Synopsis:
Three cousins, inseparably bonded through music. Each became a star; their story would become a legend. J. D. Davis's enthralling new biography of famous cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley, born within a twelve-month span in small-town Louisiana during the Great Depression, draws from exhaustive research and personal connections with friends and family. Davis Davis
J. D. Davis has been a fan of the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley much of his life. He spent several years researching the lives of these men for this book.
Davis was raised in Quitman, Texas, a quiet community in the piney woods of East Texas. He earned a bachelor's degree (with highest honors) in economics from the University of Texas and later received a master's degree from SMU. A successful businessman and entrepreneur, he achieved the rare distinction of partnership in his twenties at a major actuarial consulting firm, where he continues to manage a large practice. He has three daughters and lives near Dallas.
Website
Non-Fiction
Title: Unconquered
Author: J.D. Davis
Date to be Published: 5/1/12
Author Interview Query
I have been a fan of the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley much of my life. I spent several years researching the lives of these men for my book. I was raised in Quitman , Texas , a quiet community in the piney woods of East Texas . I earned a bachelor’s degree with highest honors in economics from the University of Texas Dallas , Texas
2. What do you do when you are not writing?
Professionally, I manage a retirement consulting practice that is based in Dallas , Texas and covers much of the Southern United States . Personally, I raise three daughters whose ages range from fifteen to eleven years, I generally exercise five days per week, and in recent years have traveled extensively to conduct research and interviews for the book.
3. Do you have a day job as well?
Professionally, I am an actuary – a business mathematician who is generally an expert in risk assessment and probability mathematics. I manage a retirement consulting practice that is based in Dallas , Texas and covers much of the Southern United States . I have worked at my current firm for 20 years, beginning there directly out of college.
4. When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I started researching and writing three years ago and just recently finished my first book. Its release is set for May 1st.
5. How did you choose the genre you write in?
Writing about three men in whom I am interested – from a particular region of the country in which I am interested – naturally led me to nonfiction and, more precisely, biography.
6. Where do you get your ideas?
One’s best ideas generally come from concentrating on topics in which he or she is interested. At least that is true for me.
7. Do you ever experience writer’s block?
I haven’t thus far. The research I undertook was so extensive I have struggled much more with limiting scope than writer’s block.
8. Do you work with an outline, or just write?
My working style is quite elaborate, owing to my ability to organize and pay close attention to detail. For my current book, I was able to create and then index over 8,000 note entries into a very elaborate, dynamic outline.
9. Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
I enjoy a myriad of authors and books but wouldn’t say any one influenced me in a particularly noticeable way.
10. Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
Being an unknown writer – which every author has been at some point – creates certain obvious challenges, particularly in today’s publishing environment. With so much in flux in the publishing industry, big-name publishers are understandably going to gravitate to better-known authors with better-established platforms.
In addition, because the subjects of the book have experienced some controversy, there was a fair amount of pressure from publishers who wanted more incriminating information in the story, which I was unwilling to provide.
11. If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your book or getting it
published that you would change?
There are countless things I would do differently. However, you have to accept that, like everything substantial that you do for the first time, it is a learning process. The “hits and misses” experienced are an essential part of writing one’s first book.
12. How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?
We are taking a detailed, multi-faceted approach to marketing and promoting this book. We are fortunate to have the budget to “do it right” and give the book every chance to reach a large audience. Our strategy includes author interviews, reviews, feature articles, book signing events, extensive use of online and social media avenues, as well as print and online advertising.
13. Have you ever written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?
No, this is my first book and I was fortunate to find a good home for it.
14. Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
J.D. Davis's enthralling new biography of cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley, born within a twelve-month span in small-town Louisiana during the Great Depression, draws from exhaustive research and personal connections with friends and family. Davis
With three personal journey set alongside important landmarks in pop-culture history, Davis
15. Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
The book is based entirely on real-life experiences.
16. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?
I particularly enjoyed writing the chapters that take place in the 1970s and 1980s, when all three men were experiencing dramatic high and sobering lows. Those chapters create a compelling story for the reader, whether he or she has been a fan of all or any of these men or not.
17. How did you come up with the title?
Conquered Unconquered was a game the cousins played as young boys.In Conquered Unconquered, one of the boys would perform a daring stunt and the others would have to follow suit or be “conquered.” Whether it was jumping from boxcar to boxcar or the executing the latest death-defying feat on their bicycles, each of the cousins was always looking for a chance to come up with a new, amazing feat that would best the other two.
Through the course of their lives and careers, these three men have experienced numerous peaks and valleys. Nevertheless, the same dogged determination to never give up – to never be “conquered” – has kept each of them moving forward, meeting new challenges and scaling new heights. Now, all three have passed the three-quarters-of-a-century mark, and each remains truly unconquered.
18. What project are you working on now?
Right now my focus is marketing and promotingUnconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilleyin anticipation of its release, on May 1st.
19. Will you have a new book coming out soon?
Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley is set for release on May 1st.
20. Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
I have a wide variety of interests and can imagine heading in a number of different directions. However, I would say there are several recurring themes of human interest, fascinating characters, rural life, and the American South which I find interesting and compelling.
21. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
The primary criticism I encountered came from my lack of prior experience, which is to be expected and didn’t bother me. Many compliments from those close to the project touched on my instinctive feel for the subject matter, organizational skills, vast knowledge of the three subjects, and, most satisfyingly, the tenacity shown in pushing through every phase of this sizable undertaking. I’ve also been complimented on my writing, which is nice to hear.
22. Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
I would tell them to make sure that they really care about the subject they are writing about, because they are going to be spending a lot of time with it. Secondly, depending on the complexity and depth of their undertaking, they need to recognize that they may be setting out on a marathon, not a sprint.
23. Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
I want to thank them for their interest in the book and for all the encouraging and warm remarks and comments I have received. It is satisfying to produce a credible work on a topic that interests so many people and, beyond that, means a lot to them.
24. Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said to heck with it?
I have had at least one business meeting where the suit jacket and pants did not match – they weren’t even close – and another meeting where I had one black shoe and one brown shoe. In the case of the mismatched suit, I attended the meeting without the jacket. With the shoes, there was no turning back. I blame the events on getting dressed in the dark (or near dark) rather than an extreme case of fashion unawareness.
25. Do you prefer fuzzy or tub socks?
(Laughs) Neither, I suppose. However, I am a big fan of comfortable socks.
26. Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
I make my bed every morning, without exception.
27. Do you get road rage? What upsets you the most about other drivers?
My children constantly remind me to be more patient on the road and with other drivers. Drivers who are not aware of the world going on around them and who seem to be “starring in their own movie” are a particular source of annoyance.
28. Where are you from?
I was born in Dallas, Texas. However, I spent my childhood from the age of three through eighteen in the small, northeast Texas community of Quitman, with a population of approximately 1,800 people.
29. What inspired you to write your first book?
After reading extensively about these men, visiting their hometown, and getting to know their family members, I realized there was a fascinating story to be told. While much had been written about them – particularly about Jerry Lee Lewis – I found, to my surprise, no one had ever integrated their three lives together. The way their stories interlock really is the compelling story, in my opinion, and I feel privileged to have been able to tell it.
30. Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?
This is a not a story of good and bad, or right and wrong. It is a deeply human story of aspirations and success and failure. It is a tale about family, music, and perseverance. The reader will be moved and inspired by the journeys of these three men, who came from nothing, rose to the top of their respective fields, and faced a variety of profound challenges along the way. My hope is that the reader will come away with a deeper appreciation of these three men and a fuller understanding of the many factors that shaped those unique individuals who came from the Depression and post-Depression era South.
31. What book are you reading now?
Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson.
32. Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Not right now. While managing several hundred sources for my current book, my reading on other topics slowed in the last few years. Mostly what I read in the time I have are works by established authors.
33. Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
In my thirties, I decided to expand my knowledge on topics outside of my profession and immediate set of interests. So I pursued a Master’s degree at Southern Methodist University where I found a great deal of support from professors in areas such as theology, history, philosophy, and the like. It helped me challenge myself to explore new pursuits, which ultimately led to writing my current book.
34. Do you see writing as a career?
Writing for me is still an avocation, rather than a vocation. With continued development and the possible success of my first book, it is feasible that writing could become more of a career pursuit.
35. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
At this point, I am quite satisfied with the outcome of my current book. If starting over from scratch, there are many things I would change about the process of writing the book, but I don’t think I would change much in the book itself. But even now, having completed the book, I feel it does a good job of accomplishing several complicated – even competing – objectives.
36. Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
My interest in undertaking the daunting task of writing a biography that would require weaving together the lives of three men developed from my interest in the men themselves. Also, the story of these famous cousins had never been told in this way before and I felt that it would be compelling to many readers.
37. Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
The research phase of writing the book required a significant amount of travel, based on the large number of people to whom I needed to speak and the wide dispersion geographically of the book’s key subjects.
38. Who designed the cover?
The design team of my publisher, Brown Books, designed the cover of Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley.
39. What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The biggest challenge in writing Unconquered was creating a book that would be appealing, yet credible, to vastly different audiences. In writing about Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley, I wanted to write a book that appealed to the rock ‘n’ roll, country, and gospel music audiences; to secular and religious audiences; and to academic and non-academic audiences. It required striking a careful and unusual balance.
40. Did you learn anything from writing your book and if so what?
As a first-time author, I learned an enormous amount writing this book. Perhaps most importantly, I learned about the rigorous process of writing a book from start to finish. It is an extensive process, to say the least, and being thorough and organized during each step of the process is crucial.
41. What is your writing process? Do you follow a regular routine?
Maintaining a full-time career as a business executive, I did not have a regular routine in writing the book. Instead, I dedicated time to it whenever I was able.
42. Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?
At some point, I hope to meet Nick Tosches and Anne Seaman, the authors who have written the most-recognized biographies of, respectively, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart two of the three main subjects of my book Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley.
43. Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks or hardcover?
I prefer hardcover books. I don’t remember the last paperback I read and I have never read an e-book (although I will get around to it sooner or later).
44. Where do you prefer to buy your books?
I purchase books online and in brick-and-mortar bookstores. There are two large bookstores near my place of business in Dallas, Texas – one sells new books and the other sells used books. I enjoy perusing the shelves of both.
45. What book would you like to read again?
Crime and Punishment, by Fyodor Dostoevsky
46. Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version?
While not as good as the book, the movie version of Lonesome Dove was VERY good, in my opinion.
47. Do you buy a book by the cover?
A cover can catch my attention, but rarely do I buy a book purely because of the cover.
48. Do you have a book trailer?
Yes, we recently completed a trailer for Unconquered.
49. What are your thoughts on book trailers?
I believe they can be valuable if they are effective in capturing the attention of potential readers and are able to convey the message of a book in an efficient fashion.
50. Do you write under a pen name?
No.
51. What date were you born?
August 5, 1971.
52. Do you have a nickname?
No.
53. Did you have a favorite toy as a child?
Nothing specific comes to mind, but it likely would have been sports-related – a football, basketball, or baseball glove, perhaps.
54. Do you ever write in your PJ’s?
(Laughs) I’m sure I’ve written in every type of attire I own, including my PJ’s.
55. What are your pet peeves?
(Laughs) Good question. The first thing that comes to mind would be laziness. I believe in persistent, dedicated effort and have seen it overcome a variety of shortcomings and drawbacks.
56. Any pets that you would like to tell us about, share a pic?
My daughters and I have a cocker spaniel, Maddie, and a mixed breed, Max. They are well-behaved, excellent companions.
57. White wine or red?
White wine over red, although I rarely consume alcohol.
58. Coffee or tea?
I never consume coffee, but drink tea occasionally.
59. Do you like to cook? Do you have a favorite food?
I do like to cook although I do it infrequently. Favorite food? Each time I eat chicken and dumplings, it reminds me of dining at the table of my grandparents as a child. They were very special to me, so that dish is definitely one of my favorites.
60. Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream?
Chocolate ice cream
61. What do you normally eat for breakfast, or do you skip it and get straight to work?
I maintain a diligent morning exercise regimen. Breakfast is a must.
62. What are four things you never leave home without (apart from keys, money and phone)?
Those four items include sunglasses, wallet, notebook computer, and a small file with current documents and to-do lists.
63. Sleep in or get up early?
Up early
64. Laptop or desktop for writing?
Laptop (notebook) computer
65. Your favorite gadget –
(Laughs) Does a lawn mower count as a gadget?
66. Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
I typically write at home, in small increments of thirty to forty minutes each.
67. Where is one place in the world that you would really love to visit someday?
I like to travel to historical destinations more than purely recreational ones. I was fortunate to travel to Paris as part of a college-credit trip and was amazed by the city. I have not yet been to Rome but assume it would produce a similarly-profound impact.
68. One of your favorite quotes –
Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory.
– Bill Russell, legendary Boston Celtics basketball player
69. List three books you just recently read and would recommend?
Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand
Empire of the Sun Moon, by S.C. Gwynne
Shadow Divers, by Robert Kurson
70. List three of your favorite movies.
Schindler’s List
Shawshank Redemption
The Godfather
71. An actor or a book character you have a crush on –
(Laughs) I was fascinated with the character Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
72. What movie or TV show have you watched recently and really enjoyed?
I don’t see many movies but I recently enjoyed The Descendants.
73. Where can your readers stalk you?
(Laughs) Readers can follow me and the progress of the book on www.UnconqueredTheBook.com and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UnconqueredTheBook.
74. What inspired you to write your first book?
After reading extensively about these men, visiting their hometown, and getting to know their family members, I realized there was a fascinating story to be told. While much had been written about them – particularly about Jerry Lee Lewis – I found, to my surprise, no one had ever integrated their three lives together. The way their stories interlock really is the compelling story, in my opinion, and I feel privileged to have been able to tell it.
75. What books have influenced your life most?
The Bible has clearly had the most influence on my life out of any book I have read.
76. What was your favorite chapter to write and why?
I enjoyed writing every chapter in Unconquered. One of the most enjoyable was Chapter 10 – Music, which talks about the early musical development of Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley.
77. Why do you feel you had to tell this story?
After reading extensively about these men, visiting their hometown, and getting to know their family members, I realized there was a fascinating story to be told. While much had been written about them – particularly about Jerry Lee Lewis – I found, to my surprise, no one had ever integrated their three lives together. The way their stories interlock really is the compelling story, in my opinion, and I feel privileged to have been able to tell it.
‘* * *
Q&A: J.D. DAVIS, author of Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley
Q1: What inspired you to write Unconquered?
After reading extensively about these men, visiting their hometown, and getting to know their family members, I realized there was a fascinating story to be told. While much had been written about them – particularly about Jerry Lee Lewis – I found, to my surprise, no one had ever integrated their three lives together. The way their stories interlock really is the compelling story, in my opinion, and I feel privileged to have been able to tell it.
Q2: How old were you when you first became aware of Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley?
As a child, I heard Jerry and Mickey on country music radio stations (Jerry’s airplay by that time had transitioned largely into country music, from rock ‘n’ roll). Their singing was great but it was their piano playing that really drew me in. My father watched Jimmy preach and play on television and I remember hearing Jimmy’s music every Sunday morning as I sauntered in and out of the living room.
Q3: When did you first become aware of their incredible story and the fact that they were blood cousins who grew up together in the Deep South?
Most writings on any of the three touch on their family relationship – though they do so briefly as the focus is always on one of the cousins.
So I was aware early on that they were related. However, over the years it struck me that each of their stories becomes more interesting when you consider their lives collectively. I thought it was important to write about the bonds between them: their similar upbringing, the influences they shared, their disparate responses to the world around them. These things explain their lifelong ties to each other and the separate paths they ultimately took.
For instance, when Jerry Lee became successful in 1956, Jimmy and Mickey were squeezing out a living performing grueling manual labor. While further exposing their own struggles, it also inspired them to find their own paths to success. To fully understand each man one needs to consider their relationships to one another.
Q4: What influences shaped their lives and eventual careers?
Their key influences include:
Ø Tight family bonds: the strong influences of relatives and the powerful connections each of them developed and maintained with their respective mothers;
Ø Ferriday, Louisiana: the small, turbulent, railroad town that produced an explosion of wild behavior, cultural tension, and musical discovery;
Ø The Pentecostal church on Texas Avenue: the undeniably powerful spiritual influence that transformed their families and inspired and haunted each of them, in varying degrees, throughout their lives;
Ø The piano: the instrument all three mastered and which led to their success;
Ø Their music: a fusion of the upbeat gospel they heard at church, the blues played at the legendary Haney’s Big House, a stone’s throw from where they were raised, and the country music that came through their radios into their homes from the Grand Ole Opry and Louisiana Hayride.
Q5: A number of family members contributed to this book. How were you able to get them to open up and discuss these amazing men?
I think my genuine interest in and knowledge of the three men contributed most to gaining the confidence and trust of their friends and family members. If I had shown up with only a cursory knowledge of the men and the appearance of only wanting a “good story”, it would have been apparent to the people who know them best. In all but a few cases, any hesitancy I encountered quickly dissipated as my positive interest in the men and their families readily shone through.
One of the highlights of this effort for me has been the forging of strong bonds and friendships with many of the people closest to these men. I am deeply appreciative of that.
Q6: "Conquered Unconquered" was a game the cousins played as young boys. Can you tell us what it entailed and the significance of how it has impacted their lives to this day?
In Conquered Unconquered, one of the boys would perform a daring stunt and the others would have to follow suit or be “conquered.” Whether it was jumping from boxcar to boxcar or the executing the latest death-defying feat on their bicycles, each of the cousins was always looking for a chance to come up with a new, amazing feat that would best the other two.
Through the course of their lives and careers, these three men have experienced numerous peaks and valleys. Nevertheless, the same dogged determination to never give up – to never be “conquered” – has kept each of them moving forward, meeting new challenges and scaling new heights. Now, all three have passed the three-quarters-of-a-century mark, and each remains truly unconquered.
Q7: Do you expect this book to appeal more to men or women?
People of all ages and both genders will appreciate the complete story of these three remarkable cousins and the many fascinating events in their lives. Men will particularly enjoy the exploits of Jerry Lee Lewis, his personality and bad-boy image and his “take no prisoners” attitude toward life. They will also be intrigued by the stories of the cousins’ hardscrabble existence and the unique “characters” in this family.
Unconquered is a great book for women too.Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart have always had many female fans and supporters and I believe that women will appreciate the romantic ideas and institutions of yesteryear that the book details: rural life, conservative religion, the tight bonds between mothers and sons. They’ll also be captivated by the psychology of these men and the exploration of what makes them do what they do.
Q8: How have Jerry, Jimmy, and Mickey gotten past their respective personal challenges and how have they managed to continue to thrive today?
Inherent in each man’s success is the music which is their driving force. Jerry’s music is his lifeblood. Through music he finds the ability to communicate deep-seated emotions and earns the respect and adoration he craves. Jimmy’s music is a conduit to his spirituality and a key aspect of his ministry to others. Mickey uses music as a way to please his fans and to maintain a connection with people who enjoy country music and derive satisfaction from its message.
In my opinion, these men have continued to persevere – and thrive – because the music they perform is not simply a means to an external end but a reflection of their fundamental makeup and a core part of who they are.
Q9: What is the most significant message of Unconquered? And what do you hope readers will gain by reading this book?
This is a not a story of good and bad, or right and wrong. It is a deeply human story of aspirations and success and failure. It is a tale about family, music, and perseverance. The reader will be moved and inspired by the journeys of these three men, who came from nothing, rose to the top of their respective fields, and faced a variety of profound challenges along the way. My hope is that the reader will come away with a deeper appreciation of these three men and a fuller understanding of the many factors that shaped those unique individuals who came from the Depression and post-Depression era South.
Q10: What is the key to MG’s success?
I think the recipe for Mickey’s success has several ingredients, but I personally believe there are three main ones:
1) He obviously comes from a family with a great deal of musical talent
2) He grew up in a very safe environment with a nurturing mother and I think that bred a lot of self-confidence and comfort with himself
3) Because he didn’t experience recording success until the age of 38, after many years of struggle and failed attempts, he knows what it means to be a “regular Joe” and has never lost sight of that, even his star burned intensely years later
Q12: Will the book be available as an e-book?
Yes, the book will definitely be available for those individuals who love their Kindles, Nooks, and other devices. The e-book will also be available on or around April 30th. We’ll supply more information at a later date.
Q13: Does the book include photos?
The book includes 32 photographs across 16 pages. Deciding which photographs to choose from the vast selection available to us was challenging. Some of the photographs we did not use will be posted later on the website.
Q14: How often will Author Updates occur?
Currently, the plan is to post weekly Author Updates. As we get closer to the book’s release date, we will post more frequently, while being careful not to mercilessly bombard you with information!
In addition to Author Updates, we plan to post Recent News items related to the book as well as Video Clips.
Q15: What topics do you plan to cover in the Author Updates?
We intend to include a wide variety of information. There will be items of interest concerning Jerry, Jimmy, and Mickey – some of it historical and some related to their present-day activities.
There will also likely be small excerpts from the manuscript. The original draft was quite lengthy and many interesting stories did not make it into the final version. We intend to share some of them in Author Updates.
Q16: What has been the early reaction to the book?
Promotional efforts are picking up during March and April, prior to the book’s release. Book signing events are expected in several cities. There has been early excitement among those close to the topic and the project.
Q17: When does UNCONQUERED (your book) hit the book shelves?
The book’s release is set for May 1st. Interested readers will be able to find it in bookstores or find the e-book online. Pre-ordering for the book is available now through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and most other retailers.
Q18: Do you know Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley personally?
Yes, I have had the occasion to meet each of them on multiple occasions and they have been cordial to me. My interaction with Jerry and Jimmy has been fairly limited, but I have spent a lot of time with Mickey and am pleased to have forged a strong friendship with him.
Q19: What made you want to write this book?
After reading extensively about these men, visiting their hometown, and getting to know their family members, I realized there was a fascinating story to be told. While much had been written about them – particularly about Jerry Lee Lewis – I found, to my surprise, no one had ever integrated their three lives together. The way their stories interlock really is the compelling story, in my opinion, and I feel privileged to have been able to tell it.
Q20: What made you choose the title UNCONQUERED?
In Conquered Unconquered, one of the boys would perform a daring stunt and the others would have to follow suit or be “conquered.” Whether it was jumping from boxcar to boxcar or the executing the latest death-defying feat on their bicycles, each of the cousins was always looking for a chance to come up with a new, amazing feat that would best the other two.
Through the course of their lives and careers, these three men have experienced numerous peaks and valleys. Nevertheless, the same dogged determination to never give up – to never be “conquered” – has kept each of them moving forward, meeting new challenges and scaling new heights. Now, all three have passed the three-quarters-of-a-century mark, and each remains truly unconquered.
Q21: When did you realize that this story could be book?
It is often said that truth is stranger than fiction. If this book had been written as fiction, it might have seemed unbelievable in some aspects. I have known for many years this story would provide the basis for a terrific book and, frankly, am surprised no one has written it previously. So I decided, based on my ever-expanding knowledge on the subjects of the three men, that I might be just the right guy to do it. Three years later, here we are.
Q22: When did you begin researching for this book?
I have observed the men and their music for many years, but the formal research phase in writing this book began in the spring of 2009.
Q23: When did you realize they were all 3 cousins?
Most writings on any of the three touch on their family relationship – though they do so briefly as the focus is always on one of the cousins.
So I was aware early on that they were related. However, over the years it struck me that each of their stories becomes more interesting when you consider their lives collectively. I thought it was important to write about the bonds between them: their similar upbringing, the influences they shared, their disparate responses to the world around them. These things explain their lifelong ties to each other and the separate paths they ultimately took.
For instance, when Jerry Lee became successful in 1956, Jimmy and Mickey were squeezing out a living performing grueling manual labor. While further exposing their own struggles, it also inspired them to find their own paths to success. To fully understand each man one needs to consider their relationships to one another.
Q24: How close were they all?
Growing up, they were quite close. Close in age and growing up in the same small town, they spent countless hours together.
As adults, their paths have gone in markedly different directions, but their bonds remain intact.
Q25: What were their ancestors like?
The Lewis, Swaggart, Gilley, and Herron families were tight-knit clans that lived in difficult conditions. They were generally poor laborers, farmers, carpenters, and even moonshiners that scratched out meager livings in a difficult environment. The Lewis family was characterized as tough, country people; excellent musicians; prone to combustible tempers, and possessing a low tolerance for alcohol.
Q26: How many years did it take to compile your research?
Three years
Q27: Did you do any sort of interviews of relatives and others?
I interviewed relatives and others close to the three men extensively. In the course of the project, I developed close relationship with many of these individuals and am proud to have written the story of these men and their family.
Q28: How large of a role has country music and music in general played in your life?
I grew up in rural, northeast Texas heavily influenced by church music, country and western music of the 70s and 80s, and older rock ‘n’ roll classics. I still listen to that music today and it creates a comfortable continuity with the influences of my formative years.
Q29: Which one is your favorite...Jerry Lee, Jimmy or Mickey?
Haha. I have been asked that by others and tend to evade it effectively. Let me say that I have an appreciation for all three men for different reasons. I think the musical ability of Jerry Lee Lewis is second to none, I feel like I have an understanding of many of the influences that have driven Reverend Swaggart to his successes and struggles, and I think Mickey Gilley is one of the most genuine, approachable people that I have ever encountered.
Q30: Have you written any other books?
This is the first book I have written.
Q31: Do you have plans for other future books?
I picked up this topic because it was one I found interesting and felt was compelling to a potentially broad audience. Future book efforts would depend largely on the ability to continue finding topics upon which I am interested and about which I think I am qualified (maybe even uniquely qualified) to write.
Q32: What would you tell aspiring authors?
Most importantly, I would tell them to make sure they really care about the subject upon which they are writing, because they are going to be spending a lot of time with it. Secondly, depending on the complexity and depths of their subject, they need to recognize that they may be setting out on a marathon, not a sprint.
Q33: What is the most important thing you learned during this writing process?
For an involved, detailed effort, it is important to note the need to work the process. Don’t spend much time looking up and trying to see a finish line in the distance. Instead, keep your head down, moving methodically from task to task, step by step
Q34: What is one the most interesting parts of this book?
There are countless parts of the book we believe are fascinating. Many of the stories on these three are new and never before written about.
Q35: What is your educational background?
My professional background is actually in business and finance. I am a credentialed actuary and manage a consulting practice that helps employer design and administer retirement plans for their employees. I have a degree in economics from the University of Texas and a Master’s degree in liberal studies from SMU in Dallas.
Q&A: J.D. DAVIS, author of Unconquered: The Saga of Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley
Q1: What inspired you to write Unconquered?
After reading extensively about these men, visiting their hometown, and getting to know their family members, I realized there was a fascinating story to be told. While much had been written about each of them—particularly about Jerry Lee Lewis—I found, to my surprise, that no one hadever integrated their three lives together. The way their stories interlock really is the compelling story, in my opinion. I feel privileged to have been able to tell it.
Q2: How old were you when you first became aware of Jerry Lee Lewis, Jimmy Swaggart, and Mickey Gilley?
As a child, I heard Jerry and Mickey on country music radio stations (by that time Jerry’s airplay had largely transitioned from rock ‘n’ rollinto country music). Their singing was great but it was their piano playing that really drew me in. My father watched Jimmy preach and play on television and I remember hearing Jimmy’s music every Sunday morningas I sauntered in and out of the living room.
Q3: When did you first become aware of their incredible story and the fact that they were blood cousins who grew up together in the Deep South?
Most writings on any of the three touch on their family relationship—though they do so briefly as the main focus is always on one of the cousins in particular—so I was aware early on that they were related. However, over the yearsit struck me that each of theirindividual stories becomes more interesting when you consider their lives collectively. I thought it was important to write about the bonds between them: their similar upbringing, the influences they shared, their disparate responses to the world around them. These things explaintheir lifelong ties to each other and the separate paths they ultimately took.
For instance, when Jerry Lee became successful in 1956, Jimmy and Mickey were squeezing out a living performing grueling manual labor. While further exposing their own struggles, it also inspired them to find their own paths to success. To fully understand each man one needs to consider their relationships to one another.
Q4: What influences shaped their lives and eventual careers?
Their key influences include:
Ø Tight family bonds: the strong influences of relatives and the powerful connections each of them developed and maintained with their respective mothers;
Ø Ferriday, Louisiana: the small, turbulent railroad town that produced an explosion of wild behavior, cultural tension, and musical discovery;
Ø The Pentecostal church on Texas Avenue: the undeniably powerful spiritual influence that transformed their families and inspired and haunted each of them, in varying degrees, throughout their lives;
Ø The piano: the instrument all three masteredthat led to their success;
Ø Their music: a fusion of the upbeat gospel they heard at church, the blues played at the legendary Haney’s Big House—a stone’s throw from where they were raised—and the country music that came through their radios into their homes from the Grand Ole Opry and Louisiana Hayride.
Q5: A number of family members contributed to this book. How were you able to get them to open up and discuss these amazing men?
I think my genuine interest in and knowledge of the three men contributed most to gaining the confidence and trust of their friends and family members. If I had shown up with only a cursory knowledge of the men and the appearance of only wanting a “good story,” it would have been apparent to the people who know them best. In all but a few cases, any hesitancy I encountered quickly dissipated as my positive interest in the men and their families readily shone through.
One of the highlights of this effort for me has been the forging of strong bonds and friendships with many of the people closest to these men. I am deeply appreciative of that.
Q6: "Conquered Unconquered" was a game the cousins played as young boys. Can you tell us what it entailed and the significance of how it has impacted their lives to this day?
In Conquered Unconquered, one of the boys would perform a daring stunt and the others would have to follow suit or be “conquered.” Whether it was jumping from boxcar to boxcar or executing the latest death-defying feat on their bicycles, each of the cousins was always looking for a chance to come up with a new, amazing feat that would best the other two.
Through the course of their lives and careers, these three men have experienced numerous peaks and valleys. Nevertheless, the same dogged determination to never give up—to never be “conquered”—has kept each of them moving forward, meeting new challenges, and scaling new heights. Now all three have passed the three-quarters-of-a-century mark, and each remains truly unconquered.
Q7: Do you expect this book to appeal more to men or women?
People of all ages and both genders will appreciate the complete story of these three remarkable cousins and the many fascinating events in their lives. Men will particularly enjoy the exploits of Jerry Lee Lewis, with his personality, bad-boy image,and “take no prisoners” attitude toward life. They will also be intrigued by the stories of the cousins’ hardscrabble existence and the unique characters in this family.
Unconquered is a great book for women, too.Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart have always had many female fans and supporters and I believe that women will appreciate the romantic ideas and institutions of yesteryear that the book details: rural life, conservative religion, the tight bonds between mothers and sons. They’ll also be captivated by the psychology of these men and the exploration of what makes them do what they do.
Q8: How have Jerry, Jimmy, and Mickey gotten past their respective personal challenges and how have they managed to continue to thrive today?
Inherent in each man’s successis the music, which is their driving force. Jerry’s music is his lifeblood. Through music he finds the ability to communicate deep-seated emotionsand earns the respect and adoration he craves.Jimmy’s music is a conduit to his spirituality and a key aspect of his ministry to others. Mickey uses music as a way to please his fans and to maintain a connection with people who enjoy country music and derive satisfaction from its message.
In my opinion, these men have continued to persevere—and thrive—because the music they perform is not simply a means to an external end but a reflection of their fundamental makeup and a core part of who they are.
Q9: What is the most significant message of Unconquered? And what do you hope readers will gain by reading this book?
This is a not a story of good and bad or right and wrong. It is a deeply human story of aspirations and success and failure. It is a tale about family, music, and perseverance. The reader will be moved and inspired by the journeys of these three men who came from nothing, rose to the top of their respective fields, and faced a variety of profound challenges along the way. My hope is that the reader will come away with a deeper appreciation of these three men and a fuller understanding of the many factors that shaped those unique individuals who came from the Depression and post-Depression era South.
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