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.
James J. Patterson Discusses his Favorite Early Feminists on episode 9 of LFTRR
In this episode of Live from the Reading Room, James J. Patterson discusses two of his favorite early feminist icons, Bertha Von Suttner and Adrienne Lecouvreur.
Rose Reads #9 Heralds the Good Works of SFWP
On this special episode of Rose Reads, Rose Solari discusses books from fellow small press, Santa Fe Writer’s Project, run by publisher, Andrew Gifford. Rose reads from two wonderful books, Wendy J. Fox’s If the Ice had Held and eightball by Elizabeth Geoghegan.
Episode 8 of LFTRR Explains the “First Page Test”
James J. Patterson is the reluctant scholar and on this episode of LFTRR he reads the from his essay of the same name. He also reads from books that have passed his “First Page Test” including “Night Train to Lisbon” by Pascal Mercier, “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Muse” by Jessie Burton, “The Tropic of Cancer” by Henry Miller, and “Confessions” by Jean-Jaques Rousseau.