Co-authors Andy Lee White of East Cobb (left) and John Williams flank Robert Lee Smith, the last surviving member of the original Tams. (author photo)
Following up a post from a couple weeks ago, about a July 26 book signing and Marietta Square concert with The Tams, and a book that includes the 1960s singing group, here’s a report from co-author Andy Lee White, an East Cobb resident, after the event:
Robert Lee Smith (circled in red) appeared at a Tams concert on the Marietta Square July 26.
The book signing for east Cobb author Andy Lee White’s, Atlanta Pop in the ‘50s, ‘60s & ‘70s: The Magic of Bill Lowery, held at The Local Exchange on the Marietta Square before The Tams concert in Glover Park, saw a very special guest make an appearance.
Robert Lee Smith, the last living original member of The Tams, stopped by for a visit with authors Andy Lee White and John M. Williams.
Robert and the other original members of The Tams are featured in a photograph on the cover of the new book and in a chapter dedicated to The Tams.
Robert even performed a couple of songs with the current Tams lineup (the first time together in 25 years) at theconcert.
Estimates put the Friday night concert crowd on the Marietta Square at almost 10,000 people.
The book was published April 1 is available through The History Press.
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Andy Lee White, at left, an East Cobb resident and author of the newly published “Atlanta Pop in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s” writes in to say that he and his co-author, John Williams, at right, will be having a signing event July 26 on the Marietta Square.
Their book, published in April by Arcadia Publishing and the History Press, focuses on Bill Lowery, an Atlanta music talent scout and promoter who discovered and developed homegrown Cobb County talent that includes Billy Joe Royal, Joe South and Ray Stevens.
Lowery also launched the careers of Atlanta natives Tommy Roe and Jerry Reed and managed and recorded The Tams. The emergence of Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, Atlanta Rhythm Section and Classics IV also are included in this book, which covers a critical period in the history of Southern rock and popular music.
White and his wife Trisha operate the Your Extra Attic storage business on Lower Roswell Road near Johnson Ferry Road, but he’s also a singer, songwriter and musician who’s played live music and released two solo albums.
His most recent album, he says, is being completed with Rodney Mills, the noted Atlanta-area music producer and engineer.
This is White’s first book (he’s working on another, he says, that will include “some local Cobb County names and personalities and centers around a story that, for the most part, takes place in Marietta.” Williams, who has taught English at LaGrange college, is a published author, essayist, playwright and novelist.
The book signing event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 26 at The Local Exchange (130 S. Park Square), and books can be purchased on-site.
The event takes place right before an 8 p.m. concert at Glover Park featuring The Tams, an Atlanta-based vocal group that had several hit records in the 1960s, including “What Kind of Fool (Do You Think I Am)” and “Be Young Be Foolish and Be Happy.”
“Atlanta Pop” features a chapter on the Tams, who also are included on the book’s cover, and who are scheduled to appear at the book signing.
The authors have created a Facebook page with more information about the book and related events.
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