NEW ORLEANS (press release) – The Garden District Book Shop is thrilled to announce that author Brian Fairbanks will be at the shop June 4 for the launch of his new book “Willie, Waylon, and the Boys: How Nashville Outsiders Changed Country Music Forever.” 

“Willie, Waylon and the Boys” is the tragic and inspiring story of the leaders of Outlaw country and their influence on today’s Alt-County and Americana superstars, tracing a path from Waylon Jennings’ survival on the Day the Music Died through to the Highwaymen and on to the current creative and commercial explosion of Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlile, Zach Bryan, Jason Isbell, and the Highwomen.

Fairbanks draws a line from Buddy Holly through the Outlaw stars of the 60s and 70s, all the way to the country headliners and more diverse, up-and-coming Nashville rebels of today, bringing the reader deep into the worlds of not only Cash, Nelson, Kristofferson, and Jennings but artists like Chris Stapleton, Simpson, Bingham, and Isbell, stadium-filling masters whose stories have not been told in book form, as well as new, diverse artists like the Highwomen, Brittney Spencer, and Allison Russell. Thought-provoking and meticulously researched, “Willie, Waylon and the Boys” ultimately shows how a twenty-one-year-old bass-playing plane crash survivor helped changed the course of American music.

The evening will begin at 6:00 PM and feature live music by Conor Donohue, Glizzie’s hot dogs and happy hour offerings. Fairbanks will then sit down to regale guests with the history of “Willie, Waylon and the Boys” before answering guest’s questions. Afterwards, he will be available to personalize copies of his book. 

Entry to the event is free and open to the public but the shop encourages interested parties to RSVP to ensure entry and reserve a copy of the book on Eventbrite as space is limited. Additional copies will be available to purchase.