The inspiration behind: the Booya book

In this image are some of the musicians, books, films and people that helped to inspire my book The Reputation of Booya Carthy to a greater or lesser degree. For example, Oliver Twist (the musical film) lent a visual image of a descriptive passing view of Honahee, the fictional town where the book is set. Whereas blues musician R.L. Burnside gave life to the original sparking flashes of a lingering idea – an international, acclaimed musician living in a trailer beside a road with three generations of his family.

Some of the books featured here – none more than David M. Oshinsky’s Worse Than Slavery – helped to give the story flesh, and completely changed what was the original ending. The individuals in the collage might have only have given characteristics to the fringe characters in the story – Bob Dylan’s supercilious nature; Son House’s unorthodox guitar style. Impressions of dialogue or tone of voice are taken from the films, or I’ve borrowed from the setting, the atmosphere.

Every one of the things and people pictured played their part – and this is in no way exhaustive; I definitely would’ve overlooked some influences, and some of those that were subconscious, no more than a passing thought. But if you look past the fact that I’m no collage artist, here be legends. 🙏

If you can’t identify them all and would like to, here’s the who’s who . . .