The time is fast upon us!  Ken Burns' epic documentary about the History of Country Music will premiere next month, September 15th on public broadcasting.  Our state affiliate, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, is planning two screenings of a special 45 minute preview of the 16 hour series - one at the Manship Theatre in Baton Rouge on September 8th, and a second at the Robinson Film Center in Shreveport on September 10th.  I have been asked to attend both and be the featured guest for the Q& A session following each screening.

Additionally, LPB is planning two broadcasts of their 1984 documentary on the Hayride, on the 13th and 15th of September, as part of their annual membership drive, and plan to offer my book as a pledge incentive.  I am to pre-record interviews that will air during the commercial breaks.  So, I am excited for all the exposure for the book.

My publisher, Pelican Press, was recently bought out by Arcadia Press.  The book is currently scheduled for release on October 15th but in light of the LPB development, the folks at Pelican are trying to get the release moved up.  I will keep you posted as to any changes in the release date.

None of us knew when this whole campaign started that it would take 2 years to finally come to a head, but we are finally at the finish line and I believe I delivered a first rate volume you can all be proud of, and you will see all of your names in the thank you credits in the book.

Once again, thank you for helping me achieve this key publishing milestone.  I am now a published author and that alone will make the next book an easier task to market.

More soon,

Joey