Famous Wisconsin Musicians featuring a foreword by Les Paul

Famous Wisconsin Musicians features 32 biographies of Wisconsin's most renowned artists, including Les Paul, Steve Miller, Liberace, Ben Sidran, Eric Benet, Carl Allen, Al Jarreau, Jeff Pilson of Dokken and Greg Graffin of Bad Religion. Plus, a collection of Wisconsin music trivia, referencing over 100 musicians. Special foreword written by the legendary Les Paul. Available now for $14.95, order a copy today at www.badgerbooks.com or www.famouswisconsin.com.

Book signing for Family Tradition at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville

Little did I imagine that when I flew to Nashville back in July of 2009 to do research for my book, Family Tradition-Three Generations of Hank Williams, that I would be returning two years later to do a book signing at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. When I visited there in 2009, I was overwhelmed by all the amazing items that the Family Tradition Exhibit had on display. Featured were personal items of Hank Sr.'s including several of his stage costumes, his Bible, and the simple leather suitcase that was in the backseat of the car with him on the night he died. There were also dozens of personal items belonging to

Audrey Williams, Hank Jr. and Hank III.

When my book was released in May 2011, I went to the BookExpo in New York City to do a book signing and several interviews. During my interview on NPR News, I was joined over the phone by Michael McCall, the curator of the Family Tradition Exhibit. During our interview, he was so impressed with my knowledge of Hank Sr., that he invited me to come to Nashville to do a book signing at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

While waiting to do my talk and signing on Friday, October 14, I was greeted my Michael, Ali Tonn and Colette Huff-Koch, who were all there to make sure my signing went smoothly. Right before the event, Michael introduced me to Patsy Bradley, daughter of the legendary producer, Owen Bradley. She stopped to say hello as did Warren Denny, who is a songwriter and close family friend of Hank III's. Warren told me that he enjoyed my book and said that I did a great job. That was a wonderful compliment and

meant a lot to me.

Among the attendees who bought books was a gentleman by the name of Ed who grew up down the street from Don Helms and his wife. Helms was the pedal steel guitar player and lifelong friend of Hank Sr.'s. Ed told me that he met Hank Sr. as a young child, who picked him up and told him that he had a boy at home about his size. Getting to shake his hand and sign a book for him was a real treat.

It was quite a challenge to write about a family that has had such an historical impact on the world of music, especially considering how many books had been written before mine. To see my book now displayed with the rest of the Family Tradition Exhibit merchandise at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will always be an honor. Thank you Michael, Ali, Colette, and all my rowdy friends from Wisconsin, Tamara Gleason, Dawnette Cook, and Brian and Sarah Bethke, who came all the way to Nashville to help me celebrate.

Rock and Roll Fantasy-My Life and Times with AC/DC, Van Halen and Kiss...

“Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy” is a center stage front row seat to the late seventies rock explosion seen through the eyes of rock journalist/radio host, Susan Masino. As associate editor of the Wisconsin music newspaper, The Emerald City Chronicle, Susan interviewed, worked and partied with dozens of bands including Kiss, Van Halen, Cheap Trick, Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Leslie West and Ted Nugent. Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy” also follows AC/DC’s rise to international fame from their first American tour in 1977 to the release of their 1980 tribute album to Bon Scott, Back In Black. Through her three year relationship with AC/DC roadie, Barry Taylor, she received dozens of phone calls and over thirty letters and postcards following their struggles from the inside-forging a bond with the band that still exists today .“Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy” also features over sixty rock photos including AC/DC, Van Halen, Kiss, Todd Rundgren, David Bowie and Ted Nugent, some never before published. Plus an audio recording of Susan’s first official interview with AC/DC in Milwaukee, WI on December 4, 1977 with all five members of the band, including the legendary Bon Scott. If you enjoyed Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous,” you’ll love “Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy.”

Now available as a download for $7.99 on Amazon's Kindle!

Bon Scott-...'' Just then a surly looking guy with dark hair and tattoos up and down his arms walked in, walked right up to me and yelled, “Sit!” I immediately sat down on the first available object I could find, which luckily was a chair. Then he poured two glasses of wine, walked over and handed me one and said, “Hi! I'm Bon Scott, you must be Sue.” ''...

Alex Van Halen-...'' Laughing wildly, he jumped back into the elevator, grabbed me and threw me out into the hallway demanding that I do the same thing. At this moment it looked as if Alex wasn't going anywhere for awhile, and it was unlikely that I could outrun him. ''...

Gene Simmons-...'' I was determined not to get caught alone by Gene, and I was running out of hallway. When I got to the end, he towered over me and I turned around and looked right into his tarantula. ''...

Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy reviews-

5/16/01- "I wanted to tell you that I loved the book. I got home last night and thought I would read a little of it and then save the rest for another time. I ended up reading the whole thing last night. I was like watching a movie. It was really cool to see the human side of some of these superstars." Scott A. Madison, WI

5/23/01- "I finished the book yesterday, and it was awesome. But I have to save some praise words for the review." Pekko P.-No Nonsense AC/DC Webzine Finland

5/31/01- "I received "Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy" in the mail last night and spent the whole day reading it at work. If I get fired, IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT! I thought it was fantastic and brought back a ton of great memories from the late ‘70’s." Wayne R. New Jersey

5/25/01- "This is a very cool read for a fan, and even though I know a lot about the band, I learned a few very interesting things...Nice insight on the "rock" business of a few years back...Loved the ‘77 interview! How amazing!" Arnaud D.-Electric Shock AC/DC Website New York, NY

6/2/01- "I just wanted to say that you did an incredible job with your "Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy" eBook! I have been a huge AC/DC fan since 1979 and I haven’t missed a tour since 1980...Thanks again for sharing all of your great memories with all of us rock ‘n’ rollers." Dave R. California

6/20/01- "You sent me a copy of your brilliant book! And I just wanted to say THANX! It was an enchanting read to say the least." Stefen E.-Powerage AC/DC Website Sweden

6/29/01- "I already received your book, is Great!!! Some photos are fantastic and your histories are very good. Thank you very good, thank you very much and congratulations for your work." Enrique D. Spain

6/29/01- "Just finished reading your book and think it’s a great read. In my review I of course mainly focused on the Kiss chapter, and I’m sure my readers will be very interested in the book." Joop V. -Kiss Kollector Website Holland

7/22/01- Susan, I just finished reading your book. Terrific! Thank you for writing it and sharing all that great material with us fans. I became an AC/DC fan a couple years after Bon passed on, so it was especially great to hear about their exploits during the 70's and that "interview" with the band is hilarious. Good stuff. You are fortunate to have had such a connection with all of those great musicians. Best wishes and thanks again! Stephen S. California

7/18/01 A thoroughly fascinating account of rock journalist Susan Masino's coverage of AC/DC as well as many other legends of the classic rock era. Includes her first interview (MP3 format) with AC/DC (and Bon) from 1977. If you liked "Almost Famous", you're going to love this! Steve AC/DC Links at the Milarius Mansion

8/15/01 Usually these kinds of books are dishing the dirt. Well, this is NOT! I have to admit that I haven't had such a good reading experience in ages. The book tells Susan Masino's tale, how she became a (pioneering female) rock journalist. And of course meeting her favourite groups, AC/DC, Van Halen, KISS, Ted Nugent, Cheap Trick, etc. Pekko No Nonsense/Finland 

Family Tradition-Three Generations of Hank Williams

Family Tradition-Three Generations of Hank Williams

Covering three generations of Hank Williams, Family Tradition is both unique and vast in scope. Beginning in the present day with Hank III - who gave the author unprecedented access - and time-traveling across the years, this examines just what kind of rebel mojo inspired this crazed family of country music, from Hank Sr. - often regarded as one of the most influential of American musicians - to Hank Jr., to this year's model, Hank III, who has somehow found a way to reconcile his legacy's deep-rooted twang and high-lonesome sound with particularly searing strains of punk and heavy metal, launching an all-out war with traditional Nashville in the process.

Review available at www.savingcountrymusic.com.

Order a copy today at http://www.amazon.com/, http://www.barnesandnoble.com/, and http://www.halleonard.com/.

About the Author

Susan Masino is the author of Let There Be Rock -The Story of AC/DC, which is now published in ten languages. Susan has been a rock journalist for over thirty years. She also teaches a continuing education program on the History of Rock and Roll for the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Susan appears in the Van Halen DVD, The Early Years and AC/DC's Let There Be Rock, the movie.