Joining me on my Born To Talk Radio Show Podcast is Dhyana Ziegler.
Meet Dhyana Ziegler.
Dhyana Ziegler is the Founder and CEO of ZCreators, a digital media production and consulting service. She is also the author of Midnight Train From Georgia.
Dhyana earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education, and an M.A. in Radio and Television, from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She also earned a B.S. in Journalism and Music from Baruch College, CUNY, graduating Cum Laude. Dhyana also earned a Certificate in Management and Leadership in Education Institute from Harvard University, Graduate School of Education. She is also Professor Emerita at Florida A & M University, School of Journalism & Graphic Communications.
Midnight Train From Georgia.
Midnight Train From Georgia chronicles the incredible rise of Gladys Knight and the Pips from their origins singing in a small Atlanta church to their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When two families’ destinies intertwine at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, they discover the extraordinary musical talents of their children. Young cousins William Guest, Eleanor Guest, Gladys Knight, Brenda Knight, and Bubba Knight unite their heavenly vocals to form The Pips gospel choir.
The Pips’ journey takes them from their humble back-porch jam sessions to struggle and sacrifice on the road to stardom. With faith, fortitude and William’s grandmother’s lessons to guide them, the group overcomes adversity through the transcendent power of their music.
Dhyana’s Takeaways.
Midnight Train From Georgia is an inspiring and emotional journey through the life and career of William Franklin Guest, a founding member of Gladys Knight and the Pips. The book discusses William’s love for music as a child growing up in a musical family that manifested into the formation of the group. It also explores the group’s meteoric rise to fame with famous people they met along the journey. Included are the challenges of the music industry, and the personal struggles of a man determined to leave his mark on the world.
This is not just a story of Gladys Knight and the Pips; it’s a universal tale of family, faith, love, loss, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds. It’s a discussion of harmony that goes far beyond the blending of voices but the blending of spirit. Midnight Train From Georgia captures the heart of an era, the music that defined it and the man who lived through it all. It combines emotional introspection with the dynamic energy of music during the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
In Closing.
Midnight Train From Georgia is an inspiring tale about the bonds of family, church and music. It’s a story of poverty to fortune, innocence to experience, and childhood friendship growing into Hall of Fame synergy. Their sweet harmonies touched millions over decades, but it all started with kids finding their voices in a small Georgia choir. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. It brought up so many musical memories!
