Michael Kosser – How Nashville Became Music City USA: 50 Years of Music Row

Star-maker machinery of Guitar Town gets literary spotlight

By allowing those who’ve been there to tell their stories, music journalist and songwriter Michael Kosser shows how Music Row evolved. Starting with the partnership of Roy Acuff and Fred Rose and the creation of Acuff-Rose Publishing in the 1940s, he follows the trail of tunes right to where it is today, with the current alliance of John Rich and Big Kenny, aka Big & Rich. What Roy Acuff and Big & Rich have in common is not only superstardom during their respective eras, but incredible business acumen. That’s the real story of Music Row.

Some Nashville music books focus on big stars and famous stories that’ve been told and retold. But this book provides deeper, detailed background. Hank Williams and Garth Brooks get a play, but so do equally important but lesser-known music figures like Guy Clark, Verlon Thompson and others.

While some recollections by engineers, publishers, artists and executives may be viewed as too much information, Kosser offers a real and definitive overview of Nashville’s music business.