March 5, 2007-- In conjunction with the Delta Blues Symposium XIII: The Sixties, Arkansas State University’s Department of English & Philosophy will sponsor a special panel on music biography and autobiography focused on the lives of musicians active in the 1960s from the fields of country, pop, blues, and rhythm and blues. This special panel, “Musical (Auto)Biographies,” will convene on Saturday, March 31, at 11 a.m. in the Mockingbird Room of the Student Union. The panel, like all symposium events, is free and open to the public. Delta Blues Symposium XIII runs from Thursday, March 29-Saturday, March 31 on the ASU campus.

Country and pop star Maxine Brown will be on hand to discuss her autobiography, “Looking Back to See: A Country Music Memoir” (University of Arkansas Press: 2005). As a part of her family singing group, The Browns, Maxine saw the top of the pop and country charts with hits like "The Three Bells," "Scarlet Ribbons (For Her Hair)," and "The Old Lamplighter."  Over the years, she has crossed paths with many in the music business, including a young Elvis Presley.

Writer and filmmaker Robert Gordon will discuss his biography of the legendary blues performer who was born McKinley Morganfield in “Can’t Be Satisfied: The Life and Times of Muddy Waters.” Gordon is also author of “It Came from Memphis” and of “Lost Delta Found.”  In addition to his participation on this panel, he will serve as conference keynote speaker.

Writer, folklorist, and musician Ben Sandmel will discuss his work in progress, a biography of the legendary New Orleans rhythm and blues pioneer Ernie K-Doe, an excerpt of which was selected for DaCapo’s Best Music Writing series. Sandmel is author of “Zydeco!” (University Press of Mississippi, 1999). He is also the long-time drummer and manager for the Hackberry Ramblers.

Delta Blues Symposium XIII is sponsored by the Department of English and Philosophy at ASU. It brings together scholars, students, performers, writers, and visual artists to examine the Delta, consider its problems, and celebrate its cultures. For further information, contact the Department of English and Philosophy at (870) 972-3043 or visit the website: www.clt.astate.edu.

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