A History and Encyclopedia of Country, Western, and Gospel Music (2nd Edition Completely Revised) By Linnell Gentry Associate Professor of Education Middle Tennessee State University Clairmont Corporation 1969 598 Pages

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Foreword by Tex Ritter WSM Grand Ole Opry Nashville, Tennessee Little did I realize when I first appeared on KPRC Radio, Houston, in 1928, that country, western and gospel music (particularly country music) would become so dominant a part of American culture. It has been my good luck to be involved in nearly every facet of this cultural growth—the recording industry, radio, barn dances, fairs, rodeos, movies, television and all the rest. I believe that a very positive force in the growth of country, western and gospel music has been the various publications. It would be impossible to name them all, but I believe the following have been most important: Country Song Round-Up; Music City News; Billboard Magazine; Record World; Cashbox Magazine; Country Music Association Close-Up; Disc Collector; John Edwards Memorial Foundation Newsletter; WSM Grand Ole Opry History-Picture Book; The Country Music Who's Who; The Country Music Story; and the first edition of this book. I sincerely believe that the second edition of A History and Encyclopedia of Country, Western and Gospel Music, completely revised and updated in 1969, will prove to be a wonderful reference volume, both for biographical material and as a history source. I further believe that libraries, fan clubs, radio stations, talent agencies, songwriters and singers, musicians, and others in—or interested in— country music will want to have a copy. It has the most current information about country, western, and gospel music and all its people. I am very happy to recommend this important work without any reservations.