Michael Gray Photos and Upcoming Appearances

Michael Gray laid some serious blues knowledge on us last night. Good talk. Sold quite a few books and folks seemed awfully impressed. Thanks, Michael, for coming to see us. There are some photos below, but if you couldn't make it last night, there are a couple upcoming chances. Take a look:

October 14th: Main Library at Margaret Mitchell Square @ 7pm
October 19th: Auburn Ave. Research Library @ 7pm

Blind Willie McTell Event at Decatur CD this Friday

This Friday, we're excited to have noted author Michael Gray at Decatur CD. He'll be here at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 9th, reading from and talking about his book, Hand Me My Travelin' Shoes: In Search of Blind Willie McTell. Here's what we wrote in the most recent Decatur CD Newsletter:

Partnering up with our friends and literary supervisors, A Cappella Books, we're proud to announce a reading at Decatur CD at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 9th. Michael Gray, author of Hand Me My Travelin' Shoes: In Search of Blind Willie McTell, will be here in the store to read from and discuss his book. What's the tome like? Well, straight from the fingers of the author:

"More than a biography, the book, written by this Englishman (!), is also

- a unique outsider's history of Georgia, and the historical context that informed McTell's lifetime (1903-1959)
- a travelog taking in the key places in McTell's life and work: including Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Macon, Milledgeville, Statesboro and Thomson, plus the backroads in between, and
- the story of how the author tracked down the truth behind many of the mysteries of McTell's ancestors, life and death.

Not only is my book the first biography of this major figure in Georgia music history, but 2009 marks the 50th anniversary of his death, making this the ideal time to celebrate his life and work."

Not too shabby, right? Gray has spoken at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and penned previous books on the likes of Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa and Elvis Presley. Needless to say, the man is a rich compendium of rock 'n' roll lore. It will be a joy to have him. Mark your calendars!!

Apocalypse Jukebox/27s photos

A week or so back, we were pleased to have the authors of Apocalypse Jukebox and The 27s here in the store, reading from their impressive tomes and taking questions from customers as we all enjoyed some fine beverages and the company of each other during Decatur's Art Walk. We took a few photos, of course, which we encourage you to peruse in this post. While you're at it, get outside and enjoy the weather on this lovely Saturday. We'll be here, if you need anything.

An Indie Rock Alphabet Book

Dear reader,

Do you like Paste? Do you have kids? Maybe you answered "yes" to both of those questions! Or neither. Regardless, we have a fun little tome for you. It's called An Indie Rock Alphabet Book, which is pretty self-explanatory, and it is indeed put out by that music magazine that operates out of Decatur. We've got a few copies on the counter here at good ol' DCD, and they sell for $12.95 a pop. Stop by sometime and flip through one. We think you'll like it. Oh, and take a look at a few of our favorite pages below.

Sincerely,
Decatur CD

Decatur Book Festival 2008!

Consider this a friendly reminder that the Decatur Book Festival is very much almost just about to creep right up on us. Beginning in just a couple days (that's Friday, August 29th, to be exact), right in the heart of downtown Decatur, this year's festivities will feature three whole days of books, music and community goodness. Former poet laureate Billy Collins and lead Drive-By Trucker Patterson Hood are just a couple of the numerous highlights. Don't miss out, folks! We're going to try to take in a few of the festivities ourselves, but remember that good ol' DCD will be going strong right down the street, should you need some plastic or vinyl discs (or DVDs or music books or televised baseball or friendly smiles or so on). Visit the official book festival website for more information:

The 2008 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Decatur Book Festival

A Cappella and Decatur CD featured books

If you subscribe to our semi-weekly newsletter (and you really should; the right hand side of this website can help you out), you may have already read this. But we're all about our seven-month-old books section, and happy to give you any reasons at all to peruse it. Here's one more...staff recommended books:

Warren sez...
Redemption Song: The Ballad of Joe Strummer by Chris Salewicz
This is a thoroughly engaging account of Joe Strummer and the formation of a band that would dramatically change the profile of rock and activism forever. Joe was an idealist and a terror all at once, always embarking on his own musical course. Knowing how much I like his music with the Mescaleros, I'm already missing all the musical collaborations that were undoubtedly to come, including, yes, in my opinion, a reunion with Mick Jones.

Eliot sez...
White Bicycles: Making Music in the 1960s by Joe Boyd
White Bicycles is named after the catchy single by the London psychedelic rock band Tomorrow. The book, however, opens with author Joe Boyd hunting down long-forgotten American blues-singers. Clearly, Boyd had a hand in all kinds of music during the 1960s. And because he was one of the few people in the biz that didn't have LSD for breakfast every morning, he remembers it all. Whether recounting a scathing castigation from Coleman Hawkins or offering his condolences to a grieving Fairport Convention, Boyd's gripping stories add a new depth to some of the best-loved music of the '60s while also introducing his audience to some lesser-known acts. It all adds up to what Brian Eno calls "the best music book I've read in years." And who are we to doubt Brian Eno?

Austin sez...
Heavy Metal Fun Time Activity Book by Aye Jay (with foreword by Andrew WK)
Metal and crayons don't mix, you say? Bite your tongue! (Or, more in keeping with the spirit of this book, cut it off and feed it to one of the members of Gwar.) This hilarious collection includes all sorts of fun games with metal themes. Help Spinal Tap through a backstage area maze. Connect the dots and color in Dimebag Darrell's (RIP) goatee. Unscramble the names of seven bands Mike Patton has fronted. The book is a hoot, an ideal sincere gift to your metal-loving friend or a gag gift for most anyone who enjoys music. But don't take my word for it...take Ronnie James Dio's! "At last, an activity book for metal heads. From Slipknot to Spinal Tap, the brain teasers are all there. Use some magic and the answers are sure to come."

Honky Tonk Angel book event update

Hot on the heels of our last book event, we're happy to remind you that on June 20th Ellis Nassour will be here to read from his new biography, Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline. Nassour is a music-industry veteran, and has garnered piles of heavy praise for the book. We'll be providing delicious refreshments, but that's not all...

Caroline & the Ramblers, an Atlanta rockabilly/country act, will also perform. Starting at 7pm, the band will come on and play a couple songs (they'll be mixing Patsy Cline covers and originals in that same vein), then Ellis will talk about his book, then the band will play some more. It'll be a blast, no doubt.

You've got a couple weeks to get ready, and we suggest you start by reading some excerpts from the book and checking out the music of Caroline & the Ramblers. Think of it as the most fun homework assignment ever, then we'll see you on June 20th.

Robert Hicks photos

By all accounts, our first book event was a pretty rousing success. Robert Hicks and his new tome, A Guitar and a Pen, brought in a nice crowd filled with people who were ready to drop coin on books and music. That's what we like to see, of course. The brew was a-flowin', as were Hicks tales, one in particular about eating a deceased relative! (That's one in the book, which you should still pick up here at Ye Olde DCD.) Fun times all around. Check out the photos...

Books?!? We got books.

We've been clamoring about this on the DCD Newsletter quite a bit, but it's about time we got around to a short 'n' sweet blog shout. If you've been in the store recently, you surely noticed large pair of bookcases near the DVD section. In case the sign didn't tip you off, we've partnered with our friends at A Cappella Books to bring you one of the finest music book selections in town. Stop by soon and have a gander. Although we're still very much in the infant stages of this new venture, we've already accumulated well over 200 titles. Not too shabby, eh? And remember, a book is the thinking person's stocking stuffer. We'll see you soon...