Nationally
acclaimed author Clyde Edgerton and fellow musicians
in the Rank Strangers Band will entertain the 2005
UNCG Friends of the Library Annual Dinner March 3
in Cone Ballroom of Elliott University Center.
The North Carolina native grew up in the small town
of Bethesda near Durham and enjoyed the company of
a large extended family.
After graduating
from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
with a bachelor’s degree in English, he entered
the U.S. Air Force in 1966 as a fighter pilot.
Following his military service, he earned a master’s
degree from UNC Chapel Hill and taught English at
his high-school alma mater. He went on to earn a doctoral
degree.
In May 1978, he decided to become a professional writer.
He watched Eudora Welty read one of her stories on
television and wrote in his journal: “May 14,
1978 – Tomorrow, May 15, 1978 – I would
like to start being a writer.”
Eight hilarious novels followed, including “Raney”
(1985); “Walking Across Egypt” (1987),
which was made into a movie in 1999 starring Ellen
Burstyn; “Redeye” (1995); “Where
Trouble Sleeps” (1999); and “Lunch at
the Piccadilly” (2003).
Edgerton is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship,
a Lyndhurst Fellowship, and five Notable Book awards
from The New York Times. The San Diego Union-Tribune
has hailed him as an “American Treasure.”
And his talents extend beyond the written word. A
former member of the Tarwater Band, Edgerton is an
accomplished musician and songwriter. His performance
at UNCG will feature reading from his novels, commentary,
his trademark humor, and the Americana music of the
Rank Strangers.
Tickets for the dinner and presentation – $30
for Friends of the Library and $40 for non-members
– are now on sale. Tickets to the presentation
only are $10. Tickets can be ordered online
or via phone at (336) 334-4688.
Dinner reservations are due by Feb. 25. The UNCG Friends
of the Library thanks the News and Record, the O.
Henry Hotel and a donor who chooses to remain anonymous
for their support of Edgerton’s appearance.
