True, old fashioned country music. Back when country music meant something, and major performers such as Merle Haggard, Vern Gosdin, Gene Watson, and Johnny Paycheck could still have hit records. The Louvin Brothers set the standard for country harmony, and I'm proud to say that Charlie Louvin became a great friend of mine a few years ago. There's never been a better singer on the face of the planet than Keith Whitley, and no one currently on the scene can stay on the same stage with Allison Krauss. I think the Dixie Chicks are the best group out there, and still like the old songs of Alabama. I tend to like some of the independent artists a lot also, and if you want to hear some true country music done by one of the most talented guys who ever rolled into Music City, pick up a Billy Yates CD. You won't be disappointed. Another friend of mine, Tresa Street, is also a great entertainer, and it doesn't hurt that she and I have written several songs together, and that she's recorded one or two that I had a hand in writing. There's a new girl in Nashville that has the talent to be right up there with the biggest names in the business. Her name is Rebecca Frederick, and when you hear about her, remember I told you so. Sometimes you don't have to be the biggest star in Nashville to be one of the best, and believe me, both of these are in that category. There are some other guys that I've called my friends over the years that are also right up there with the best. Songwriter Tommy Barnes is a good example. Tommy co-wrote such songs as Indian Outlaw and My Love, and he's a great talent, super writer, but a better friend. Then there's the lovely Jill Wood. Jill is as good a wordsmith as ever came to Music City. Since we left the Nashville area we haven't seen most of these guys, but sometimes I miss the old days.
In my humble opinion, two of the best singers that have been in Nashville in many years are Joe Diffie and Sammy Kershaw. Both can bend notes with the best of them, and both should be standing right at the top of the country music leader board.
Movies
Old westerns, some of the new movies based on comics, and anything that stars either Sandra Bullock, Julia Roberts, Johnny Depp, Steven Segall, Denzel Washington, or Hugh Jackman. I have to admit that I like almost every John Travolta movie. Swordfish, Be Cool, Get Shorty, The General's Daughter, and Basic just to name a few. I think Depp and Travlota would be two of the most interesting people in the country just to sit around and talk with.
Television
24 - Saving Grace - Boston Legal - Bones - Buffy - Angel - That 70's Show, The Shield, Rescue me. All great shows, but more important, all of them have some of the greatest writing that can be found in any media. Oh, and I never miss Dancing With The Stars.
Books
My newest was released in September 2008. THE LAST OF THE SOUTH TOWN RINKY DINKS may be the book that will define my writing career. Then there's born wolf DIE WOLF The Last Rampage of the Terrible Harpes - Resurrection: Rebirth of the Terrible Harpes. born wolf is my first published book, and I have to admit that it is my favorite. My many short stories that are published in the Amazon Shorts program and on Fictionwise are great reads, and I've just finished a story that I think is as good as anything I've ever written. It's called KILLING FROST, and should be published this fall. I have two shorts in an anthology called Twisted Tails II, which won the EPPIE AWARD for best SCI FI book of 2007. I'm proud of that. I like A Wilderness of Tigers, by Ken Tucker; Springhouse Magazine, one of the great storytelling magazines of all time, by Gary DeNeal, and I'm a fan of a great author, John Cassell.
Anything written by John Cassell. This is a talent that I think everyone should discover, and his ODYSSEY: 1970 and HELL'S QUEST: 1971 are great reads.
And for those who haven't already bought "born wolf DIE WOLF The Last Rampage of the Terrible Harpes" it can be ordered online or from your favorite book seller. For online ordering visit this website:
http://www.amazon.com. Enter the title, the authors name or this ISBN 1-4241-2668-1 and it will give you the ordering info. Thanks
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Heroes
My dad, my uncles. My inlaws Bud Bollinger and John Mayes. Country music legend Charlie Louvin. Add to them a handful of friends who have stood beside me for years through the good times and the bad times.
3 books and some 40 short stories published, secretary of WOW, and member of Amazon Shorts program
Harpe With Sundown Two complete and already at the publishers, I'm back at work on my Tears Of God novel. Liking it more with every page I write. Posted at 6:44 PM Nov 27 view more
About me: UPDATE: JUNE 28, 2009
So, the Redneck Riviera Short Stories did well, so did most of the others on Amazon, and the Harpe books have generated some interest, including some talk of a movie. The Last of the South Town Rinky Dinks was released last September, and has been a success with friends and new readers alike.
I'm currently working on the third Harpe book, as well as a 2012 end of the world book with a friend of mine in Georgia, and my Tears Of God book is coming along great. I'm hoping for the release next year of at least two of these books, and if I can find enough time to finish and polish the third, maybe it as well.
I feel good, I'm working hard, and with a bit of help from all of you, I think next year will be a great one.
When you have some time, why not take a few minutes to visit and explore my personal web at:
http://www.donharpe.com
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Who I'd like to meet: Being a songwriter for many years, most of my interest lies with country music. I've met Willie Nelson, Keith Whitley, George Jones, Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Brooks and Dunn, Patty Loveless, Tim McGraw, Lorrie Morgan, Sammie Kershaw, John Anderson and many more of the biggest and best country stars, and one of my heroes remains my friend Charlie Louvin, a true country music legend. As I am a Harpe and as Merle Haggard's mother was a Harp, and as we are of the same branch of the family, being second cousins a couple of times removed, I'd like to spend a little time with him talking about the Harpes, and see if I could get him to explain how he became the best songwriter that ever put pen to paper. In other fields,I'd like to meet professional bowler Walter Ray Williams and talk show hosts Jay Leno and David Letterman.
There are a couple of actors I'd like to sit down and talk to for awhile, because I think one or two would be very interesting. Jack Nicholson, for one, and Mel Gibson. I think he got a very raw deal over the last escapade, and I'd like to tell him that some of us just like his movies, and his personal life has little to do with that. Then there's John Travolta. Can anyone be more cool than him. Talk about being interesting to talk to. Imagine the stories he could tell. I have become a huge fan of Saving Grace, and can think of nobody right now that would be more interesting to talk to than Holly Hunter. And lastly, I'd like to spend a little time with George Clooney, Keifer Southerland, James Marsters, and for sure Billy Bob Thornton. Also, as I am a fan of a few televison programs, I'd like to meet Buffy (Sarah Michelle Geller), Angel (David Boreanaz), Willow (Allison Hannigan) Donna (That 70's Show Laura Prepon, and last but not least, I'd like to sit down for a few moments with Denny Crane and Alan Shore. I love Boston Legal.
Glad to see you back on my page! How's the other board going? I deleted it out of my bookmarks. I just couldn't deal with seeing all that BS, or the tyranny any more. Take care =) Mel
Just got back from Emerald Coast. We bought a lot at Blue Mtn/Santa Rosa Beach - looks like the Harpes and Leepers may have a chance to meet one day. Downloaded your book off Amazon and will read soon. Take care - Shirley and John Leeper
Great to have you as a new friend, and someone who appreciates the roots of Country Music. A fellow author, too. Cool! Keep in touch. Best, William Beck www.BooksbyBeck.com
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