A great look at the Cathedrals' history, George Younce and Glen Payne's stories, and the gospel music business in general. A MUST read for anyone who has ever listened to gospel music!

A great book for Cathedral's fans. The lives of these two gentlemen are a true example of what being in God's service is all about. They have touched hearts and lives for decades with their music. My only complaint is that it was too short and I hope someday, the full and complete story of Glen Payne and George Younce will be told.

WOW! As a fan of the Cathedrals, I loved reading about the 2 Sr members. The Lord worked in both of their lives to bring them together to bless us all with their music and their commitment to the call on their lives. If you love the Cathedrals, you will LOVE this book!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not the kind of person who likes country music, but when I heard the Dixie Chicks on the radio, I was pleasantly surprised at their music. So I bought this book and it is very interesting to read about all the things the Chicks have been through. They are strong, persistent, and fun loving women that gave modern country music a new look.

do you have a boy frin

This book gives the backstory for dozens of novelty songs and one hit wonders. The writer tells their stories with a marvelous sense of irony and delight: that the singers of Lions Sleep Tonight used to sing the Zulu lyrics without a clue what the song was about, that Convoy was sung by a classically trained art director, that La Macarena was big in South America in the early 1990's (well before it become big in Europe or the US), or that the Hokey Pokey was the B-Side for the Bunny Hop.

Reading this story gives an appreciation for the effort to produce these one-hit wonders and the sheer surprise that was involved in their becoming famous. Interestingly, throughout the book, Collins alludes to dj's and local radio stations that took a chance with one of these songs, something that is difficult to do when clearchannel uses carefully controlled market-driven playlists. This is one of these books with fascinating stories that you will not want to put down.

I really enjoyed this book. It was so interesting to hear the stories behind all the Christmas songs. The only reason I rated it a four is that not all the song lyrics are included. Even when it is a song I know by heart, I liked reading through the words, especially songs that have several verses that we don't always sing. Very sweet, easy to read, and interesting.

This was perfect for my needs. It had accounts of all the tradition carols that my congregation sings on Christmas eve. Those in search of the history of non religious songs and spirituals should look at Christmas Songs in America, another excellent collection of stories.

I heard about this book by listening to WMBI in Chicago the week before Christmas. They had the author on, telling one Christmas carol song per day. Immediately I purchased the book, and am thoroughly enjoying it!

Ace tells the stories of 31 favorite Christmas songs. They aren't all traditional carols, but include "Mary Did You Know", and a couple of secular-based Christmas songs such as "Silver Bells" and "Rudolph". I would love to know where Mr. Collins got all his information - there is no Bibliography.

The book itself is very attractive - you can see what the cover is like above, but inside, the print is a deep blue, and there are simple drawings and borders using the same blue. This makes it very visually appealing.

The best way to read "Stories Behind the Best-Love Songs of Christmas" would probably be to read one chapter per day for the 31 days before Christmas. But you can also read it straight through, or dip into the chapter that talks about YOUR favorite Christmas song.

As a perfect companion to Ace Collins' book, I recommend "Christ in the Carols" by Christopher and Melodie Lane. In this book, the emphasis is on finding Christ in the carols and how these carols express so beautifully the glorious and mysterious incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Take the time out this Christmas to enjoy the history and meaning of these beloved songs of Christmas! This book would make a wonderful gift!

You might be interested in checking out my other reviews of Christian books adn music.

This is a great little book. It tells the origins of 65 famous gospel songs as well as inspiring stories about the songwriters. There are no actual music scores or lyrics, but the song titles are all familiar tunes to Christian gospel lovers, young and old. When friends of Albert Burnley would hear his songs on the radio, they would call him and say, "Albert, turn your radio on." Soon, he wrote one of his best loved songs, "Turn Your Radio On"; and hence the title of this collection of stories. If you love gospel music, you will love this book. Stories are told about Andrae Crouch, Dottie Rambo, Bill and Gloria Gaither, George Beverly Shea, Rusty Goodman, just to mention a few. All the great gospel songwriters are here. Order now for youself or as a great gift. Lynn Rouse

Though the songs may not be the 100 I would have chosen, I love this little book. The stories behind them are well-written, with background on both the writer and the original performer(s). The only problem I can see is that there are only 100! Here's hoping Mr. Collins produces a second volume, because the first is great.

Nobody's demanding Boswell's Life of Johnson here, but Collins has fashioned a hazily-remembered, lazily-written biography of one of the 1970s most singular public figures. Where's the index or bibliography? Where's the list of sources? Who proofread this book (the word "athlete" is misspelled -- on the back cover, yet!)? I never thought I'd utter this phrase in public, but: Evel Knievel deserves better.

Evel Knevel has written a lively and engaging book that tells about his halcyon days stealing money from people cracking safes in the 1960s.The cops knew I did it, he says, but never caught him. Now he and his son charge the culturally deprived a lot of money to see motorcycle stunts. What a country! What a hero!

I can't say the writing is bad, just the subject. An American Hero ? A womenizing, boozing, petty thief and con-man a hero, I don't think so, probably a fun guy to hang out with.. but no hero.