Just Walkin' in the Rain: The True Story of the Prisonaires
Subtitle: the Convict Pioneers of R & B and Rock & Roll
Publisher: Renaissance Books
Published: February 2001
Language: eng
Format: Hardcover
Number of pages: 256
ISBN-13: 9781580631402
Subjects: History & Criticism - General; United States; Music/Songbooks; Genres & Styles - Rock; Rock Music; Rock; Biography & Autobiography; Music; History and criticism; Genres & Styles - Soul & R&B; Rhythm & Blues; Biography & Autobiography / Entertainment & Performing Arts; Entertainment & Performing Arts - General; Singers; 1926-; Biography; Blues music; Bragg, Johnny,
First sentence: NOVEMBER 6, 1969. Though it was improbable that he should do so, Johnny Bragg survived the one man he thought indestructible, the one man he cared enough about to wish that he'd gone first.
Description: "The history of rock'n'roll and rhythm and blues is filled with inspiring characters. But no story in popular music is more poignant and more triumphant than that of Johnny Bragg and his all-convict singing group, the Prisonaires.".

"As a teenager in the mid-1940s, Bragg was sentenced to six life terms in the Tennessee State Prison. His only pleasure, the only expressive outlet for his spirit, was singing. Then came a miracle. In 1953, a young, progressive governor of Tennessee, Frank Clement, heard Bragg's vocal quintet. He was deeply impressed with their talent, but even more, he recognized that these were good men who might be saved. And so for years he showcased Bragg and the Prisonaires at state events at the governor's mansion.

There they met President Truman, Senator Lyndon Johnson, and countless celebrity entertainers." "Bragg's claim to glory, however, lies not in the twenty-two tracks he cut with his group, but in his authorship of the hit "Just Walkin' in the Rain," recorded by '50s pop legend Johnnie Ray. "Just Walkin'" was one of the bestselling singles of the decade.".

"In telling this story, music historian Jay Warner gives us a unique insight into the politics and society of the pre-Civil Rights era South, introduces us to a host of extraordinary human beings, and celebrates a great American singing group."--BOOK JACKET.