The Road South

by Shelley Stewart, Dion Graham (Narrator)

As a five-year-old in Home-wood, Alabama, Shelley Stewart watched his father kill his mother with an axe. Two years later, Stewart escaped the care of abusive relatives, making a living as a stable hand. A stint in the army led to electroshock treatments for trying to integrate whites-only dances. But despite numerous setbacks, he never gave up his will to succeed. Eventually, odd jobs at radio stations laid the foundation for a 50-year career in broadcasting. As an African-American radio personality, Stewart reached out to Jim Crow Alabama, using music to integrate his audience. Along the way, he helped launch the careers of such legends as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and Gladys Knight. Instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement, he publicized the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A remarkable witness to and participant in the momentous social changes of the last three decades, Stewart, now a successful businessman and community leader, shares his courageous personal story that shows the indomitable strength of the human spirit.

Genres: Biography

Audio Cassette

First published July 10, 2002

About the author

Shelley Stewart is a new fiction author who has a story to tell. She writes from real actual occurrences in her life. Shelley has had some great chapters in her own personal life and figured why not share them into stories for others to read and enjoy. Leaving it up to the reader to figure which part is true and what is not. Shelley is also a wife, mother, and grandmother and absolutely adores her family. Shelley enjoys being with her family and friends always living her life to the fullest and making sure there is never a dull moment.

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! A true underdog story - his childhood was just unfathomable.

TIL: At least up through the 1950's, the USAF (and I guess the other branches as well?) frequently used electric shock therapy (EST) to "treat" some of their members with mental health issues! As with nearly all EST treatments used throughout history, it did not work and was really just a form of torture or punishment used to silence those that went against the grain 😓

[Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stuart Shelly had the worst youth that I have ever heard of. His abusive drunk father killed his mother when he was about 4. He was fed rat by his father and stepmother. He was abused in every way by his aunt. Etc, etc, etc.... This would have been very depressing, but Shelly seemed to be such a gifted person that there always seemed to be hope for him to overcome his situation. In the end, he did just that. Throughout his influential life, Shelly did what he could to help in the civil rights movement and he always made what efforts he could to try to put together his broken family.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
An amazing life story

[Grapaj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story of trial and determination. True description of the value of real happiness.

[Ramey Channell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just an amazing, amazing book. Everyone, especially those living in the Birmingham area, should read this. A revealing look into the life of a very talented man.