Fifty Years And Trouble

You may remember, back in the Spring, when I mentioned my involvement with a new book, TROUBLE IN THE HEARTLAND: Crime Fiction Based on the Songs of Bruce Springsteen.

The project has been moving along nicely all Spring and Summer. Back around June, I had a chance to read an early copy and submit my pictures for inclusion. Eight of them will be included in the book, in a section called Pictures On The Edge of Town. The reaction that I’ve gotten from some of the writers included in the book has been overwhelmingly positive, so much so that I’m working with Zelmer Pulp to help illustrate other books they have coming out. That’s another post, though.

It looks like the TROUBLE book will be coming out in early December. Why’s it taking so long? Scheduling conflicts, mainly. The editor, Joe Clifford, has his own book, Lamentation, coming out in a couple of weeks. He has to devote time to promoting that one – book conferences, interviews, etc. He didn’t want to release TROUBLE at the same time and give both of them short-thrift. I can’t say I blame him.

This may be a good thing, anyway. With an early December release, people will be looking for Christmas gifts. Why not some hard-hitting, gritty crime fiction – with great photography! – to fill up that stocking.

In any case, a few of us in involved with the book (well, the writers and me) in the NJ/PA area, have been asked to be part of a cool symposium: Fifty Years of Makin’ This Guitar Talk: A Bruce Springsteen Forum.

(c) Steve Breen

The forum is a day-long symposium that will be held at Monmouth University on September 20th. It looks to feature a number of great talks and panel discussions from some of the top Springsteen scholars. Seriously, these people have written books, taught classes all about The Boss.

It’ll also feature a photo gallery exhibition, Glory Bound, of Barry Schneier’s Springsteen work. Barry is a long-noted Springsteen photographer and produced the images from that May 1974 night when Jon Landau wrote “I saw the rock ‘n roll future and its name is Bruce Springsteen.”.

There’s also a chance to buy a combo ticket that will include admission, a few days later, to An Evening With Thom Zimny. For the past 15 years, Thom is the cinematographer who has produced many of the E Street Band’s concert videos, song videos, and most recently did the Hunter Of Invisible Game short film.

For my part, I’ll work on promoting the book with the authors there – Jen Conley, CD Regan, Jamez Chang, – while talking about the Springsteen canon of songs and lyrics have influenced my gritty, JerseyNoir photography. And, since we’ll have the chance to sell advanced copies of the book (I think), I’ve produced a 16×20 poster of my photos as an add-on.

What’s neat, too, is that Monmouth University isn’t far an iconic, though little known, spot of rock ‘n roll history. The little house at 7 1/2 West End Street, Long Branch, NJ, is where Bruce was living when, in the front room on a piano, he wrote the songs for the Born To Run album. Every time I’m down in that area, I have to take a drive past it.

The screen door that slammed as Mary’s dress waved is long gone, but it’s still neat to see. I’m always hoping for a little inspiration to rub off.

So, if you’re in the area on September 20th, come on out and join us. If you can’t make it, I’ll live Tweet using the hashtags #TITHL and/or #Bruce50years

Should be a rockin’ good time.

© Mark V. Krajnak | JerseyStyle Photography | All Rights Reserved 2014

Tags: #50Guitar, #TITHL, 7 1/2 West End, Barry Schneier, Bruce Springsteen, CD Regan, Fifty Years of Making This Guitar Talk, Hunter of Invisible Game, Jamez Chang, Jen Conley, Joe Clifford, Jon Landau, Monmouth University, Steve Breen, Thom Zimny, Zelmer Pulp

• September 12, 2014
• Events, New Jersey, Portraits, Projects
• 7 Comments