Tammy Wynette was one of the great female singers of the twentieth century, an artist who could plumb the darkest corners of her heart and transform private grief into public drama. Bestselling biographer Jimmy McDonough tells the story of the small-town girl who grew up to be the woman behind the microphone and whose meteoric rise led to a decades-long career full of tragedy and triumph. Through a high-profile marriage and divorce, her dreadful battle with addiction and illness, and the struggle to compete in a rapidly evolving Nashville, Tammy Wynette turned a brave smile toward the world and churned out masterful hit songs full of vulnerability, disillusionment, strength, and endurance. This is an intimate portrait of a music icon, the Queen of Heartbreak, whose powerful voice evoked universal pain and longing even as it belied her own.
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"Sometimes it got to be too long, but it was a good book that really opened my eyes to the life lead by this intriguing woman. Found myself loving her and hating her all at the same time. (That I downloaded way to many Wynette tunes in iTunes!) " — Bridget (4 out of 5 stars)
"Sometimes it got to be too long, but it was a good book that really opened my eyes to the life lead by this intriguing woman. Found myself loving her and hating her all at the same time. (That I downloaded way to many Wynette tunes in iTunes!) "
“Jimmy McDonough…achieves an intimacy that many biographers covet but few enjoy…With an emphatic sense of her place in country music—at the top of the heap, casting a shadow big enough to obscure today’s woefully synthetic assembly-line singers—he combines a love of her overlooked and minor classics with a compelling big-picture life story. His opinions are often corroborated by the colorfully authentic voices of those who knew her well and marveled at her moxie…There’s a lot of material about Nashville and its denizens here. The subject might wear thin without Mr. McDonough’s vivid descriptions…Mr. McDonough has connected these elements into a big, cohesive portrait.”
“McDonough brings a passionate flair to his language…Combining pop musicology and tabloid gossip, McDonough has crafted a fitting tribute to a country music icon.”
“This engaging and potentially controversial study of one of the most significant singers in the history of country music is essential for fans of Wynette and the genre.”
“Actor/voiceover artist Robertson Dean’s narration makes the work come alive. Those who appreciate celebrity biographies and/or country music should enjoy; recommended as interest warrants.”
" For anyone who has even the tiniest interest in country music or tortured souls, this one's a winner. Truly outstanding biography. I actually sent the author a gushing fan-boy email and he wrote me back! "
" Needed to read something a little lighter than my usual stead. This will suffice. With George Jones' passing, it is timely. "
" Interesting insight into the music business in Music City back in the early days. Not my favorite author. Writing style is choppy and there are some contradictions in facts. "
" OK Book about Ms. Wynette. I never knew that "Stand By Her Man" was the biggest counry song ever sold. Wynette sure had everything in life. "
" I couldn't wait for this book to end. I'm not sure exactly what made feel like I needed to finish it, but seriously. Tammy Wynette sucks. "
" Fascinating life of a great singer. Sad story. "
" Didn't love the book but was horrified about how she was used, even after her death.. Shame on all of those involved at the end. "
" This was a really good biography. The author is a giant fan but doesn't pretend Tammy never did anything wrong. "
" In the hands of a different author, I would have loved the book. This guy... Not so much. "
" OK, so maybe Tammy wasn't as sympathetic a character as I always thought. But she's still my hero(ine). Single mama, hairdresser, pushin' her way to the big time! "
" Sometimes it got to be too long, but it was a good book that really opened my eyes to the life lead by this intriguing woman. Found myself loving her and hating her all at the same time. (That I downloaded way to many Wynette tunes in iTunes!) "
Jimmy McDonough’s biography of Neil Young, Shakey, was a critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller. He has also written biographies of Russ Meyer and Andy Milligan and has written for publications including the Village Voice and Variety. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
Robertson Dean has played leading roles on and off Broadway and at dozens of regional theaters throughout the country. He has a BA from Tufts University and an MFA from Yale. His audiobook narration has garnered ten AudioFile Earphones Awards. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he works in film and television in addition to narrating.
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