cover image My Country: 50 Musicians on God, America & The Songs They Love

My Country: 50 Musicians on God, America & The Songs They Love

Melanie Dunea, Rodale, $32.50 (224p) ISBN 978-1-60529-651-7

Dunea (My Last Supper) is back with a celebration of a musical genre known for good ol' down-home God-fearing folk: country. She's assembled 50 musicians, both famous (Kenny Rogers) and obscure (Julianne Hough), in lavish full-color photo spreads. Though Dunea unfortunately asks the same questions of all involved, it's still interesting to discover that Clint Black would have been an astronaut if he hadn't gone into country, or that David Allen Coe doesn't "believe in the God that you're wanting me to think of," or that Rosanne Cash wishes she had written "Like a Rolling Stone." Had Dunea included stories behind these basic responses, she may have combated the redundancy. There are also some glaring omissions, like Dolly Parton, Lyle Lovett, and Loretta Lynn. But a short list of each performer's favorite songs almost makes up for the flaws (and Kris Kristofferson fans will be pleased to see how often "Help Me Make It Through the Night" appears). Timed for the holidays, Dunea's Country will likely find a home in some serious fans' stockings. Photos. (Nov.)