“The Great Tompall” Glaser Biography To Be Released
Tompall Glaser, who passed away in August, is considered one of the original country music Outlaws, and was one of the most influential men in Nashville in the mid 70’s both as an artist and studio owner. His renegade Nashville studio affectionately known as Hillbilly Central was a home to artists such as Waylon Jennings, Kinky Friedman, John Hartford, and many more, and was the heart of the country music Outlaw revolution of the mid 70’s. But little is known about this man that brought Music Row to its knees and helped usher in a new era of creative control and sonic innovation for country music.
That’s all about to change on December 1st when the 350-page biography The Great Tompall: Forgotten Country Music Outlaw is released. Written by Tompall’s nephew Kevin L. Glaser, the book includes never-before known information about Tompall, provides historical information about Nashville, and gives a glimpse of what country music was like during the 1960s up to the 1990s. It also includes lengthy interviews with folks like “Cowboy” Jack Clement (who also recently passed away), President & CEO of BMI Del Bryant, Kinky Friedman, Jimmy Buffett (who recorded his 1973 album A White Sports Coat and a Pink Crustacean at Glaser Studios), Jimmy Bowen, Billy Swan, Marshall Chapman, and more.
“Research, interviews and spending time talking with Tompall began more than two and a half years ago, at the end of April, 2011.” explains Kevin Glaser. “I initially had simply wanted to write a tribute about a man that I knew mainly as my uncle. But when I began talking to Tompall, and to others who interacted with him during his music career, the book expanded considerably. I really had no idea how many things Tompall had accomplished in his life and was surprised at the impact that he had on so many people in country music during the 1960’s through the 1980s and beyond.”
“I am genuinely excited that the book is finally ready for release,” continues Glaser. “Publishing this book gives me a sense of great accomplishment, but more so, it gives Tompall the recognition he is due for his life’s work. This is an informative, interesting and unique story, and, even though I am Tompall’s nephew, it is told from a balanced perspective. My book is not the story of a perfect person, but it is the story of a remarkable person.”
The 6″ x 9″ hardcover book will have a cover price of $29.95, with plans for an e-book and audio book in 2014. More information about The Great Tompall: Forgotten Country Music Outlaw.
November 20, 2013 @ 1:40 pm
I look foward to this. I’m glad someone is doing this for Tompall. So his accomplishments and influence can be more widely known.
November 20, 2013 @ 3:53 pm
I’ll be reading this. I’m very curious to see if it sheds any further insight into the rift between Tompall and Waylon.
November 22, 2013 @ 7:38 am
I agree about what kind of insight this could provide about the rift between Waylon and Tompall. I think history has been very kind in terms of avoiding Waylon’s darkside and if this book addresses the true cause of that rift it won’t paint a very favorable picture of Waylon.
November 22, 2013 @ 8:17 am
Agreed as well. While I DO think TPG was very temperamental as well, I think Waylon was probably not blameless in the whole thing. Like I say, this story has been seemingly lost to the ether of time.
I did laugh, in Waylon’s book, where he and TPG were signing glossy pics to each other and handing them back and forth, and Shel Silverstein, who happened to be there writing with them, said, “don’t you guys think you’re spreading this “best friend” bullshit a little thin?”. That must have been damn funny!
November 28, 2013 @ 9:35 pm
There was some where that they had talked about it on CMT. When Waylon locked himself up in the studio and did a lot of drugs and called Tompall accusing him of stealing some shit from him. Rather or not he did steal it or not isn’t clear, but Tompall was enraged by it and told him to get his shit and get the hell out of his studio (Hillbilly Central) and after that they never talked again.
November 21, 2013 @ 7:10 am
“I sold the farm to take my woman where she longed to be.
We left our kin and all our friends back there in Tennessee.
I bought the one-way tickets she had often begged me for,
and that took us to the streets of Baltimore.”
-Streets of Baltimore
by Tompal Glaser & Harlan Howard
The Gram Parsons version is good, but I like the original by Tompall & The Glaser Brothers better.
November 22, 2013 @ 8:12 am
I personally like the Bobby Bare version the best. BB is one of the most underrated artists in country. He just nails it with his version of this great song.
November 21, 2013 @ 5:02 pm
I ordered mine today. This biography is long overdue. This great man was under appreciated and has earned his place in the Hall Of Fame. I play his music every day. RIP, Tompall.
December 4, 2013 @ 5:10 am
I ordered my copy yesterday as I just love Tompall. Its a shame he still isn’t around to see this book being published and to know how much he was appreciated. I agree with Linda its about time the hall of fame recognised true country legends. I listen to him everyday. Love ya Tompall God Bless. x
December 23, 2013 @ 8:59 am
Just finished the book. Wow! Don’t miss this one. Great inside information about “Hillbilly Central” and all the music magic that happened there. Tompall was truly a great man and, as I discovered from the book, a much more brilliant song writer than I was aware of. Also printed in the book is Tompall’s poem he wrote about the end of his friendship with Waylon. {“A Cowboy’s Lament”} Heartbreaking. I highly recommend this book to everyone, even if you never heard of Tompall Glaser. Read the book and you’ll ask yourself why he wasn’t a HUGE star and in the Hall Of Fame. Tompall was simply amazing and I miss him…
December 28, 2013 @ 2:00 pm
I called the local bookstore and was told they had the book. When i got there, they had to order it for me. I cant hardly wait to read it. i love his music..He was simply the best. I listen to his music every day. I feel such a loss at his passing.
December 30, 2013 @ 8:02 am
Be patient, Carol. The book is well worth the wait. Did you know that the family has a memorial web page for Tompall? You can go there and read the many comments about Tompall’s life from family, friends and fans. Very touching. People had some amazing memories of Tompall. Just google it and you’ll find it .
December 30, 2013 @ 11:46 am
Yes, i know about the memorial website and i have read every word! I also got an email that my book has been shipped and should receive it in 2 or 3 days. I am a die hard Tompall fan and cant wait to curl up and read it.
August 3, 2014 @ 6:54 pm
Y’all might also be interested in the documentary DVD “From Nebraska Ranchers to Nashville Rebels: The Story of Tompall & the Glaser Brothers.” It contains lots of personal remembrances of the brothers from friends, family and music industry associates.
April 24, 2015 @ 6:25 am
Howdy,
The book is a Pain in the Arse and should NEVER have been written by his nephew. Its as sterile as Tompall was. If you compare it to Waylon Jennings book, its like comparing Shakespeare to a Telephone book. It is f–king pathetic!
If someone can’t see the forest for the trees, they are unable to understand what is important in a situation because they are giving too much attention to details After you’ve spent years researching a single topic you get to a point where you can’t see the forest for the trees.
OK?