James Joiner

(July 10, 1928-July 21, 2006)

Florence native James Joiner wrote and produced A Fallen Star, which was the first commercial recording to emerge from the Muscle Shoals music industry. In 1956, he and guitarist Kelton “Kelso” Herston – a fellow Florence native who had served in the Army with Joiner – formed Tune Publishing Co. as an outlet for local musical talent. Many other up-and-coming Muscle Shoals musicians made their recording debuts during after-hours demo sessions in the back room of Joiner’s bus station in downtown Florence.

Two years later, Tune published the truckers’ anthem Six Days on the Road co-written by Muscle Shoals songwriters Carl Montgomery and Earl Green. Dave Dudley’s original 1963 version of the 18-wheeler standard rose to No. 2 on the country charts. The song has since been covered by more than 300 artists, including Steve Earle, Fairport Convention, George Jones, Taj Mahal, Hank Snow, Johnny Rivers and Sawyer Brown.

Joiner served on the board of directors for the Muscle Shoals Music Association and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. In 1989 he wrote “Alabama Has It All,” a song recorded by Muscle Shoals musicians and members of the Alabama Legislature for the statewide Alabama Reunion celebration. Joiner died of cancer in his hometown of Florence at the age of 78.

1991 Inductee (John Herbert Orr Pioneer Award) Alabama Music Hall of Fame

Source: Alabama Music Hall of Fame

For more information:
www.alamhof.org