'The Midnight Special' explores how prisons shaped American music from Lead Belly to Tupac
By
Daniel Ofman, Don Gonyea, Sarah Robbins
Summary
Author Colin Asher discusses his new book 'The Midnight Special: A Secret Prison History Of American Music', which traces how the American prison system and criminal justice system have shaped and exploited music — from Lead Belly and Johnny Cash to Tupac Shakur. The book explores the archetype of the outlaw/criminal in American music and how prison experiences have been both a creative wellspring and a source of manipulation.
Source
bsky'The Midnight Special' explores how prisons shaped American music from Lead Belly to Tupaciowapublicradio.orgKey quotes
· 3 pulledThere's a kind of character, an archetype that's deeply embedded in American music history - an outlaw, a gangster, a criminal, someone who's maybe served time.
There's an entire treasure trove of music that revolves around an artist's experience with prison.
In a new book, author Colin Asher traces some of that history and explores how it's been exploited and manipulated.
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