Nothing tells a story better than the story-songs of country music. A GUITAR AND A PEN presents, for the first time, the literary work of some of the best storytellers in the world: the songwriters who cut and polish tales down to sparkling three-minute gems. A blend of fiction and nonfiction, humor and poignancy, these tales range from Kris Kristofferson's charming tale of how an explicit natural rock formation causes chaos in a small farming town, to the true story of Bluegrass founder Bill Monroe's first visit to the White House as told by Hazel Smith, to Charlie Daniels character-driven fable of money and unhappiness, to Gary Nicholson's riveting tale of an albino African American singer/songwriter who inspired him to be a musician. A celebratrion of music and storytelling, other contributors include Hal Ketchum, Janis Ian, Mark D. Sanders, Tom T. Hall, Marshall Chapman, and Robert Hicks, among many other notable Nashville luminaries.

Country songs have always told the best stories and no one--really, no one--has ever done it better than Nashville. --B. B. King
A GUITAR AND A PEN is a wonderful vehicle to show that songwriters possess a creative dimension that extends way beyond their musical creations...fascinating and refreshing! --Barton Herbison, Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Association Int'l
A GUITAR AND A PEN is long overdue. But I feel like I do when I hear a great song: I sure wish it had been my idea! --Bill Anderson, legendary songwriter, Country Music Hall of Fame member

Robert Hicks is the ultimate insider in the country music industry. As a music publisher, his company launched the careers of some of Nashville's best-loved singer-songwriters. He is the bestselling author of The Widow of the South.