Memories: The Autobiography of Ralph Emery

by Ralph Emery, Tom Carter

The host of "Nashville Now" documents his forty years in broadcasting, describing his four marriages, his drug addiction and recovery, and his contact with many of country music's most popular personalities

Genres: Biography, Autobiography, Memoir, Biography Memoir

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 1991

Reviews

[Virginia Alice Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A memoir that includes country music celebrities. I truly enjoyed this memoir. I loved reading about Mr. Emery’s beginnings as a radio talk show host, DJ, emcee, and country music announcer. It was interesting to learn how his staying power in the country music world helped him in his transition from radio to television as he hosted hundreds of country music stars. His interviewing skills gave him the ability to communicate well with them, several of which became good friends. I highly recommend this memoir to anyone who enjoys country music, whether they remember Ralph Emery throughout the years or not; the book is filled with lots of memories and experiences. Some chapters are devoted to the likes of Jimmy Dean, Johnny Cash, Barbara Mandrel, Dolly Party, Shotgun Red, and Keith Whitley – just to name a few. And Ralph Emery’s kind voice can be heard on every page.

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

I found this to be pretty good, a bit uneven though. Ralph Emery was a giant in country music so I really enjoyed reading all the stories he told about the business side of country music and his interactions with many it's legends.

[David White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book on country music.

[Patricia Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

ralph emery talks about his childhood and how he got to be where he got famous with interviews with many top stars that through the years became his friends..

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book on Ralph’s life & career.

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. I was interested in this for two reasons 1- he comess from the early days of broadcasting and 2- he has great anecdotal comments on the country music stars of his day. I could've done without the usual sordid details of divorce and drunkeness but hey its his autobiography. But he's got enough stories about the radio and music industries to fill a few more hooks.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to hear about the early days of broadcasting and especially WSM. Didn't know he had been around that long. Didn't have cable back when TNN first came about and it had shows like his, Barbara Mandrell and the Statlers.

[Sheila Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you want to read specifically about the life of Ralph Emery or want to learn more about country music, this is the book for you. No matter why you read the book, you'll find intersting information about both topics.

[Kristi Bumpus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this interesting and candid memoir by Emery (definitely a product of his time). Remembered watching Nashville Now as a child; neat to know about some of the things that went on.

[Steve Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant easy weekend read.