I
Love You a Thousand Ways is
the story of one of the most loved, respected, and imitated
singer/songwriters in the history of country music, a man whose songs
touched the lives of millions of people. Lefty Frizzell’s
relaxed style of singing proved to be a huge influence on a wide
variety of country and pop music stars such as Merle Haggard, Willie
Nelson, Roy Orbison, George Jones, John Fogerty, George Strait, and
Tim McGraw.
In
addition to his incredible vocal talents, Lefty was widely recognized
for his songwriting skills. He had four songs in the country top ten
at the same time in 1951—a feat that would only be repeated one
more time on any chart, when The Beatles had five songs on the pop
chart in 1964. Among Lefty’s many hits are: “If You’ve
Got the Money, I’ve Got the Time,” “Mom and Dad’s
Waltz,” “The Long Black Veil,” and “Saginaw,
Michigan.”
Willie
Nelson’s 1977 album, To
Lefty From Willie, was a
tribute to Frizzell and consisted entirely of cover versions of
Frizzell songs. Fellow Texan Roy Orbison was also a devout fan of
Frizzell’s sound. In 1988, as a part of the Traveling Wilburys,
Orbison chose the name “Lefty Wilbury”
in honor of his musical hero.
Lefty was
inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Country
Music Hall of Fame in 1982. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of
Fame and is a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. I
Love You a Thousand Ways is a
long overdue, beautiful tribute to one of the most underrated
musicians of all time, a man whose music continues to influence new
generations of musicians and music fans.
David
Frizzell began his career in
music as a teenager, accompanying and performing alongside his older
brother, music legend William “Lefty” Frizzell. In 1981
he recorded his first number-one country hit, “You’re the
Reason God Made Oklahoma,” a duet with Shelly West. In 1982,
David hit number one on the country charts with his solo single, “I’m
Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home,” which was nominated
for Song of the Year at the 1982 Grammy Awards. He continues to
record and perform at venues around the world to this day.
Merle
Haggard is one of the most
influential singers, guitarists, instrumentalists, and songwriters in
the history of country music. A multiple Grammy award winner with 38
number-one hits to his name, Haggard was inducted into the Nashville
Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1977 and the Country Music Hall of Fame
in 1984.
“I
can’t think of anyone better to tell the story of my friend,
Lefty Frizzell, than his little brother, David, who is also one of
the best country singers in his own right. The first song that I
learned to sing when I started singing was ‘Mom and Dad’s
Waltz.’ He will always be one of the greatest country singers
that ever lived. David, I love you and thank you for telling Lefty’s
story.”
—Loretta
Lynn, country music legend
“I
Love You a Thousand Ways is
an extraordinary personal account of one of the most historic eras in
country music. It’s both a fascinating and detailed
recollection of heartbreak and success, and a look at what it took to
come from having nothing to having it all. The Lefty Frizzell
influence can still be heard in today’s music. Well done, David
Frizzell! Movies are made of great stories such as this one.”
—Charlie
Chase, national television and radio host, Crook
& Chase
“A
‘must-read’ for true traditional country music fans—or
for anyone who seeks a good read. David has offered up a warm and
compelling tribute to his brother, Lefty. And it is a tribute to my
good friend David for capturing the voice of simpler times, and for
doing such a superlative job in putting into words a ‘snapshot’
of yesteryear. My dad and Lefty, in the days David so creatively
reconstructs, were at the top of their respective games. They toured
together, they traveled together, they ate together, they drank
together, they lived together and, between them, at one point they
dominated the charts together. This book is as close as you will ever
get to being a fly on the wall of our earliest superstars when they
didn’t know they were, and when their everyday existence
permeated their music, their lives, and their creative muses. You’re
gonna love it!”
—Jett
Williams, country music star and daughter of Hank Williams, Sr.
“I’m
reading your book, I Love You
a Thousand Ways, and can
honestly say that I can’t put it down! I have never read a book based on the life of one of our entertainers that is
stronger or more enjoyable than this. Sure, it has its super-sad
moments, but that’s what adds to the value! It’s honest,
and it’s real! If I can help in any way in promoting this work of art, just let me know. You have my full
endorsement and support. It will be an honor.”
—Bill
Mack, Country Music Hall of Fame DJ and XM and SIRIUS radio host,
Willie’s Place
“Thanks
for the bio on Lefty. It reads well, David—and tells it like it
really was. I enjoy talking about Lefty. He was a real good buddy. I
just loved him so much. He’s the kind of feller you’d
want in your foxhole. You’d know you could count on him when
the bullets started flying. We had many great times together.”
—Mel
Tillis, country music legend
“The
Frizzell family name is one of the most revered in the history of
country music. David Frizzell has given us a glimpse into the family
circle, and it’s an honored place to be.”
—Marty
Stuart, country music star
“I
Love You a Thousand Ways is
one of the most heartfelt books I have read because it is written
from one brother’s love for another brother. And I should know
something about brotherly love. This book is open, honest and
innocent about the triumphs and struggles of a talented man and his
music, a man and a family who made and is still making an impact on
country music today. When you start reading this book you will not
want to put it down, it is written with love and admiration in every
word. I loved it a thousand ways and I know you will too.
—Jimmy
Fortune, formerly of The Statler Brothers
