Reviews
"Incorporating published accounts, interviews, and personal insights, this balanced book is important in keeping the memory of a chart-topping country artist alive and in putting the country music scene of the period into perspective. Recommended."-- Library Journal "Finally someone's written the story of Faron Young's life, one of country music's most colorful characters."-- Nashville Musician, "Diekman has done such a thorough job that there is unlikely ever to be another Faron Young biography to compete with it. She has uncovered a great deal of information that will be news to even Faron Young's most passionate fans and friends."--Paul Kingsbury, editor of The Encyclopedia of Country Music and Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music in America, "Diane's level of research is incredible! I learned things about my father that I never knew before." Robyn Young"Diekman has done such a thorough job that there is unlikely ever to be another Faron Young biography to compete with it. She has uncovered a great deal of information that will be news to even Faron Young's most passionate fans and friends." Paul Kingsbury, editor of The Encyclopedia of Country Music and Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music in America "Everyone who knew Faron--as a friend, as a fan, or as an enemy--is going to treasure this book." Bill Mack, host of Country Crossroads and member of the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame"I've never read a book on someone in the music business that inspired so many different feelings--laughter, sadness, pity, and even crying!" Glenn Sutton, member of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, "His is a rich story, spanning the golden age of honky-tonk, women, liquor, ruin and glory, and no small entrepreneurial spirit. . . . Diekman is scrupulous and meticulous in her assemblage of details. . . . Young's family and surviving friends seem to have given her ready access and unflinching honesty."-- No Depression "Diane Diekman . . . takes us on a journey from his early life, through the recording successes, the failed marriage, the career downturn, the depression and, finally, to that fateful night . . . when he put the pistol to his head."-- Country Music People, "Diane's level of research is incredible! I learned things about my father that I never knew before." Robyn Young "Diekman has done such a thorough job that there is unlikely ever to be another Faron Young biography to compete with it. She has uncovered a great deal of information that will be news to even Faron Young's most passionate fans and friends." Paul Kingsbury, editor of The Encyclopedia of Country Music and Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music in America "Everyone who knew Faron--as a friend, as a fan, or as an enemy--is going to treasure this book." Bill Mack, host of Country Crossroads and member of the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame "I've never read a book on someone in the music business that inspired so many different feelings--laughter, sadness, pity, and even crying!" Glenn Sutton, member of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, " Live Fast, Love Hard, a sobering account of the Singing Sheriff's roller-coaster life that ended with his 1996 suicide, tells the tale of two Youngs: one, a talented, flamboyant performer and charitable man who helped the community and struggling songwriters like Willie Nelson and Bill Anderson, and who helped country music by founding the long-running periodical Music City News; the other, a raging alcoholic and jealous husband with an explosive temper, whose addiction and poor self image . . . led him to abuse and cheat on his wife, and verbally abuse his children, band members, and friends when he was drinking. . . . Diane Diekman . . . provides readers a rare glimpse inside the tumultuous life of this talented and troubled musician."-- Dirty Linen, " Live Fast, Love Hard, a sobering account of the Singing Sheriff's roller-coaster life that ended with his 1996 suicide, tells the tale of two Youngs: one, a talented, flamboyant performer and charitable man who helped the community and struggling songwriters like Willie Nelson and Bill Anderson, and who helped country music by founding the long-running periodical Music City News; the other, a raging alcoholic and jealous husband with an explosive temper, whose addiction and poor self image . . . led him to abuse and cheat on his wife, and verbally abuse his children, band members, and friends when he was drinking. . . . Diane Diekman . . . provides readers a rare glimpse inside the tumultuous life of this talented and troubled musician."-- Dirty Linen, " Live Fast, Love Hard, a sobering account of the Singing Sheriff's roller-coaster life that ended with his 1996 suicide, tells the tale of two Youngs: one, a talented, flamboyant performer and charitable man who helped the community and struggling songwriters like Willie Nelson and Bill Anderson, and who helped country music by founding the long-running periodical Music City News; the other, a raging alcoholic and jealous husband with an explosive temper, whose addiction and poor self image . . . led him to abuse and cheat on his wife, and verbally abuse his children, band members, and friends when he was drinking. . . . Diane Diekman . . . provides readers a rare glimpse inside the tumultuous life of this talented and troubled musician."-- Dirty Linen, "His is a rich story, spanning the golden age of honky-tonk, women, liquor, ruin and glory, and no small entrepreneurial spirit. . . . Diekman is scrupulous and meticulous in her assemblage of details. . . . Young's family and surviving friends seem to have given her ready access and unflinching honesty."-- No Depression "Diane Diekman . . . takes us on a journey from his early life, through the recording successes, the failed marriage, the career downturn, the depression and, finally, to that fateful night . . . when he put the pistol to his head."-- Country Music People, "I've never read a book on someone in the music business that inspired so many different feelings--laughter, sadness, pity, and even crying!" --Glenn Sutton, member of Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
