“A new, canny take on Old, Weird America, this colorful, contrarian book does much to dispel a spate of antediluvian tropes, musical and otherwise.”—The Atlantic
“With respect and passion, Huber puts . . . pioneering artists in well-deserved perspective, gracefully illuminating the birth of an American art form.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Well-researched, carefully argued, and beautifully written. . . . An impressive contribution to our understanding that country music was not born in some pristine corner of America, untouched by the winds of change. . . . A splendid account of [country music’s] development in the vital crucible of the Piedmont South.”—American Historical Review
“A splendid book . . . One of its principle achievements, due to its author’s subtle but insistent writing, is to encourage the seeking out of [the performers'] work. Huber provides a very useful discography, rightly flagging up the sterling work done by labels such as Document, County and Bear Family in the dissemination of early country music recordings.”—Journal of Popular Music
“Compelling. . . . An excellent first foray into an important but often overlooked chapter in the history of American popular music.”—Studies in American Culture
“Huber’s reverential and enlightening descriptions of country music’s pioneers leave readers yearning for their actual recordings. Fortunately, an appended discography and directory of other early hillbilly musicians direct readers to more foot-stomping tunes..”—Our State
“A fascinating history of Piedmont textile workers and their role in the development of country music. . . . Opens a window on a new view of country music. Recommended.”—CHOICE
“In this groundbreaking study of the derivation of hillbilly music . . . Huber comprehensively explores the working-class origins and early development of the idiom. . . . Four colorful biographical chapters . . . form the meat of the book. . . . A fascinating glimpse into some hitherto unexplored territory.”—Sing Out!
“Interesting and evocative. . . . Lays out squarely the early history of the hillbilly-music industry. . . . Informative.”—Register of the Kentucky Historical Society
“Should be a part of any book collection, particularly for Huber’s focus on the Southern industrial relations that made the music possible.”—West Virginia History
