Country Music The Rough Guide By Kurt Wolff Rough Guides Ltd. 2000 596 Pages ISBN:  1-85828-534-8

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In Three Chords and the Truth, Laurence Leamer explores the passionate life of country music. In its pages, you will witness the entire spectrum of tdoay's country and the process of making stars. From the inner life and conflicts of Garth Brooks to Wyunonna's struggle to create a career of her own, from Vince gill's love of musicianship and moving songs to Snaia Twain's rugged road to suerstardom. Three Chords and the Truth illuminates the difficulties, the commitments, the joys, tand the hardships that lie beyond the spotlight and the studio. Every year, the country stars descend upon the Tennessee State Fairgrounds for Fan Fair, a weeklong event designed to thank the fns for their continued support. Amid the autograph sessions, fan club parties, and major-label shows, Leamer captures the heart of the music and the lives it comes from in this groundbreaking mosaic that traces country music from its grassroots beginning to the explosive $2 billion sales it's enjoying today. With unprecendented access to the stars, managers, songwriters, and executives, Leamer takes you straight to the inner sanctum of the business—and shows how and where the songs and success originate. Here is the story of great songwriters like Harlan Howard, who, when asked what a country song was, answered, "three chords and the truth." Here, also, is the story of the key people who've turned country's regional appeal into an international phenomenon and the stars—from patty Loveless to ALan Jackson, Reba McEntire to Le Ann Rimes, Brooks and Dunn to BR5-49, james Bonamy to Mindy McCready, Emmy-Lou Harris to Mary Chapin-Carpenter. Intense, emotional, filled with joy and disappointment, passion and dismay, laughter and tears, these tales embody the elements that set country music apart. Here in salient details, are the reasons why country msuic is the most-listened-to genre in the nation. Three Chords and the Truth is nothing less than a revelation—and guarantees that you will never listen to country music the same way again. About the Author Laurence Leamer has authored eight other books, including the bestselling The Kennedy Women, King of the Night; The Life of Johnny Carson; As Time Goes By: The LIfe of Ingrid Bergman; and Make Believe: The Story of Nancy and Ronald Reagan. He has written for Harper's, Playboy, People, New York, The Washingtonian, and the New York Times Magazine among other publications.