family, and other artists and musicians, to construct a narrative that captures the loopy kineticism of Snider's career trajectory. He carefully peels back Snider's barefoot hippie public persona to reveal the soulful poet and writer who "believes everything and nothing at the same time, yet has faith in himself, even when no one else does."
Atkinson's latest book adds another layer to his already-impressive oeuvre on influential singer-songwriters by shifting focus onto younger musicians who were creatively formed by "first generation" artists like Townes Van Zandt and Mickey Newbury. East Nashville Skyline: The Songwriting Legacy of Todd Snider provides a pivotal chapter in this evolving story.
About the Author
About the Author
BRIAN T. ATKINSON, an Austin-based music writer, producer, and record label owner, is the author of I'll Be Here in the Morning: The Songwriting Legacy of Townes Van Zandt; Love at the Five and Dime: The Songwriting Legacy of Nanci Griffith; and other titles.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
"I could endorse and brag on my friend for a whole lot of things and in almost every direction. His commitment to his craft (the craft). His commitment to being vulnerable. To being a student, a historian. His commitment to being mysterious AND approachable. His desire, ability and execution of the requirement to COMMIT TO THE BIT. That is a prerequisite. That's what it takes. Deniro. Dylan. Pryor. Warren Buffet, the other Buffett... the list goes on for a while but not forever. Todd is in that world, according to me. No matter what bullshit he comes up with, I absolutely believe him. Even when it's only because I want to. That's either a character trait, a character flaw or just a character I really love.
I just love him. I believe him. I believe in him. Is he full of shit? Duh. Do I give a shit? Duh. I'm in for all of it. He lets me be me. Loves me anyway.
He kind of reminds me of ice cream...
I scream
You scream
We all scream for
Elmo Buzz
Tipsy Gypsy
Flash
aka... Todd""-- Jack Ingram, singer-songwriter
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
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