Want to succeed in country music? Head to the library!

If you've ever felt the "Nashville blues" and longed to be a country music star, Gabriel Farago might have just the cure for you. Farago will be at Marshall Public Library Tuesday evening, July 7, at 7 p.m. to present highlights from his book "Secrets to Success in Country Music."

Farago has worked in the country music industry for more than 30 years, though he wasn't even born in America. He and his parents immigrated to the United States from Hungary when Farago was a child.

"In a lot of ways, I had all the cards stacked against me," he said, noting that neither he nor his parents spoke English when they arrived here.

Farago began his musical career as a singer, working with producer Harold Bradley. Now Farago himself is more involved in the production aspect of music, and he wants to share his knowledge of the industry with young hopefuls.

"It's very important that a person come equipped" when trying to make it big, he said. And he doesn't just mean having the vocal chops, but also knowing how the system works and the tricks to navigating the world of music business.

"It's no accident that Garth Brooks had a degree in marketing as part of his incredible success story," Farago said.

As part of Farago's seminar, he will conduct an on-site talent evaluation, a "localized American Idol," he said. He invites aspiring stars to sing for him and receive feedback, which, he said, is "very effective for people that have never really been critiqued before."

Farago pointed out that, though his seminar is geared toward those interested in the country music scene, the ideas mentioned in his presentation are applicable to all genres of music.

"The contents of the seminar itself are really a step-by-step game plan" for achieving musical success, he said. And, Farago's presentation "can definitely be a life-changing situation for (attendees)."

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net