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Country and Western Wedding Inspiration



Classic Country: Legends of Country Music (Paperback)

From Publishers Weekly
"There are three types of history for our music.... There's mullet history that's the kind you tell to people from Minnesota who don't know what a banjo is. Then there's book history.... And then there's the... stuff the pickers tell each other about the secret history of bluegrass," says Bill Monroe at the beginning of one of Wolfe's essays. Compiled primarily from The Journal of the American Academy for the Preservation of Old-Time Country Music, a professional magazine, this sweeping collection falls somewhere between the latter two brands of histories as it profiles 50 artists whose work can be called classic. Wolfe (A Good-Natured Riot: The Birth of the Grand Ole Opry), his ears trained on the origins of country music and the great stories of its practitioners, has established a rock-solid reputation as one of the genre's preeminent writers. In lively, easygoing prose, he undertakes honest, generous, largely biographical investigations of the musicians to whom he's devoted his career. The book's first and last sections cover lesser-known details about stars like Kitty Wells and Roy Acuff. (The latter was so famous that during World War II "Japanese soldiers in the Pacific would try to psych out American Marines by yelling taunts like, 'To hell with Franklin Roosevelt! To hell with Babe Ruth! To hell with Roy Acuff!'") But the real gold lies in the book's middle sections on the accomplishments of artists now only dimly remembered: the Georgia Yellow Hammers, the Rouse Brothers and others. Wolfe also recounts the careers of artists who have recently been reappraised and touted, such as the Louvin Brothers, Don Gibson and Riley Puckett. His sensitive, masterful essays elucidate the contributions these artists made to the "great unifying, nourishing stream [that] runs through the history of country music." 47 photos. (Jan..
- runs through the history of country music." 47 photos. (Jan.)

Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

From Library Journal
Although it contains a few previously unpublished essays, this quirky collection comprises mostly previously published articles about country music pioneers that appeared in such publications as Country Music and Old Time Music, among others. Many of the pieces are based on Wolfe's own interviews. Be forewarned, though: this is not for people whose idea of "country music" is defined by the likes of such "New Country" stars as Shania Twain or any of the interchangeable crop of big hat-wearing male singers. Wolfe (English, Middle Tennessee State Univ.; A Good Natured Riot) takes some of the best- and least-known personalities of "Traditional Country" and gives them life in succinct but informative vignettes. A few fall flat, particularly where the artist has passed on; a postscript bringing the essay up-to-date would have helped. Still, whether Wolfe is retelling well-known lore or delving into the fascinating, forgotten, yet influential lives of lesser-knowns, he provides vivid, loving portraits of a country music that barely exists anymore. If you have fans of traditional country music among your patrons, this is a solid purchase; it will serve well-rounded pop culture collections, too.DDavid M. Turkalo, Suffolk Univ. Law Sch. Lib., Boston
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Country: The Music and the Musicians : From the Beginnings to the '90s (Hardcover)
From Library Journal

The fine work of the Country Music Foundation continues with this deluxe picture book, part history, part criticism, and mostly celebration of country-and-western music. Among the rhinestones, boots, and guitars are 16 essays by country's best writers and historians, including a touching essay by Paul Hemphill on country's appeal. Every notable hillbilly singer, string band, honkytonker, or pop traitor, from Bakersfield's most obscure to Nashville's most estimable, gets a word or a picture. The approach is celebratory yet sober, eschewing puff for quality. Photographs, many informal and unfamiliar, are well chosen. Highly recommended.

From Something Olde to Something New: A Bride's Guide to Something Unique : Creative Ways to Personalize Your Wedding Celebration (Paperback)

From Independent Publisher
The most important thing a bride needs (after the groom) is the reassurance that her day will be something special and unique. This concise guide offers solutions to the multiple needs of planning the wedding, with imaginative interpretations of the traditional and ideas for creating a truly personal event. A section is devoted to an examination of old wedding traditions from around the world that could be adapted in a variety of ways. The final section deals with the planning, the timing of everything from mailing invitations to the bride's hair appointment. This precise scheduling advice is most welcome and along with the checklists and the etiquette guide should help lessen, if not avoid those last minute jitters. There are almost as many wedding guides as there are brides, but for the price this one serves as well as most. One could only wish that the list of "Royals to Research" did not read more like one of dysfunctional pairings!





Fabulous Favors: Favors for Parties, Weddings, and Holidays (Paperback)

Book Description
This book celebrates the returning popularity of wedding and party favors. Many brides want to give something back to the guests who attend their weddings; a special, handmade favor is often just what the bride is looking for to make her wedding unique and memorable. Now, more than ever, that same personal touch is sought out in other areas of entertaining, from simple family Thanksgivings to more elaborate dinner parties and corporate fundraisers. Beverly Clark's favor designs range from simple to elaborate, and each includes a materials list, estimated time required, price range, and level of experience required for the assembler. Filled with beautiful color photographs and simple black-and-white instructional drawings, Fabulous Favors provides a wide variety of ideas for anyone who wants to add a personal creative touch to a wedding, party, or other special occasion.



Party Time: Making Invitations Favors And Decorations (Paperback)

Book Description

Never again will you be short on inspiration for making special times memorable! Find fun ideas for creating invitations, favors, and decorations for a multitude of events.

-- Find 15 occasions to celebrate with simple projects that even beginners can do—includes over 75 ideas

--Create projects for holidays from Valentine’s Day to Christmas, plus events such as showers, birthdays, graduations, and retirement parties

--Learn easy techniques for making an accordion-fold invitation, a pinwheel, party crackers, and more

The Artful Bride: Wedding Favors and Decorations : A Stylish Bride's Guide to Simple, Handmade Wedding Crafts (Artful Bride) (Paperback)

Book Description
Saavy, modern brides are seeking ways to personalize their wedding celebrations, and to make them unique, special, and unbelievably fun without relying on tradition-heavy standards. This beautiful guide contains everything a bride needs to put her own stamp on all of the special events surrounding her wedding, from pre-celebration parties to the rehearsal evening to the reception, with elegant-but also simple and inexpensive touches. Artful Wedding Celebrations includes more than 20 fashionable and fun-to-make projects from handmade place cards to humorous party favors, dramatic centerpieces to customized glassware.

About the Author
April L. Paffrath is a freelance editor and writer in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In addition to book and magazine editing, she has written architecture profiles, travel pieces, cooking articles, and craft how-to's, for magazines such as Scientific American Explorations and Martha Stewart Living. She is coauthor with Laura McFadden of The Artful Bride: Simple, Handmade Wedding Projects (Rockport, 2003).
Livia McRee is a craft writer and designer who is always looking for new twists on beautiful crafts. She lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts, is author of four craft books, and has contributed to several others.

Paula Grasdal is a printmaker and mixed-media artist living in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has contributed to several Rockport publications and is coauthor, with Holly Harrison, of Collage for the Soul: Expressing Hopes and Dreams through Art.




Creative Wedding Keepsakes You Can Make (Paperback)

From Library Journal
Wedding expenses can be astronomical, and smart brides, with the help of their friends, can cut costs by making some accessories themselves. The projects in this book are mainly for items using real or artificial flowers such as bouquets, table decorations, and the bride's personal accessories. Most are easily assembled, and the finished products are lovely and very professional in appearance. An excellent choice for all public libraries.