The Jan & Dean Record — "Ugly Things" Review Excerpt
"An extraordinary book in which the sheer volume of minutiae combines to engulf the reader and immerse them completely in the world of Jan Berry. . . . The level of detail in the chronology is nothing short of astonishing. . . . The Jan & Dean Record can also be read as a conventional and thoroughly absorbing Berry biography. The chronology is fleshed out with large chunks of narrative text detailing the events of Berry’s life—and what a life it was, as compelling and, ultimately, tragic as anything you could find in fiction. Berry had it all. . . . He lived the first 25 years of his life in top gear, without any regard for rules or consequences. . . . He was a fine songwriter, and an exceptionally gifted arranger and producer. . . The details of [Jan’s] traumatic [car] accident are covered in scrupulous detail here for the first time. . . . The last three decades of his life, his efforts to make a living in the music industry, with and without Dean, make for sometimes depressing reading. . . . This book is an astounding monument to Berry’s many accomplishments, but also a heart-breaking cautionary tale about a life lived too fast. Beyond definitive, it raises the bar for the rock chronology format to a level that may never be surpassed."
Mike Stax, Ugly Things Magazine #42 — Wild Sounds from Past Dimensions
American Association for State and Local History Award of Merit - 2016
NASHVILLE, TN — June 2016 — The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) announced that Mark Anderson Moore, Jessica A. Bandel, Michael Hill, and the North Carolina Office of Archives & History received an Award of Merit for The Old North State at War: The North Carolina Civil War Atlas. This year, AASLH conferred sixty-three national awards honoring people, projects, exhibits, and publications. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history. Presentation of the awards will be made at a special banquet during the 2016 AASLH/MMA Annual Meeting in Detroit, Michigan, on Friday, September 16. The banquet is supported by a generous contribution from the History Channel.
Hal Blaine - A Message from the World's Most Famous Drummer
An amazing chronology. I’m completely amazed by this incredible book. This book should be in every music education section of all libraries. An entire world of Rock and Roll history and memorabilia awaits at your fingertips. I had the chills just reading this compilation of one of the greatest duos of the Rock and Roll era. . . . For me, just memories that make the hair on the back of my neck stand up among the goosebumps. The kids, as I refer to them, were just kids when I was first introduced to these wild and crazy guys. Not only contracting for them but also recording, dual drums, for Jan & Dean hits . . . hitting the road at times with them, on stage, and 'sort of' road managing. . . . They were teenage idols of the Rock world. Jan experimented with me and the great Earl Palmer on dual drums. . . . I was so proud to have been a part of their lives and their skyrocket ride to fame and fortune. You will read all about it, and all of their hits. . . . So get comfortable and enjoy their explosive ride. . . . Author Mark Moore worked for so many incredible years getting this special story perfect. No doubt a poignant film will emerge, perhaps worthy of an Oscar. Gratefully,
Hal Blaine, of the Wrecking Crew
