Paul Hemphill (1936–2009) was born in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, and attended Auburn and Harvard Universities, USA. In addition to long work as a sportswriter and columnist at the Atlanta Journal, he was the author of several collections of journalism, novels, and memoirs, including, among others, Too Old to Cry, King of the Road, and Leaving Birmingham: Notes of a Native Son. Hemphill returned to country music in 2005 with Lovesick Blues: The Life of Hank Williams. Hemphill served on the faculties of Emory University, Brenau University, and the University of Georgia, USA, where he taught writing. Don Cusic is a historian of country music and a professor of music business at the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University, USA. His many books include Saved by Song: A History of Gospel and Christian Music and The Cowboy in Country Music: An Historical Survey with Artist Profiles.