Three Chords and the Truth: Behind the Scenes with Those Who Make and Shape Country Music

by Laurence Leamer

Every June, in gratitude to their devoted fans, the stars of country music appear at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds to sign autographs for hours and perform during the week called Fan Fair. Though the 1996 Fan Fair was a phenomenal success, for Nashville itself it was also a time of doubt, uncertainty and dramatic change. The week was like a country intense, emotional, filled with joy and disappointment, passion and dismay, laughter and tears. Fan Fair is the setting for this extraordinary inside look at country music. Laurence Leamer had unprecedented access to the stars, managers, songwriters and record company execs of Nashville. Here is the troubled inner life of Garth Brooks, the greatest-selling solo artist of all time. Vince Gill takes a song out of an old leather bag and records a No.1 hit. Reba McEntire angers her fans so much that they tear up her photos, Patty Loveless sings her heart out while her beloved older sister lies dying in a nearby hospital and superstar Shania Twain talks with handicapped Fan Fair goers. Here is Mary Chapin Carpenter singing at the White House instead of Fan Fair. Here are Alan Jackson and Brooks and Dunn at the height of their success juxtaposed against the struggles of Emmylou Harris. The younger stars are portrayed as LeAnn Rimes, Mindy McCready, James Bonamy, and BR5-49, all in vivid, novelesque detail. Unknowns, once-knowns, label reps, producers, songwriters and managers are all part of this rich mosaic of Nashville life as it plays out for one incredible week. To millions of country fans, Three Chords and the Truth will be a book of revelations. Those who have rarely listened to country music will learn why it is the most-listened-to music in the nation, played on more than 2,400 radio stations. And everyone who reads it will never again hear a country song quite the same way.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Pop Culture

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Laurence Leamer is an award-winning journalist and historian who has written eighteen books including five New York Times bestsellers. He has worked in a factory in France, a coal mine in West Virginia and as a Peace Corps volunteer in a remote village in Nepal two days from a road. He has written two novels and an off Broadway play but is primarily known for his nonfiction. His most recent book, Capote's Women, is being made into an eight-part series starring Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Calista Flockhart, and Demi Moore.

Reviews

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for the new Truman Capote book when I found this by the same author and it piqued my interest. I love journalistic reporting like this - the author spent a week at Nashville’s Fan Fair in 1996. It was a blast from the past and an eye opener. Garth Brooks spent the most time with fans signing autographs while Reba’s fans tore her photo to shreds because of her limited time at the fair. Naomi and Winona Judd were no-shows and an old school songwriter did what he does best - sit in a bar drinking cocktail after cocktail. Really great behind the scenes look. Coincidentally, I’ve been in Nashville during Fan Fair. Although I didn’t attend I can attest to the massive volume of people in and around the city during that time.

[Ryan Canady · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a bit hard for me to get through. I am a big fan of country music, especially 90s country music, so I did find it an interesting look into the country music scene at that time. What I didn't like is that I felt like the author was overly cruel in his portrayal of the big acts if the time while overly promoting some of the lesser known artists. It seemed as if he was an outsider that was trying to throw mud on big names to see if any would stick.

[Allen Price · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an audio book that told me of things I've never experienced directly - the interaction of country music stars and their fans. Straightforward and revealing in the drive and endurance required to make the big time. And still a star must never appear to have hit the big time. Country roots above all.

I learned how Garth Brooks paid the price of losing much of his fan base and sought to reclaim it. He signed autographs and talked with fans for over 24 hrs. straight with only food and bathroom breaks. Country music operates on very different rules from every other music style.

[Ellen Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I'm not a fan of country music and have never truly cared about the business, when I read a review of this book, something sparked in me and I bought the book and read it. I'm glad I did.

I'm still not a fan of country music, but it was very interesting reading about the history of the business associated with this music genre. Plus, there are a few behind-the-scenes stories about some country-music celebs, who you would know, whether or not you like the music. A couple of these stories made me laugh - literally - out loud, while reading.

[Joe Faust · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inside the 1990′s version of the country music industry.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of country music through the eyes of several artists, etc. in 1996. Interesting look at the industry then and compare it to today