Telling the story of one of country music's most influential artists, this biography details the incredible journey of a brilliant singer-songwriter from his humble beginnings in Arkansas and the peak of his popularity in the 1950s and 1960s to his sudden death in 1975. An intimate portrait told from the perspective of his brother, this book reveals little-known personal information about Lefty, explores the people who influenced his music, chronicles his severe addiction to alcohol and its impact on his career, and examines the profound effect of his early death on those who knew him well. With contributions from Lefty's family and other musicians who were close to him--including Merle Haggard and Bill Mack--this moving story provides insights into the artist's songwriting and recording process, a close look at the creation of some of country music's greatest hits, and never-before-seen photographs of Lefty, his family, and many famous musicians who performed with him.