Diary of a Player

Starred review from October 24, 2011
In his first book, Grammy Award-winning country star Paisley pays tribute to the legendary musicians who helped him along the way. Any guitar aficionado will love this tale of extraordinary musicians gladly guiding a talented youngsterâa journey that began at the tender age of eight when Paisley's grandfather gave him his first guitar. With the collaboration of Wild, who is steeped in the country music scene, Paisley offers a story accessible even to country novices. In junior high, Paisley and his "modernly mature band members," a generous group of older mentors, the C-Notes, were sometimes referred to as Brad Paisley and the Seniles. As he confides: "all those days and nights when I was so busy not doing my homeworkâ¦I was growing the deep musical roots that have put me where I am today." His respect for his Nashville colleagues lends warmth to his presentation: "The art of our town comes from painting an honest picture in living color." Paisley certainly entertains in this charming story of his road to success.