The stories we tell about our lives define how others see us and how we see ourselves. Gary White (b. 1937), an award-winning composer, Distinguished Professor Emeritus from Iowa State University, and music-textbook author, has gathered up some of the stories of his life and offers them to you. As he explains, ".like pebbles in a stream, most of these little pieces have been rounded and polished by frequent retelling."

Gary describes growing up in rural Kansas in the 1940s, developing a successful career, leaving it behind in the 1990s, and learning to lead a meaningful life in retirement.

"Pebbles" include the dating habits of hormone-driven teenagers, colorful local characters, what really went on with the high-school yearbook staff, ghost stories-as well as observations about the beginnings of electronic music, insights into the composing process, living in Spain, reflections on the meaning of success-and much more.

Pebbles will appeal to people interested in mid-20th-century Americana as well as those intrigued by the diverse influences that impact one person's development in life.