I once got nominated for a Grammy for the liner notes I wrote for a big G.D. box set, and a) was positive I wouldn’t win and b) thought that getting nominated was a real victory. Really. But I don’t recall ever winning an award-type award…until now. So in the music world, among the most … [Read more...]
What I was so mysterious about
I mentioned in an earlier post that I had some news that I could not yet reveal because it wasn't my announcement to make. The Jerry Garcia Estate and Hachette Publishers made the announcement this morning. As you might guess, my interviews with Jerry (mostly in the '80s, one from the '70s) were … [Read more...]
Moremoremore
I’ve been slow – nothing new there – to catch up on sharing this material with you, mostly because every time I think it’s time to catch up, I become aware of more coming. But now in the new year it seems to be slowing down a little, and it really is time to bring you all up to date. Boy, it adds up … [Read more...]
Almost Embarrassing…but I’ll Try Not to Blush
The reviews of On Highway 61 are coming in, and they’re almost embarrassingly positive. Check ‘em out…two from the Austin Chronicle and Santa Fe New Mexican. There’s also a really nice piece about the writing of the book from the San Francisco Chronicle, Music historian retraces Highway 61 from … [Read more...]
A Superb Review and a Visit to West Marin
It’s nice to get good reviews, but it’s even better to get a review from a complete stranger that suggests the reviewer really understands what you’re after. Ron Jacobs is that guy. Read his article at Counterpunch.org, Going Down to Highway 61, Again. If you’re not already sick of my voice, … [Read more...]
More of Everything
I’ve probably said this elsewhere, but I guess it bears repeating. My first two books had subjects that were so polarizing that I found myself generally getting reviews that weren’t of my book but of the subject; if they hated Kerouac, they hated my book, if they loved the GD they loved the book, … [Read more...]
The Hits Keep Coming
Whew. The pace has picked up. I’m writing this at my friend Tim’s desk in suburban Washington, D.C., where I came to a gathering to celebrate the book. My old Dead Head cronies Tim Scully, Diane Blagman, and Dave Moran (who manages, among other things, a cool new music venue and restaurant/bar … [Read more...]
A Satellite Radio Tour and More
Woke up early this morning and spent 100 minutes doing 10 10-minute interviews with radio stations around America, from Rochester to Charlotte to Abilene… a couple of old friends like Brother Wease in Rochester and Jim Monoghan in New Jersey, new friends like Arroe Collins at WRFX in Charlotte and … [Read more...]
Publication Day…and some Validation
Today is the official publication day – which is of course a great satisfaction just to get to. I’ve no idea how things will work out in terms of sales and so forth, but no writer ever got sweeter validation from his first readers than I have. For your reading pleasure, the first item is a link to a … [Read more...]
My First Bookstore Event and More Reviews & Media
I had my first bookstore event the other night, at Diesel Books in Oakland. Lovely people, and a good turnout considering that I was competing with the Giants-Nationals game – every once in a while we heard loud cheers or groans from the bar next door. One of the nice things about bookstore events … [Read more...]