Book excerpt: Discover the people and places that made Atlanta the pop music capital of the United States in the second half of the twentieth century. Former DJ Bill Lowery attracted a galaxy of talent and created an empire of music publishing, production and promotion. In 1956, the Lowery Music Company had its first million copy-selling hit single with “Be-Bop-a-Lula,” by Gene Vincent. Under Lowery’s direction, popular artists like Tommy Roe and Billy Joe Royal flourished. Audio engineer Rodney Mills teamed up with Lowery and future Atlanta Rhythm Section manager Buddy Buie to build Studio One, a recording studio that produced albums from legendary acts such as Joe South, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 38 Special and others. Andy Lee White and John M. Williams offer a comprehensive portrait of the vibrant postwar Atlanta music scene. “Insight and memories from major behind the scenes figures like engineer, producer and Georgia Music Hall of Fame member, Rodney Mills (Lynyrd Skynyrd, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Gregg Almond, Joe South) along with Bob “Tub” Langford (engineer for Joe South’s biggest hits and Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Freebird”) help tell previously untold memories from a special time for Atlanta music like none before or since.” —East Cobber