Q: Is he afraid of work?
A: No, he can lie down beside it and go to sleep.
This volume is an encyclopedia of the many country music performers who made comedy a central part of their careers. Loyal Jones offers an informative biographical sketch of each performer and many entries include a sample of the artist''s humor, a recording history, and amusing anecdotal tidbits. Starting with vaudeville and radio barn dance figures like the Skillet Lickers and the Weaver Brothers and Elviry, Jones moves on to the regulars onHee Hawand theGrand Old Opryand present-day comedians from the Austin Lounge Lizards to Jeff Foxworthy.
Jones''s introductory essay discusses such topics as stock comic figures, venues for comedic performance, and benchmark performers. Throughout the volume, he places each performer squarely in the context of the country music community, its performing traditions, and each artist''s place in the larger cultural milieu.
Trade Review
“If Cratis Williams is the father of Appalachian Studies and Helen Lewis its mother, than I reckon Loyal Jones would have to be considered the midwife of it all. . . . This book reflects not only his disarming sense of humor, but also his meticulous attention to voluminous details, his considerable scholarship, and his substantial wisdom.”--Appalachian Heritage
"Southern humor, rural comedy and its practitioners are brilliantly showcased."--The Nashville Musician
"A treasure trove of information. . . . Will make a wonderful reference book for years to come."--
Bluegrass Unlimited"The importance of the subject emphasized by Jones is unquestionable. Humor has been an indispensable ingredient of country music entertainment and is in fact a major force in its worldwide success. This volume is insightful, informative, and entertaining."--Bill C. Malone, author of
Don't Get Above Your Raisin': Country Music and the Southern Working Class"This stimulating book is a significant contribution to several fields. Students of country music, American history, performing arts, minstrel heritage, and the roots of comedy as it related to various subcultures of the American panorama will all want the detailed information only this author can provide. This book is one of a kind."--Ron Thomason, founder of the bluegrass band Dry Branch Fire Squad
Table of ContentsPreface and Acknowledgments ix
Introduction to Country Music Humor 1
Encyclopedia of Humorists and Comedians 49
Sources 401
Index 409
