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Rating: 
Summary: GREAT!!!!!!!!!!
Review: 1 000 stars from a country fan from Bulgaria
Rating: 
Summary: Far Too Many Errors and Omissions
Review: As a reference for serious collectors of Country music this volume [first published in 1995, contains a great deal of information, but at the same time there are some glaring errors and omissions which makes one wonder just how "definitive" it really is. Not mentioned at all, for instance, are: Jerry Abbot; Don Adams; Daniele Alexander; Wyvon Alexander; Rayburn Anthony; Atlanta [nine hits from 1983-1988; The Bama Band; Pop Eckler & His Young'uns, an early Bluegrass band from Kentucky well known in the late 1930s/early 1940s; Larry Ballard ["Young Blood And Sweet Country Music" - especially since his Elektra stablemate Linda Hargrove rates a listing]; The Canadian group The Family Brown - seven Country single hits from 1981 to 1986 is also missing, as are; Charlie Feathers [one of the better Rockabilly performers of the mid-1950s; Steve Fromholz; Orval Prophet [Johnny Six]; Tracy Nelson; Wayne Nutt [Oil Field Man/The Ballad Of Wendell Nutt]; The Poplin Family [Gwine Back To Sumter]; James Talley [Got No Bread, No Milk, No Honey, But We Sure Got Love]; Chip Taylor [brother of actor John Voigt]; Dennis Weaver [of Gunsmoke and McCloud TV fame] who did two Country albums: One More Road and Dennis Weaver]. There are many more missing from this huge volume [1132 pages], as well as outright errors such as having Claude King dying in 1983. Which, of course, could very well call into question some of the other "facts." Unfortunately, in order to determine just how many omissions and inaccuracies there are would require meticulous research. Something the author and his publisher, Perigee Books, should have done before putting it into print.
Rating: 
Summary: Better Than All The Rest!
Review: I must admit that this book does live up to its name, serving as a definite must-have for any country music fan, with detailed profiles of more than 1,200 performers, shows, and even intruments of country and western sound. At the same time, I'd also like to point out that it does have its omissions, like any book of its kind does, and nothing that can't be forgiven. I read a previous review of this book, claiming that the writers had left out the legendary Wilf Carter, which is untrue...he is here in this guide, under the name Montana Slim, and it even includes his photo! The bios here are more useful than any other book you'll find on the subject, though the writing quality seems to be lacking, with silly and amateur-like statements throughout the book. There is more than the average fan would ever need, though an updated version is long overdue, for much has happened to country music in the last decade (eg. Shania Twain, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, and the Dixie Chicks). More impressive is its additional bonuses, which include lists of RIAA and CIAA certifications, filmographies, info. on record companies, artist managers & agents, fan clubs, fairs & festivals, and awards sections that cover the CMA, ACM, TNN/MCN, CCMA, and country categories at both the American Music Awards and the Grammies. Overall, this is a reference guide fit for any country music fan's library, if you don't mind the fact that it was published back in 1995.
Rating:
Summary: Aweinspiring in its completeness.
Review: Thia book is absolutely nonpareil...To just cite one example of its incredible scholarship, the article on Gus Hardin notonly tells us that the very first song she ever sang in a night club was "You Make me Feel like a Natural Woman.", (How in Gods name did they find THAT out),it also tell sus that she was went to the same high school as David Gates, J.J. Cale, Hoyt Axton,Leon Russell,and Gaillard Sartain, Will Rogers High in Tulsa, whicH must have been one rocking place. The mere fact that this encyclopedia HAS an entry on the unfortunatly recently departed "fallen angel" is enough to tell any reader just how "definitive", Definitive Country is!
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