Blind Willie McTell book author speaks in GA this week

Hey ... for you Blind Willie McTell fans (and who isn't?):

I thought you might be interested in a synopsis of this article about the author of a book on BWMcT because the talks will take place in and near Augusta this Tuesday and Thursday.

Full story is at: http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/2009/10/15/rho_551890.shtml

Blind Willie McTell biography tells story of local music hero
Ramblin' Rhodes by Don Rhodes Columnist Augusta Chronicle
Thursday, October 15, 2009

The U.S. hardback release of British author, Michael Gray's biography, "Hand Me My Travelin' Shoes: In Search of Blind Willie McTell" (Chicago Review Press, $26.95) is tied to the 50th anniversary of Mr. McTell's death on Aug. 19, 1959. It originally was released in the United Kingdom in 2007.

"This is the ideal time to celebrate his life and work," Mr. Gray said by e-mail before heading for a speaking tour of Georgia cities.

That tour includes a stop at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the McDuffie Museum, 121 Main St., in Thomson. Admission is free. He also will speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 22 in Nessmith Lane Assembly Hall/Auditorium at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro.

One of Mr. McTell's best known compositions and recordings is Statesboro Blues, made famous by The Allman Brothers Band.

"I should particularly like to stress that the book is scrupulously researched," Mr. Gray wrote in his e-mail. "It is aimed at the interested general reader and by no means simply at music fans, and contains a good deal of Georgia history."

Mr. Gray has authored or co-authored books about musicians Frank Zappa, Elvis Presley and Mr. Dylan, including The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia (2006).

Don Rhodes has written about country music for 38 years. He can be reached at (706) 823-3214 or at don.rhodes@morris.com.