Here's the link to the new University of Illinois Press page for "Live Fast, Love Hard: The Faron Young Story": http://www.uiuc.edu/goto/f07diekman. Those who would like a personalized autograph to paste in their books can request a paper bookplate from http://www.press.uillinois.edu/books/Diekman.BookplateRequest.pdf. And I would much appreciate comments on Faron's biography to be posted to Amazon.com at http://tinyurl.com/3dsu2a.
FARON YOUNG, FIFTY-FIVE YEARS AGO: Faron was enjoying life as a new recording artist in Nashville, and living with other musicians at Mom Upchurch's house, when he received his draft notice. He went into the U.S. Army on November 16, 1952. When asked whether he was drafted or joined voluntarily, he told an interviewer, "You damned right I was drafted. I didn't join nuthin'. They had to come get me. You notice one of my arms is longer than the other one? They pulled it." The Army turned out to be a good deal for him, though, when he took over the recently-discharged Eddie Fisher's slot as head entertainer for the Army's recruiting program. Not many privates get their own radio show and touring band. PFC Faron Young and the Circle A Wranglers contributed to the Army recruiting effort with a weekly radio show and concerts throughout the Southeast. When he was discharged two years later, he was honored with a "Faron Young Day" in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with a parade and the appearance of city and state officials, the Commanding General of the Third Army presented Faron with the Army Commendation Medal. Faron appeared on several radio stations throughout the day, and the Wilburn Brothers came to Atlanta to costar with him on a show that evening.
FARON YOUNG TRIBUTE SHOW AND COUNTRY DEPUTY REUNION
We had a wonderful time at the Ernest Tubb Record Shops on Saturday. Seeing the Country Deputies on stage that evening and listening to them perform was an absolute thrill for me. Thanks so much to Ray Emmett for getting the band together, Darrell McCall for hosting the show, Robyn Young for opening the show, and David McCormick for making it happen. What made it so unusual was that the Deputies disbanded in 1993, and the musicians on stage covered several generations of the band. I called the roll of 59 Deputies from 1954-1993. Thirteen of the 40 living members were present. I hope to have photos posted to my Web site by next week.
LETTERS
Loudilla, Loretta & Kay Johnson, who stopped by the Ernest Tubb Record Shop on Saturday, send this note to say, "It was such a GREAT pleasure to meet you (finally) & thank you so much for signing our books. We will treasure them, always. . . . If THIS book is any indication of it, the Marty Robbins book will be inspiring & as well as informative. David McCormick is such a treasured friend to so many of us. I know that he had to be thrilled how the Record Shop's tribute to the Country Deputies & Faron turned out, last night. Was listening & from the 'listeners' side, it was great!! Still am beside myself that the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree wasn't part of the XM Satellite broadcasting family. Am just not understanding why they weren't. I know of so many who would have loved to have heard the show, last night."
Bill Yarbor writes, "I just got the latest issue of VINTAGE GUITAR magazine today and they have a review of your book and you'll be delighted with what they had to say. . . . They agree with me that it's a great book and one you can be proud of."
Frank Chilinski says, "I wanted to let you know that I have now completely read your book about Faron Young two times, I enjoyed it so much. The book has also made me want to get everything ever recorded by Faron Young I recently was able to track down a copy of the Live In Branson CD that you had mentioned once, and I see what you mean about this CD. After reading the book twice, and feeling immersed in the life of Faron Young, this CD really brings the singer to life in concert. You can hear the personality, good, bad and otherwise in the Live CD. This CD had so much more depth for me, after reading your wonderful book. . . . I think you did a great job of being kind to him (as his sister requested) as best you could, but you do not sugar coat any of it. Your book does a good job of showing the multiple layers of this man (who simply on surface could be considered as nasty, hotheaded, drunken, sometimes mean and down-right frightening to be around) -- your book lays out that he was also someone who had reasons to be the way he was, and someone who while often frightening to be around, seemed to be a magnet to people, many who loved to be around him. And one who found it easier to be generous and kind at a distance. Such a sad ending for him."
