“It’s going by the book.”

— Johnny Cash

John Eckberg asked in his book, “The Success Effect,” what book business leaders had by their bedside and what music they were listening to.

I posed the questions to a number of well known Kentuckians.

(You can get the complete list of responses at Big Name Kentuckians)

A clue to personality is how they responded to the question.

Judge Bill Clouse (Madison and Clark counties) selected books that reflected his passion for history and law. I was impressed by how he answered.

He responded well before my deadline. He neatly organized the list of books and directed where I could find more information on each.

If you ever show up in Clouse’s courtroom, you had better be on time and you had better be prepared.

Peter Perlman, former president of the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA), would impress Clouse. They were both reading John Grisham’s latest book, “The Agenda.”

The most popular book was “Right of the Dial: The Rise of Clear Channel and the Fall of Commercial Radio” by Alec Foege. Joe Elliott at WHAS-84 in Louisville, Tom Leach, the voice of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, and myself are reading the new release.

Leach and I had almost identical picks expect he has Earth Wind and Fire’s greatest hits album. They won’t make my list. A band member tried to pick up my date during a concert. It’s been almost 30 years but I still hold a grudge.

Bill Goodman, host of “Kentucky Tonight” and several other shows on KET, and Leach were both listening to Allison Krauss. Goodman joins state representative Joni Jenkins from Louisville as Bruce Springsteen fans. Bob Dylan is on state representative Kathy Stein’s playlist and frequently mentioned on others.

Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson and Louisville attorney Bonita Black are both Harvard educated (Black was Kentucky undergrad and Harvard Law School, Grayson was the opposite) and have heavy books on their reading list. However music is controlled by their children.

Black is listening to Dora the Explorer while Trey is serenaded by Hannah Montana, the “Enchanted” soundtrack and the “High School Musical 2” soundtrack.

When Grayson seeks another office, he is a cinch to get the Disney lover’s vote.

Mary Jo Perino, sports anchor at WLEX-TV, says her life is dominated by her 2-year-old son. Her lead book was “Curious George” and music by Giggly Wiggly Rhymes.

Sports books were popular. WTVQ news anchor Don Hudson is reading “Pistol Pete,” a biography of Pete Maravich. Leach is reading “Sound and Fury” (about Ali and Cosell) by Dave Kindred.

Re-reading classics is a popular activity. Lexington Vice Mayor Jim Gray was re-reading “John Adams” and Anna Karenina and Joni Jenkins was re-reading “Truman.”

Inspiration books were on many lists. Don Hudson was reading “When Times are Tough” by John Bytheway. Bonita Black read “In the Grip of Grace” and “Facing Your Giants,” both by Max Lucado. (She also was reading my book.) Joni Jenkins was reading “Eat, Pray, Love.”

Joe Elliot touted “Crashing Through: A True Story of Risk, Adventure, and the Man Who Dared to See” by Robert Kurson.

Elliot had Kurson on his radio program and Bill Goodman is also boning up for an interview. He is reading “Hezbollah” by Richard Norton. Norton, a noted Boston University professor, will be a guest on Goodman’s “One to One” show.

Goodman, Stein and Clouse had excellent books for Kentuckians. Goodman was reading “Kentucky’s Everyday Heroes” by Steve Flarity. It profiles the lives of 40 lesser known Kentuckians. (I read it after Goodman’s recommendation and it is an excellent book.) Stein took a break from Michael Moore and Bill Bradley to read “Secrets of a Kentucky Gardener” by Karen Angelucci. Clouse is a big fan of “The Admirable Trumpeter: A Biography of General James Wilkinson” by Thomas Robson Hay and M.R. Werner.

Wide-ranging taste was a common denominator. Although classic rock dominated the list, many selections were all over the map. Typical was Mary Jo Perino who along with Giggly Wiggly Rhymes goes for Kid Rock, James Taylor and a guy on “American Idol.”



Don McNay is the Chairman of the Board for McNay Settlement Group in Richmond, Ky.   You can write to him at don@donmcnay.com or read his award winning syndicated column at www.donmcnay.com. McNay is the author of Son of a Son of a Gambler: Winners, Losers & What to Do When You Win The Lottery.