If you are reading this magazine, then you need to get this book. Don’t give me any ‘buts’ or ‘whys’ – just go get the book. All done? Good. Since you have to order it online, I will go ahead and tell you a little bit about the book you are about to get. Because you did go buy it, right?
The basic summary of this book is that a long line of musicians from some of Christian alternative’s foundational bands tell their stories. The good, the bad, and the crazy are all recorded here. They tell where they have been and where they are now. They talk about the mistakes they made, the ways they were screwed by others, and the good memories they have of their musical days. Some of them are still at it, but most have moved on to something else.
What I like about this book is that Jerry Wilson gives a fair treatment to everything that he touches on. Musicians are not encouraged to pretend like everything was happy-Jesus-rosy in their careers, but they also don’t seem forced to sling mud at every corner. People just tell their story and the good and bad all shake out. In fact, in a few places where particularly harsh (but probably true) criticism is leveled at former record company executives, Wilson alos gives their side of the story.
The list of interviewees is extensive: Bill Walden (Undercover), Caesar Kalinowski, Chris Duke (Crumbächer), Dan Hohulin (Crumbächer), Dawn Wisner-Johnson (Crumbächer), Derri Daugherty (The Choir, Lost Dogs), Gary Olson (Undercover), Glenn Holland (4-4-1), Jeff Crandall (Altar Boys), Jim Nicholson (Undercover), Jim Wisner (Crumbächer), Joe (Ojo) Taylor (Undercover), John McNamara (4-4-1), Kemper Crabb, Kris Klingensmith (Barnabas), Marie McGilvray, Mick Donner (Barnabas), Mike Roe (The 77s, Lost Dogs), Mike Stand (Altar Boys), Nancyjo Mann (Barnabas), Sean Doty (Veil Of Ashes), Steve Crumbächer, Steve Hindalong (The Choir, Lost Dogs), Steve Taylor, and Terry Taylor (Daniel Amos, Lost Dogs). Whew! I found the Kalinowski and McGilvray interviews particularly intriguing, as they offered record label perspectives (proving that not all people working for the labels are evil). But every chapter had interesting tales in them.
I also know from reading comments here and there that some interviews weren’t completed by the time the book was sent to the printer. So there is more to be said by more people. Hopefully, there will be enough interest in this book to spark a part two, or at least an expanded version.
[2009 Book Surge | Purchase: Amazon.com]
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