Alice Randall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alice Randall
|
|
|---|---|
Randall at the New York Comic Con
|
|
| Born | Mari-Alice Randall May 4, 1959 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation |
|
| Language | English |
| Education | Harvard University |
| Genre | Historical fiction, political fiction |
| Spouse | David Ewing (1997--2017) |
| Children | Caroline Randall Williams |
Alice Randall (born May 4, 1959) is an American author, songwriter, and educator. She is famous for her work in country music. She is also known for her book, The Wind Done Gone. This book was a New York Times bestseller. It tells a new version of the classic 1936 novel Gone with the Wind.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mari-Alice Randall was born on May 4, 1959. She grew up in Detroit, Michigan and Washington, D.C.. She went to Harvard University. There, she studied English and American literature. She graduated with honors.
In 1983, Alice Randall moved to Nashville, Tennessee. She wanted to become a country songwriter. She still lives in Nashville today. She is a writer and professor at Vanderbilt University.
Alice Randall's Career
Alice Randall has had a busy career. She has worked in music, writing, and education.
Music Contributions
Alice Randall started her music career in Nashville in 1983. She was discovered by musician Steve Earle. He helped her learn how to write country songs. She later started her own music company called Midsummer Music.
Randall helped write "XXX's and OOO's (An American Girl)". This song was released by Trisha Yearwood in 1994. Over 20 of her songs have been recorded by different artists. Many of her songs became top 10 or top 40 hits. Artists like Trisha Yearwood and Mark O'Connor have performed her songs. She also worked on Johnny Cash's song "The Chicken in Black".
In 1992, Alice Randall wrote the video of the year for "Is There Life Out There" by Reba McEntire. This video won an award at the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Writing Books
Alice Randall is a successful author. She has written several fiction novels.
Fiction Novels by Alice Randall
- The Wind Done Gone (2001)
- Pushkin and the Queen of Spades (2004)
- Rebel Yell (2009)
- Ada's Rules (2012)
- The Diary of B.B. Bright, Possible Princess (2013) – This book won the Phillis Wheatley Award.
- Black Bottom Saints (2020)
Her first novel, The Wind Done Gone, is a new take on Gone with the Wind. Randall's book tells the story from the point of view of Cynara. Cynara is a fictional half-sister to Scarlett O'Hara, a main character in Gone with the Wind.
The Mitchell Estate, which manages Gone with the Wind, sued Randall's publisher in 2001. They said The Wind Done Gone copied their book. The lawsuit was settled. This allowed The Wind Done Gone to be published. It had a label saying "An Unauthorized Parody." The publisher also made a donation to Morehouse College. This college is supported by the Mitchell estate. The Wind Done Gone became a New York Times bestseller.
Her second novel, Pushkin and the Queen of Spades, was named one of The Washington Post's "Best Fiction of 2004."
Non-Fiction Works
In 2015, Alice Randall and her daughter, Caroline Randall Williams, wrote a cookbook. It is called "Soul Food Love." They wrote it to encourage healthy eating. They wanted to show how to make traditional soul food healthier. In 2016, this book won the NAACP Image Award for Literature (Instructional).
In 2006, Alice Randall also wrote My Country Roots. This book was about country music.
In 2024, Alice Randall released My Black Country: A Journey Through Country Music's Black Past, Present, and Future. A music album with songs by Alice Randall was also released.
Teaching and Education
Alice Randall is a professor at Vanderbilt University. She is a writer-in-residence there. She teaches about soul food, African American children's literature, and creative writing. Her courses include "Country Lyric in American Culture" and "Soul Food as Text and In Text." She also works on how art can help with health differences around the world.
Awards and Recognition
Alice Randall has received many awards for her work.
- In 2001, she received the Al Neuharth Free Spirit Award.
- In 2002, she won the Literature Award of Excellence.
- She was a finalist for an NAACP Image Award in 2002.
- In 2011, she had a special writing residency at the Yaddo artist's community.
- In 2016, she and her daughter won the NAACP Image Award for their cookbook, "Soul Food Love."
In 2008, Randall was inducted into the Silver Circle. This honored her for working in the country music industry for 25 years. She was honored alongside other famous people, including Reba McEntire.
Songs Written by Alice Randall
- The Ballad of Sally Anne – recorded by Mark O'Connor
- Big Dream – recorded by Samantha Mathis
- Blinded By Stars – recorded by Adrienne Young
- Get the Hell Out of Dodge – recorded by Walter Hyatt
- Girls Ride Horses Too – recorded by Judy Rodman
- I'll Cry for Yours (Will You Cry for Mine) – recorded by Tamra Rosanes
- Many Mansions – recorded by Moe Bandy
- Reckless Night – recorded by The Forester Sisters
- Small Towns (Are Smaller for Girls) – recorded by Holly Dunn
- Solitary Hero – recorded by Carol Elliot
- The Resurrection – recorded by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
- Went for a Ride – recorded by Radney Foster
- Who's Minding the Garden – recorded by Glen Campbell
- XXX's and OOO's (An American Girl) – recorded by Trisha Yearwood
See also
