Hawkins traces the development of Nashville as the dominant city in the country music industry from the period of 1945 to 1955. He tells the story of record companies, studios, DJs, and other music promoters, and some musicians. He interviewed many pioneers based in Nashville and relates the story through the viewpoint of local companies such as Bullet Records, Dot Records, Hickory Records, and small labels. A CD containing 20 songs as examples of musical styles is provided. Record label listings (including all the records issued on independent labels during the period), and indexes of song titles, names, and places, are included. B&w photos are incorporated throughout. Hawkins is co-author of Good Rockin' Tonight: Sun Records and the Birth of Rock `n' Roll. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)