Vintage Country

Tony Russell is a leading historian of American vernacular music. His books include Blacks, Whites and Blues (1970; reprinted 2001), Country Music Records: A Discography, 1921–1942 (2004), Country Music Originals: The Legends and the Lost (2007), and Rural Rhythm: The Story of Old-Time Country Music in 78 Records (2021). He has been nominated twice for a Grammy for Best Album Notes and has received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Association of Recorded Sound Collections and the International Country Music Conference. Scott B. Bomar is an award-winning writer, researcher, and music historian based in Los Angeles. He has authored or co-authored six books, including The Byrds: 1964–1967 (with Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, and David Crosby), Every Night Is Saturday Night (with Wanda Jackson), Johnny Cash at Folsom & San Quentin, and the forthcoming Bakersfield Sounds: The Rise and Fall of Country Music’s “Nashville West.” Scott has earned three Grammy nominations in the category of Best Album Notes, including for his 10-CD box set The Bakersfield Sound. In 2024 he received the Chet Flippo Award for Excellence in Country Music Journalism.

"...a compelling and definitive resource for both casual fans and serious music historians...By focusing on the era before commercial uniformity, Russell provides a crucial context often lost in modern discussions of country music...the book serves as both a detailed map of country music's diverse roots and a vibrant, long-overdue celebration of the artists who truly defined them. It is highly recommended for anyone looking to understand the essential artists and evolution of American country music."