Mark Perzel
14 June 2024
42m 23s
Ryan B. Case: Mr. Bojangles, Dance
00:00
42:23
Best Part of the Book
In this episode, host Mark Perzel has a conversation with Ryan B. Case, the author of Mr. Bojangles, Dance: Jerry Jeff Walker, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the Song That Made Nixon Cry. Join us as we dive into the fascinating story behind this iconic song and the lives it touched.
LISTENER DISCOUNT CODE: BESTPART
Receive a 25% discount on Ryan's book on McFarland's website by using the coupon code BESTPART: mcfarlandbooks.com/product/mr-bojangles-dance
BOOK & DESCRIPTION:
Mr. Bojangles, Dance: Jerry Jeff Walker, Sammy Davis, Jr., and the Song That Made Nixon Cry, McFarland, softcover (2024) - www.mcfarlandbooks.com
Three men’s lives, told through the story of one song. Jerry Jeff Walker, the singer and writer behind the classic hit “Mr. Bojangles,” never would have expected that his song, inspired by an experience in a New Orleans jail cell, would make Richard Nixon cry, or that it would be covered by Sammy Davis, Jr., the entertainment giant and, controversially, a supporter of Nixon.
This work, told through the perspective of writer, performer and listener, traces these three men’s overlapping journeys through the American consciousness. Chapters discuss the history of Walker’s song, Davis’s rise from rags to riches, Nixon’s journey from grocer’s son to president, and more.
ABOUT Ryan B. Case
Ryan B. Case is a writer and musician and was the leader of the Americana band The Victrolas from 2005 to 2011. He lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and two persnickety cats.
- Website: www.ryanbcase.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ryatone/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanbcasesongs/
ABOUT MCFARLAND
McFarland, a leading independent publisher of academic and general-interest nonfiction books, is perhaps best known for the serious treatment of popular culture. Founded in 1979, we are recognized among authors and readers as adventurous in range and a reliable source of worthy books that other publishers overlook. We have about 7500 unique works for sale and each year we publish about 350 new titles. Meeting high library standards has been a major focus since the company began, and many McFarland books have received awards from the academic-oriented (e.g., Choice Outstanding Academic Title, ALA Outstanding Reference Work) to the mainstream (Hugo, Edgar, Stoker, and Eisner, among others). www.McFarlandBooks.com