Biography
Dr. William K. McNeil was the folklorist at the Ozark folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas. Dr. McNeil worked for the Smithsonian Institution and the Office of State History in Albany, NY. In 1995, he was elected to the Fellows of the American Folklore Society. He was the author of sixteen books and produced thirty-six recordings dealing with folk, popular, country, and gospel music. His Smithsonian Collection of Classic Blues was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1993.
'The treatment is straightforward ... McNeil's title will likely become the definitive work on the subject and fills a gap in a field that has had only sporadic reference documentation ... Recommended for all libraries.' - Library Journal
"The treatment is straightforward... McNeil's title will likely become the definitive work on the subject and fills a gap in a field that has had only sporadic reference documentation... Recommended for all libraries." -- Library Journal
"For scholars and general readers, this Encyclopedia supplies comprehensive information on both black and white gospel, not often combined in reference texts. Articles cover biographies of early and contemporaty performers and groups, significant events, radio stations, record and publishing companies, publications, and instruments. The editor includes bibliographies and discographies, and birth and death rates when possible." -- Reference & Research BookNews
"McNeil has compiled an encyclopedia using a multicultural approach. He successfully led a team that has addressed the dearth of reference materials on gospel music, providing much more detail on performers, historical persons, ensembles, and styles." -- American Reference Books Annual
