King of Country

Novelist (Hard Travelin') and former newsman Greenhaw is director of the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, a position that shouldn't be threatened by this hackneyed if heartfelt paean to the virtues of down-home Southern values. Borrowing elements from the lives of Hank Williams, George Jones, Johnny Cash and perhaps a dozen other country singers, Greenhaw tells the story of Bobby Lee Butler, whose need to sing the country blues has been engendered by his father's abuse and a one-year reform-school sentence for statutory rape at age 15. A simple, goodhearted sort, Bobby Lee quickly catches the attention of Alabama country folk and, mentored by a kindly old black bluesman, supported by a devoted young wife and guided by a big-time agent, rises to fame and fortune. Not surprising to anyone familiar with country music will be the fact that it's a woman-a charismatic singer with whom he has a drug-and booze-befuddled affair-who brings about Bobby Lee's downfall. Greenhaw offers the hope of redemption, however, solidifying the novel's popular appeal despite its artless writing and tired plot and making it a likely bet for those enamored of Opryland and Dollywood. (Sept.)