FORT WORTH, Texas, February 3, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Grammy award winner Kirk Franklin is known to the world as a captivating gospel singer and songwriter. To his teacher, Ms. Jones, he is a former student who etched a place in her heart. In her new book, Free to Dream: The Real Story of Kirk Franklin and his Friends (now available through AuthorHouse).
With album sales in the millions, readers might find it difficult to imagine this Christian music star as a struggling high school freshman. Franklin's teacher, Hattie M. Jones, tells the gripping story of how this young man rose above poverty to become a strong and creative force in gospel music. With the help of a dedicated mother who would scrounge for aluminum cans to pay for music lessons and the support of his Fort Worth neighborhood, Franklin became a star in spite of the odds against him.
Franklin and Jones shared a kind of mother/son relationship. "No other teacher has had an impact on my life as you have," Franklin writes in a tribute in the book's introduction. "You gave me the help I needed to make good grades." Now Jones presents the moving story of Franklin's rise to fame, his humility and his trust in God. In addition to his early experiences, the book recounts some of the memorable events that have happened since Franklin's ascent to celebrity status. From the injuries he sustained after falling from a stage in 1996 to the introduction he gave for the Rev. Billy Graham at the 2002 Crusade in Texas, Free to Dream captures these moments so fans will be able relive them with the artist.
A true success story, Free to Dream is the fascinating account of how a talented young man broke through barriers to become an inspirational Christian artist who has touched the lives of many.
Jones lives in Fort Worth, Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree from Jackson State University and a master's degree from the University of Mississippi. After graduate school, she spent a year studying journalism. Free to Dream is her first book.
ABOUT AUTHORHOUSE
The only profitable print-on-demand and eBook publishing company of its kind, AuthorHouse was founded in 1997 and has helped more than 7,000 authors publish their works. For more information, visit www.authorhouse.com.