New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Ronnie McDowell, known for decades of hit songs and genuine warmth that fills seats again and again, opens up about his illustrious music career in his new autobiography, "'Bringing It To You Personally," available for preorder now.
"Bringing It To You Personally," which includes more than 100 photos, captures McDowell's personal and career triumphs, as well as life lessons he's endured throughout four decades as an entertainer. McDowell's autobiography chronicles the moment he came out of nowhere to dazzle the world with his heartfelt and self-penned tribute song, "The King Is Gone," in honor of Elvis Presley's death.
"My fans have been asking me to write a book for more than 20 years. I have always said it would probably not happen, but last year I thought maybe the time was right to tell the real story of my life," McDowell said.
The young man from Portland, Tennessee quickly proved that he wasn't just a one-hit wonder after "The King is Gone." From that single onward, McDowell charted more than thirty Top 40 hits on the Billboard country music charts. Two of his singles, "Older Women" and "You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation," reached No. 1 on the country charts, while eleven more reached Top Ten. He has also released more than twenty studio albums.
McDowell often tours with Elvis Presley's original sidemen
Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana along with
Millie Kirkham and The Jordanaires staging a tribute to Elvis Presley's music. The legendary
Scotty Moore, Elvis' original guitar player, also raved about McDowell's autobiography, "If you are a Ronnie fan, if you are an Elvis fan or if you happen to be a
Scotty Moore fan…you need to read this book."
The book's foreword is written by one of Ronnie's best friends, The Jordanaires' Ray Walker:
(book excerpt) "Ronnie is so loved by everyone who works with him. And none more than me. You've heard of people who are joined at that hip? Ronnie and I are joined at the heart. In the Bible, Jesus says, 'There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother'...and that is Ronnie McDowell," said Ray Walker of The Jordanaires.
'Bringing It To You Personally' also includes McDowell's personal stories about his friendships with everyone from to
George Jones to tourmate Conway Twitty.
"I have been able to work with and get to know just about everyone in country music. And I am able to share my memories of those special times and special people." McDowell adds, "There are some funny stories about a lot of the country stars. And yes, I name names!"
McDowell scored a Top 10 hit with "It's Only Make Believe," a duet with Conway Twitty on what had been Twitty's breakthrough rock and roll hit in 1958. Conway Twitty fans will also love Ronnie's memories of seven years on the road with Conway.
"I have so many memories of Conway and they are all in here, going from the first time I met him to the very last words he said to me before he died," McDowell said.
For more information on "Bringing It To You Personally," visit ronniemcdowellbook.com. Follow Ronnie McDowell on Facebook and Twitter.
RONNIE MCDOWELL ON TOUR:
Jan. 29 The Palace Theater - Gallatin, TN
Jan. 30 The Palace Theater - Gallatin, TN
Feb. 13 The Lodge at Blue Ridge Summit - Blue Ridge Summit, PA
Feb. 14 Rosedale American Legion - Rosedale, MD
Feb. 19 Bottling Pant Event Center - Opelika, Ala.
Feb. 21 Converse College - Spartanburg, S.C.
Feb. 27 My Time Cafe - Portland, Tenn.
March 11 Tennessee
Armour - Red Boiling Springs, Tenn.
March 12 Tennessee
Armour - Red Boiling Springs, Tenn.
April 16 The Roxy Theater - Russellville, Ala.
April 30 Marian Cocke's
Elvis Presley Charity Event - Fulton, Miss.
May 13 Old King Coal Festival - West Frankfort, Ill.
May 14 Strawberry Festival - Portland, TN
July 15 The Canadian Bluemoon Elvis Festival Barriere, B.C. Canada
ABOUT RONNIE MCDOWELL:
Like all great entertainers, Ronnie McDowell has a personality that remains luminous long after the lights go dim. These qualities have inspired a nationwide network of fan-clubs with more than 3,000 members, each one a devoted promoter of everything McDowell does. Following the death of
Elvis Presley in 1977, Ronnie McDowell came out of nowhere to dazzle the world with his heartfelt and self-penned tribute song "The King Is Gone" on the independent Scorpion label. The record took off immediately, gaining airplay on country and pop stations across the country and around the world. To date, "The King Is Gone" has sold more than five million. McDowell scored a second hit for the Scorpion label titled "I Love You, I Love You, I Love You" before being wooed and signed by CBS Records - Epic label in 1979. He continued to chart a string of hit singles and albums for Epic between 1979 and 1986. Every single release with the exception of just one became a Top 10 Hit including the chart toppers "Older Women" and "You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputation." Other hits during his Epic years included "Watchin Girls Go By," "Personally," "You Made A
Wanted Man Of Me," "All Tied Up," and "In A New York Minute." He sought the advice of artists such as Conway Twitty who became, in essence, not only his mentor but his friend as well. Twitty helped the young singer with advice about touring, recording and most of all, entertaining fans. Twitty was certainly the master and Ronnie McDowell quickly became his prize pupil. Moving to Curb Records in 1986, his current label to date, McDowell scored a Top 10 hit with "It's Only Make Believe," a duet with Conway Twitty on what was Twitty's breakthrough hit from 1958. Two years later Ronnie teamed up with
Jerry Lee Lewis for a rocking duet that McDowell wrote titled,"You're Never Too Old To Rock N' Roll." He also recorded yet another Top 10 hit with his version of the pop standard "Unchained Melody," which also became a #1 country music video. His entertaining abilities soared and he began to draw larger crowds. He started appearing in larger venues and touring with artists such as Conway Twitty, Tammy Wynette and
Loretta Lynn before headlining his own shows. McDowell also achieved notoriety when he sang 36 songs on the soundtrack "Elvis," the Dick Clark-produced television movie that featured Kurt Russell as the performer. He also was the singing voice for the television movie "Elvis And Me", the ABC television series about the early years of Elvis' career titled simply "Elvis" as well as, the 1997 Showtime special "Elvis Meets Nixon." While
Elvis Presley has played a big part in Ronnie McDowell's musical career over the years, Ronnie continues to entertain audiences with his own blend of romantic intimacy and country excitement.
