The untold story of the visionary who shaped American popular music.This biography unveils the life of Ralph Peer, the A&R man and music publisher who revolutionized the recording, marketing, and publishing of blues, jazz, country, gospel, and Latin music. Discover Peer's pivotal role in the careers of
Mamie Smith, Jimmie Rodgers, and the Carter Family, and his influence on the global music scene.
Explore Peer's innovative business strategies and his passion forroots music, as he navigated the complexities of the music industry. From theBristol Sessionsto the popularization ofLatin American rhythms, this book reveals how Peer's vision transformed our understanding of pop music. Perfect for music enthusiasts, historians, and anyone seeking inspiration from a true industry pioneer.
“Mr. Mazor discusses the evolution of American music and intricacies of music publishing with equal authority. He likewise brings impressive clarity and cohesion to considering the big-picture nexus of culture, commerce and evolving technology in which Peer’s saga unfolds. He tells this complex, intertwined story with ample substance for serious scholars while also making his book welcoming and accessible for neophytes.” —The Wall Street Journal
"This is an overwhelming book about an overwhelming character in the music field, a true visionary, who realized the potential power of common music long before anyone else - and who transformed the lives of many of those artists whom he recorded. We owe Barry Mazor a debt of gratitude for telling Peer's incredible life story, his monumental accomplishments, putting them all in one place, and bringing them to the light." —Bob Dylan
“Musicians know who Ralph Peer was, and now his life and contributions to our nation’s music are made available to all of us in Barry Mazor’s wonderful and absorbing biography. Mal8
![Ralph Peer and the Making of Popular Roots Music [Paperback]](/itemImage/2/3/2/5/2_455889.jpg "Ralph Peer and the Making of Popular Roots Music [Paperback]")