It was supposed to be a car dealership. Instead, it became one of the most famous American music venues of all time... Only one place in the whole world can claim to be both the Carnegie Hall of western swing and the penultimate stop on the Sex Pistols’ infamous American tour. Now, for the first time ever, all the secrets of the hottest honky-tonk of the 20th Century—Cain’s Ballroom—are revealed, in the words of the people who made it happen. Spanning the famed venue’s first 75 years, from 1924 through 1999, Twentieth-Century Honky-Tonk tells it all, from Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys—who became a national sensation with their clear-channel ballroom broadcasts—to U2, the Police, and Van Halen—as Cain's became an essential stop for breakout acts and cosmic cowboys. The book also covers cutting-edge alt-rock acts, metal bands, and off-the-wall attractions like ladies’ mud wrestling (which worked) and Pig Time Racing (which didn’t).

Only one place in the whole world can claim to be both the Carnegie Hall of western swing and the penultimate stop on the Sex Pistols' infamous American tour. Now, for the first time ever, all the secrets of the hottest honky-tonk of the 20th Century-Cain's Ballroom-are revealed, in the words of the people who made it happen.

"Billy Parker will always be one of the greats…I’m proud that he has this autobiography to really show who he was and is." ~ Dolly Parton A lover of country music and broadcasting from his earliest days, Billy Parker took his first tentative steps into both those fields while still in his teens, leading to lasting renown as both a top-rated deejay and country recording artist. Following a stint as the front man for Ernest Tubb’s famed Texas Troubadours, Billy returned to his native Oklahoma, where he originated one of the first nationally known overnight radio shows of the ‘70s. For years, Billy’s voice rode nightly over the mighty airwaves of the original KVOO, a 50,000-watt flamethrower that spread Billy Parker’s Big Rigger show all across the country. Later, as program director for the station, he helped many country performers at all levels, becoming well-known for giving everyone a fair shake, regardless of their stature in the industry. Thanks – Thanks A Lot doesn’t just refer to the famous hit record he cut back in the 1960s; it’s also Billy Parker’s sincere nod to those who helped make him what he is today: a performer with several national hits; a trailblazing, multiple-award-winning deejay; and—as the call letters of the station that brought him stardom indicate —nothing less than the Voice of Oklahoma. "Billy was so important to the Oak Ridge Boys. He helped break all our songs and the Midwest followed. Billy was a trusted voice of radio. I am so blessed that our paths crossed and we became good friends for over five decades." ~ Duane Allen (of the Oak Ridge Boys)

This book focuses on 50 of the most important entertainers in the history of country music, from its beginnings in the folk music of early America through the 1970s. Divided into five distinct categories, it discusses the pioneers who brought mountain music to mass audiences; cowboys and radio stars who spread country music countrywide; honky-tonk and bluegrass musicians who differentiated country music during the 1940s; the major contributions that female artists made to the genre; and the modern country sound which dominated the genre from the late 1950s to the mid-1980s. Each entry includes a brief biography of the chosen artist with special emphasis on experiences which influenced their musical careers. Covered musicians include Fiddlin' John Carson, Riley Puckett, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Bob Wills, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, Sr., Dale Evans, June Carter Cash, Loretta Lynn, Buck Owens, Roy Clark, Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.

International in scope, this book is designed to be the pre-eminent reference work on the English-speaking theatre in the twentieth century. Arranged alphabetically, it consists of some 2500 entries written by 280 contributors from 20 countries which include not only top-level experts, but, uniquely, leading professionals from the world of theatre. A fascinating resource for anyone interested in theatre, it includes: - Overviews of major concepts, topics and issues; - Surveys of theatre institutions, countries, and genres; - Biographical entries on key performers, playwrights, directors, designers, choreographers and composers; - Articles by leading professionals on crafts, skills and disciplines including acting, design, directing, lighting, sound and voice.

Southwest Shuffle documents an important period in country music history. During the '30s and early '40s, hundreds of thousands of "Okies," "Arkies," and other rural folks from around the Southwest resettled in California, in search of work. A country music scene quickly blossomed there, with performers playing Western Swing, Cowboy, and Honky Tonk country. After World War II, these styles rocked country music, leading to the innovations of '60s performers like Buck Owens and Merle Haggard in creating the so-called "Bakersfield Sound." These stories are based on original interviews and archival research by one of the most respected writers on this period of country history. Kienzle writes in a vibrant style, reflecting his long-time love for these musical styles.