Waking Up in the Studebaker
by Kevin Gray
ISBN: 978-0-9820540-5-5
Waking Up in the Studebaker is the memoir of Kevin Gray, who proudly came of age in the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, and who captures an era, right or wrong.
"Hey Kevin,
"I finished reading your book last week. Boy, did that take me back! I had to stop and reminisce over some of the things and places that you mentioned. I thought it was great! Now when do you do a book tour? Of course, it will take you through Richmond. Let me know what others think."
Janelle
“Yours is the first autobiography I’ve read of what I consider to be 'my generation' (even though I’m three years older than you). It was very interesting for me to see my youth reflected in yours…in terms of television programs we watched and music we listened to. We were both only-children, but I feel you were lonelier than I, as I had 23 first cousins to connect with -- and a neighborhood FULL of kids who I’d hang around with in a 'pack'.
“I was envious of the musical concerts you had the opportunity to attend in the 1960s. I’ve seen Paul McCartney, Bette Midler, John Hartford and Bob Dylan live, but all much later in my life when compared with your concert experiences. How neat that you watched The Who destroy their equipment in live concert! I’ve seen movie documentaries of The Who, Simon & Garfunkel, and The Band in ‘The Last Waltz'...but live, oh my!
"There are many things about our lives which have been very different. You grew up back East, moved often when young, attended many different schools, and experienced life in the big city. Having both parents pursuing careers is another difference. I was touched by your shyness and ability to overcome drastic social withdrawal during early grade school years. That part of your story was fascinating. I was also impressed with your ability to describe situations, including the building of your tree house and you water play in the rapids. Your description of your car accident and hospital treatment near the end of your story was excellent writing.…
"Thank you for allowing us to share your story. As I wrote to you in an earlier e-mail, an author shows bravery in exposing his innermost self to his readers -- and you’ve bravely done that. Thanks for sharing your life with us."
--Carol and Max Yoho
"Gray's brave, personal insights help us understand what we (as parents) may not have understood at the time."
--Max
"Vivid and honest, Gray's memoir resonates with those of us who thought of ourselves as Flower Children."
--Me
Synopsis:
Starting with his earliest memories in the 1950s, Kevin Gray covers a lot of ground – including impressions about racism in the former Capital of the Confederacy. Teen music and rites from the late 1950s drew him in by age 10. He offers personal insights on Vietnam, music and the drug culture, and the turbulent times right into 1968. Gray admits, “I thought America the greatest place on the face of this earth to grow up in, but, then, I realized my color (white), my religion (Methodist) and my parents’ middle-class income helped. Then, I wasn’t so sure.” Asthma, extreme shyness when indoors, affected him, but an overriding act first think later attitude actually drove the boy. He also admits, “Life could be pretty boring and quite confusing for a suburban kid in those days. I didn’t live in New York or San Francisco or any of those exciting places. I had to make my own fun and my own life well away from places in the news. The 1960s really weren’t what they were cracked up to be in the media – that is for a kid stuck far from any “happening place.” At least we had the music! Yet, in so many ways, events in both the 1950s and the 1960s reached out and made an impact on people nationwide, even to a young boy growing up in Richmond.” Waking Up in the Studebaker is Gray’s very personal story set during changing times in America. “This is my story,” he said, “and, more than anything, I didn’t want help in whatever I did. I had to live my life my way, even if it gave me many bruises along the way.”
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