Mary Ellen Pethel, Ph.D. and Don Cusic, "Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story"

Throughout her career, Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon skillfully balanced her dual roles as Minnie and Sarah. Whether at the Opry, on the road, or on Hee Haw, Minnie remained a trusted friend to female performers like Dolly Parton, Tanya Tucker, and Reba McEntire. As k.d. lang noted, "Minnie understood where country music needed to go and who it needed to embrace. She was a visionary." Rich with 155 historic photographs, this definitive biography covers the many chapters of Sarah Cannon's life. Drawing from archives and interviews with those who knew her, Howdy! The Minnie Pearl Story captures not only Cannon's enduring humor and impact, but also the woman behind the laughter.

This event is part of our TN Writers | TN Stories series. Readings and discussions take place in the Digital Learning Center at the Tennessee State Museum. All events include an opportunity to purchase books through the Museum store and get them signed by the author. If you show your Eventbrite ticket you will receive a 10% discount on your book purchase in the Museum Store.

About

Mary Ellen Pethel is an associate professor and academic leader at Belmont University, where she directs key interdisciplinary and global initiatives. An award-winning author of six books on education, women, and sports, her most recent work is Title IX, Pat Summitt, and Tennessee's Trailblazers. As a public historian, she served as a consultant and cast member for the documentary Facing the Laughter: Minnie Pearl. Pethel also leads Nashville Sites as executive director and is an archivist at Harpeth Hall School.

Don Cusic is the Curb Professor of Music Industry History at Belmont University, where he teaches in the music business program and serves as a leading scholar of American popular music. The author of nearly thirty books, his work has shaped the field of country music studies for over three decades. His recent titles include Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar and The Nashville Sound: An Illustrated Timeline. Cusic also worked on the Ken Burns documentary Country Music and serves as editor of the International Journal of Country Music.

Mary Beth Pruett was born in Centerville, Tennessee, and grew up on a farm just outside town, the farm where she lives today. She knew from the time she was a child that she wanted to be a writer. That path diverged into library work, and she was director of the county public library for almost 40 years. In her spare time, she raised and showed Tennessee Walking Horses and continued to write. After retirement and during the pandemic, she renewed her desire to write, using her blog "Sit a Spell with Mary" to communicate with readers. She lives in the old farmhouse she grew up in, where she raises Collies takes care of her horses. She also volunteers with the Hickman County Historical Society and serves as county historian.