Brian T. Atkinson writes frequently for the Austin American-Statesman and has contributed to American Songwriter, No Depression, Maverick Country, Relix, Paste, Texas Music, and Lone Star Music magazines, among others. He lives in Austin.
When I got to Austin in 1973, the songwriter's songwriter was
Townes Van Zandt. It's been that way ever since. As each and every
songwriter in Brian Atkinson's wonderful book attests to, it's all
for the sake of the song.- Joe Nick Patoski, author of Willie
Nelson: An Epic Life and Stevie Ray Vaughan: Caught in the
Crossfire;
“Atkinson takes testimony from the right people—those close enough
to Townes Van Zandt in his best days to be there at the telling
moments, and some moved by him later and able to talk about it—and
comes away with a memorable, telling, often funny group portrait.
Commendably, I’ll Be Here in the Morning celebrates the
sporadically brilliant, artful song maker and intellect Van Zandt
was at his best, and avoids further romanticizing the driven, sadly
self-destructive man lurking behind the songs.”- Barry Mazor,
journalist and author, Meeting Jimmie Rodgers;
""My friend and fellow musician, Professor Craig Clifford at
Tarleton State University, ranks Townes Van Zandt at the top of his
list of 'Ruthlessly Poetic Songwriters.' This insightful phrase
truly captures the essence of Townes, his work, and his legacy.
Brian Atkinson brilliantly brings the term, 'Ruthlessly Poetic,' to
life and into context with his new biography of Townes, I'll Be
Here in the Morning: The Songwriting Legacy of Townes Van Zandt.""-
Craig Hillis, Austin musician and Musicologist;
""I'll Be Here in the Morning stands as an affectionate look at Van
Zandt that doesn't fall into the trap of romanticizing the reason
he needs to be remembered posthumously in the first place.""-
Andrew Gilstrap, Pop Matters;
""Townes remains endlessly fascinating as we trace his fatalistic
plunge into self-destruction, as he all the while leaves great
songs in his wake.""- CMT.com;
""Brian T. Atkinson...spent nine years coaxing music veterans to
explain why Van Zandt remains revered as one of the best
songwriters in country-music history.""- Chuck Yarborough,
Cleveland.com;
""...Austin journalist Brian T. Atkinson has compiled an oral
history of Van Zandt's life, work and ongoing influence by talking
to peers who knew him intimately...""- John T. Davis, Austin
360;
""In the book's pages, Van Zandt emerges as a man of limitless
talent and innate curiosity, a man of great kindness, intellect and
gentility but also of unfathomable excesses. Those who knew him the
best and loved him the most weight in with clear-eyed honesty.""-
Peter Cooper, The Tennesean;
""...sharp and interesting profiles of all the musicians
interviewed...the result is candid and insightful...""- Martin
Chilton, Telegraph.co.uk;
""...fascinating anecdotes and testimonials from 40 individuals,
material that attests to Van Zandt's widespread influence and
popularity...""- R.D. Cohen, emeritus of Indiana University
Northwest, CHOICE;
“Townes Van Zandt got about as deep as you can get. He was an
amazing songwriter, so sharp and sophisticated. He could say really
hard things in a very simple way that makes you feel connected to
him. That’s why there are a lot of comparisons to my grandfather.”-
Hank Williams III;
""It does...shed additional light on one of Texas' most baffling
but gifted musicians...an interesting work with its
own...impact.""- L. Patrick Hughes, East Texas Historical
Journal;
""By interviewing such a wide range of singers and songwriters,
Atkinson sought to put Van Zandt into context of the evoloving left
wing of country music. Atkinson shows how Van Zandt's
comtemporaries saw him and felt his influence, as well as the way
his unusually literate lyrics influenced new genrations of
musicians.""- Chuck Vollan, Department of History and Political
Science, South Dakota State University
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