All Booked Up
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:00 pm
It’s a banner week for Texas book lovers, Observer nerds, and acolytes of soon-to-be-75 icon Willie Nelson.
First up, tonight, Wednesday April 23, former Observer editor and current columnist Jim Hightower stops in at Austin’s BookPeople to sign copies of Swim Against the Current, the collection of progressive success stories the straw-hatted populist penned with partner Susan DeMarco. You can read an Observer excerpt of the book here, then drop by and pick up your own autographed copy tonight at 7 p.m.
Next up is veteran journalist and Observer contributor Joe Nick Patoski, signing copies of his forthcoming tome Willie Nelson: An Epic Life, at Waterloo Records in Austin on Friday, April 25, at 5 pm. Patoski has already written definitive biographies of Stevie Ray Vaughan (co-authored with Bill Crawford) and Selena, and his Willie book is set to become the jewel in his triple crown of Texas music biographies.
And finally, come Saturday, April 26, Texas literature legend Bud Shrake, author of the novel Strange Peaches, the mega-selling Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book, and some early (read: pre-archived) journalism for the Observer, celebrates the publication of Land of the Permanent Wave: An Edwin “Bud” Shrake Reader, published by Texas State University’s Southwestern Writers Collection Series, which just happens to include a decades-old piece on Austin’s perennially receeding hip factor originally published in the Observer’s very pages. There’ll be a reading from Shrake’s work at 7 p.m. and a book-signing with Shrake and collection editor Steven L. Davis afterward. The hoo-hah happens on the 7th floor of Texas State’s Alkek Library in San Marcos. Call 512-245-2313 for more info.
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
i’ve already bought and read my copy of “land of the permanent wave.” SO terrific. order it right this minute–it’s an entire cultural history of texas right there between two covers.
May 7th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Wailin’, Willie - and ME?
Wailin’, Willie - and ME?
Incredible as it might be?
Lovin’ life on the edge?
Lookin’ always beyond its very ledge?
Incomparable music magic?
Embracing sometimes even the tragic?
How could I be the most fortunate one?
Understanding how it all had begun?
Gosh, by ME, Willie was indeed impressed?
Happening onto me - Willie was so clearly blessed?
No way Willie could pass on such a divine gift!
Everything else in his life away from Willie did gladly shift!
Livin’ on the road in a sold-out multi-year tour!
Samplin’ life’s every lure!
Overflowing was my dreams cup!
Not a one was left when I woke up!
Happy Birthday Willie!
Hubert Wilson