With a master’s degree in journalism, Whitley said she is excited to know that her book is being put on the shelves this week. She got her idea about the book from the Muscle Shoals documentary and soon got in touch with the owner of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and began her research from there.
“Just knowing that some of the biggest names in music, such as the Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd, [recorded there] was fun for me,” she said. “Knowing that Skynyrd is from Jacksonville, Florida, hit home for me, which is where I grew up.”
Whitley said she believes that music fans all across the United States will appreciate the book, not just local music lovers in the Muscle Shoals area.
“That is what makes this topic so interesting,” Whitley said. “Because of all the bands that have recorded there, it has such broad appeal. You can talk about the classic acts like Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, but then it goes beyond that. Four years ago, the Black Keys recorded there and won a Grammy.”
She continued her research and interviews with some of the key players in the music scene in Muscle Shoals and began writing her book soon after the studio was bought by the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation.
“It was quite an undertaking,” Whitley said. “You’re doing a little bit of research and a whole lot of reporting. After I got my signed contract in June 2013, I ?started right away and it was a quick process.”
During her research and manuscript writing, she continued to keep in touch with friends from the University. Meredith Cummings, a journalism professor at the University, has continued to maintain her friendship with Whitley.
“Carla Jean and I met in my journalism class and became very good friends afterwards,” Cummings said. “I call her my ‘grammarian’ nerd friend.”
Because of their strong knit friendship, she received Whitley’s book ahead of time. Cummings watched Whitley grow over the last decade and said “she really knows her stuff.”
“She’s a fantastic writer and a meticulous ?researcher,” Cummings said. “I’ve watched her grow, and she’s a real authority in the local music scene. I couldn’t think of a better person to write this.”
Whitley is now currently working on her second book about the history of beer in the city of Birmingham. She is also working at “Birmingham Magazine.” She writes about food, music, events and other things in the city.
Whitley completed her first book signing in Birmingham on Monday at multiple locations in the area. The book hit the shelves on Tuesday, July 22. She is working to have a book signing in Tuscaloosa as well as attract her local friends and alumni to come out.
“Even though I have over 100 copies sitting in my living room right now, it still feels like I’m living in a dream,” Whitley said. “It seems too good to be true, but I also have a lot of work to do for the future.”
