Rock of Pages: The Ballad of the Lost Dogs of East Nashville • by John J. Thompson
The Ballad of the Lost Dogs of East Nashville
By John J. Thompson
(Gyroscope)
Review by Jeff Elbel
Like a few of the central characters in this book, singer-songwriter John J. Thompson of alt-country/gospel band the Wayside may seem a bit tardy in offering his best gifts to the world. He’s an experienced storyteller and serial author, but The Ballad of the Lost Dogs of East Nashville is his debut as a novelist. The timing is perfect, however. Thompson infuses a lifetime of unique challenges and experiences into a relatable story of redemption, personal reinvention, community, and music. This uplifting story of an accidental band of unlikely local heroes works as entertainment but stands ready to inspire anyone to overcome self-inflicted roadblocks in pursuit of whatever form their own art may take, at any stage of life. Among other things, this a musical fable about what makes America truly special. It may open your eyes to see beauty in unexpected places and family in unexpected people. It may stir embers of faith. Various vignettes will resonate with musicians and live music fans alike. At a neighborhood happening, singer Brother Louis delivers a good-natured lecture on the ubiquity of cell phones as objects that diminish human interaction and authentic experience (even though he knows he risks the “grumpy old man” tag). The multigenerational cast includes veterans of the civil rights movement, Woodstock era, and Jesus music counterculture of the 60s and 70s.
The senior participants interact with present-day counterparts, experiencing benefits in mutual perspective, creativity, and a sense of community-as-family that Thompson clearly wants to manifest into the real world. The story is naturally rooted in the author’s point-of-view and evident beliefs, but all colors, ages, creeds, and sounds are made welcome. The drama unfolds without an overt villain, save for the internal devils and troubled pasts that characters like central figure Jerry struggle to overcome. Gentrification is an inanimate influence that chafes against the crew’s goal to unify their neighbors, and the band’s seemingly overnight success threatens to undermine the group before its potential is realized. Thompson ponders whether scale is the enemy of integrity. Nonetheless, I’m confident that Mr. Rogers would like what he finds in this neighborhood. As elderly accordionist Cesar says of the Lost Dogs’ musical blend of Latin, soul, gospel, country, and rock ‘n’ roll, the rapidly changing East Nashville becomes the crisol or melting pot that produces a marvelous feast by unifying what everyone brings to the table, all in due time.
Category: Columns, Monthly, Rock of Pages
