What I’m taking away from this piece is -- a person writing from the heart, about an author who wrote from the heart, about performers who performed from their hearts.
My god, I think I'll never write again. Ever, ever, ever. My heart is pounding, and I mean that literally. I feel as if I've been lifted into the air and the words up there are rarified and other-worldly and maybe not even real.
That is some damn fine writing and I can't believe I've never read Dave Hickey before. I'll have to proceed with caution now, and if I find the courage to read him at all, it'll have to be in small doses. Like this.
I'm still recovering, still trying to breathe. I don't even know what I'm saying.
Thanks for sharing this as I'd never heard of Dave Hickey and his writing and perspectives made me sit up and take notice.
Does Dave write about Dolly's music? We know she's 'purty' and a woman of the people, but I'd love to see his take on her art in the same way that he illuminated what makes Richard Pryor so compelling.
My wife and I are living in Pryor's hometown of Peoria now, so I really appreciated reading that insightful description of his work. There is a statue of Pryor downtown by the amazing local artist, sculptor, and jazz guitarist, Preston Jackson. Everyone should check him out.
Thank you, Thank you, Ted, I'm a huge Dave Hickey fan (after he died I got a hold of everything of his I could read—and even loved his short stories), and I love what you are doing here, too, for all of us: Keep it coming!
I'm both grateful and wholly intimidated by the discovery of Dave Hickey. His words make you want to simultaneously strive to be a better writer and also put away the pen forever. Thank you (and also damn you) for introducing this book to our community.
I just want to report I got the 30th anniversary and I love it all, especially my favorite item: the Dave Hicky potholder—YAY! I'd post the pic but I don't think I can do that here. LOVE IT!
I enjoyed this very much and am grateful for an introduction to Mr. Hicks’ writing. In the Parton piece, talking about the meet & greet after the show (without a second-mortgage-priced VIP ticket necessary) reminds me that I see this very often today, certainly by local & regional acts. Some venues seem to either encourage or require it as well. I have made some dear friends from this process; friendships that never would have blossomed had they run for the van directly after the show.
As for Dolly, well, she’s got to be the sweetest superstar we’ll ever see. If there were ever a role model...
Oh my goodness -- Invisible Dragon saved me during my PhD in the 90s, when academia and writing programs were making me physically ill. My love for that book! Thanks for letting me know about the new edition (tho I think I also have the 2009 one). That moment, where the genuine niceness of Dolly and her fans drives him out into the lobby for a smoke ... oh my.
What I’m taking away from this piece is -- a person writing from the heart, about an author who wrote from the heart, about performers who performed from their hearts.
My god, I think I'll never write again. Ever, ever, ever. My heart is pounding, and I mean that literally. I feel as if I've been lifted into the air and the words up there are rarified and other-worldly and maybe not even real.
That is some damn fine writing and I can't believe I've never read Dave Hickey before. I'll have to proceed with caution now, and if I find the courage to read him at all, it'll have to be in small doses. Like this.
I'm still recovering, still trying to breathe. I don't even know what I'm saying.
1. I suspect that Dave Hickey may in fact have been a cat, or at least he wanted to be a cat.
2. I have often read and heard that whatever else Dolly Parton is, she is genuinely nice and unfailingly polite to those around her.
Thanks for sharing this as I'd never heard of Dave Hickey and his writing and perspectives made me sit up and take notice.
Does Dave write about Dolly's music? We know she's 'purty' and a woman of the people, but I'd love to see his take on her art in the same way that he illuminated what makes Richard Pryor so compelling.
My wife and I are living in Pryor's hometown of Peoria now, so I really appreciated reading that insightful description of his work. There is a statue of Pryor downtown by the amazing local artist, sculptor, and jazz guitarist, Preston Jackson. Everyone should check him out.
Long live heart art
Thank you, Thank you, Ted, I'm a huge Dave Hickey fan (after he died I got a hold of everything of his I could read—and even loved his short stories), and I love what you are doing here, too, for all of us: Keep it coming!
This essay and the excerpts are brilliant and thought-provoking.
I will look for a copy of "The Invisible Dragon". Hickey sounds like the kind of person you would want to bounce ideas off of.
Oh, hell yeah. Yes.
Amen.
I'm both grateful and wholly intimidated by the discovery of Dave Hickey. His words make you want to simultaneously strive to be a better writer and also put away the pen forever. Thank you (and also damn you) for introducing this book to our community.
Thanks for this Ted. Like so many others here I had never heard of Dave Hickey. He writes with soul.
Thank you for introducing me to Dave Hickey. Ordered the book. Great Article. Thank you.
I just want to report I got the 30th anniversary and I love it all, especially my favorite item: the Dave Hicky potholder—YAY! I'd post the pic but I don't think I can do that here. LOVE IT!
I enjoyed this very much and am grateful for an introduction to Mr. Hicks’ writing. In the Parton piece, talking about the meet & greet after the show (without a second-mortgage-priced VIP ticket necessary) reminds me that I see this very often today, certainly by local & regional acts. Some venues seem to either encourage or require it as well. I have made some dear friends from this process; friendships that never would have blossomed had they run for the van directly after the show.
As for Dolly, well, she’s got to be the sweetest superstar we’ll ever see. If there were ever a role model...
Oh my goodness -- Invisible Dragon saved me during my PhD in the 90s, when academia and writing programs were making me physically ill. My love for that book! Thanks for letting me know about the new edition (tho I think I also have the 2009 one). That moment, where the genuine niceness of Dolly and her fans drives him out into the lobby for a smoke ... oh my.