Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Over 30 years ago, circa 1980, I was friends with a guy named Len.  We were in seventh grade.  Len introduced me to a comic book series called "X-Men", and its most recent issues, 141 and 142.  These happened to be (imho) two of the best superhero comics ever made.  It was a magical time. Thanks to Len, I became hooked on comics, and would remain (with one short break) hooked for life. 

Jump to 2012 (the far-flung future!), and though our lives have long since taken different paths, Len and I are now Facebook friends. Today he sent me a photo of his dad reading "The Carter Family: Don't Forget This Song"...

Things have come full-cirle. The circle can and will be unbroken.  Thanks, Len, for sharing your comics with me back in the day, and for sharing my comics with your father today.

Here's to good friends!

Praise From Comics Critic Rob Clough for The Carter Family Graphic Novel

Rob Clough is a compelling writer about comics and art, and in his in-depth interview with Tom Spurgeon on the Comics Reporter website, he says the following about Don't Forget This Song:

Thanks, Rob!

Rave Review from Washington D.C.!

Michael Taube wrote a very thoughtful, intelligent assessment of our book in the Washington (D.C.) Times. It's perhaps my favorite piece written on the book to date. It was a nice holiday gift, and you can read it HERE if you're so inclined. Below is a screen shot of the start of the review. Thank you, Mr. Taube, and happy holidays to you all!

Brain Pickings Best

I am thrilled to relay the news that "Carter Family: Don't Forget This Song" has been named one of the year's best graphic novels by the electronic media treasure chest called Brain Pickings. 

http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/12/17/best-graphic-novels-graphic-nonfiction-2012/

Our book was ranked #3, just behind "Building Stories" and "The Graphic Canon."

I'm doubly excited because I was a contributor to Russ Kick's exhaustive "Graphic Canon Vol. 2", which got the #1 spot on Brain Pickings' list.  The series is a collection of literary adaptations, and the bulk of Vol. 2 comes mainly from the prolific 19th century.  I drew a 3-page adaptation of Lord Byron's "She Walks in Beauty," drawn while also working on "The Carter Family," but in a completely different style...

 

Happy Birthday A.P. Carter!

On this day in 1891 Alvin Pleasant Carter was born. A. P. Carter was one of the most influential music makers of the 20th century. He left a mark as large and pervasive as Lennon and McCartney, Hank Williams Sr. and Bob Dylan.

Perhaps even larger than those hallowed names, because A.P. developed deeply to the construction of popular song making. He helped set the concept of shaping a song to the constraints of a record's playing time. He also had a genius for condensing long ballads into powerful three-minute capsules--the very thing that helped country music become widespread.

Though his life--and those of his family and friends--was still very much rooted in the ways of the 19th century, A.P. cannily used emerging technology as a guide to his inner passion. His fearless blend of past, present and future preserved the old songs he encountered in his rambles and made them new for millions of listeners, to this very day.

A.P. needed the partnership of Sara and Maybelle to express his musical vision, and to make it popular. But at the very heart of the Carter Family were the songs--and A.P.'s loving stewardship of them.

Celebrate this day by listening to some Carter Family music. Click HERE to peruse the many videos of Carter Family music currently on YouTube.

NPR Alert!

They haven't contacted us for an interview (yet), but our book has made their holiday list of recommendations by non-corporate booksellers:

Click on this screenshot to see all of NPR's holiday book selections. They all look mighty interesting, and we're honored to be in such good company!

Wish list

Frank just pointed out to me that "Carter Family: Don't Forget This Song" is the #1 book about country music that Amazon customers are putting on their wish lists!  Just ahead of Kenny Rogers! 

I hope your wishes all come true, dear readers...

Examiner

Thanks to Jim Bessman for interviewing us for Examiner.com!
http://www.examiner.com/article/meeting-country-music-s-legendary-carter-family-by-way-of-a-comic-book
With this great link to AP Carter singing "One Little Word"...

Show us how you read your copy...

The Mza reads his copy on Facebook.  In his profile photo...

He is saying "The is damn good."  Why thank you, Mza.

The L.A. Times Suggests "Don't Forget This Song!"

Another major American daily newspaper has kindly given us a mention: (click on the image to go to their website)

Thanks, L.A.Times! We're grateful to get this major media coverage. Wonder if/when the New York Times will mention us? Time (pun not intended) will tell...

Hear David and Frank Talk About "Don't Forget This Song" with Fretboard Journal's Michael John Simmons!

You've read several interviews about our graphic novel on the Carter Family... now you can hear we two chat with Fretboard Journal's delightful Michael John Simmons about Don't Forget This Song.

Just click on the graphic below and you'll go to the webpage pictured! If you're a guitar or stringed instrument enthusiast, FJ's website (and their print magazine) are a must!

Boston Globe

Thank you, Boston Globe, for mentioning our book in your graphic novel gift guide!

Right behind the amazing "Building Stories"!