Join us to hear historian and former direc
tor of the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies discuss his latest book\,
The talk will be followed by a booksigning. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.
\nIt des cribes the development of Al&rsquo\;s \;musical talent and skill\, the odd series of coincidences that got him the attention of Bob Wills\, \;and how they worked together to help develop the style of music known as western swing\, which \;the Texas Legislature designated the "State M usic of Texas" in 2011. \;
\nThe memories related in the \;b ook come from unpublished interviews conducted with Al in the 1970s and &l squo\;80s\, interviews with other members of the Texas Playboys\, and stor ies from Al's family. The book provides a firsthand account of the endurin g popularity of western swing and Bob Wills\, including many stories that capture the infectious personality of Wills's favorite piano player.
\nBrother Al Stricklin Now \;depicts something very importan t to people: the joy they \;got--and still get--from the music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys\, the blending of musical styles that led to its creation\, and the ways it shaped much of the cultural landscape of Te xas and the Southwest. \;
\nThe book also describes how the expe rience of playing with Wills and the Playboys helped Al overcome a series of heartbreaking disappointments and become a beloved figure to music fans far and wide.
\nABOUT THE AUTHOR
\n< strong>David Stricklin is a writer and historian concentrating on Southern music and religion. He grew up in a musical family in Cleburne\, Texas\, and attended Baylor University\, where he was trained in oral his tory and public history. He received a PhD in US history at Tulane Univers ity under Bill C. Malone and taught history at Lyon College in Batesville\ , Arkansas\, before becoming director of the Butler Center for Arkansas St udies at the Central Arkansas Library System. He retired from CALS in 2021 . \;Brother Al Stricklin Now \;is his fourth book.
\n< hr />\nABOUT THE MODERATOR
\nCarmie Henr y is a native Arkansan and a graduate of the University of Centra l Arkansas. After serving a tour of duty in the Navy as a Naval Flight Off icer\, he served as a staff assistant to three United States Senators from Arkansas for 22 years before becoming the Vice President for Governmental Affairs for the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas. He retired from the Na val Reserves as a Captain and lives in Little Rock. He is a committed fan of the Texas Playboys.
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