“FIDDLER’S CURSE” SOLVES THE MYSTERY BEHIND FLORIDA’S WORLD-FAMOUS TRAIN TUNE

New book reveals the extraordinary story behind one of the 20^th century’s most popular songs

 Order Yours Now

ORLANDO, FLA., July 2, 2007 -- One of the most bizarre stories in all of popular music is the story behind Orange Blossom Special, arguably the century’s best-known fiddle tune as well as one of the most-performed songs of the 20th century and a signature hit for the late Johnny Cash.

In a newly released book, Florida-based author Randy Noles investigates the lives of the two men credited with authoring the song, which salutes a legendary streamlined passenger train.

The book, Fiddler’s Curse: The Untold Story of Ervin T. Rouse, Chubby Wise, Johnny Cash and the Orange Blossom Special (Centerstream Publishing, $14.95), reveals the luckless Rouse to be the sole author.

Rouse, who endured tragedy, alcoholism and mental illness, spent his final years fiddling for tips in isolated taverns at the edge of the Everglades. Wise, who achieved fame as the seminal fiddler of the bluegrass era and the acclaimed author of the song, also struggled to overcome personal demons and heal the scars of childhood abuse and abandonment. Cash, the tortured superstar who made the Special a mainstream hit, quietly championed Rouse and earned the enmity of Wise following a perceived onstage slight.

“The book settles a longstanding authorship controversy over the song,” said Noles. “More importantly though, it offers a fascinating glimpse into the private lives of these brilliant but deeply flawed men and paints a vivid portrait of life as an itinerate musician in the 1930s and 1940s.”

Noles wrote Orange Blossom Boys, a critically acclaimed 2002 Centerstream Publishing release, regarding the song. However, after he dug deeper into the story and uncovered new information about Rouse, Wise and Cash’s connection to both men and to the song, he revised and updated Orange Blossom Boys for re-release as Fiddler’s Curse.

“In addition to telling a terrific yarn, this book is an important contribution to the literature of traditional American music,” says Ron Middlebrook, president of Centerstream Publishing. “Plus it validates the life of Ervin Rouse, who might otherwise have been forgotten. We’re very proud to be associated with this project.”

What the critics say:

“A delightful, engaging, well-written, thoroughly researched journey down the Seaboard Line with a great song and its creators…;a great book…would that we had many more like it in our field.”

-Ronnie Pugh, Historian and Author: Ernest Tubb: The Texas Troubador

“A mix of history and detective work steeped in Florida lore."

-The Orlando Sentinel

“A lively book…offers a fascinating glimpse into the country music scene during the Great Depression and the early days of bluegrass.

--Fiddler Magazine

“Written with extreme attention to detail and a knack for compelling storytelling…with characters almost to fantastic to be real.”

-Jacksonville Magazine

For interviews, please contact:

Randy Noles

407-895-7505

 

For review copies please contact:

Ron Middlebrook

Centerstream Publishing

centerstrm@aol.com