Win an autographed copy of ‘United States of Americana’, by Kurt B. Reighley

**NOTE: This contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winners: Kevin Becketti, Craig Young, and Jim Pipkin. Thanks to everyone who entered! Stay tuned for more contests to come!

You might have caught Seattle-based writer Kurt B. Reighley introducing Chuck Prophet and Lucinda Williams at the 2010 No Depression Festival, or read some of the prose he contributed to No Depression as a contributing editor from our print days. Kurt’s just published a new book, United States of Americana: Backyard Chickens, Burlesque Beauties & Handmade Bitters – A Field Guide to the New American Roots Movement. In it, he not only examines the continued resurgence of interest in American roots music, but also parallel trends in food and drink, clothing, grooming, crafts and D.I.Y. handmade goods, and much more.

United States of Americana has already received praise from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Modern Tonic, and Uncrate. And we have three copies, signed by Kurt and illustrator Aaron Bagley, to give away. How can you score one of these beauties? We’ll let the author explain.

“When I interviewed the guys at the outdoor heritage clothing company C.C. Filson for the “A Rugged Exterior” chapter, they affectionately referred to their timeless look as “Grandpa style.” Sure enough, while working on the book, I noticed more and more Grandpa (and Grandma) style creeping into my own life. I already had overflowing stacks of vintage Johnny Cash and Porter Wagoner LPs in my living room, and a host of needlepoint and knitting projects in various states of completion, but things snowballed as work on the book accelerated. The coat rack by the front door groaned under the weight of second-hand Pendleton jackets, and summer Saturdays found the kitchen full of steam as I tried my hand at making pickles and putting up beets. (Who knew you could use mason jars for more than just drinking lemonade?) I noticed so much of this ripple effect in my research—two different burlesque performers I met were learning to butcher meat, for instance—that I wondered: How has Grandpa/Grandma style infiltrated the lives of the music-loving No Depression community? I’d love to read their examples.”

So that’s it. Post a short anecdote about how a good or pastime or service most folks associate with a bygone era has become a part of your contemporary life. How, as Kurt puts it, “your roots are showing.” Be as humorous or revealing as you like. The three most entertaining entries, as selected by Kurt and ND community manager Kim Ruehl, will receive a free, signed copy of United States of Americana. Deadline for your posts is 11:59 PST September 28, 2010.

Comments posted on Twitter and Facebook, or as separate blogs on this site, will not be counted. To leave a comment on this post as your entry to the contest, scroll to the bottom of this page and enter your comment in the comment field. Have fun and good luck!