THIS RIDE…IN COLOR, AND IN PICTURES
LIMITED-EDITION PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTARY
ON COUNTRY SINGER JAMEY JOHNSON
Through 450 images, photographer Melinda J.P. Harlan
captures an up-close look at the very private singer
NASHVILLE, TN – (August 29, 2011) – Photographer Melinda J.P. Harlan has created a stunning limited-edition book called This Ride…In Color, And In Pictures that features an exclusive collection of never-before-seen photographs of award-winning singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson, who is one of the most critically acclaimed artists in country music today.
This limited-edition book, with only 2,500 copies in print, features an exclusive collection of photographs taken over a three-year period of Johnson’s career from 2008 to 2010. Through a combination of 450 images and a wonderful compilation of stories, quotes, and observations by some of Johnson’s closest friends and mentors, we are given a rare glimpse into the singer/songwriter’s life. As Johnson has previously noted, “My dream already came true…All I ever wanted was to get to just ride around and sing country music.” Now readers will have an opportunity to follow him on this ride.
>From now through September 12, 2011, advance sales for This Ride…In Color, And In Pictures are open to the public through www.thisride.us. The book retails for $125 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting five charities: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Hatch Show Print, Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center, Southeastern Beefmaster Breeders Association’s College Scholarship Fund, Alabama School of the Deaf and Blind’s Music Education Program, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This Ride…In Color, And In Pictures will be released in late September.
Country Music Hall of Fame members George Jones and Bill Anderson, songwriter/producer/musician Jim “Moose” Brown, songwriter Rob Hatch, producer T.W. Cargile, studio manager Sharon Corbitt-House, and radio personalities Keith Bilbrey and Bill Cody, among others, share their thoughts throughout the book on this highly sought-after singer/songwriter. Although the book’s main focus is Johnson, there is also an underlying current which celebrates close friendships and a common love of country music.
Each copy and its Certificate of Authenticity is personally signed and numbered by Harlan. This limited-edition, measuring 9.25” x 12.75,” has a black linen hard case with silver foil type, Smythe-sewn binding, and a fine art image of Johnson on the cover. Resonating with both Johnson’s and Harlan’s values, This Ride…In Color, And In Pictures is proudly made in the U.S.A. A small number of books will be reserved for the book’s release-day events (TBA).
About The Author:
A lifelong lover of country music, Melinda J.P. Harlan became immersed in the music she found in her father’s collection of LPs, across the airwaves of WSM-AM, and from the Grand Ole Opry every Friday and Saturday night. Harlan notes, “All my life, before I left home, I hung on every spoken word I could find from my musical heroes. Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of wisdom from these men and women in their spoken words and in their songs. Like the Chet Atkins quote, ‘If you hear something you like, and you’re halfway like the public, chances are, they’ll like it too.’ For me, this can be translated to my country music photography. I interpret it to mean, ‘Do what your heart is telling you to do and others will like it too.’” Harlan’s work can also be seen on the credits page of Johnson’s critically-acclaimed album, The Guitar Song.