Description:
In this "Rock-n-Soul Fable," an unlikely group of musicians is brought together through the power of music when something miraculous happens.
Brief description: JJT is a speaker, author, producer, artist, and music enthusiast and currently serves as the Director of Music Industry Studies at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN, and as a Creative Consultant, Writer, Music Supervisor, and Producer for various publishing companies, independent artists, films, websites, and more. He served Capitol CMG Publishing as Director of Creative and Copyright Development for nearly a decade before joining Academia, and before that, he was on staff at the Cornerstone Festival in Illinois. Thompson recently re-launched True Tunes, a website and podcast he originally opened in 1989 as a record store, concert venue, and magazine.
Review Quotes:
"The first book I've ever read that truly captures the core of the magic of East Nashville."
"The rock-n-roll fable we all need right now."
"I'm confident that Mr. Rogers would like what he finds in this neighborhood. As elderly accordionist Cesar says of the Lost Dogs' musical blend of Latin, soul, gospel, country, and rock 'n' roll; the rapidly changing East Nashville becomes the crisol or melting pot that produces a marvelous feast by unifying what everyone brings to the table..."
"...has all the feel-goodness of a timely holiday movie."
"... using music to unite people who could be otherwise easily divided makes for a beautiful tale indeed."
"I found The Ballad of the Lost Dogs of East Nashville invigorating and capable of not just entertaining me but also serving as a catalyst for how I might live in the new year."
"A wonderfully written testament to what it means to be human in a broken yet hope-filled world. Thompson's characters come alive as they form a community that is a taste of heaven on earth."
"Any book that features Bono & the Beatles, a benefit concert & Bonnaroo, Bobs Dylan & Marley, and the Beatles & biscuits, is for me."
"As I read this book, I felt like I was becoming friends with these characters. They were written in a way that made me admire them, sympathize with them, and rejoice with them. I felt like I was watching their stories unfold in my own neighborhood from the comfort of my own front porch."
"I like stories about musicians, and Thompson gave me plenty to enjoy: songwriting and performance chemistry, unexpected success, and scenes from backstage and behind the scenes. Even more compelling however, is the way this cast of characters lives into the idea of beloved community that lies at the heart of faith, religion, community organizing, and is often found in a circle of folding chairs at a twelve-step meeting."
"A rare treat of a novel--it is fun, wise, and inspiring. You'll love the characters and feel the Nashville setting. Lost Dogs is music to your ear and a bright light to your soul."
"A charming book with likable characters and a story that isn't rushing the reader along. Thompson has created a cast of characters you start caring about as soon as the pages turn. That's because it seems likely that the author cares about them, too."
"John Thompson spins a yarn here that covers a lot of my favorite themes: music, social movements, and the deep territory of the human heart. The story carried me along with intricately developed characters and musical descriptions only an insider could know."