THE SPREE OF 83 by Freddy and Catherine Powers

 

 

                                    















                          DUE OUT JULY 1, 2017

                                      THE SPREE OF 83

                                                                      by
                                                                      Freddy and Catherine Powers
                                                                      with
                                                                      Jake Brown

FEATURING EXCLUSIVE COMMENTARY FROM

WILLIE NELSON AND MERLE HAGGARD 

AMAZON BUY LINK 

Freddie Powers is affectionately known as the "Ol Blue Eyes' of Country Music, according to the L.A. Times and if you were to "ask country super stars, Willie Nelson, George Jones or Merle Haggard (they'll)...tell you that he's one of country music's best kept secrets. "The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame inductee has been to the top of the Charts as both a producer (Willie Nelson's Grammy winning "Over the Rainbow" LP) and songwriter, penning many #1  hits with sidekick and fellow legend Merle Haggard, who declared "Freddy Powers is one of my favorite people in the world." while Willie Nelson adds personally that "Freddy's strongest suit, I always thought, was his rhythm guitar playing. He was a great rhythm guitar player, and wrote some great songs with and for Merle."

Sizing up Powers' influence on country music, Country Music Television has noted that throughout his 50 year career, Powers has "demonstrated a dedication to broadening the perimeters of country and western, particularly in creating a fusion of country honky tonk and swing jazz. This interest runs throughout Powers' career, "while his hometown Austin Chronicle has affectionately concluded that "Powers' name stands alongside some of country music's most enduring classics." Now, for the first time, in the pages of his memoirs "THE SPREE OF '83", Freddy recounts first hand the highly entertaining and emotionally touching story behind his decades long roller coaster ride through the music business, to the top of the charts, and his inspiring struggle in recent years battling Parkinson's disease, all while his legacy endured through generations of fans. Helping Freddy tell his story are exclusive interviews from fellow country music legends WILLIE NELSON, MERLE HAGGARD, John Rich, Tanya Tucker, The Voice finalist/Powers' protege Mary Sarah and hosts of other Nashville luminaries.

Texas Country Music Hall of Famer Freddy and wife Catherine Powers were married for over 25 years, with Catherine managing Freddy's career as a prolific performer and songwriter, where he is most celebrated for co-writing numerous #1 hits for Merle Haggard, notably including such fan fav's as "LET'S CHASE EACH OTHER AROUND THE ROOM TONIGHT," "I ALWAYS GET LUCKY WITH YOU," "NATURAL HIGH", and "A PLACE TO FALL APART" among countless others. Freddy is the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards by the Nashville Songwriter's Association International, the Texas Music Academy, and the Texas Guitar Association, the CMA Triple Play Award, and the BMI #1 Song Award among other coveted distinctions and honors.

                            -from Waldorf Publishing 

MY THOUGHTS

We often love the music we listen to but don't really know anything about who writes the songs, who sings them, produces them and everything that goes along with the song we love.  The book gives us country western song lovers a look into the life of a man and his friends who many never stopped to think about.  We just enjoyed the music.  There's people behind every song.  We get a personal look into the true story of Merle Haggard and Freddy Powers.  One was very little without the other.  As the book says, they were songwriting buddies but most of all they were best friends, blood  brothers.....    So much talent that was given to so many people to enjoy and relish in their music.  Even if you're not a country music fan, I'm sure you've listened to some of the famous songs.  We also get a look into the love of his life, his wife Catherine Powers who for over 25 years loved the man.  She also managed his career.  This is the story of a music legend and those who were a part of it.  If you love country music or even if you're not a fan,  read this book and get a closer look at what it takes to be a legend in your own right.  A legend among country music, the performers, the producers, the writers, the ones who loved him and the fans.  We will always miss this special man.  

I received a copy of this book from Barbara Terry of Waldorf Publishing and voluntarily decided to review it.

I would give this book 5 SOLID STARS. 

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