Anyway, Back to Akron

Where have I been? Learning all kind of things about Akron, Ohio and meeting some friendly and incredibly helpful people. In the last few weeks I've met, and been assisted by, the Head of Special Collections at the Summit County Library, folks from the Akron Zoo and the Inventors Hall of Fame. I've met some connections with folks from the All-American Soap Box Derby, Photographers from the Akron Beacon Journal and the City of Akron.

It's been a lot of fun. But I'm still searching for some photos. Lou and Hy's on Market has been gone for years, but who doesn't remember it? Archie the Snowman, Mr. Peanut, Mr. Bilbo's and Luigi's. I'm going to be knocking on a lot of doors the next few weeks.

What has really been satisfying is the outpouring of assistance from the Music Community of Akron. I've been assisted, or will be, by members of Tin Huey, The Rubber City Rebels, Chi-Pig, Poor Girls, Hammer Damage, If These Trees Could Talk and Buckner & Garcia.

So much so that I'm planning on a book about the Akron Music Scene after the Akron General Book is finished.

It's going to be a fun couple months as a figure everything out, and I hop anyone bothering to read this blog enjoys the ride. Which will be more consistent.

So The New Book is About Akron

 

So it's official, although last week I more or less acted like it was. After discussing various topics with my publisher we've finally decided to make the recent history of Akron be the topic for my latest book. And by recent I mean from about five years before I was born until now.

That doesn't mean the other topics I've discussed her aren't forthcoming, because they are. They just won't see the light of day in 2015.  Which is too bad, as I really found myself interested in the folks who put

together the first television shows for kids.

What's exciting about writing on Akron is the people I've gotten to talk with so far. People at the Akron Zoo, the former Inventure Place, a gentleman who was the official photographer for Akron for 30 years, some great folks at the Summit County Memory Project and the Akron Library have all been willing to help out.

Plus in the next week or two I'll be getting to talk with members of several music groups that came out of Akron.

Which reminds me, if anyone has pictures of The Crypt, where Akron Punk was king, let me know.