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This week we have Dave Moore, author of The There's That Beat Guide to The Philly Sound telling us about the origins of his musical interests and the long journey which led to the colossal work documenting the history of soul and R&B in Philadelphia; a true 'must have' for any collector of the genre: "The record collecting gene has been part of my DNA for as long as I can remember. Having discovered soul music in my teens in the mid '70s, I fell hook line and sinker for the lush productions of Van McCoy, the sweet arrangements of...

Over the last couple few weeks I've asked the likes of Dave Rimmer and John Lias to give us some insight into what the drive was for them to undertake their respective writing projects. This week I thought I'd give other authors a break and provide some background to why I started writing about the music I love. Admittedly I already have some previous publication experience, albeit in a genre quite separate to music, through clinical research as a dietitian working in critical care. Certainly a different style of writing, but also a job which suits my underlying inquisitive nature...

So, some of you will know that I intend to use A Nickel And A Nail not only as a blatant commercial enterprise, but also as a resource for historical musical reference. This particular entry will be the first in a series of random reprints of chapters from the first two projects I undertook as an author; "It's Better To Cry" and "Rhythm Message", both books focusing very much on the soul of the 1960s southern states, particularly around the Carolinas, Virginia, Louisiana and Texas. Some you may have come across these excerpts in other websites depending on which you...

Well, a very hearty welcome to A Nickel And A Nail, which I know for many will be a long overdue new independent book-store experience for lovers of soul music, R&B and related fields. Our purpose is to source literature for those wishing to explore the historical development of black american music. There is much to tell beyond the already well documented stories of the major record labels.  The original driver for this book store venture was my life long interest in collecting rare soul / northern soul (call it what you will), blues, R&B and Motown records. Some while...