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Music and the American South
Music of the Statler Brothers
The Music of The Statler Brothers: An Anthology is an in-depth look at the musical career of The Statler Brothers' forty-year reign as country music's premier group. Lead singer, Don Reid, writes about each song ever recorded by the Grammy Award-winning foursome and gives backstage insight to the writings and the selections of each composition. A songwriter with two-hundred-fifty recordings of music by his own hand and a member of both the Country Music and Gospel Music Halls of Fame, Reid gives meaningful and often humorous insight into the day-to-day workings and trials of the music industry. There has been no other book by someone in the recording business that compares with this song-by-song chronicle. Unique in its content and style, this anthology offers anyone with an interest in the entertainment business more than a glimpse behind the curtain. Covering forty-five albums of original music, this is a must-read for all Statler Brothers fans and lovers of country and gospel music alike"--
- GenresMusic
423 pages, Hardcover
Published August 3, 2020
17 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Don Reid
39 books33 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Don Reid, a member of the legendary Statler Brothers, has three Grammy awards, thirteen gold albums, and eight platinum albums. An award-winning songwriter, Reid is also the author of several books, including One Lane Bridge and O Little Town. He and his wife, Deborah, live in Staunton, Virginia.
Don Reid, a member of the legendary Statler Brothers, has three Grammy awards, thirteen gold albums, and eight platinum albums. An award-winning songwriter, Reid is also the author of several books, including One Lane Bridge and O Little Town. He and his wife, Deborah, live in Staunton, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 26, 2025
The Music of The Statler Brothers: An Anthology by Don Reid is more than just a deep dive into the discography of one of country music's most beloved groups; it is a heartfelt tribute to the journey, evolution, and enduring legacy of The Statler Brothers. Don Reid, a founding member and the group's primary songwriter, brings a unique insider perspective to this anthology, blending personal anecdotes with detailed commentary on each of the group's songs.
The book is structured chronologically, allowing readers to trace the band's progression from their early days in the 1960s to their farewell performance in 2002. Reid's writing is warm and engaging, making it feel as though you're sitting down with an old friend who has stories to share about a lifetime in music. Each chapter focuses on a particular album or era, with Reid offering insights into the inspiration behind the songs, the recording process, and the band's interactions with each other and with the music industry.
As a devoted fan of The Statler Brothers, I find this anthology to be a true treasure trove of memories and insights. It offers a rare behind-the-scenes look that captures the essence of what made the group so unique. Even for those who may not be as familiar with the band, Reid's storytelling makes the book both accessible and enjoyable, providing a rich context for understanding the music and the era in which it was created.
The book is structured chronologically, allowing readers to trace the band's progression from their early days in the 1960s to their farewell performance in 2002. Reid's writing is warm and engaging, making it feel as though you're sitting down with an old friend who has stories to share about a lifetime in music. Each chapter focuses on a particular album or era, with Reid offering insights into the inspiration behind the songs, the recording process, and the band's interactions with each other and with the music industry.
As a devoted fan of The Statler Brothers, I find this anthology to be a true treasure trove of memories and insights. It offers a rare behind-the-scenes look that captures the essence of what made the group so unique. Even for those who may not be as familiar with the band, Reid's storytelling makes the book both accessible and enjoyable, providing a rich context for understanding the music and the era in which it was created.
September 16, 2023
Great job remembering a time that was genuinely wonderful
I’ve watched and listened to these gentlemen sing and entertain for years ! I’m a huge Elvis fan but to listen to the harmony these four produced is still outstanding! They still entertain me in the wee hours when I’m having trouble sleeping and I’ve listened for hours ,always finding something I missed over the years in their vocals . I’m sure they had many memories,but their fans have just as many . This book tells a great story that makes you understand it all .Thanks Don Reid ,you did a fantastic job writing on this .
I’ve watched and listened to these gentlemen sing and entertain for years ! I’m a huge Elvis fan but to listen to the harmony these four produced is still outstanding! They still entertain me in the wee hours when I’m having trouble sleeping and I’ve listened for hours ,always finding something I missed over the years in their vocals . I’m sure they had many memories,but their fans have just as many . This book tells a great story that makes you understand it all .Thanks Don Reid ,you did a fantastic job writing on this .
August 15, 2020
A “Must Read” for any fan of country music. The Statlers dominated the music field for decades with a unique blend of music, lyrics, comedy, and faith. Don Reid, lead singer, does an amazing job of breathing fresh life into the songs as he gives backgrounds to not only the songs but to the times and places where and why they were written. Now I listen to my exhaustive catalogue with new ears, hearing what I may have missed over the past sixty years. My all-time favorite group just got “favoriter”.
September 25, 2020
A book for fans of the Statler Brothers and anyone else who has an interest in country music.
It was good to hear some of the 'inside' stories and have an insight into the workings of the Statlers. The author, Don Reid, tells the story behind every song they recorded and some are more interesting than others ... but that's show business!
There is no doubt that Don Reid, one fourth of the Statler Brothers, enjoyed writing this anthology, and I enjoyed reading it, so there's two happy people!
It was good to hear some of the 'inside' stories and have an insight into the workings of the Statlers. The author, Don Reid, tells the story behind every song they recorded and some are more interesting than others ... but that's show business!
There is no doubt that Don Reid, one fourth of the Statler Brothers, enjoyed writing this anthology, and I enjoyed reading it, so there's two happy people!
May 15, 2024
A delight from beginning to end. I rediscovered songs I'd known my whole life - and others I'd never heard - and listened to them with a new ear. Several times I had to pull up old favorites just to hear a particular note or harmony Don mentioned, or look up a musician I'd never heard of, or read up on a songwriter. I've been enriched.
The one thing I'm left wanting is more detail from others - Jimmy, Phil, etc. - whom I know are still living. Maybe they were offered but didn't accept, but I would have enjoyed their input. I look forward to their eventual books, hopefully!
The one thing I'm left wanting is more detail from others - Jimmy, Phil, etc. - whom I know are still living. Maybe they were offered but didn't accept, but I would have enjoyed their input. I look forward to their eventual books, hopefully!
January 12, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It's basically an artist going through his entire catalogue, song by song, and telling the stories and memories associated with the song. Very interesting to me and I wish these kinds of books were more common.
June 29, 2022
If you are a fan of the Statler Brothers you will enjoy this book. The audio is is so enjoyable - Don Reid shares all his notes and memories from their first to the last cd. Tells about how each song was written, where it is recoded etc.. This was so interesting. I really enjoyed it.
November 5, 2020
Great details and stories on virtually every song of every album recorded by country music superstars The Statler Brothers. The "encyclopedia" of Statlers!
January 24, 2022
awesome book about an awesome group!
January 19, 2024
I love all of the stories told! A must read for Statler Brothers Fans!!
April 23, 2021
What a great book for anyone who enjoyed the Statler Brothers’ music over the years. I consider myself probably an average fan, meaning that I have bought a number of recordings over the years, saw them in concert a couple times, but I didn’t know much of the story behind their music. Don Reid was obviously a prolific note taker throughout their career, and must have kept everything organized for posterity.
Many of the songs I had never heard, or heard of, but each narrative kept me interested. I’m glad I read the book. The Statler Brothers retired in 2002, which represented the end of an era in my opinion. Good book to read if you enjoyed their music over the years.
Many of the songs I had never heard, or heard of, but each narrative kept me interested. I’m glad I read the book. The Statler Brothers retired in 2002, which represented the end of an era in my opinion. Good book to read if you enjoyed their music over the years.
August 27, 2025
There's no doubt that the Statler Brother's are an ICON in the world of music - not just 'country' but music in general.
The details of the individual songs, and the honest approach of Reid's "storytelling," (...some songs he admitted he just plain didn't 'like') are refreshing, fun to read, and a great trip down memory lane - a 'street' Reid often references as familiar territory for the "Brothers."
Set aside some time, because this is one you likely won't be able to finish in a single day - or probably less than a week. There's a lot here - and the best stories are too good to rush.
The details of the individual songs, and the honest approach of Reid's "storytelling," (...some songs he admitted he just plain didn't 'like') are refreshing, fun to read, and a great trip down memory lane - a 'street' Reid often references as familiar territory for the "Brothers."
Set aside some time, because this is one you likely won't be able to finish in a single day - or probably less than a week. There's a lot here - and the best stories are too good to rush.
July 7, 2021
This is the perfect companion book to Random Memories. I discovered something new and interesting about their music on virtually every page.Even though I have every album mentioned, I found myself listening to their albums as I read along, feeling as if I was hearing each song for the first time again!
March 30, 2021
The most meaningful book that I have ever read.
I loved every minute that I spent in reading this book, I could not put it down! I grew up with the Statlers.
I loved every minute that I spent in reading this book, I could not put it down! I grew up with the Statlers.
February 6, 2025
What a powerful book. I loved the history of the songs they recorded & wrote. What a great book!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews