Sixteen Tons: The Merle Travis Story

Sixteen Tons is a biography of Country Music Hall of Fame member Merle Travis, a brilliant and troubled artist known for his Kentucky thumb-picking style, pioneering country songwriting, and electric guitar innovations. The book is based on a recently discovered treasure trove of unpublished autobiographical writings and an immersive deep-dive biography by researcher and musical historian Deke Dickerson. It details Travis' career highs and lows, including his struggle with alcoholism and addiction to pills that nearly killed him in the late 1950s.

Format: Hardback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2022
Publisher: BMG Books

Sixteen Tons is a captivating tale that delves into the life and career of Country Music Hall of Fame member Merle Travis, a brilliant, multi-talented, and deeply troubled artist widely regarded as a genius. Renowned for his exceptional guitar skills, Merle captivated audiences with his distinctive Kentucky thumb-picking style, leaving an indelible mark on the country music scene. Beyond his musical prowess, he was a pioneering country songwriter, penning timeless classics such as "Dark as a Dungeon" and "Sixteen Tons." His contributions extended to electric guitar innovations in the 1940s, showcasing his exceptional creativity and technical expertise. Merle's talents were not limited to music alone; he was also an accomplished actor, writer, and cartoonist, showcasing his diverse range of abilities.

This comprehensive portrait of Travis's life and career emerges from a recently discovered treasure trove of his unpublished autobiographical writings, which have been enriched with an immersive deep-dive biography by researcher and musical historian Deke Dickerson. The book meticulously details the highs and lows of Travis's remarkable journey, encompassing his early success with a string of nine straight Top 5 singles in the 1940s and the profound challenges he faced throughout his life, particularly his lifelong struggle with alcoholism that eventually led to an addiction to pills.

Travis's story is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite the adversities he encountered, he managed to reemerge and achieve greatness. His resurgence began when he joined forces with Johnny Cash in the late 1950s, and he went on to release several critically acclaimed albums, including "The Essential Merle Travis" and "The Best of Merle Travis." His music touched the hearts of millions, and he became a music legend, inspiring generations of artists with his raw talent and emotional depth.

Sixteen Tons is a captivating and poignant exploration of the life and legacy of Merle Travis, a true artist whose music and artistic contributions continue to resonate with audiences worldwide. Through his unpublished writings and the insightful biography by Deke Dickerson, readers are granted a deeper understanding of the man behind the music, shedding light on his struggles, triumphs, and the enduring impact he left on the world of country music.

Weight: 911g
Dimension: 228 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781947026582