Smile When You Call Me a Hillbilly: Country Music's Struggle for Respectability, 1939-1954

Rating:
Summary: Excellent history of country and western music
Review: I purchased this book as research material to help me in writing Faron Young's biography. Author Lange divided the sub-genres of country music into six categories: Progressive (pre-WWII), Western Swing, Postwar Traditional (includes bluegrass), Honky-tonk, Country Pop, and Country Blues. I enjoyed learning about the origins and variations, as well as reminiscing about the singers and songs familiar to me. Faron Young, correctly so, appeared in the honky-tonk category.

As a lifelong follower of country-western music, I consider the author knowledgeable and accurate. I highly recommend this book to country fans, old and new. Both groups will gain an appreciation of their music's roots. It will also be a revelation to those who complain about the state of country music today. The new vs. traditional struggle has existed since the beginning, and "our" music continues to evolve and survive.