Stumbling On Open Ground to be published Jan. 15

STUMBLING ON OPEN GROUND REVEALS

MUSIC INDUSTRY ICON’S FAITH IN THE FACE OF CANCER

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— GRAMMY® Award-winning former Beatles executive and music industry icon Ken Mansfield chronicles a deeply personal journey of faith and struggle in his highly-anticipated fourth title, Stumbling on Open Ground: Love, God, Cancer, and Rock ‘n’ Roll (Thomas Nelson, January 15).

Revealing ongoing trials with two bouts of cancer, Mansfield’s memoir thoughtfully frames his spiritual struggle and physical pain in the light of ultimate healing and triumph. Sharing personal prayers and honest insight alongside remarkable moments from his storied music career, he confronts his failing body, a faith that both falters and soars, and the questions that aren’t supposed to be asked—but need to be answered.

Stumbling on Open Ground also features contributions from Mansfield’s wife of 25-years, Connie. Offering a candid glimpse into a marriage facing one of life’s greatest challenges, the couple trace the work of an extraordinary God who has transformed them both in the process.

 

“Dealing with cancer is not as linear as most books describe the ordeal,” Mansfield shares. “Going into it, going through it, and coming out of cancer is not that orderly. The battle is more of a hanging on, a falling apart, a sense of loss, and a lot of lonely flailing among the rubble.”

“This is a quest for deeper comprehension, a desire to dip beneath the opaque surface,” he adds. “As a child, I would ask my earthly father how to do things. As a child of God, I am asking my heavenly Father how this all works between Him and me.”

Ken Mansfield’s legendary career in the music industry includes tenures as the U.S. manager of the Beatles’ Apple Records, an executive at Capitol Records, a vice president at MGM Records, and president of Andy Williams’ Barnaby Records (CBS Records), among numerous influential roles. He has worked with such artists as the Beach Boys, James Taylor, Roy Orbison, Glen Campbell and Lou Rawls.

Instrumental in launching country music’s “Outlaw” movement in the 1970s, Mansfield was involved in the careers of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, among others. He produced Colter's #1 hit "I'm Not Lisa," as well as Jennings’ 1975 landmark recording, Are You Ready For The Country. He also produced the Gaither Vocal Band’s GRAMMY® Award-winning 1991 Homecoming album. The seminal release precipitated the resurgence of Southern Gospel music and the Gaither Homecoming series of recordings, videos and concerts.    

Since devoting his life to Christ more than two decades ago, Mansfield is now an ordained minister and sought-after speaker. He appears at churches, special events and colleges across the nation and has authored The Beatles, The Bible and Bodega Bay (B&H); The White Book: The Beatles, the Bands, the Biz: An Insiders Look at an Era (Thomas Nelson); and Between Wyomings (Thomas Nelson).

Stumbling on Open Ground: Love, God, Cancer, and Rock ‘n’ Roll ($15.99), a 256-page trade paper title, will be available January 15 from Thomas Nelson.

For further information, visit www.thomasnelson.com or www.turningpointpr.com.

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Rock Star hosts Ken Mansfield book signing

ROCK STAR GALLERY FEATURES BOOK SIGNING FOR BEATLES INSIDER AND MUSIC INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE

Ken Mansfield to sign The White Book: The Beatles, the Bands, the Biz: An Insiders Look at an Era

(Scottsdale, Az.) Ken Mansfield has worked with some of the biggest giants in the rock 'n roll and the country music genres and is coming to ROCK STAR Gallery in Scottsdale Az. for an exclusive book signing on Saturday, April 26.

As the U.S. manager of the Apple Records label, Mansfield was invited by his bosses, The Beatles to be among only a handful of eyewitnesses to catch their last-ever gig on the rooftop of their London headquarters on January 30, 1969. He was a loyal employee and companion to John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr both during the band years and well after their breakup in 1970. He was present when they composed some of their most enduring tunes. As a record label exec and Grammy Award-winning producer, he also worked on the marketing, promotion and production of dozens of top-selling artists, such as the Beach Boys, and was also a major player in country music in the 1970s as producer of choice of the groundbreaking Outlaw movement, whose impact is still felt in the genre to this very day. Now, Mansfield's experiences with the Fab Four and the music industry - many of which are told for the first time - are recounted in his first all-music tome, The White Book - The Beatles, the Bands, the Biz: An Insider's Look at an Era (Thomas Nelson, $22.99).

Through exclusive, never-before-seen photos and personal stories, Mansfield – one of the very last Fab Four insiders to pen a book – offers a compelling memoir that delves into his life in the 1960s and '70s and his unique partnership with The Beatles and other musicians who had orbited their world, from James Taylor to Harry Nilsson. It also includes fleeting, yet unforgettable encounters with Mama Cass Elliott, Eric Clapton, Donovan, Glen Campbell and Dolly Parton. As observer, friend and colleague, Mansfield attended Beatles recording sessions, partied in their swimming pools, took their irate calls, witnessed the madness of Beatlemania, and publicized their success. In addition to aggressively promoting the various artists in the Apple Records stable like James Taylor, Badfinger, Mary Hopkin and Jackie Lomax, he became a trusted member of his bosses' inner circle and got to know them intimately - he was among a small, privileged audience as the four Beatles played a casual cocktail set at noontime in London during a break from a meeting, he would join them at local boutiques or cafés, and was around when they composed their songs.

Entertaining, historically accurate, and illuminating a side of the Fab Four known only to a few like Mansfield, The White Book shines fresh light on the true characters behind the cultural phenomena that revolutionized a generation.

Mansfield will give a 45-minute talk with a question and answer session, followed by a book signing that starts at 1:00-3:00 Saturday, April 26. This event is open to the public and will be held at the ROCK STAR Gallery, 15220 N. Scottsdale Road, Suite 160, Scottsdale, Ariz., 85254. ROCK STAR Gallery is located next to Crate and Barrel in the Kierland Commons.

To R.S.V.P. for this event and secure a book, please contact ROCK STAR Gallery at (480) 275-4501 or email info@rockstargallery.net. For more information please go to http://www.rockstargallery.net/

Ken Mansfield headlines 1968 Week

Ken Mansfield, former U.S. Manager for Apple Records, is heading up an all-star cast of authors to commemorate the watershed year of 1968.

Billed as "Revolution '68: How the Beatles Reflected a Rebellious Year," Mansfield will appear with authors Charles Kaiser, Devin McKinney and Anthony DeCurtis at New York City's Barnes and Noble, 2289 Broadway at 82nd Street. The event starts at 7 p.m. and will be followed by a signing. Mansfield will be signing copies of his all-music tome The White Book (Thomas Nelson, $22.95). Seating is limited to the first 100 people.

Mansfield has worked with some of the biggest giants in the rock 'n roll and the country music genres. As the U.S. manager of the Apple Records label, he was invited by his bosses, The Beatles to be among only a handful of eyewitnesses to catch their last-ever gig on the rooftop of their London headquarters on January 30, 1969. He was a loyal employee and companion to John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr both during the band years and well after their breakup in 1970. He was present when they composed some of their most enduring tunes. As a record label exec and Grammy Award-winning producer, he also worked on the marketing, promotion and production of dozens of top-selling artists, such as the Beach Boys, and was also a major player in country music in the 1970s as producer of choice of the groundbreaking Outlaw movement, whose impact is still felt in the genre to this very day.

Through exclusive, never-before-seen photos and personal stories, Mansfield - one of the very last Fab Four insiders to pen a book - offers a compelling memoir that delves into his life in the 1960s and '70s and his unique partnership with The Beatles and other musicians who had orbited their world, from James Taylor to Harry Nilsson. It also includes fleeting, yet unforgettable encounters with Mama Cass Elliott, Eric Clapton, Donovan, Glen Campbell and Dolly Parton. As observer, friend and colleague, Mansfield attended Beatles recording sessions, partied in their swimming pools, took their irate calls, witnessed the madness of Beatlemania, and publicized their success. Entertaining, historically accurate, and illuminating a side of the Fab Four known only to a few like Mansfield, The White Book shines fresh light on the true characters behind the cultural phenomena that revolutionized a generation.

"The White Book" cracks the Top Ten

"The White Book" a hit on Amazon charts

"The White Book" a triple threat on Amazon.com"The White Book" has scored a hat trick on Amazon.com according to its most recent chart listing. The memoir, penned Ken Mansfield, former U.S. Manager for Apple Records and record producer, has charted in three different categories.

The book ranks #2 in the music category; #8 in entertainment and #19 in biography and memoirs.

Mansfield has worked with some of the biggest giants in the rock 'n roll and the country music genres. As the former U.S. manager of the Apple Records label, he was invited by his bosses, The Beatles to be among only a handful of eyewitnesses to catch their last-ever gig on the rooftop of their London headquarters on January 30, 1969. He was a loyal employee and companion to John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr both during the band years and well after their breakup in 1970. He was present when they composed some of their most enduring tunes.

As a record label exec and Grammy Award-winning producer, he also worked on the marketing, promotion and production of dozens of top-selling artists, such as the Beach Boys, and was also a major player in country music in the 1970s as producer of choice of the groundbreaking Outlaw movement, whose impact is still felt in the genre to this very day.

Now, Mansfield's experiences with the Fab Four and the music industry - many of which are told for the first time - are recounted in his first all-music tome, "The White Book - The Beatles, the Bands, the Biz: An Insider's Look at an Era" (Thomas Nelson/ISBN 1595551018) published on October 30, 2007.

Through exclusive, never-before-seen photos and personal stories, Mansfield - one of the very last Fab Four insiders to pen a book - offers a compelling memoir that delves into his life in the 1960s and '70s and his unique partnership with The Beatles and other musicians who had orbited their world, from James Taylor to Harry Nilsson.

It also includes fleeting, yet unforgettable encounters with Mama Cass Elliott, Eric Clapton, Donovan, Glen Campbell and Dolly Parton. As observer, friend and colleague, Mansfield attended Beatles recording sessions, partied in their swimming pools, took their irate calls, witnessed the madness of Beatlemania, and publicized their success. Entertaining, historically accurate, and illuminating a side of the Fab Four known only to a few like Mansfield, The White Book shines fresh light on the true characters behind the cultural phenomena that revolutionized a generation."The White Book" is packaged in a limited, numbered edition, a la the original copies of "The Beatles" highly influential double album from 1968, also nicknamed "The White Album."For more information, go to www.fabwhitebook.com