Bubba Gets a Voice in Alabama

Mentone, AL, June 18, 2009 --(PR.com)-- John Lee's first novel under the pen name, Richard "Dixie" Hartwell, is getting a lot of buzz these days. In addition to a fan club on Facebook, The Bubba Store on Café Press (http://www.cafepress.com/thebubbastore/), a contest for a book trailer, and interest in a movie version, When the Buddha Met Bubba is now going to get a voice.

When The Buddha Met Bubba is a whimsical fantasy that deals with the integrity and surrender that comes when a likable redneck (Bubba) meets his magical mentor, Pu Tai (one of the many names for The Buddha), as they set off on an unusual journey.This quirky novel is not only different but just plain fun.

"The first person I thought of to read the audiobook for When the Buddha Met Bubba was Mark Webb," John Lee said. "I worked with him on a production of 12 Angry Men and was impressed with his talent and professionalism. I was thrilled when he agreed to do it and absolutely blown away when I heard his first reading. I couldn't stop laughing."

Mark Webb began his acting career at the age of thirteen when he played the role of “Aslan” the lion in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Since then he has been involved in well over 150 productions as an actor, director, technical director, lighting and/or set designer as well as in numerous other capacities.

Webb began working with Northeast Alabama Community College Theatre in 1989. He has appeared in many regional, professional, and community theatres in a variety of roles including, “The King” in The King and I, “Fagin” in Oliver, “Tevye” in Fiddler on the Roof, “Archibald” in The Secret Garden, and “Don Quixote” in Man of La Mancha among many others. His most recent credit was as Director of an enormous production of Miss Saigon at NACC.

Lee says of Webb, "His extensive experience in theatre and dialects has lent itself perfectly to preparing him to voice the characters in When the Buddha Met Bubba. Like me, he was born and bred in the South. He understands the novel's Southern Appalachian characters because he grew up with them. His upbringing will give the characters the authenticity and spirit required to bring them to life."

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to collaborate with John Lee on this wonderful book so full of colorful and diverse characters," Mark said about his upcoming audiobook performance.

Mark Webb lives in Scottsboro, Alabama and is currently enjoying his role as Director of Northeast Theatre and constantly strives to guide the program toward new pinnacles of achievement.

John Lee served as a professor at the University of Texas and Alabama before becoming a writer (17 books published), bestselling author, life coach and personal consultant. He lives with his wife in Alabama.

The book version of When the Buddha Met Bubba is set for a fall 2009 release from Iroquois Press (an imprint of Turner Publishing), but the audio book may be available as early as this August.

For updates on the release dates for the printed book and the audiobook, please visit www.johnleebooks.com or visit the When the Buddha Met Bubba fan club on Facebook.

###