Published: May 10, 2008 08:59 pm            

What big-name Kentuckians are reading and listening to

It’s going by the book

— Johnny Cash



John Eckberg asked in his book “The Success Effect” what book business leaders had by their bedside and what music they were listening to.

I posed the questions to a number of well-known Kentuckians. (You can get the complete list of responses at www.donmcnay.com.

A clue to personality is how they responded to the question.

Judge Bill Clouse (Madison and Clark counties) selected books that reflected his passion for history and law. I was impressed by the manner in which he answered.

He responded well before my deadline. He neatly organized the list of books and directed where I could find more information about each.

If you ever show up in Judge Clouse’s courtroom, you had better be on time and you had better be prepared.

The most popular book was “Right of the Dial: The Rise of Clear Channel and the Fall of Commercial Radio” by Alec Foege. Joe Elliott at WHAS-84 in Louisville, Tom Leach, the voice of the University of Kentucky Wildcats and myself are reading that newly released book.

Tom and I had almost identical picks. One difference is that Tom listens to Earth Wind and Fire’s greatest hits. They won’t make my list. A band member kept trying to pick up my date during a concert. It’s been almost 30 years, but I still hold a grudge.

Bill Goodman, host of “Kentucky Tonight” and several other shows on KET, and Tom Leach were both listening to Allison Krauss. Goodman joins state Rep. Joni Jenkins from Louisville and myself as Bruce Springsteen fans.

Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson and Louisville attorney Bonita Black are both Harvard-educated (Bonita was a Kentucky undergrad and Harvard Law School; Trey was the opposite) and have heavy books on their reading list. However music is controlled by their children.

Bonita is listening to “Dora the Explorer” (a favorite of mine) while Trey is serenaded by Hannah Montana on the “Enchanted” soundtrack and “High School Musical 2” soundtrack.

When Trey seeks another office, he is a cinch to get the Disney lovers’ vote.

Mary Jo Perino, sports anchor at WLEX TV, says her life is dominated by her 2-year-old son. Her lead book was “Curious George” and music by “Giggly Wiggly Rhymes.”

Sports books were popular. WTVQ news anchor Don Hudson is reading “Pistol Pete,” a biography of Pete Maravich. Leach is reading “Sound and Fury” (about Ali and Cosell) by Dave Kindred.

Re-reading classics is a popular activity. Lexington Vice Mayor Jim Gray was re-reading “John Adams” and “Anna Karenina” and Joni Jenkins was re-reading “Truman.”

Inspiration books were on many lists. Don Hudson was reading “When Times are Tough by John Bytheway. Bonita Black read “In the Grip of Grace” and “Facing Your Giants,” both Max Lucado. Joni Jenkins was reading “Eat, Pray, Love” and Joe Elliot touted “Crashing Through: A True Story of Risk, Adventure,” and “The Man Who Dared to See” Robert Kurson.

Joe had Kurson on his radio program and Bill Goodman also is boning up for an interview. He is reading “Hezbollah” by Richard Norton. Norton, a noted Boston University professor, will be a guest on Bill’s “One to One show.”

Goodman and Judge Clouse had excellent books for Kentuckians. Goodman was reading “Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes” by Steve Flarity. It profiles the lives of 40 lesser-known Kentuckians that we should know more about. An example is Prestonsburg attorney John Rosenberg. I admire John and can’t wait to read about him and the others.

Judge Clouse is a big fan of “The Admirable Trumpeter: A Biography of General James Wilkinson” by Thomas Robson Hay and M.R. Werner. An important man in early Kentucky history.

My music selections are normally all over the place. For example, I quote a spiritually referenced Johnny Cash song this week, which followed the Rolling Stones, the Bee Gees and 50 Cent.

Wide-ranging taste was a common denominator. Although classic rock dominated the list, many selections were all over the map. Typical was Mary Jo Perino who along with “Giggly Wiggly Rhymes” goes for Kid Rock, James Taylor and a guy on American Idol.

Don McNay is the author of “Son of a Son of a Gambler.” He is chairman of the board for McNay Settlement Group Inc. in Richmond, Ky. You can write to him at don@donmcnay.com or read his award-winning syndicated column at www.donmcnay.com.

        

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