~Author~

The article from the definitive cowboy guitar guru, written by Royal Wade Kimes. BUYING THE RIGHT GUITAR


EMINENT DOMAIN and Old Man Smith

From the introduction…
Country music star Royal Wade Kimes has used his innate and insightful storytelling ability to write hit songs for himself and other country artists, including Garth Brooks, Diamond Rio and Gene Watson. Royal Wade's captured the coveted Academy of Western Artists' (AWA) "Will Rogers" Award twice – and his latest CD, Cowboy Cool, was voted Best Album of the Year by the editors of True West magazine.

With his gift for weaving a compelling story, it was only a matter of time that a subject would come along that would spur him to write a novel. Eminent Domain – the extremely topical and emotionally powerful real-life taking of personal property by various governmental jurisdictions – was that spark. In Eminent Domain and Old Man Smith, this talented singer/songwriter creates a colorful piece of fiction that puts a harsh spotlight on a subject that is making headlines all across the U.S., from the heartland to both coasts. His novel unfolds in rural America – Sedalia, Missouri. That's where folks are being put on notice by feisty and determined Foster Smith and the two Tobin brothers.

Surrounded by the law and outnumbered a hundred to one, a reporter asks Austin Maxwell, a Sedalia resident, what kind of advice he'd give the three men barricaded up in the house on the hill. Austin's answer catches the journalist off guard. "I wouldn't advise at all… noooo… not at all," he drawls. "Them Tobin boys, they're as smooth as moonshine whiskey. I would, however, advise the law. One Tobin is bad enough… but two? And throw in Foster Smith? I would advise the law to reconsider their position. If I was the cavalry, I wouldn't run, but I would take long steps getting away from here."

So, get ready for the wild roller-coaster ride Royal Wade is going to take you on. When the pell-mell pace of this incredible story comes to a stop on the final page, your emotions will be spent – and you'll have a new vision of people and events that you see mirrored on your TV's evening news.

– Larry Holden, a professional writer who's interviewed more than 1,000 movie, TV and country music stars and written articles for a wide variety of national and international publications. He's currently executive editor of Country Weekly magazine, the number one selling country music publication in the world.


What others are saying about EMINENT DOMAIN…

"With his gift for weaving a compelling story, it was only a matter of time until a subject would come along that would spur Royal Wade Kimes to write a novel. Eminent Domain – the extremely topical and emotionally powerful real-life taking of personal property by various government jurisdictions – was that spark."

Larry Holden, Executive Editor, Country Weekly Magazine

"Kimes' book encourages us to be aware. To make citizenship count for something. To vote. To be an American. Belly up to the bar and drink deeply of our freedoms, because 'last call' made be just around the corner."

Marty Liggins, Editor, professional writer and photographer