Albrecht Noah - The Little Book of Country Music Wisdom

Noah Albrechts illustrations have been used to promote major projects for film and TV such as Star Wars , Lord of the Rings , and NBCs hit show Heroes . Based in Nashville, Tennessee, he is a graduate of The Art Institute with a client list including Lucasfilm, New Line Cinema, and Universal Studios.

An imprint of Globe Pequot

Distributed by NATIONAL BOOK NETWORK

Copyright 2017 by Chris Parton
Illustrations by Noah Albrecht

All rights reserved . No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote passages in a review.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information available

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Parton, Chris. | Albrecht, Noah illustrator.

Title: The little book of country music wisdom / Chris Parton ; illustrations by Noah Albrecht.

Description: Guilford, Connecticut : Lyons Press, [2017] | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017019006 (print) | LCCN 2017015185 (ebook) | ISBN
9781493029143 (e-book) | ISBN 9781493029136 (hardcover : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Country musiciansQuotations, maxims, etc.
Classification: LCC ML385 (print) | LCC ML385 .P246 2017 (ebook) | DDC

781.642dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017019006

The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of American National Standard for Information SciencesPermanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.

Printed in the United States of America

FOR NAOMI

AND NOW THREE OF THESE REMAIN: FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE. BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:13 NIV

Theres a lot to be learned from country stars and the simple, heartfelt songs they sing. But when the singing is over and real life begins, thats when the true, unvarnished wisdom of country music comes out.

Its found in Dolly Partons childhood memories, filled with love in the face of poverty. Its in Reba McEntires determination, Johnny Cashs moral compass, and Willie Nelsons jokes. Its in Carrie Underwoods dedication to health, Eric Churchs fierce individuality, and even Luke Bryans live-forthe-moment fun.

Filled with homespun hand-me-downs and first-hand experience, The Little Book of Country Music Wisdom is a pool of knowledge, guidance, and good humor, collected straight from the musings of Americas modern day shade-tree philosophersits country music stars.

for life

First and foremost, every country person (and as a result every country star) is proud of who they are, where they come from, and how they were raised. That means being honest, being strong in their convictions, and staying true to themselves.

I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT WHO I AM AND WHO IM NOT, AND IM COMFORTABLE WITH IT.

KACEY MUSGRAVES

Kacey Musgraves has been pressured to adopt a pop sound, but she has stuck to her guns and carved out her own place in country.

BEING A ROLE MODEL DOESNT MEAN BEING PERFECT. IT MEANS BEING REAL AND TRUTHFUL AND HONEST.

KELSEA
BALLERINI

Trying to be all things to all people might seem like good role modeling, but its not sustainable. Country artist Kelsea Ballerini learned its better to be yourself.

KEITH URBAN

WHEN I MADE MY FIRST TRIP TO NASHVILLE IN 1989, I WAS REALLY OUT OF SYNC WITH WHAT WAS GOING ON. I WAS SO OUT OF PLACE. BUT I COULDNT CHANGE ALL OF MY MUSIC TO FIT WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

If the rock-inspired Aussie had altered his style during the cowboy-hats-and-Wranglers phase, Keith Urban would have never become one of countrys biggest stars.

CHRIS
JANSON

EVERY TIME IVE TRIED TO OVERTHINK SOMETHING IN MY LIFE, IT EITHER FAILED OR I WASNT THAT PROUD OF IT.

Chris Jansons biggest success came when he decided to be himself with the hilariously infectious number one hit Buy Me a Boat.

Dierks Bentley has scored mainstream radio hits, but hes also dared to think outside the box with a whole album of bluegrass-inspired music.

I THINK IVE CLAIMED THE RIGHT TO BE ANY VERSION OF ME THAT I WANT TO BE.

DIERKS BENTLEY

It took Chase Bryant a few years to find himself, but his ultimate confidence made the waiting worthwhile.

I FEEL LIKE YOU WILL SUCK AT BEING SOMEBODY ELSE, AND YOU MIGHT SUCK AT BEING YOURSELF AT FIRST, BUT AT SOME POINT YOURE GOING TO FIGURE IT OUT.

CHASE
BRYANT

ID SAY MOST FOLKS ARE IN IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS, BUT THERE ARE SOME SNAKES OUT THERE.... YOUVE GOT TO WATCH OUT FOR YOUR BEST INTERESTS. YOUVE GOT TO STICK TO YOUR GUNS AND YOUR MORALS AND WHAT MAKES YOU YOU, BECAUSE IF YOU LOSE THAT, YOU KIND OF LOSE EVERYTHING.

SCOTTY
McCREERY

Scotty McCreery was only sixteen when his career began, so there were a lot of experts trying to shape his decision making.