New in Paperback: The Starday Story

The Starday Story: The House that Country Music Built – the first book entirely dedicated to one of the most influential music labels of the twentieth century – is now available in paperback. In addition to creating the largest bluegrass catalogue throughout the 1950s and '60s, Starday was also known for its legendary rockabilly catalogue, an extensive Texas honky-tonk outpouring, classic gospel and sacred recordings, and as a Nashville independent powerhouse studio and label.

Last spring at the International Country Music Conference, author Nathan Gibson and The Starday Story were given the Belmont Book Award for the best book on country music. The Belmont Award is most prestigious literary award in country music.

Written with label president and co-founder Don Pierce (1915-2005), this book traces the label's origins in 1953 through the 1968 Starday-King merger. Interviews with artists and their families, employees, and Pierce contribute to the stories behind famous hit songs, including "Y'all Come," "A Satisfied Mind," "Why Baby Why," "Giddy-up Go," "Alabam," and many others. 

Gibson is able to offer readers an insider glance at the country music industry during its golden era. Gibson’s research and interviews also shed new light on the musical careers of George Jones, Arlie Duff, Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, the Stanley Brothers, Cowboy Copas, Red Sovine, and countless other Starday artists. 

The book includes a near-complete listing of albums released by Starday Records and its affiliated labels from 1953 to 1970. The book also features 60 photos, most of them never before published, including many from Don Pierce’s personal collection Ultimately, The Starday Story is the definitive record of a country music label that played an integral role in preserving our nation's musical heritage.

The paperback arrival of The Starday Story is reason enough for me to embed George Jones' "Why Baby Why."  Happy Music Monday.