Books
This book, as comprehensive a history of the ludicrously rich legacy of music and musicians in the Lone Star State as I could manage, came about in an odd way. While I was still playing in the latter days of Safety in Numbers, I started to write a novel set in the world of rock music. To my great surprise, I finished it and to my not-so-great-surprise, it was not published.
However, it did attract the attention of an agent who said, “I can’t sell your novel, but I’ll bet I could sell a nonfiction book about Texas Music if you wanna try that.” So I did and he did. And it’s still in print.
This was a true labor of love, and it’s still available, too! Essentially, the pitch was for me to see and talk to as many Louisiana artists and attend as many music festivals in the state over the course of the year. Then I’d use my observations as a springboard into the greater history of the Louisiana’s musical past. It could be argued that I got to write about the two most musical states in the U.S. I fervently hope I did both states and the artists justice.
But, overwhelmingly, the response I got (and occasionally still get) from readers of Texas Music and Louisiana Music was/is to let me know about musicians I left out.
If I dare say, this comic crime novel is the best book ever written about a necrophiliac mortician – although I hasten to add it’s a lot more complex than that. The devilishly clever plot involves the Dixie Mafia, the Mississippi casino culture, Southern rock and necro-porn videos (a real thing!). Too, there’s a private detective, Kip Quigley, who looks like a high school debate coach, loves listening to Glen Campbell, and learned his sleuthing skills from Hardy Boys mysteries. Kip also has, as his mother proudly said, “a vicious side.”
Poppin’ a Cold One is no longer in print for “book biz” reasons that had nothing to do with actual sales. But I might self-publish it in the near future. Would you read it if I did? Let me know. I’ll send you your money back if you don’t think it’s pretty damned great. Seriously.
