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Win a copy of 'Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock'

Every form of music has its fallen heroes – the artists whose careers had only just begun – with remarkable promise and inimitable skill – when they were suddenly, tragically over. The loss of Gram Parsons when he was just 26 years old has given rise to a community of fans dedicated to learning more about his unfortunately short-lived genius. So, adding to the cadre of books about the late, great Parsons, is a new tale titled Calling Me Home.

To get you in the spirit of the season, University Press of Florida and No Depression are "Calling You Home for the Holidays." Bob Kealing's new book Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock focuses on Parsons's southern roots, influences and legacy from childhood to the end of his short but highly-influential career.

Using dozens of new primary source interviews, never before published letters, photos and family memoirs, Calling Me Home takes you on a road less travelled filled with surprises and revelations for those new to the Parsons saga to the most stalwart fans of the Grievous Angel.

To enter to win one of three signed copies of the book, leave a comment about what in Parsons's music at any phase of his career gives you a feeling of home. Or, just tell us what musical memories of your own call you home for the holidays. You don't have to write about Gram Parsons to win.

To enter this contest, simply scroll to the bottom of this page and leave your comment in the comment field. You have until 11:59 pm PST on Monday, Dec. 17, to enter. Three winners will then be chosen, contacted, and announced the following day.

Comments posted on Facebook, Twitter, or as separate blog posts, will not be counted.

Good luck!

Read an excerpt of chapter one and chapter two from Calling Me Home.

We also have an active Gram Parsons Group here on the ND site so check that out!

Comment by ansedor on December 11, 2012 at 3:16am: Return of the grevious angel, of course. One of the best songs ever, and coming home feeling in abundance.

Comment by Shawn Edward Cote on December 11, 2012 at 3:20am: "Hickory Wind," from whence the "calling me home" obviously comes, is of course the first song that springs to mind. I love the line "It's a hard way to find out that trouble is real in a faraway city with a faraway feel." I'm not from the South, but I don't think you have to be for that line to resonate. Also, from "Return of the Grievous Angel," - "Twenty thousand roads I went down, down, down, and they all led me straight back home to you."

Comment by Brian Lovely on December 11, 2012 at 3:45am: ...and of course, "Sing Me Back Home", if we're just looking for lyric references to home.

I've been listening to country and country rock since I was a kid, and listening to Gram brings me back to being a pre-teen/early teen watching television shows like Porter Wagoner, Johnny Cash, Hee Haw, and the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour.

Comment by h Grape Minkoff on December 11, 2012 at 3:47am: I don't have anything that calls me home for the holidays. I don't really celebrate. I do celebrate the music of Gram Parsons and all the people he has influenced. I was lucky enough to see and record his performance at Max's Kansas City in March of 1973. Sharing that recording with the music trading community lets me give to those who weren't there. That is one of the main reasons I record and share live music. Much of the world of music lovers do not live close to venues like I do.

Comment by Robert Lasek on December 11, 2012 at 3:58am: As I waited for the Rolling Stones to come on stage at the Barclay center 12/8/12 I couldn't help but wonder how many in attendance recognized the connection when Oh Las Vegas was played over the PA system. I smiled again when the Stones played Wild Horses, again recalling stories of Gram's involvement in that song.

Comment by Burl Barer on December 11, 2012 at 4:07am: Gram wanted me to bring on the band at Sky River II, and I told him to come get me when it was time. Well, as it was the 60's, and Gram and I both indulged in various mind altering substances, I was peaking on what was called Dubchek's Revenge -- a very intense (and pleasant) window pane acid (LSD) and was actually UNDERNEATH the stage! Someone rousted me up, saying "Gram says its time! Get up on stage!" So, I crawled up the stairs, got on stage, took the microphone, and introduced The Flying Burrito Brothers. Instead of leaving the stage, I walked over to Gram's piano and leaned on it, smiling at him...for the entire set!! When he sang "Wild Horses couldn't drag me away" he sang it right at me. We both cracked up about this later.

Comment by rob d on December 11, 2012 at 4:28am: I'm simply moved by the unmistakable sound of any GP tune.

Comment by johnny Besant on December 11, 2012 at 4:48am: GP reminds me of mid-70's Detroit when and where i discovered his records. I think i first read about him in a Stones article in Rolling Stone. I remember bringing his albums along with the just released Tonight's The Night with me in summer of '75 when i visited my sister who had just moved to Denver. closest i got to the music in context!

Comment by Mike Shiner on December 11, 2012 at 5:05am: Want you sing me back home
With a song I used to hear
Make my old memories come alive
And take me away and turn back the years

Comment by Mike Boulware on December 11, 2012 at 5:14am: Gram changed my life from the moment I heard Hickory Wind...I was at the Mudcrutch (Petty's early band) house, they were listening to Sweetheart, and I said, "that's what my folks play!..country!"...they said, "no, we LIKE this, we don't like country"...Gram's sister lives in my town, and she asked to meet my kids after hearing them sing In My Hour of Darkness with me..sweet Dad moment!

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