"Ballin' with Books"

Our interview with Emma Span, author of 90% OF THE GAME IS HALF MENTAL

2010-04-07T13:13:00.000-07:00

Just had a great interview with Author Emma Span on Conversations LIVE! Listen here, http://tobtr.com/s/987759

To find out more about Span, her love of baseball and writing, visiting www.emmaspan.com.

BALLIN' WITH BOOKS INTERVIEW: Author John McCarthy

2010-04-07T05:35:00.000-07:00

Listen to Cyrus Webb's interview with author John McCarthy about what led to the writing of the book STARRY KNIGHTS.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2010/02/26/authors-john-mccarthy-and-murray-tillman-on-conver

"We'll Always Be Pals" by author Tom McManus

2010-02-18T02:29:00.000-08:00

We'll Always Be Pals from We'll Always be Pals on Vimeo.

2010-01-25T16:43:00.001-08:00

PART THREE: Cyrus Webb talks about the book club designed for sports lovers and introduces books designed with them in mind. He also begins his conversation with author Gary Myers about the events that inspired the book THE CATCH

PART FOUR: The continuation of Webb's discussion with author Gary Myers

NEW: Books Designed With Sports Lovers In Mind!

2009-12-25T18:24:00.000-08:00

Introducing DON'T HATE THE GAME

2009-10-25T04:17:00.000-07:00

"DON'T HATE THE GAME is a buffet of literary dishes prepared by skilled chefs of the business with something for all types of readers. Whether you are a fan of sports or just looking for a satisfying read, the contributors to this anthology have made sure that you get what you came for and then some." --- Cyrus A. Webb, President of Conversations Book Club

WED. SEPT. 30TH: Gary Myers, author of THE CATCH, on Conversations LIVE! Radio

2009-09-30T09:20:00.001-07:00

Sportswriter Gary Myers, author of THE CATCH, talks to Cyrus Webb of Conversations LIVE! Radio about his career in covering sports and the new book. Listen to the interview here: http://tobtr.com/s/703780

As someone who was there on the day of the historic game, Myers talks about that experience as well as the background on the players that few knew about at the time.

Please note that there is a minute or so delay between the musical break and the beginning of the interview.

Bestselling sports author John Feinstein talks to Conversations LIVE! Radio

2009-09-07T05:21:00.000-07:00

The author that prompted Conversations to begin its Ballin' With Books Club geared towards sports lovers makes his first appearance to the radio show. Bestselling author John Feinstein talks about his life, career as a writer and how it feels to reach those who might not be sports fans with his engaging books. Listen to the interview here: http://tobtr.com/s/685829

Find out more about Feinstein by visiting his website www.feinsteinonthebrink.com.

Bestselling author Matt de la Pena on Conversations LIVE! Radio

2009-08-31T04:07:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, August 27, 2009 Conversations LIVE! Radio welcomed bestselling author Matt de la Pena (BALL DON'T LIE and MEXICAN WHITEBOY) to the show. (Listen to the interview here: http://tobtr.com/s/672216 )

De la Pena talked about his love of sports and books and what we can learn about him through the characters he creates. You can also look for his first book BALL DON'T LIE to be brought to life later this year in a major motion picture around the time of his third release. Find out more about the author at http://www.mattdelapena.com.

THURS. AUG. 27TH: "C. A. Webb Presents HOW SPORTS LOVERS BALL WITH BOOKS"

2009-07-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, August 27, 2009 Conversations LIVE! Radio will hold an exciting hour-long discussion with booklovers/authors who will be talking about the bridge that exists between literacy and sports.

Hosted by Cyrus A. Webb, the panel (including authors Kurtis Scaletta and Sherry Hill) will share ways that all of us can encourage dialogue that leads to more people reading. Listen to the discussion live at this link: http://tobtr.com/s/629358 and join the conversation through the online chat.

For more information, visit http://www.ballinwithbooks.com or contact Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

Author Mick Cochrane on Conversations LIVE! Radio

2009-06-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

Author Mick Cochrane talks with Cyrus A. Webb of Conversations LIVE! Radio talks about his writing career and his book THE GIRL WHO THREW BUTTERFLIES: http://tobtr.com/s/579358

Cochrane's latest book has been chosen as one of Ballin' With Books' reading selections.

Author Larry Tye discusses his career, new book SATCHEL

2009-06-23T07:13:00.000-07:00

On Monday, June 22, 2009 Conversations LIVE! Radio talked with author Larry Tye, author of the new book SATCHEL. Listen to the interview here: http://tobtr.com/s/570594

The author discussed the success he has experienced since his first book, what he learned from the live and experiences of Satchel Paige, and what he thinks we can all learn from the telling of his story.

To find out more about the author visit http://www.larrytye.com.

Atuhor Kurtis Scaletta talks MUDVILLE with Conversations LIVE! Radio

2009-06-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Author Kurtis Scaletta talked with Conversations LIVE! Radio about his new book MUDVILLE. Missed it? Listen to the podcast here: http://tobtr.com/s/553733

Scaletta discusses his beginnings as a writer, what inspired the debut novel and what he hopes people get from the book. Visit him online at www.kurtisscaletta.com.

Mudville has been chosen as a selection of the BALLIN' WITH BOOKS Club.

Ballin' With Books Club Presents Its "Top 10 Summer Reads 2009"

2009-05-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

Sports lovers can pack something a little extra during their summer trips in 2009. To mark the first year of Ballin' With Books Club (http://www.ballinwithbooks.com), President and founder Cyrus A. Webb is pleased to present the club's "Top 10 Summer Reads 2009".

Arranged in no particular order:

* "The Express" by Robert Gallagher
* "It Never Rains In Tiger Stadium" by John Ed Bradley
* "Forever Blue" by Michael D' Antonio
* "The Marquise Hill Story" by Sherry Hill
* "We'll Always Be Pals" by Tom McManus
* "Watching Baseball Smarter" by Zack Hample
* "You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?" by Jonah Winter
* "Meat Market" by Bruce Feldman
* "The Punch" by John Feinstein
* "The Galloping Ghost" by Gary Andrew Poole

All of this year's selections are available through the author or Amazon.com. Know a sports lover that you think a title will fit? Make sure to make a recommendation. JOIN THE ADDICTION: Get hooked on Books!

Ballin' With Books' Featured Author Sherry Hill Interviewed by The Warehouse Crewe

2009-05-25T13:19:00.001-07:00

Did you miss author Sherry Hill's interview with The Warehouse Crewe? Watch it here!

Author of THE MARQUISE HILL STORY: FROM THE CRADLE TO THE BOWL, Ms. Hill made her first appearance on The Warehouse Crewe on Thursday, May 21, 2009, talking about her book and what she hopes people get from her story.

To find out more about The Warehouse Crewe, click here.

TAKE TEN: Conversations' Interview with author Tom McManus

2009-03-03T06:28:00.000-08:00

TAKE TEN: Conversations' Interview with Author Tom McManus

Tom McManus may not be what you consider the 'typical author,' however, nothing about his life or experiences can be called typical. After finding success in the NFL he has gone on to host his own sports talk radio show and now pen a book about his special relationship with his father called "We'll Always Be Pals". What does he have to say about what led to the writing of the book and what all of us can glean from it when it comes to our own relationships with family and friends? McManus discusses all of this and more.

Tom, thank you for taking out time to talk with us. Before I get into your book "We'll Always Be Pals" I want to talk about the writing experience overall. When you look at your journey overall, does it surprise you that you are now finding success as an author?
I don't think the word surprise is the term I would use. Surreal is more like it although from the start I always felt this was a compelling story that had to be told and that I had to be the one to tell it, my way. Now that it has been out a few months and the response has been somewhat overwhelming, it's a surreal feeling knowing that what I wrote is moving and inspiring people. It's a tremendous feeling for that is one of the reasons I wrote "We'll Always Be Pals".

This is quite a career change from football, however, it seems you are able to resonate with sports lovers through your book. Do you think your past career will bring a different audience to read?
Yes, I do, for my story of making it is a lot closer to what people in the real world go through. Everyone thinks that the NFL is just full of stars, but in reality the "stars" of the league make up a small percentage of the players. Not everyone is a first round draft pick that gets paid millions of dollars. I believe my story will resonate because although I had enough talent to be in the league, it was a struggle for me to realize my dream. It also tells the story of getting lucky, but also being prepared when an opportunity arises and making the most out of it.

Let's take a step back to what led to the book being written. I know through a video on your site you talk about when you started writing it. Why don't you share that with our readers.
I wrote the initial story for my first daughter who was yet to be born. I was out of football and was coming to grips with knowing my career was over, that my dream had died. I had just finished reading Tom Brokaw's, The Greatest Generation, which tells the story of someone born in 1920 and all that they went through. Well, my father was born in 1920 and the life he lived was truly incredible. I felt like I had to write about his story for he was the only grandparent that wasn't around for the birth of my first child, my Avery Ann, and he was so important to me and what I am all about that I had to let her know all about him. Now it has grown into so much more, for we have three daughters, Kelsey Marie and Harley Mae, and we talk about their Grandpa Geno and all he did and all that he meant to their own father, all the time.

To read the entire interview, visit this link: http://authorstaketen.blogspot.com/2009/03/take-ten-author-tom-mcmanus.html

WED. NOV. 12, 2008: Conversations talks w/author Gary Andrew Poole

2008-11-12T04:55:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 @ 6p.m. CST (7p.m. EST/4p.m. PT)
Conversations LIVE! will talk exclusively to Gary Andrew Poole, author of the book THE GALLOPING GHOST

(Red Grange: An American Legend).

Chosen as one of Conversations Book Club's "25 Best Kept Literary Secrets of 2008" and reading selection of "Ballin' With Books" Club (http://www.ballinwithbooks.com), the book chronicles history that many have forgotten or never even knew. In this interview Poole will talk about what drew him to the story and what we can learn from it today.

To listen to the interview live, simply visit http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive or http://www.conversationsliveradio.com. You can also listen over the studio line at 1.347.426.3645.

Conversations Reviews "Mississippi's Uncovered Glory" by author Jerome Gentry

2008-11-03T18:10:00.000-08:00

Conversations Book Club founder Cyrus A. Webb is pleased to announce that this week's book review that appeared in November 1, 2008's Rankin Ledger (Clarion Ledger insert) is of author Jerome Gentry's "Mississippi Uncovered Glory". (see link below)
(Click article to enlarge)
Did you miss Conversations' exclusive interview with Jerome Gentry discussing his book and what he hopes it does for others?
Listen to it here:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/13/Author-Jerome-Gentry-talks-with-Conversations-LIVE

Enjoy your day. Enjoy your life. Enjoy your world. Enjoy BOOKS! http://www.thebestbookclub.info

Author Sherry Hill talks about her new book with Conversations LIVE!

2008-11-03T18:09:00.000-08:00

Did you miss our exclusive interview with Author Sherry Hill, author of the book THE MARQUISE HILL STORY: From The Cradle To The Bowl? If so, click this link to hear the entire podcast:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/11/03/conversations-talks-with-author-sherry-hill-about-her-son-new-book

Ms. Hill talks about her beginnings, the importance of education to her and how she passed it on to her son and why she felt like his story needed to be told. During the discussion she also addresses some of why she thinks people of all backgrounds will benefit from the example of her son and will find something in his life that they can apply to their own. Advance copies of the book is NOW AVAILABLE. To get yours today, simply visit https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=50867. To find out more about the book, visit http://www.fromthecradletothebowl.com.

Author Bruce Feldman (Meat Market) talks with Conversations LIVE!

2008-10-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

Did you miss Conversations LIVE! Radio's exclusive interview with bestselling author Bruce Feldman? Listen to it here!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/29/Author-Bruce-Feldman-talks-with-Conversations-LIVE

The author talks about his beginnings, what inspired the book and even gives advice to aspiring authors. More information about the author can be found at http://www.brucefeldman.com . Meat Market is a Readers' Choice Selection for the Ballin' With Books Club. To find out more about other books in this club, visit http://www.ballinwithbooks.com .

"The Marquise Hill Story" featured in Jackson Advocate Newspaper

2008-10-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

Thank you to the staff at the Jackson Advocate Newspaper (October 23-29, 2008) in Mississippi for taking the lead on discussing the upcoming book "The Marquise Hill Story: From The Cradle To The Bowl".

(Click article above to enlarge)
The mother of Marquise Hill, author Sherry Hill, will be a guest on Conversations LIVE! radio on Sunday, November 2, 2008 at 6p.m. CST (7p.m. EST/ 4p.m. PT). To hear the show live, you can visit http://www.conversationsliveradio.com or call the studio line at 1.347.426.3645.

Bestselling author/Baseball Collector Zack Hample talks with Conversations LIVE!

2008-10-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

Did you miss Conversations LIVE!'s interview with bestselling author/baseball fan Zack Hample? Listen to it here!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/15/Zack-Hample-talks-Baseball-and-more-on-Conversations-LIVE

Just one week ago he was sitting across from Jay Leno on The Tonight Show, now he talks about his love of baseball, how his collection began and what he wants you to know about his passion for the written word as well. Want to know what catches stand out to him? Find out that and more in this exclusive interview. His book WATCHING BASEBALL SMARTER was chosen by Conversations Book Club as one of its selections for its "BALLIN' WITH BOOKS" Club.

Read more about it at http://www.ballinwithbooks.com or http://www.zackhample.com.

Author Jerome Gentry talks about his book with Conversations LIVE!

2008-10-15T08:58:00.000-07:00


Did you miss our exclusive interview with author Jerome Gentry? Listen to it in its entirety here! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/13/Author-Jerome-Gentry-talks-with-Conversations-LIVE The author of MISSISSIPPI'S UNCOVERED GLORY tells us what led to the book, why the history he discovered is important and what our listeners can learn from his story. More information about Jerome Gentry and the book can be found at http://wwww.jeromegentry.com . The book MISSISSIPPI'S UNCOVERED GLORY is part of Conversations Book Club's "Ballin' With Books" Club. Additional info can be found at http://www.ballinwithbooks.com . JOIN THE ADDICTION: Get hooked on books! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/13/Author-Jerome-Gentry-talks-with-Conversations-LIVE

Click on the player or the link below to listen to the Author Jerome Gentry talks with Conversations LIVE! show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/13/Author-Jerome-Gentry-talks-with-Conversations-LIVE
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Conversations LIVE! speaks with the author of THE EXPRESS: The Ernie Davis Story

2008-10-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

Did you miss our interview with Bestselling author Robert Gallagher discussing the book THE EXPRESS: The Ernie Davis Story*? Listen to the podcast here!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/14/Author-of-THE-EXPRESS-talks-with-Conversations-LIVE

He talks about himself, what led him to the story, who Ernie Davis was and how it feels to have something he wrote brought to life in a major motion picture. For more information about the book, visit http://www.ballantinebooks.com. Informaton about the movie can be found at http://www.theexpressmovie.com. JOIN THE ADDICTION: Get hooked on books! http://www.thebestbookclub.info

* THE EXPRESS was chosen as one of the "Ballin' With Books" Club's selections. http://www.ballinwithbooks.com

The Journey of New England Patriot Marquise Hill told in upcoming book

2008-10-12T05:01:00.000-07:00

"The Marquise Hill Story: From the Cradle to the Bowl" by Sherry Hill is the compelling story of the life of New England Patriots lineman Marquise Hill, whose twenty-four year existence was tragically cut short on May 27, 2007 when the unforgiving currants of the Pontchartrain River in Louisiana claimed him forever during a jet-ski accident. On Tuesday, December 9, 2008 his story will be released worldwide in this touching biography.

"In talking with Ms. Hill, you understand that telling this story is something she had to do," says Cyrus A. Webb, publicist on the project and President of Conversations Book Club and the Ballin' With Books Club. "Whether you are a parent, a young person with a dream or someone who is striving to succeed against all odds, the journey of Marquise Hill will speak to you." The book will be marketed as part of the Ballin' With Books Literacy Campaign that encourages reading among lovers of sports.

Told by his mother as only she could, this book provides a candid account of a little boy growing up in Louisiana, who from a young age was thrust in the midst of "cutthroat New Orleans"a street term aptly referring to the unsavory, unethical, criminal or hard-as-nails element which afflicts certain rough neighborhoods within this otherwise uniquely special old world city perhaps in ways much similar to those found in other urban areas. This earnest account is narrated from the perspective of a grieving mother who walked this journey with her son, giving all of herself as a constant source of guidance and support.

Early on, the little boy learned shocking and tough lessons, oftentimes from the least likely sources. These lessons transformed him into a responsible young adult. From the arrest of his older cousin to the events that led to a lawsuit which shook him to the corethe circumstances of which revealed strong undertones of old Alabama in the manner of "Jena 6"and then, the hurricane which wreaked havoc in the world that he loved with all his heart, he blossomed into a force of nature, determined to grab life by the horns and seize his dream.

As his legacy continues, the loss of this formidable personality continues to impact his loved ones in challenging and painful ways as they negotiate the tricky waters of deception, disloyalty and manipulation. Marquise Hill left no will to dispose of his estate upon his passing, which left the door wide open for the unpleasantness and opportunism that often surface when a considerable sum of money is involved. This book is a tell-all, and aims not only to speak to sports lovers but especially to those who have experienced loss and grief; it is candid and pulls no punches in its sheer honesty and plain exposition of facts and circumstances surrounding the life and death of a young man who had not yet lived to his full potential.

For additional information, visit http://fromthecradletothebowl.blogspot.com. "The Marquise Hill Story: From The Cradle To The Bowl" by Sherry Hill will be released worldwide on Tuesday, December 9, 2008. To schedule interviews, speaking engagements or other booking matters, contact Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616.

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Mississippi's Alpha Phi Alpha Endorses Ballin' With Books Reading Program

2008-10-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY, INC. ®

MISSISSIPPI ALPHA NETWORK
DISTRICT OF MISSISSIPPI
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RICKEY THIGPEN

Phone: 601.573.5963 | Fax: 601.960.1827

Email: rthigpen06@yahoo.com

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT

TO: Cyrus Webb

FROM: Rickey Thigpen

Alpha Network Executive Director District of Mississippi

DATE: October 6, 2008

RE: Ballin' with Books

The Brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, District of Mississippi are pleased to support the initiative "Ballin' with Books" (http://www.ballinwithbooks.com).

For over one hundred years, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated has worked to assure that education and equal human rights are
available to all people. Since 1927, fraternity members within the state of Mississippi have collectively pooled resources to assist
youth from every walk of life. Through Alpha Phi Alpha scholarship and mentoring programs, we have dedicated ourselves to assuring young
people embrace one of our oldest national programs, an initiative that encourages youth to "Go to High School, Go to College".

Alpha Phi Alpha encourages students matriculating through their academic experiences to be 'on top" of their game on and off the
field, court, diamond, lane and course. We encourage students from all walks of life to reinforce education in the classroom by
reading, an academic fundamental.

Congratulations on a lofty project! The Mississippi Alpha Network is proud to endorse this project.

Sincerely,

Rickey L. Thigpen
Executive Director
District of Mississippi/Mississippi Alpha Network
cc: Kelsey Rushing
Kevin Wilbert

Bestselling author John Ed Bradley talks with Conversations LIVE!

2008-10-09T11:45:00.000-07:00


Missed our exclusive interview with bestselling author John Ed Bradley? Listen to it here! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/09/John-Ed-Bradley-talks-with-Conversations-LIVE It was billed by Sports Illustrated as "the best sports book of the year" upon its release in 2007; however IT NEVER RAINS IN TIGER STADIUM by John Ed Bradley is so much more. Taking the reader into some of his most personal moments of triumph and tragedy, his memoir will easily resonate with readers of all genres. In this interview with Conversations LIVE! he talks about this and so much more. Bradley is also a supporter of our Ballin' With Books Reading Initiative. You can find out more about that at http://www.ballinwithbooks.com. For more details about IT NEVER RAINS IN TIGER STADIUM, visit http://www.espnbooks.com . http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/09/John-Ed-Bradley-talks-with-Conversations-LIVE

Click on the player or the link below to listen to the John Ed Bradley talks with Conversations LIVE! show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/10/09/John-Ed-Bradley-talks-with-Conversations-LIVE
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Interview with NBA great Alonzo Mourning kicks off "Ballin' With Books"!

2008-09-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

"Ballin' With Books" (http://www.ballinwithbooks.com) is pleased to kick off this new endeavor with an exclusive interview with NBA great/Olympic Gold Medalist Alonzo Mourning! He is the author of RESILIENCE: Faith, Focus, Triumph--- a book that chronicles his highs and lows as well as the life-threatening disease that threatened to silence him forever.

The book will be available at bookstores everywhere on Tuesday, September 30, 2008. Exactly one week later, on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 he will be a guest on Conversations LIVE! at 12p.m. CST to discuss the book and answer your questions!

To listen to the show live, simply visit http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive at 12p.m. CST. Our online chat room will be open and listen for the call-in number to join the discussion and talk directly with Alonzo before the show ends.

Conversations Book Club and "Ballin' With Books" wishes to thank Random House for helping to make this discussion possible.

JOIN THE ADDICTION: Get hooked on books!