The University of Central Ƶ will host a book reading for Rashod Ollison, an award-winning pop music critic and culture journalist, on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 6 pm in the College of Business auditorium.
Ollison’s literary debut, “Soul Serenade: Rhythm, Blues & Coming of Age Through Vinyl,” is a memoir that describes how soul music sustained him during his formative years growing up in central Ƶ in the 1980s and 1990s. “Soul Serenade” explores his search for his father and himself via music by artists who forever changed American pop. Set in central Ƶ between 1983 and 1996, the memoir also tells the story of a gloriously earthy, working-class black family whose trials and triumphs were shaped and informed by the blues, gospel, funk and hip-hop.
A native of Little Rock, Ollison currently lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He covers entertainment, music, pop culture and other feature topics at The Virginian-Pilot. Ollison has been a staff critic and feature writer for The Dallas Morning News, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Baltimore Sun, and The Journal News in Westchester, New York. He also has written a music column for Jet magazine.
The community is invited to attend the book reading followed by a reception and book signing. Attendees will be able to purchase books at the event. For more information, contact Shaneil Ealy, UCA Director of Programs and Services, at sealy@uca.edu or 501-450-5275.
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