Back in the Saddle Again/ 2nd Run of “The Mandolin Case” now available
Last night my agent notified me that my book is back in print and can again be ordered from Amazon. (and other locations) We’re back in the saddle again. He said it has now been sold in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and Australia, and of course here at home. I’ve had readers from Israel and Turkey e-mail to say they’ve ordered it. When I started I wasn’t sure I’d sell eight books, but to be in eight countries!? I can’t understand it all.
It has already been a most unusual ride. In real life I’m just what I have told y’all I am, a country doctor who plays mandolin on his weekends off. I am slightly above average and have a fine wife, two kids, and a mutt dog. I live in a mundane suburban home. If it weren’t for my weekend gig with the bluegrass crowd, all I’d have to write about would be retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, which would bore everyone so bad I’d have no readers left.
But I do have my music. When the 5:00 train whistle blows, I turn into an artist. I can’t help it. It lets me remember youth, but without all the troubles that go along with inexperience. It reminds me of October mornings on my grandmother’ s farm when I’d write stories and get those little blue ribbons at school the next day. With my writing, I have found all kinds of new friends. I like to believe my words have encouraged a few people along the way.
The thought of bluegrass being read about in all those countries moves me. A large part of what I wanted to do was bring this music to new people. I didn’t see how folks could read about Indie and Bones and not want to know more about why we are so passionate about our music. My dream is that people will come to understand the “power of music to heal” and put aside their differences. You can’t waste too much energy hating people and learn to play the fiddle; that thing is a beast. (Indie was a fine fiddler) The doctor part of my brain is practical enough to know the process will never be finished, but the artist and dreamer in me has to keep trying.
We’re back in the saddle again. I don’t have any idea where the ride will take me, but I’m gonna follow the bluegrass road wherever it leads. It isn’t a matter of choice; I have to.
If y’all love bluegrass or just like “The Mandolin Case” go over and give me a five-star rating on Amazon. It helps the cause. If you don’t like it just tell ’em John Doe wrote it, whoever he is. He’s famous and you won’t hurt his feelings.
Dr. B
Tags: 2nd edition books
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
July 9, 2010 at 6:53 am
I’ve reviewed quite a few books for Amazon, but don’t think I ever took so much pleasure in a review as I did “The Mandolin Case”….bluegrass for the masses. 🙂
July 9, 2010 at 7:07 am
Carmen,
The reason you dug it is ’cause you are true bluegrass. It looks like at least some of the rest of the world might hop on board.
Dr. B
July 9, 2010 at 6:57 am
Congrads on being back in stock. Kind of surreal being out of stock so quick, maybe Amazon did not have a big enough order. Maybe they learned their lesson. Good to see you at the Red, White and Blue. Glad I was able to pick up my copy and thanks for signing it “Limited Edition” I’m never going to sell it, but it is nice to know I have a collector’s item that is priceless in the cab of my truck.
July 9, 2010 at 7:09 am
Billy,
Bless your heart. The thought of my little book riding around the country with you, and you telling folks about it and Red White and Bluegrass is almost more than I can imagine.
Dr. B
July 9, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Ok, Doc…..someone from Israel bought your book…….my mind is wondering on this one(not a bad thing)?
July 9, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Smitty,
Who knows, maybe bluegrass will lead to peace in the Middle East. (okay gotta dream)
Off for Alison Brown’s show. Need to get with you about a trip to Saltillo just before IBMA. Might call around Sunday when things slow down.
Dr. B
July 9, 2010 at 10:19 pm
You definitely have helped encourage me as I continue my journey to become a published author (one day, soon haha).
I found that you can’t waste energy with hate, period. Life is too short for that.. 🙂
July 10, 2010 at 5:37 am
Melissa,
If figure if it can happen for old Doc, we all have hope and dreams will come true. Keep at it young lady.
Dr. B
July 10, 2010 at 4:51 pm
There’s another Israeli besides me, Dr. B? Gee, I want to find him or her so we can have a good long chat about your book!!!
It’s now in my hands, Doc, and I’m a third of the way through it. When I got the package from Amazon and opened it, I started getting teary, because I could just feel and see the work and time and effort and soul you’ve put into writing this true novel, and it means so much to me that I’ve been able to witness some of it along the way.
I still can’t believe that after a year and a half of waiting for your book, I’ve got it, I’m reading it, and I love it!
July 11, 2010 at 6:02 am
slightly,
My friend you were the exact person person I had in mind when I typed that post. There may be others, but because of you I made it into eight countries instead of seven.
I sure hope you enjoy, ’cause you were my first young reader. You’ve been with me for the whole journey. Let me know whay you think when you finish it.
Dr. B
July 11, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Dr B. I’m a modest fan of bluegrass, but I also love to learn about real people who live the music, so I for one, am overjoyed you’ve written this book. Diversity is a precious thing and music is a beautiful way to express it. Put all that in a good book and I’m in heaven.
July 12, 2010 at 5:20 am
Sharon,
I played a lot of music along the way, and chose it as my vehicle to help frame the story, but I hope it has a universal message that crosses over into other artistic genres.
I wanted to show that while people are of diverse backgrounds and cultures, deep down inside we are all the same; we are all human. I wanted to show why community, friendship, and loyalty are so important.
I think you will like Bones. He is a smart but not brilliant boy who loved old Indie. Like a medical Columbo, Bones stumbled into the right answers, not so much ’cause he was smart, but he was so earnest and sincere.
Dr. B