Paula Hope Blackman
Paula Hope Blackman

Discover the True Story

Night Train To Nashville

The greatest untold story in the history of Music City.

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Night Train to Nashville Book Cover
Before the internet and before the nightly tv shows, before Dr. King and Rosa Parks, there was Jet Magazine, the national black newspapers, and WLAC Nashville, Tennessee.
Reverend Jesse Jackson
at Aretha Franklin's Funeral

Set against the backdrop of Jim Crow, Night Train to Nashville takes readers behind the curtain of one of music's greatest untold stories during the era of segregation and Civil Rights.

The Night Time Broadcast that Inspired a Generation Revolution

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ABOUT NIGHT TRAIN

In another time and place, E. Gab Blackman and William Sousa "Sou" Bridgeforth might have been as close as brothers, but in 1950s Nashville they remained separated by the color of their skin.

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Paula Hope Blackman

About Paula

A retired gemologist, Paula Hope Blackman turned her lifelong storytelling hobby into a second career, becoming an author, screenwriter and playwright. She is a sixth generation native of Tennessee, who divides her time between Nashville and Southwest Florida, where she lives with her husband, Michael Iacampo.

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READER REVIEWS OF 'NIGHT TRAIN TO NASHVILLE'
Thank you for this historical, cultural treasure, for reintroducing me to the great artists: their stories and their struggles in full context, and for introducing me to the brave and savvy giants behind the scenes, especially your kin, ‘Blackie’ Blackman. All aboard the Night Train to Nashville!
Brandon Landers
This is a must read for any afficianado of the birth and widespread dissemination of R&B. But it’s so much more. This enjoyable historical work reads like a novel replete with a who’s who of well known black R&B artists and others ( think Elvis for one) who got their start and ultimate fame thanks to the genius of white entrepreneur, Gab Blackman of Nashville and his unlikely black counterpart, Sou Bridgeforth.
David H.
Such a well written book - I could not put it down. If you think you know Nashville - think again. If you love R&B, if you love music and dare to remember the day when radio was where the hits and artists were made - then you will love this book. Told from two very different perspectives during the Jim Crow Era - this book captures a snapshot in time where music becomes a bridge in a very segregated city. It's a must read!
Tallie Gaspar
If you’re a fan of novels or historical fiction, you’ll relish this important story.
Terri SchlichenmeyerColumnist
“Night Train to Nashville unveils one of music's most riveting yet overlooked sagas…”
Kandace LytlePorter House Review
This book should be required reading for everyone who listens to music. I was interested because of the pictures and tie to Nashville and ended up turning the pages to finish it in three days. This was a fantastic story that needed to be told and more importantly, needs to be read.
Heather P.
Paula Blackman has created an amazing journey through the early stages of Nashville becoming "music city" with the rise of R&B music! Told by using personal stories shared by her grandfather E.G. "Gab" Blackman interwoven with stories from Nashville's vibrant club scene, this book goes beyond the music and dives in to the true main character of the book....Nashville. This book touches on the social, racial, and economic transformation of Nashville, set to a backdrop music, urban renewal, and the Civil Rights movement. Storytelling at its finest!
Amazon Customer
Not only is this book a fascinating tale of rhythm and blues, icons of music, and the history of the Nashville music scene, I am a better person for having read this book.
Deedra Lapray
This is one of the best books that I’ve read in years! Highly researched, full of stories and facts that elevated my understanding of the music industry, R&B, racism, segregation, desegregation, Nashville, the Civil Rights Movement and so much more. It was a gift to learn about the true story of Blackman’s grandfather and how he had the courage to play the first Black R &B music on the nation’s radio airwaves and how it helped to launch a cultural revolution . At the same time Blackman shares the parallel story of William “Sou” Bridgeforth, Black businessman and nightclub owner and how he helped to promote these musicians. This book is a gem and a must read!
Kristine
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