(1) Readers who heard me talk about Hank Williams on KNUS Sunday have asked whether this new biography is any good. Well, I enjoyed it. Paul Hemphill is interesting, writes well, is not too obstrusive, & keeps your attention.

There really ought to be some photographs in a biography, though, even one as short as this. Favorite bit, about the author’s early researches in country music: “While in Nashville, I asked Chet Atkins if he thought Audrey [i.e. HW’s widow] might talk to me. ‘You’re a handsome young man, so I don’t see why not,’ he said. ‘Just don’t go over there alone and after dark. She’s armed and dangerous.’”

(2) Odd comment from one viewer of my C-Span appearance with Brian Lamb Friday (which, by the way — the whole durn thing — is archived on their site somewhere): “Mr. Derb — Good show on C-Span. However, you have picked up WFB’s mannerisms. I noticed the same thing with Rich Lowry.

You’re Buckley clones, all of you.” Well, thanks — I can’t think of any higher praise. I must admit, I don’t see the thing about mannerisms, though.