Margo Price (2) (1983–)

Many Harrowing Tales of Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll / Country / Folk Music
Book Review by Erin Michaela Sweeney

Margo Price's Maybe We'll Make It is part of the American Music Series from the University of Texas Press. While most of the series are biographies of musicians or groups and overviews of music genres, Maybe We'll Make It is subtitled A Memoir. When I see memoir, I usually think of a narrative of a life-changing event that happened to a person that has larger, more universal appeal to the reader. In this case, however, Price shares the stories of her life, from her birth forward, that culminate in her becoming a breakout star in the music industry after more than a dozen years of working for it in Nashville. I'm not sure the subtitle really fits what's presented. Regardless, the book is full of harrowing tales of sex, drugs, and rock n roll / country / folk music as Price tries for one break after another until she is found. Another good read from a fascinating series published by UT Press.

*I received a free ebook of Maybe We'll Make It: A Memoir as a LibraryThing Early Reviewer member in exchange for an unbiased review. (This review also appears on Goodreads and Amazon).… (mer)

Rating: 5/5

Margo Price’s memoir is a potent mix of sincerity and heartbreak—like reading an extended cut, acoustic rendition of her debut studio album, Midwest Farmer’s Daughter.

The longshot success story of a musician’s journey to hell and back may sound familiar or overdone, but Margo’s vivid prose and unwavering dedication to her craft held my interest. I was pleased to discover this once-underappreciated artist is the real deal. This book will probably have even greater appeal if you are already a fan.

Margo’s rocky childhood in Illinois and turbulent twenties in Music City remind me of the tone of The Killers' new album, Pressure Machine. So, it has its low points and then gets even lower and stays on that track throughout. Although it’s no unicorns-and-cardigans-comforting kind of read, that’s okay. Price’s story is better than that because it's relatable, genuine, and, unfortunately, an accurate reflection of much of rural America and starving artists. And she is pretty good at telling it. Perhaps just as admirable is that Margo Price is no sellout, which is rare in an industry where talent and a few dime bags of luck don't go as far as “who you know.”

Despite its primarily sad, minor key vibe, I’d prefer to read about an unlikely underdog than someone groomed for radio hits who can’t write their music or play an instrument. I think it’s safe to say Margo Price finally made it, and I highly recommend reading Maybe We’ll Make It while you wait for her next album.

I won this book in a LibraryThing giveaway, but I wouldn't have minded paying for a copy.

-A. H. Nazzareno… (mer)