By: Franklin Bruno

His sound was brawny, guttural, and tremendously expressive.

By: Brian Berger

Superior technique and intellect plus searing emotionalism.

By: Tor Aarestad

He takes onto himself all of our evil urges and failings.

By: Mark Kingwell

Without him there would be no Nashville scene.

By: Mimi Lipson

The sophist­ication of Jones’s voice has never dimin­ished its authen­ticity.

By: Matthew Battles

The African legacy of the father of country music.

By: Tom Nealon

“I need to start writing pieces about other people’s problems.”

By: Brian Berger

“We play unsegregated music.”

By: Deb Chachra

Gay themes, bondage, and erotica wrapped in catchy melodies.

By: Tom Nealon

M.C.A.’s in the back because he’s skeezin’ with a whore? No more.

By: Adam McGovern

Her music is the model and message of accom­moda­tion without com­promise

By: Brian Berger

“Ah, yes, the Hankenstein.”

By: Franklin Bruno

“I use all my skills to make situations as chaotic as possible.”

By: Brian Berger

“Ladies and gentlemen, watch Ruth!”

By: Adam McGovern

Immortal, like a surgical version of H. Rider Haggard’s SHE.