KING CAL, a Rock 'n Roll novel by Peter McDade-Book release event

Sunday, November 9th, 2 to 4pm , Wild Honey Backyard 1167 Kipling Ave. Eagle Rock, 90041, 323-255-8839, 323-273-1570

This is a FREE event, but all donations to our volunteer organization are welcome. Book sales revenue will be donated to the non-profit Wild Honey Foundation to create future fundraising programming to benefit autism organizations and musicians-in-need.

Wild Honey Foundation Backyard Shows presents a celebration of KING CAL, a new rock n' roll novel by Peter McDade, novelist and musician. Peter will be discussing the book with Grammy-Award winner and Wild Honey friend/collaborator Dan Wilson. Peter will be signing books. As a special treat, the super-talented Wild Honey family member Chris Price will lead a small combo in 5 or so tunes from the soundtrack to KING CA, thus fully illustrating the discussion. Dan Wilson is scheduled to participate in the peformance as well. This is a free event. 60 spots by Eventbrite reservation!

SYNOPSIS: Many novels set in the world of rock music depict stardom, debauchery and deceit. King Cal instead focuses on the creative process, the devotion required to choose an uncertain life in music, the inspiration for songwriting and the challenge of making the rent while making art.

In the course of one ordinary day, Atlanta fast-food worker Calvin loses his girlfriend, his band and his best friend. Suddenly, everything he had planned to spend the rest of his life doing seems to have flown away.

Told with insight, sensitivity and deep respect for what it really takes to make a life in music, King Cal is a coming-of-age novel about a determined young man who starts with little, aims to earn a little more and has to decide whether success, or even clinging to his dream, is worth the sacrifice.

ENDORSEMENTS

“King Cal is a glorious and gripping story of the early days of a musician's life: that uncertain, chaotic time when a young dreamer begins to transform into an artist. I have never read a more accurate or emotionally affecting portrayal of that transformation. Warmth, humor, sadness, grime, joy, feeling broken, being broke — they’re all in the mix. Having lived through my own musical coming-of-age, I’m often dismayed by just how wrong most music-themed books get it. Not King Cal. This is one of the few novels about music that has felt utterly real to me. As the book wound its way to a deeply moving end, I was both desperately hoping that it would all work out for Calvin and at the same time thanking Pete McDade for getting it so right.” —Dan Wilson, Grammy-winning singer (Semisonic) and songwriter ("Closing Time”)

"When I am asked by parents of kids who are considering a life in popular music if I would recommend that path, I say that if their child can even imagine doing anything else with their life, they should do that. But, if the kid can't conceive of any future but music, I urge them to offer encouragement. Now I can just tell them to read this book." —Elliot Easton, lead guitarist for the Cars and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

“Peter McDade’s new novel is a compelling exploration of friendship, identity and the healing power of music. Inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, McDade’s masterful novel follows Calvin through the course of a single day as he struggles to find the courage to face his fears and redefine his world and goals or lose everything he holds dear.”
—Christy Alexander Hallberg, author of Searching for Jimmy Page, host of Rock Is Lit podcast

“King Cal evocatively captures the challenges of music in the digital age, where a hit can go viral and change everything.” —Ravi Howard, author of Driving the King and Like Trees, Walking

“King Cal perfectly captures the life of a young musician navigating the challenges of relationships and pursuing his dreams. It’s engaging, funny and highly relatable, offering authentic glimpses into the mind of a songwriter.” —Lindsay Murray (Gretchen’s Wheel)