JAMES JOINER

Florence native James Joiner gained much of his early musical experience as a member of the U.S. Army playing on USO shows in Europe.

When he left the service in the early 50s, he returned to Florence and began operating his family's bus company, but continued playing music as a sideline.

He wrote and recorded songs for his Tune Record label with the help of Charles Stanfield of Muscle Shoals who owned a tape recorder and microphone, and who would bring his equipment to the Joiner Bus Station and set it up for recording session after the station's normal operating hours.

Joiner also used the facilities at WLAY radio, and it was at the radio station that he recorded his first hit. "A Fallen Star" on Bobby Denton of Cherokee. The song, published by Buddy Killen at Tree Publishing Co., was written by Joiner.

Joiner formed Tune Recording Studio in 1958 and provided the first recording experience for musicians such as David Briggs, Spooner Oldham, Jerry Carrigan, and many others.

Although most of his energies are used to manager Joiner Transit, he still writes and recently penned "Alabama Has It All" for the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.