Memories: The Autobiography of Ralph Emery

As well known to music lovers as the singers appearing on his cable TV show Nashville Now, Emery has been a part of the Music City scene for 40 years and a star for 30. His career has included stints as emcee for Opry Almanac on radio station WSM, announcer on the Grand Old Opry program and host of Pop Goes the Country. With freelancer Carter ( Almost Like a Song ), Emery tells of being sustained by loving grandparents through a miserable childhood dominated first by his alcoholic father and then by a stepfather with no interest in him; three failed marriages and drug addiction preceded his successful fourth marriage and current esteem. He also writes of stars and friends such as Johnny Cash and Barbara Mandrell and of the many victims of drugs and alcohol he has known in the field. (Nov.)