Frank Hoffman has authored or co-authored several encyclopedias, including The Encyclopedia of Fads, TheCush Box Country Singles Charts, 1958-1987, Album Charts,1964-1988, and The Rise of the Crooners. He teaches music and library science at Sam Houston State University. He resides in Huntsville, Texas.

"This appears to be the most comprehensive reference on recorded sound. Libraries that own the 1993 edition would do well to upgrade since so many new artists and technologies have emerged in the past decade... Highlyrecommended." -- Library Journal"Uniformly well written, understandable, and focused... Most comprehensive reference on recorded sound... Highlyrecommended." -- Library Journal (starred review)"Filling in the gaps by balancing coverage of all time periods and all recorded sound genres and formats." -- Reference & Research Book News"The second edition is larger than the first... This edition provides information from all time periods and recorded sound genres... Abundant cross-references; comprehensive index... Highly recommended. All libraries." -- Choice"This edition tries to present more objectively important information regarding all time periods and recorded sound formats and genres." -- American Reference Books Annual"The most thorough work on its subject availble... Belongs in the collections of colleges, universities, and large public libraries." -- Reference & User Services Quarterly

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