For many appreciators the essence of country music is harmony singing. Country harmony, for most of these, is synonymous with the blended voices of Ira and Charles Louvin. The Louvin Brothers, for sure, have influenced almost all revered rock-and-roll singers and country singers, from the Everly Brothers to Emmylou Harris. Until now there has been no full-length book about their remarkable career and their rich, complex music. In Close Harmony provides a detailed portrait of the Louvins and the turbulent country-music world of the 1950s.

Comprehensive and richly illustrated, Close Harmony traces the development of the music known as southern gospel from its antebellum origins to its twentieth-century emergence as a vibrant musical industry driven by the world of radio, television, recordings, and concert promotions. Marked by smooth, tight harmonies and a lyrical focus on the message of Christian salvation, southern gospel--particularly the white gospel quartet tradition--had its roots in nineteenth-century shape-note singing. The spread of white gospel music is intricately connected to the people who based their livelihoods on it, and Close Harmony is filled with the stories of artists and groups such as Frank Stamps, the Chuck Wagon Gang, the Blackwood Brothers, the Rangers, the Swanee River Boys, the Statesmen, and the Oak Ridge Boys. The book also explores changing relations between black and white artists and shows how, following the civil rights movement, white gospel was influenced by black gospel, bluegrass, rock, metal, and, later, rap. With Christian music sales topping the $600 million mark at the close of the twentieth century, Close Harmony explores the history of an important and influential segment of the thriving gospel industry.

“In this one-of-a-kind celebration of singing with others, I’d call her pitch nearly perfect.”—The Atlantic For Stacy Horn, regardless of what is going on in the world or her life, singing in an amateur choir—the Choral Society of Grace Church in New York—never fails to take her to a place where hope reigns and everything good is possible. She’s not particularly religious, and her voice is not exceptional (so she says), but like the 32.5 million other chorus members throughout this country, singing makes her happy. Horn brings us along as she sings some of the greatest music humanity has ever produced, delves into the dramatic stories of conductors and composers, unearths the fascinating history of group singing, and explores remarkable discoveries from the new science of singing, including all the unexpected health benefits. Imperfect Harmony is the story of one woman who has found joy and strength in the weekly ritual of singing and in the irresistible power of song.

(Music Pro Guide Books & DVDs). Most choirs spend their rehearsal time focusing on notes, rhythms, and precision. They rarely, if ever, discuss a song's meaning and feeling, even though those elements are precisely what draws people to the music in the first place. Thousands of books have been written about choral technique, teaching people how to sing technically well. What sets The Heart of Vocal Harmony apart is its focus on honest unified expression and the process of delivering an emotionally compelling performance. It delves into an underdeveloped vocal topic the heart of the music and the process involved with expressing it. The Heart of Vocal Harmony is not just for a cappella groups it is also for vocal harmony groups, ensembles, and choirs at all levels, with or without instruments. In addition to the process, the book features discussions with some of the biggest luminaries in vocal harmony: composers, arrangers, directors, singers, and groups including Eric Whitacre, Pentatonix, the Manhattan Transfer, and more!

Everypony is sure to love the abridged, digital-only edition of The Official Guidebook! Inside they will find everything they need to know about the hit TV show, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Character bios and a map of Equestria are just the beginning of this gorgeous book. Don't miss the complete lyrics to all the songs, a collection of Letters to Princess Celestia, and much much more! (Full episode guide excluded from abridged edition.)

"[A] provocative page-turner." —People “In Parkhurst’s deft treatment, Harmony becomes a story of our time. . . Parkhurst cements herself as a writer capable of astonishing humanity and exquisite prose.” —Washington Post “Gorgeously written and patently original.” —Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Leaving Time From the New York Times bestselling author of The Dogs of Babel, a taut, emotionally wrenching story of how a seemingly "normal" family could become desperate enough to leave everything behind and move to a "family camp" in New Hampshire--a life-changing experience that alters them forever. How far will a mother go to save her family? The Hammond family is living in DC, where everything seems to be going just fine, until it becomes clear that the oldest daughter, Tilly, is developing abnormally--a mix of off-the-charts genius and social incompetence. Once Tilly--whose condition is deemed undiagnosable--is kicked out of the last school in the area, her mother Alexandra is out of ideas. The family turns to Camp Harmony and the wisdom of child behavior guru Scott Bean for a solution. But what they discover in the woods of New Hampshire will push them to the very limit. Told from the alternating perspectives of both Alexandra and her younger daughter Iris (the book's Nick Carraway), this is a unputdownable story about the strength of love, the bonds of family, and how you survive the unthinkable.

A BOOK FOR ALL WOMEN WHO LOVE TO SING AND ARE STRUGGLING WITH CHANGESinging Through Changes , Women's Voices in Midlife, Menopause and Beyond is a must read for anyone who is a singer, voice teacher , singing specialist, choral director, or medical professional. "Readers will find a bounty of information which, for the first time, summarizes current research on adult female voice change, while allowing a glimpse into the lives of women who have faced the results of adult female voice change. Written in an accessible style, the book provides case studies which enable a better understanding of adult female voice change and its effects physically, vocally, emotionally, psychologically and socially. This book will be an invaluable resource to singers, voice teachers, choral directors and any woman who loves to sing!" -- Lynne Gackle, Ph.D., Baylor University, President, ACDA, Author, Finding Ophelia's Voice, Opening Ophelia's Heart: Nurturing the Adolescent Female Voice"A thorough, thoughtful, and compassionate look into the complexities surrounding the singing voice for women during midlife and the menopausal transition, interwoven with stories that inform, encourage and inspire us to keep singing. This will no doubt be a tremendous resource for the singing and medical communities for years to come." -- Lori L. Sonnenberg, Clinical Speech Pathologist, Singing Voice Specialist, Soprano - Sonnenberg Voice "This book is a beacon of light for all women who sing and for whom singing is important. It provides information, objective data, resources, suggestions, and many individual anecdotes from women who have openly shared their experiences singing while going through perimenopause, menopause and postmenopause. It fills a gaping hole in our knowledge and opens a path to new dialog on this vital topic. Every expert in all the related voice disciplines needs to know what is in this excellent book." -- Jeanie LoVetri, Director, The Voice Workshop, New York, NY NANCY BOS, JOANNE BOZEMAN, AND CATE FRAZIER-NEELY are known experts in the field of voice. Their cumulative teaching and writing careers of over a century form a broad scope of experience in voice health and pedagogy. Singing Through Change is the culmination of over two years of joint research of female midlife singing voice.www.singingthroughchange.com