Lawrence Downes

Lawrence Downes is a writer, editor and former newspaperman who recently co-wrote "Feels Like Home: A Song for the Sonoran Borderlands" with Linda Ronstadt.  His career in news included stops at The Chicago Sun-Times, Newsday and The New York Times, where he was an editor and editorial writer. His first book was "There Is Just Us," a 50th-anniversary history of Special Olympics and the battle for inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. "Feels Like Home" explores Ronstadt's family and musical roots in Southern Arizona and northern Mexico. As a freelance writer and editor, Downes works with advocacy organizations that defend immigrants and people with intellectual disabilities. He lives in Northport, Long Island, N.Y.

You're So Good, You're So Good

Raised in Tucson and shaped by her experiences here, Linda Ronstadt became one of the biggest names in popular music. She and Lawrence Downes recently co-authored a musical memoir entitled "Feel Like Home." Downes is here today to discuss the book ... and his remarkable co-author.

Arizona Daily Star Stage (Seats 250)  
Sat, Mar 4, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction
Signing area: Signing - Arizona Daily Star (following presentation)

Panelist: Lawrence Downes
Moderator: Cathy Burch

Yesterday, Meet Tomorrow

The Sonoran Desert is a place of transformation, where our heritage becomes music, the landscape becomes art, and the people spark change. Today, five Southwest Book of the Year honorees will discuss the many ways our past inspires our future.

UA Library - Special Collections (Seats 110)  
Sat, Mar 4, 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Southwest Books of the Year
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)  

Panelists: Lawrence Downes, Paul Gold, Michael Moore, Mariana Nuño Ruiz, Roni Rivera-Ashford
Moderator: Mark Athitakis

It's So Easy to Fall in Love

It's So Easy to Fall in Love with the music of Linda Ronstadt. Today we'll learn more about the music and the woman who made it from Lawrence Downes, who co-authored her musical memoir, "Feels Like Home." As for "When Will I Be Loved?" Well, Linda, that happened a long time ago.

Student Union North Ballroom (Seats 560)  
Sun, Mar 5, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction
Signing area: Sales & Signing Area - Rincon Room (following presentation)  

Panelist: Lawrence Downes
Moderator: Ernesto Portillo Jr.

Books:

Feels Like Home

Memoir / Essays / Creative Nonfiction
Heyday
October 2022
ISBN 9781597145794

Simple Dreams

A Musical Memoir
Music / Performing Arts
Simon and Schuster
September 2014
ISBN 9781451668735
256 pages