Best General Broadcasting
A touching, funny, heart-wrenching, and triumphant memoir from one of the biggest names in radio, the host of The Bobby Bones Show , one of the most listened-to drive time morning radio shows in the nation. Abandoned by his father at the age of five, Bobby saw the radio as his way out—a dream that came true in college when he went on air at the Henderson State University campus station broadcasting as Bobby Bones, while simultaneously starting The Bobby Bones Show at 105.9 KLAZ. Raised by an alcoholic single mother and an enterprising grandmother who taught him to shop at garage sales, play poker, and love music, Bobby spent his childhood in the hills and trailer parks of Mountain Pine, Arkansas. Full of stories from his childhood, his brushes with the best and the beautiful of music—hint: not all of them like him (oh well)—the hijinks and danger that have been a part of his journey, and rippling with his self-deprecating humor, Bare Bones is the heartfelt, honest tale of someone who has truly lived the American dream. Nationally, it is the biggest country music morning show in America, with an estimated audience of nearly five million listeners.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If youve been a listener for a while then you have heard most of the stories but it was also cool to get a glimpse into Bobby's head about what he was going through/feeling at certain times of his life .."
"I've been debating suggesting the book to a friend, because I constantly recommend the radio show to her, but I don't know how engaging the book is to someone who doesn't know BB through his radio show."
"Good book, most if not all the stories I had heard before but Bobby goes into more detail than on air."
"Loved all of the stories in the book, from growing up in a small Arkansas town, to how he got started in radio to meeting all the celebrities."
"I found myself getting lost in this book, feeling like I was reading my best friend's story. It only took me about a day and a half to finish this book but it was time well spent."
"This book truly touched my heart, as I too was a child of a teenage mom, and the thought that her live might have been better if I had not been born has crossed my mine a lot as I was growing up."
"He is vulnerable in telling his story and it's obvious that he is telling it to not only show the reader that they aren't alone out there, but he's telling it so he won't feel alone in his journey through life."
"Anyone who is looking for something; a sign, a message, an epiphany, an 'ah-ha moment' should take the time to read this book. Don't read it just because it's a #1 best seller, don't read it because someone has forced your hand, or you have given into peer pressure."
Beginning with his journey from the small town of Moncks Corner, South Carolina to his headline grabbing interviews with celebrities like Justin Bieber, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, and Hillary Clinton, he shares how he turned his troubled early life around by owning his (many) mistakes and refusing to give up on his dreams, even after his controversial opinions got him fired from several on-air jobs. “After meeting this young man I was impressed by his real desire to be relevant and his genuine yearning to leave meaningful footprints in the sand, this book is just that: a young man passing on relevant knowledge and experiences to help others better their position in life. And stop asking questions about my butt.” --Lena Dunham. “Charlamagne is a great friend.....after you threaten to punch him in the face a few times.” --La La Anthony. “South Carolina has produced some really beautiful, talented, smart, upstanding citizens…..and Charlamagne!” --Stephen Colbert. “Charlamagne is a f*cking asshole, but he's my favorite one."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Self-help, or otherwise, this book had so much valuable information about getting through life told from a man who at best I knew from seeing him on VH-1 and listening to the Breakfast Club. As I listened to this book, I felt like I was sitting in a room and he was telling me what was wrong with me, how I got there, but most importantly that I had the power to get myself out and into a better situation. The kind of cry you have when you thought you had run out of tears and where you feel it in the pit of your stomach. I had been praying for guidance and God in his wisdom lead me to purchase your book and it is one that will be prominently on my bookshelf, in my headphones and on my iPhone."
"This book should be mandatory reading for pretty much everyone, but ESPECIALLY teenagers today."
"As an African American I say this a must read for urban youth but also for anyone of that matter seeking a practical approaches to day to day life supported by the raw experiences of the author who overcame many adversities to be able to share his testimony and have built a platform that has been so influential in bringing information from various aspects to the forefront."
"This was a great read."
"What can I say... it's Charlamagne. I love this book!"
"started off a little slow, but I really enjoyed the read, enjoyed some of the lessons, and just hope it reaches those who need to read it about a Black guy, kind of lost, parents who loved him, father who regardless of his relationships with the overall family, he was one hell of a father."
"Very informative and enlightening read."
THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Angie Martinez is the “Voice of New York.” Now, for the first time, she candidly recounts the story of her rise to become an internationally celebrated hip hop radio icon. She's a businesswoman, philanthropist, and a TRUE CHAMPION OF OUR CULTURE , who has forever altered the landscape of radio and hip-hop music.”—Jennifer Lopez. "I just love the way Angie Martinez handles herself in interviews. It is a fascinating look at Angie’s life, her incredible career, and the evolution of the music business from her one-of-a-kind perspective.”—Senator Cory Booker. “Growing up as a Puerto Rican girl in New York City, I looked up to Angie, like so many other girls. In a way that only a person who has lived it can.” – The Huffington Post “Her voice is a theme throughout the memoir, both literally and figuratively, with Angie painting detailed portraits of how she developed as a person and used not only her voice, but her experiences and perspectives to navigate life and remain honest to her truest self.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"A real hip hop fan will love this memoir.And truth be told,I think any fan of radio personalities and music in general will love this."
"So my expectations were to hear juicy stories about the interviews, moments, and highlights in the world of HipHop. The juicy tales she did share were those she recognized as impactful to her life and was a lesson in building the woman she is constantly working on. This book is an accurate depiction of the ground breaking, original female, hip hop head that you've come to know on the show with some reasons for why she has made life choices and conducts herself the way she does."
"Wonderful book."
"I haven't put the book down yet."
"A Jersey girl who grew up in the same era as Angie, Im SO happy I read this, bc Ill be honest - her move to Power made me question her loyalty.... What can I say? She dabbled as we all did was so honest, and real...and I didnt put the book down til I got to WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED WHEN SHE WENT TO POWER...and it all made sense.. She is beautiful, smart, not a girlie girl and high maintenance."
"Growing up in New York City when Hip Hop was just starting to get played on the radio brought me back to my youth."
"I just finished reading this jewel, Angie Martinez's book, My Voice: A Memoir! When you said you wanted to jump off the bridge while running the marathon I busted out laughing on the train whilst everyone stared lol. Then when I thought it was all over and couldn't wait to actually write a review, something I hardly do and I read a lot... you bless us even more with throw back pictures. This was a hip hop history lesson to a younger reader or a walk down memory lane and behind the scenes stories for those of us listening all those years. When you left hot 97, I can admit that I was angry at first but as I started to think about it and you also clarified in this book, it was simply time to move on and grow."
Best Radio
Beginning with his journey from the small town of Moncks Corner, South Carolina to his headline grabbing interviews with celebrities like Justin Bieber, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West, and Hillary Clinton, he shares how he turned his troubled early life around by owning his (many) mistakes and refusing to give up on his dreams, even after his controversial opinions got him fired from several on-air jobs. “After meeting this young man I was impressed by his real desire to be relevant and his genuine yearning to leave meaningful footprints in the sand, this book is just that: a young man passing on relevant knowledge and experiences to help others better their position in life. And stop asking questions about my butt.” --Lena Dunham. “Charlamagne is a great friend.....after you threaten to punch him in the face a few times.” --La La Anthony. “South Carolina has produced some really beautiful, talented, smart, upstanding citizens…..and Charlamagne!” --Stephen Colbert. “Charlamagne is a f*cking asshole, but he's my favorite one."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Self-help, or otherwise, this book had so much valuable information about getting through life told from a man who at best I knew from seeing him on VH-1 and listening to the Breakfast Club. As I listened to this book, I felt like I was sitting in a room and he was telling me what was wrong with me, how I got there, but most importantly that I had the power to get myself out and into a better situation. The kind of cry you have when you thought you had run out of tears and where you feel it in the pit of your stomach. I had been praying for guidance and God in his wisdom lead me to purchase your book and it is one that will be prominently on my bookshelf, in my headphones and on my iPhone."
"This book should be mandatory reading for pretty much everyone, but ESPECIALLY teenagers today."
"As an African American I say this a must read for urban youth but also for anyone of that matter seeking a practical approaches to day to day life supported by the raw experiences of the author who overcame many adversities to be able to share his testimony and have built a platform that has been so influential in bringing information from various aspects to the forefront."
"started off a little slow, but I really enjoyed the read, enjoyed some of the lessons, and just hope it reaches those who need to read it about a Black guy, kind of lost, parents who loved him, father who regardless of his relationships with the overall family, he was one hell of a father."
"Very informative and enlightening read."
"Awesome Book."
"It's informative, funny, inspiring and empowering as my review title states."
Best Biographies of Actors & Entertainers
Put them together and you have the funniest, most heartfelt, and most inspirational memoir on survival, success, and the importance of believing in yourself since Old Yeller . Kevin Hart’s life uniquely qualifies him to write this book by also having a beginning. But Kevin Hart, like Ernest Hemingway, JK Rowling, and Chocolate Droppa before him, was able to defy the odds and turn it around. And that man happens to be the biggest comedian in the world, with tours that sell out football stadiums and films that have collectively grossed over $3.5 billion. His films, including Kevin Hart: What Now?
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"With a father who was a criminal with substance abuse problems and a mother who was basically raising him on her own in a tough Philadelphia neighborhood, Kevin could have been a bitter, resentful victim of the system. Don't get me wrong, this book is laugh out loud funny, but what kept me reading through the night were the amazing insights and the overwhelming sense of gratitude exuded by Mr. Hart."
"For starters, the writing in 'I Can't Make This Up' is impeccable, feels like conversation with Kevin Hart, himself. There were several instances throughout the early reading that I felt myself wishing that I could reach through a time portal and give that kid a hug. Likewise, I find it courageous and at times, unsettling that he chose to disclose his entire truth, including the ugly parts."
"a phenomenal job by Kevin Hart!"
"But I also care about the technicalities of writing because a good story can go terribly wrong if it is disorganized, under-thought, poorly written, rushed, you name it. I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons delivered on every level for me. And finally, the story: thorough, interesting, free of indulgent self-flattery, brutally honest, raw (by "raw" I mean without frivolous embellishment--what you see is what you get), inspiring, and it may or may not go without saying: hysterically funny despite consistently challenging--even devastatiing--life circumstances. The example he sets in accepting his downfalls, righting his wrongs, transforming his approach to relationships and life, and moving forward with his "grind" with life lessons in tow is commendable."
"I would recommend this book if you want to know more about Kevin Hart or if you're looking for a well written book that is raw and real with a bit of self help lessons included."
Best Radio Reference
Now long out of print, John Dunning's Tune in Yesterday was the definitive one-volume reference on old-time radio broadcasting. Now, in On the Air , Dunning has completely rethought this classic work, reorganizing the material and doubling its coverage, to provide a richer and more informative account of radio's golden age. Mystery writer and radio talk show host Dunning has expertly compiled and organized a massive amount of research data on hundreds of radio shows aired from the 1920s through the 1960s. The entries, listed alphabetically by show title, each contain a treasure trove of information?broadcast dates, casts and personnel, anecdotes, special analyses, and a detailed overview of each show's background, format, and content. ?Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, NJ. Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. As he did in Tune in Yesterday: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Prentice Hall, 1976), Dunning here provides a storehouse of information about the people and programs of radio's Golden Age (1930s, 1940s, 1950s). Devotees of classic television shows may be surprised to find out that such programs as Father Knows Best , Our Miss Brooks , Queen for a Day , and Sky-King all started as radio programs.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Rather than replace "Tune in Yesterday" with this volume (or not buy "Tune in Tomorrow" at all), I'd advise people who are really into old-time radio to own both as companion pieces."
"There is no article in the book on any of the three (later four) broadcast companies - NBC (with its Red and Blue separate networks), CBS, Mutual and after 1943, ABC (which was the former Blue Network of NBC, forced to sell by anti trust legal action)."
"Very happy with my purchase."
"Very nostalgic for an old timer."
"John Dunning's book is amazingly comprehensive, but so are many other such assemblages of old-time radio data."
"I discovered this book while evaluating encyclopedic resources for my MLIS class; I could not put it down and bought it for my home library and as a gift for an avid radio enthusiast I knew would enjoy it!"
"For most of us today, it's hard to realize just how much good radio programming was available in the 1930s and 1940s, some of which has been preserved, and is available in places like archive.org because a small percentage of the old program records have survived."
"Interesting to find out that child voices were played by adults and black characters were played by whites."
Best Radio History & Criticism
During their forty-year history, Motörhead released over twenty albums, won a Grammy, and conquered the rock world with such songs as “Ace of Spades,” “Bomber,” and “Overkill.” Throughout the creation of this impressive discography, the Motörhead lineup saw many changes, but Lemmy was always firmly at the helm. Having been a member of the Rockin' Vicars, Opal Butterflies, and Hawkwind, he formed Motorhead, the legendary English heavy metal band. Kilmister has been credited as an enormous influence on the genres of rock, heavy metal, death metal, punk, and speed metal.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Read the book in a matter of hours with Motorhead in the ear buds the whole time (highly recommended)."
"Great book about an amazing icon and personality in the music world."
"what a career, props to the Lem for surviving the mayhem and never backing down!"
"Very good book."
"You will learn a few things: Lemmy doesn't keep track of how many drugs he took or how many women he slept with (there were LOTS of each), but he has a good time, and the craziness and chaos of touring with a heavy-metal band comes across loud and clear."
"From beginning to end it feels like Lemmy's in the room with you having a conversation."