Love at the Five and Dime

""Brian T. really did this right...loving, yes, but also unvarnished and real. Like our friends and colleagues whose words you'll read in these pages, we loved Nanci and we knew that she required special treatment. Geniuses live in a different world from the rest of us, and we were constantly protective and nurturing toward her. The creative work she turned out during our decades-long friendship ranged from triumphant to tragic, and we treasured every moment as we shared her rollercoaster ride of song. This book makes that long road trip real again.""--Pete and Maura Kennedy, The Kennedys--Pete and Maura Kennedy ""Nanci Griffith is one of the greatest songwriters to come out of Texas. Her songs inspired generations of other writers, particularly women, who saw in her the fire, genius and drive to make a life of song successful. This is the story of a brilliant, influential songwriter, who happened to be a Texas woman, who rose to international prominence at a time when glorified Texas songwriters were almost all men. The beauty of this book, and the beauty of Nanci Griffith, can be found in her work, which has impacted generation after generation of songwriters. Nanci's story is told through interviews with those who knew her, those she influenced and Nanci's own words. This book is a must read for anyone interested in Texas music, folk music, songwriting, the glory and perils of fame, and the intricate web that songwriters weave, as we bounce off of each others work and ideas as we try to shape our own.""--Mary Gauthier, Grammy-nominated American folk singer-songwriter and author--Mary Gauthier