Few modern country artists were as controversial as Shania Twain ... well, at least in her day. She definitely burst into the American country scene with a sound and style all her own. Of course, there are several artists today that make her look tame.Not only does this bio cover her not-so-overnight-success story, it covers her dysfunctional family and difficult childhood, her musical career, and her recent divorce and remarriage. She's a very interesting woman with a colorful story.Personally, there are a handful of Twain songs that I very much enjoy, but I was never particularly a fan of the persona she displayed. Reading the book, however, gave me a different perspective. Yes, she has a story, but recognizes that all of us have a story. She does not relate her tale in a manner that evokes (or attempts to evoke) sympathy, but instead a matter-of-fact, this is who I am and how I got here manner. She appears to be ever grateful for her blessings and cognizant of the truly important things in life.I enjoyed this book much more than I expected, and have a new appreciation for the woman behind the stage persona.
I must have been in a funny mood lately to read the biographies of Carol Burnett and Steve Martin back-to-back. Burnett is another of my favorite comedians. Remember my mention of disliking Tim Conway and Harvey Korman? Irony of ironies - both were a staple on the Carol Burnett show.
Burnett and Lucille Ball ended up being rather good friends. In fact, Burnett idolized Ball for many years. How funny that I've never been a Lucille Ball fan, but Burnett never fails to make me laugh.
From her humble beginnings to being the first female-led comedy variety show on network TV, Burnett is another rags-to-riches story. She built her own success, but was wise enough to surround herself with smart, funny, trustworthy people upon whom she could rely.
Ever wonder about that tug of her ear at the end of every show? It's in here. Pick up the book and enjoy a feel-good story about a woman who had a dream, who caught a break, and who persevered until that dream became a reality.
Oh, the sweet, sweet sound of laughter. I love humor, and Steve Martin is quite likely my all-time favorite comedian. Ironically, I recall having a serious dislike for him, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, and Benny Hill growing up.
Martin started out as a punk kid with a magic show and managed to carve out a unique comedy act based largely on visuals and interaction with his audience. In fact, he was known "in the trenches" for leading his audiences outside to end his act. While it became a bit of a trademark of his early stand-up routine, he actually began this prank because he didn't know how to wind things down and close the show.
When Saturday Night Live came along, Martin became a household name. He'd conquered the panic attacks and paid his dues. SNL introduced us to that "wild and crazy guy" our generation knows so well. Martin rode SNL to the height of comedic fame, along with Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, John Belushi ... until he realized stand up comedy wasn't going to provide him the longevity he desired.
From The Man With Two Brains (one of my favorite old Martin movies) to It's Complicated, and everything in between, Martin continues to dazzle us with his nonsense and, yes, even charm.
If you're a fan, you'll enjoy this book, which maintains a respectful boundary with regard to Martin's private life and fills in the gaps of his "overnight" claim to fame.
I suspect a healthy sense of humor goes a long way when you're the only sister in a family of nine siblings. It's certainly a quality that shines through in this book.
I'm not particularly a Marie Osmond fan, but something about this book caught my eye. In hindsight, I'm so glad it did. Every chapter made me smile, and several made me absolutely chuckle.
This is not your traditional biography. Rather, each chapter is a short story about some memorable time or event in Osmond's life. Some were happy, some were sad, others were simply challenging. The common link throughout each story, however, is this lady's uncanny ability to laugh at herself, to look for the positive, and to keep her perspective. I am left with the impression that Marie Osmond is a very down-to-earth woman who cherishes family, faith, and fun.
Open the cover to see for yourself. You'll take a trip on the Osmond family tour bus, rescue an 18-hour girdle from an impending tornado, establish the Children's Miracle Network charity, survive a grueling season on Dancing With the Stars, have your eyelids tattooed, lose 40 pounds, raise eight children, survive two divorces, lose beloved parents - all the while finding the silver lining and moving forward. I am amazed and impressed not only with her humor and perspective, but with the sincerity that shines through the pages of this book. If you're looking for a feel-good read, something fun and uplifting, this is the book for you. Enjoy!
Long before she became a household name for her portrayal of Princess Leia in Star Wars, Carrie Fisher was a character. Still is, even in her 50s and post-electric shock therapy. Carrie Fisher is bipolar and has undergone EST to regain her memory. This book is that memory. It's also her comedy routine, based on events from her own life.
Even as a child, Fisher separated her "Hollywood" life from her "real" life. She knew she shared her parents, Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, with the rest of the world. She actually charts what she calls the "Hollywood Inbreeding" that involved her own parents: a pictorial of who married who, who divorced who, and who remarried who. Two full pages.
She tells her stories with sarcasm and hilarity, and an uncanny ability to make fun of herself. We hear about her stint in her mother's chorus line at age 15, the gay friend that died on her couch, Star Wars, her alcohol and drug addictions, her marriage and divorce to Paul Simon, the Princess Leia Pez dispenser, and her daughter.
Fisher has gone from a film career to being the author of four novels and is obviously surviving bipolar disorder with the help of medication, family, and a HUGE dose of humor.
Blues lovers beware - this is a book that will blow you away. The man known worldwide as "Slowhand" has opened up his life and penned a very revealing story of sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll.
Abandoned by his mother, Clapton was raised by his grandparents in south England. That abandonment, emphasized by the fact that his mother went on to marry and have three other children who lived with her, would lay the foundation of insecurity and emotional detachment throughout much of Clapton's adult life.
My best calculation is that he got his first guitar, a used Hoyer, as a pre-teen. His passion for music and desire to play took over from there. Teaching himself to play by ear, he eventually quit school and worked alongside his grandfather, a master carpenter, who he credits for instilling within him the value of hard labor and a strong work ethic.
The book then leads you through Clapton's stints with The Yardbirds, John Mayall, Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos. It details his friendships, his heroin, cocaine, pill and alcohol addictions (and rehab attempts), his love for his best friend George Harrison's wife - which eventually leads to Clapton's own marriage to the woman. It chronicles his touring years, his "lost" years, the affairs, the parties, the egos.
The birth of his son, Conor, in 1986, was a high point in Clapton's life and he finally realized it was time to sober up. He chronicles that struggle and, today, claims 20 years of sobriety. By the end of the book, Clapton is 60-ish, completes a world tour that pretty much kicks his old tail, is married again with children and has established a rehab center in the Caribbean.
It's easy to say that Clapton was a "B-A-D M-A-N," but the book gives us a glimpse of the man who struggled to right his wrongs and eventually defeated his demons. I encourage all music lovers-especially blues fans-to pick this one up today.
