My Country: 50 Musicians on God, America & the Songs They Love »

MELANIE DUNEA is the author of My Last Supper and her photographs are regularly published in magazines such as Town & Country, Vanity Fair, People and New York Magazine. She lives in New York City.

Award-winning photographer and author of My Last Supper, Melanie Dunea traces the through-lines from country music’s gritty roots to the chart-topping chanteuses of today. My Country presents beautiful, imaginative, and revealing photographs of icons ranging from Taylor Swift to Wynonna Judd to Little Jimmy Dickens alongside interviews that reveal the stars’ musical roots and inspirations,

their defining moments, and what makes country music the heart and soul of America.

This unique book is a must-own (and a perfect gift) for fans of the old-time country twang and the millions who love the glitz and glamour of today’s country-pop. My Country is a music lover’s dream.

Publishers Weekly

Dunea (My Last Supper) is back with a celebration of a musical genre known for good ol' down-home God-fearing folk: country. She's assembled 50 musicians, both famous (Kenny Rogers) and obscure (Julianne Hough), in lavish full-color photo spreads. Though Dunea unfortunately asks the same questions of all involved, it's still interesting to discover that Clint Black would have been an astronaut if he hadn't gone into country, or that David Allen Coe doesn't "believe in the God that you're wanting me to think of," or that Rosanne Cash wishes she had written "Like a Rolling Stone." Had Dunea included stories behind these basic responses, she may have combated the redundancy. There are also some glaring omissions, like Dolly Parton, Lyle Lovett, and Loretta Lynn. But a short list of each performer's favorite songs almost makes up for the flaws (and Kris Kristofferson fans will be pleased to see how often "Help Me Make It Through the Night" appears). Timed for the holidays, Dunea's Country will likely find a home in some serious fans' stockings. Photos. (Nov.)