Alaskan Fiddling Poet, Ken Waldman comes to Book Beat on Sunday, September 10, from 3-4 pm. Joining Ken will be musician and writer Tony Muggs, a very popular local rock and blues player with a compelling story. He will present his recent book and LP titled Autobiograffitti. This is the first time we’ve had these two author/musicians present their stories at the bookstore. Book Beat is located at 26010 Greenfield in Oak Park, at the Lincoln Shopping Center.For more information call us at: 248-968-1190.
“The description “Alaska’s Fiddling Poet” conjures up the expectation of a truly unique character. And Ken Waldman seems to live up to the hype. He looks like a professor — because he was; not a stereotypical Alaskan outdoorsman — because he isn’t.”
—Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Ken Waldman is celebrating the release of his debut novel, Now Entering Alaska Time, recently published by Ridgeway Press of Roseville. It’s Ken Waldman’s tenth book published by Ridgeway Press. Previously, Ridgeway Press has published eight volumes of Trump Sonnets, Waldman’s ongoing satire of the former president.
“Ken Waldman’s Now Entering Alaska Time offers a glimpse of an Alaska you won’t find anywhere else. Those who have lived here will recognize these characters and want to experience this world for themselves. Waldman’s debut novel lingers in your mind like a good folk song, and leaves you humming. A unique blend of heart-break and tragedy, comedy and drama, Waldman delivers an unforgettable and fun read. The 49th State changes people, and after reading Now Entering Alaska Time you’ll understand why time here is unlike any other place on the planet.”
–Don Reardon, author of The Raven’s Gift and Without a Paddle.
Since 2005, Ken Waldman has combined Appalachian-style string-band music, original poetry, and Alaska-set storytelling for a performance uniquely his. He has twenty books (including sixteen full-length poetry collections and this brand-new North American edition of his recent novel), twelve CDs (which include two for children), and since 1995 has appeared at the widest range of venues, from the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage to the famed Dodge Poetry Festival to the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, Australia. Reviewers have compared his stage show to John Hartford and Garrison Keillor. The event here in Oak Park is sandwiched between other Michigan and Ohio September dates, and includes stops at the Valentine Theatre in Toledo and the downtown Detroit Public Library.
The Denver Post has called Ken Waldman’s shows “Renegade Americana” and according to The Austin Chronicle, his appearances are “Like a Ken Burns movie . . . Always recommended.” Ken Waldman promises an afternoon that’s not only fun, inspiring, and surprising, but is also a soundtrack to a journey from Oak Park to the Real Alaska. It’s also the perfect show for anyone who enjoys old-time fiddling.
If you’ve ever traveled to Alaska, this show will be like a return trip. If you’ve never been, this show will take you there, bring you home, and by the end you may just be ready to plan a trip north for real.
Photo of Tony Muggs by Patrick Minjeur
About Tony Muggs:
Tony has been a local Detroit musician for the past 30 years. He started his musical journey in the early 1990’s at the age of 18 by picking up an acoustic guitar and learning any Beatles song he could get his hands on. In 2000, he and bandmate Danny Muggs formed their blues rock trio The Muggs. On September 4th 2001, Tony had a hemorrhagic stroke that nearly ended his life. He was only 28 years old. After two years of intensive rehab, Tony was able to rejoin The Muggs however this time around supplanting his bass guitar with a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass having lost all motor function in his right hand. The result was a stellar career with The Muggs spanning over 20 years, 6 full length albums, several tours of Europe, licensing/publishing opportunities in commercials, movies, and multiple Detroit Music Awards, both individual and band related.
Here is a short interview with Tony from the Metro Times.
Autobiograffitti is a self-reflective, self-deprecating and honest autobiography by Tony Muggs, revealing his life and passion as a musician while also navigating being a stroke survivor. Growing up on the Eastside of Detroit, Tony interweaves memories of his youth and lifelong journey on the Detroit music scene with his blues rock band, The Muggs. Here is a story of perseverance and having the will to never give up and to follow your dreams no matter what it takes.