 FENDER BENDERS (Published November 2001) Fender Bender update
Fender Benders was published in November, 2001. Structurally it's much more of a traditional 'whodunnit' than my previous three books. It's still chock full o' laughs, of course, but we get a dead body by page three and they start piling up from there. Book #5 is underway. It’s a story idea I had while writing The Organ Grinders. I’m about 40 pages into it and have it outlined to the end. Lord knows how it’ll change as I actually write it, but it’s starting out as a good one. It’s had several titles including Heartless, Cardiac Arrest, Heart Seizure, and Gimme That Bloody Love Muscle. My editor hates all of ‘em. But he loves the story (or so he tells me). By the way, I don’t think I mentioned this in earlier Fender Bender reports, but whilst in Nashville doing research, I dropped by Robert’s Western Wear and heard the Sam Glass Band. If they’re ever in your neighborhood (or if you’re in their’s) go and hear this band. They’re great. Story synopsis
How the story became a novel It's as simple as this. I had an idea about a producer in the music business. I fleshed it out to an outline, pitched it to my editor, he loved it and told me to go. So I went to Nashville and hooked up with some of my old cronies from Jackson. J. Fred Knobloch, a singer-songwriter-publisher who knows all there is to know about writing hit country songs, since he's done it. James Stroud, a big-shot producer who knows all there is to know about producing country hits, since he's done a mess of 'em. Bill Simmons who knows all there is to know about artist management, since that's what he does for a living. And my dear old friend Colleen Miche, who told me all sorts of other things about Nashville and who is married to a studio musician gone straight.
I read Bruce Feiler's book, "Dreaming Out Loud" which I highly recommend to anyone even slightly interested in country music. It is simply a great book. I also read Rough Mix by Jimmy Bowen and Jim Jerome which gave interesting details about the rise of Garth Brooks. The title fight We had a hard time agreeing on a title for this one. Following are a few of the proposed titles: The Winner Fender Benders (thanks to Tim Sandlin for this one) Research The author's research for "Fender Benders" deserves a page of its own. It's distinctively called "Nashville research." For that matter, just type in whoever you like, add a dotcom, and press go. They're all out there Some of the Author's favorite musicians, linked to further information. Dave Alvin Online ordering
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