In 1992, while visiting the home of John Hartford, I was asked to co-write the autobiography of Glen Campbell.  John had written “Gentle on My Mind,” Glen’s first number-one song released in 1967.  He was now opening shows for Glen. “How long will it take us to write my life story?” Glen asked during our first appointment.  I told him.  …

|“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” ― J.K. Rowling Tammy Wynette and George Jones had been divorced for twenty-one years when they recorded a new album in 1995.  Soon afterward, they launched a concert tour to promote the album. ​ At the time, when I …

Like many genuine artists, Merle Haggard was always chasing peace of mind and spirit.  While preparing his autobiography, he often canceled our writing appointments.  Other times, he’d come unexpectedly to the house where I stayed on his ranch. “Got your tape recorder?” he’d yell from his truck.  I kept it by the door, and within a minute, we’re moving and talking. I never sat …

Whatever Satisfies the Soul is Truth (Walt Whitman) I spent four years trying to persuade George Jones to write his life story with me.  He finally agreed, then underwent significant surgery, and the project was postponed. Finally, after executing a book contract, George and I met for our first interview in 1995. “I want this book to be total truth,” he said.  I told …

In 1989, while co-writing Ronnie Milsap’s memoirs, I went with him to Robbinsville, North Carolina near the mountain shack where he lived until age six.  After that, he was enrolled in the Governor Moorehead School for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina. “I don’t want you to just hear about the way I was raised,” Ronnie said to me, about his first home.  “I want …