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List Price: $24.95 | | Publisher: Centerstream Publications
Salesrank: 407348
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| Media: Paperback |
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Editorial Review:
One of the most bizarre stories in all of popular music is the history of "Orange Blossom Special," arguably the century's best-known fiddle tune. The man credited with its ownership, Ervin T. Rouse, endured tragedy, alcoholism and mental illness. He spent his last years fiddling for tips in isolated taverns at the edge of the Florida Everglades, and died all but unknown. The man who claimed co-ownership, Chubby Wise, achieved fame as the seminal fiddler of the bluegrass genre, but struggled to overcome personal demons and to heal the scars of childhood abandonment and abuse. This fascinating book uncovers how their legacies are forever linked with the legendary diesel streamliner which inspired the tune six decades ago, as it roared through American history, bringing wonder and hope to every stop. Includes a Collector's CD of rare, unreleased original recordings of "Orange Blossom Special" by Bluegrass Etc., Byron Berline, Dennis Caplinger, Buddy Emmons, John Henry Gates, The Hellcasters, Gary Morse, Benny Martin and Mike Stevens. Also features the original Rouse Brothers recording from 1939, a live performance by Chubby Wise, and six vintage bonus tracks. Randy Noles is a publisher of city/regional magazines in Florida. During his 25-year career, he has won awards for investigative reporting, feature writing and commentary. Born in Tuscaloosa, AL, he has lived in Orlando since 1967. He is married and has two children. "If you go back and listen to Ervin and Gordon Rouse's original 1939 recording, it's easy to hear 'Orange Blossom Special''s beauty, elegance and power. It bonds the romance of rambling around on trains with the mystique of a far-away land known as Florida. It is pure country music; it is pure Americana." from the foreword by Marty Stuart
Orange Blossom Boys: The Untold Story of Ervin T Rouse, Chubby Wise and the World's Most Famous Fiddle Tune Reviews:
A Special Treatment of Florida Fiddlers 
2007-07-17 - This book began, in part, with Noles' curiousity about the true origins of the famous fiddle tune. A common belief amongst bluegrass and country musicians was that Chubby Wise co-wrote the tune with Ervin Rouse. But by the late 1980s, this story was coming under serious scrutiny. Noles provides convincing evidence that the tune was co-written by Ervin and Gordon Rouse and that Chubby Wise should be seen as more of a popularizer of the tune -- rather than as a co-author. Both Rouse and Wise emerge as multi-faceted men, and it's to Noles' credit that he provides sympathetic portraits of both of these fine musicians, while giving the story a fair hearing. The book is especially strong when the focus is on the musical careers of the musicians, and the "Orange Blossom Special" almost appears as another important character (along with Johnny Cash, Hank Snow, and other stars) within the story. Along with gaining a glimpse of important parts of the history of bluegrass and country music, readers gain a good understanding of ways in which opportunities are made available to musicians. Readers also will discover that sometimes there are times when not taking advantage of certain opportunities may, in fact, be a wise decision in the music business. The book also includes wonderful anecdotes that Noles collected, including terrific stories about Chubby Wise's mishaps and a very funny story about a night at the Grand Old Opry that involved split pants.
Chubby's silent family 
2006-01-05 - I am chubby's great grand son on the so called dumb farmgirls side. I find it very disrespectful to write a book about a man's history without interviewing or elaborating on the one person who was there. My grandmother could shed more light on the Orange Blossom conspiracy than any one alive. she has shared very vivid and detailed stories about the man and the song. And believe me, she is no dumb farmgirl. She is brilliant and deserves some respect for keeping an entire family together while he turned his back on them.
Family Reunions with Ervin T. Rouse
2003-05-20 - I am proud to know that Ervin has finally been recognized for his raw genious in playing the fiddle, composing music, performing for us when I was growing up, and telling about many of the episodes written about in the Orange Blossom Boys. Rany Noles did his research and answered questions which needed to be made known about the life of Ervin, Gordon, his siblings and the joy they brought to many as they sang and made music with the best of Artist, including Johnny Cash. I learned more than we ever knew, as I sat, spellbound, reading the book. Now, I can say I have read the book through and through several times. It is wonderful. I was born April 28,1929 and was privileged to record the Rouse's music when they visited my home. It is my hope that a Documentary will be forthcoming. Ervin ranks right up there with Bill Monroe, The Carter Family, Flatt and Scruggs,Doc Watson, Roy Acuff, etc. He is an Icon in Blue Grass, and respected by the best of them in the business. The Orange Blossom Special is likened to The Star Spangled Banner by me and my relatives. Audrey W. Hartsoe, 24 Scott Place, Clinton, N.
C.28328 PS I did speak with Randy Noles upon receipt of the book; it is wonderful!
finally, the real story is told!
2003-01-19 - What a wonderful job Mr. Noles does in telling the story and interweaving the lives of these two unfortunate souls against a backdrop of old Florida. He is able to convert his massive research into such an interesting read; I had difficulty putting it down!
The Untold Story 
2002-11-27 - I would like to know where the book tells about Chubby's other family living in Georgia and Florida. He had a wife before Rossy and she was no stupid farmgirl. He also had a daughter that loved her father more than anything. Where in the book does it talk about them. It does not say a single word because of one women could not stand to have anything to do with his other family. If women would leave married men alone (this goes both ways), maybe the right family would be in the book. The picture of Chubby's step-grandson is a slap in the face to my husband. He is the bloodline of Chubby Wise. I feel my husband's family deserves a right to tell the unknown years of what really happened and how Rossy became Mrs. Wise. I enjoy knowing Chubby was my husband's grandfather, but on the other hand, I get really upset when I hear how much pain and greif was caused by this piece of history.
