Elvis may have left the building, but his spirit is coming to Georgia Writers Museum (109 S. Jefferson Ave., Eatonton) Aug 5, when Ben Wynne will be GWM’s Meet the Author presenter with his new book, A Hound Dog Tale: Big Mama, Elvis, and the Song That Changed Everything.
Many local readers heard him speak at GWM on his last book, Something in the Water, and enjoyed his lively story telling and explanations of his craft.
GWM recently spent a few minutes with Wynne to talk about his work.
GWM: What is it about the music history genre that most appeals to you?
Gwynne: One reason I enjoy studying and writing about music history is because I’m from the South, which has a rich tradition of blues and country music that I’ve been surrounded by all of my life.
While blues and country music are viewed by many people as separate things, particularly in terms of race, they actually have a lot in common both musically and thematically. Black and white musicians have been interacting with one another for generations, even when racial segregation was the law of the land in the South.
Music can move people and bring them together like nothing else can. It can evoke all sorts of vivid memories of people and places that have been important in your life. It can make you smile; it can cause you to spontaneously tap your foot or sing along; and it can make you cry. Music is a type of magic and to me its endlessly fascinating.
GWM: What do you like most about being a published, award-winning author?
Gwynne: After one of my books comes out, I’m usually invited to give talks about it, and I get to meet a lot of great people. Meeting the people in those audiences and getting to talk to them is fun to me.
GWM: What can you tell us about your writing process?
Gwynne: The most interesting part of the process to me is the research. You never know what you might find. It’s almost like a treasure hunt.
I wish I could romanticize it, but actually writing the book is a chore. If your research is super thorough, that can make the writing part a little easier, but not much.
I enjoy the work, but its labor intensive. Like any job, some days are better than others. Some days it’s rewarding, and other days it’s like you are in high school and your teacher just assigned you a 300-page term paper.
GWM: What piece of advice do you consider most helpful in your work?
Gwynne: It’s a cliché but be true to yourself and have a thick skin. Criticism from anyone you don’t know or respect means nothing, and any criticism from someone you do respect will likely be constructive.
GWM: Can you give us a sneak preview of your next book?
Gwynne: I’m working on a biography of Phil Walden, who managed Otis Redding and the Allman Brothers, and founded Capricorn Records in Macon, Georgia.
Visit Georgia Writers Museum online at georgiawritersmuseum. org to register for Gwynne’s Aug. 5 event featuring A Hound Dog Tale, starting at 7 p.m. after doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $40 each or $35 each when ordering two or more, and the event will include a Chef Brent-crafted gourmet meal.
— Contributed