James J. Patterson to Write Liner Notes for New Country Rock Record
The North Star Band, formerly managed by ASP's own James J. Patterson, release a new LP, Then and Now
James J. Patterson, famed himself in the music world for his onstage-persona, Jimmy Pheromone, writes the liner notes for the new North Star Band album Then and Now. The North Star Band was formed in the 1970s by Patterson's erstwhile co-writer and co-performer Al Johnson (Al Pheromone). After recording two albums under the Patterson's management, the band went on a long hiatus from which they only recently returned. However, during this period, a third album was recorded but not released.
That recording sessions forms the bedrock of the reunited band's new double LP, Then and Now, which collects the previously unreleased album as well as 10 new songs in a genre the band calls "kick-ass country."
Fortunately, James J. Patterson remains connected with the project. But, instead of managing the band and booking shows, he plies a new talent to helping the boys soar: writing. Since his Jimmy Pheromone days, Patterson has released two books through ASP, a collection of essays (Bermuda Shorts) and a novel (Roughnecks). His newest project, Junk Shop Window, a collection of personal essays, is slated for release in 2023.
An article in the Washington Post details the history and regrouping of the band, and this article features an interview with band members while drawing heavily from Patterson's liner notes. You can find tour info on the band's website here.
Reflections on my First AWP; or, Sleepless in SeaTac
ASP Intern and Washington College Senior Eylie Sasajima on Her First AWP Conference
An interview with the late, great Linda Pastan
Along the indifferent corridors / of space, angels could be hiding,” Linda Pastan wrote in her poem “Muse.” ASP honors the legacy of Linda Pastan (1932–2023), a former Poet Laureate of Maryland, who passed away last week. Pastan was the author of the 2018 poetry book A Dog Runs Through It, which won the Towson University Literary Award.
Here’s to 2022! And Here’s a Sale…
2022 was a big year for ASP and our writers. In March, we had a booth at the annual AWP Conference, and our offsite reading, featuring authors Saida Agostini, Dave Housley, Elizabeth Hazen, and Richard Peabody, along with special guests Teri Ellen Cross Davis and Leslie Pietrzyk, had a standing-room-only audience packed with literary stars.