Nashville Chrome

Nashville Chrome (2010) by Rick Bass. Nashville Chrome is a novel, but it's about real people. "Nashville Chrome" is a catch-phrase that was used back in the '50s and '60s to describe the country music sound of the Browns, a trio of siblings who grew up dirt poor end ended up challenging Elvis for supremacy on the music charts. The Browns -- Maxine, Jim Ed and Bonnie -- were full-on country, but their sound featured highly polished harmonies which were unmatched anywhere in popular music. Even the Beatles tried to take a lesson in harmonizing from the Browns, but were never able to equal them. The book follows the rise and fall of the Browns, and their virtual enslavement by a record industry executive and agent named Fabor Robinson. Fabor signed them early to an exclusive contract, and grew rich off the fruits of their labors. He made them famous, as he had promised, but he did not share the wealth that they generated with them. Later, rock 'n' roll made the Browns irrelevant. Jim Ed and Bonnie adjusted, but Maxine never could accept the passing of fame. Their story is not only interesting in itself, but is told in flowing, poetic prose by author Bass, who really only goes astray when he is telling the story of Maxine's dotage. This is not a "true story"; it is a novel based on real people. It's a great read. Grade: A-