Are You Famous? Touring America with Alaska's Fiddling Poet

by Ken Waldman

Ken Waldman has toured throughout North America as Alaska's Fiddling Poet since 1995. He is the author of six poetry collections and has released seven CDs. This, his first book of prose, is part memoir, part travel notes, and part artist how-to. A Blue Highways for 2009. "Ken's story is all our stories, collected and distilled by a roving poet/musician possessed of a clear eye and a big heart. Waldman is clearly in the tradition of Walt Whitman, Woody Guthrie, John Steinbeck, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Ken Kesey." --Jim Clark, author of Handiwork, Dancing on Canaan's Ruins, and A Jim Clark Miscellany and Jordan Professor of Southern Literature and Writer in Residence, Barton College, Wilson NC. "A great read. For those who've wondered what it's like to live a life on the road in pursuit of one's passion, here's your book. Those who already know what it's like can point and say, 'It's like this.' From the harrowing plane crash in Alaska all the way to the appearance at Kennedy Center stage, we feel like we're there." --Jeff Talmadge, CoraZong Records recording artist, internationally touring singer/songwriter.

228 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2008

Reviews

[Anna Waitley]

Ken Waldman’s memoir-style prose is an absolute treasure for anyone who loves stories shaped by passion, persistence, and the open road. From the very first chapter, Waldman invites readers into the life of a wandering artist—one who has spent decades traveling across North America with nothing but honesty, creativity, and his unmistakable Alaskan spirit.

What impressed me the most is how seamlessly this book flows between travel notes, memoir reflections, and practical artist guidance. Waldman writes with the insight of a seasoned poet, the soul of a musician, and the humility of someone who has truly lived every mile of his journey. Whether he’s recounting quiet moments on the road or the unforgettable plane crash that changed his life, every story feels authentic and deeply human.

This book gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at the realities, joys, and challenges of dedicating one’s life to art. Waldman’s experiences—performing in small towns, connecting with strangers, and finding meaning in unexpected places—remind us why storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools we have.

I truly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates thoughtful memoirs, creative journeys, or road-trip narratives. If you enjoy authors like Kerouac, Steinbeck, or Whitman, you’ll find a familiar heartbeat here. This is a book that stays with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

[Glenis Redmond]

I am making my way through this memoir of America's touring fiddling poet by Ken Waldman. In these pages, I find the life of a Teaching Artist. Thoughtful prose that takes us in and out of the complicated territory of the heart.