FAMU professor co-authors book with a member of Gladys Knight and the Pips

FAMU professor co-authors book with a member of Gladys Knight and the Pips

By Pamela Tolson

    TALLAHASSEE, FL – Dhyana Ziegler, professor of journalism at Florida A&M University (FAMU), has co-authored a book with a mem­ber of the famous singing group Gladys Knight and the Pips titled Midnight Train FROM Georgia: A Pip’s Journey. The book is a memoir about the life of William Franklin Guest, one of “The Pip’s”, who is also Ziegler’s brother-in-law.

    Midnight Train FROM Georgia: A Pip’s Journey chron­icles the life of Guest from childhood through his life with Gladys Knight and the Pips and discusses his ac­tivities since the break-up of the group.

    Katherine Anderson-Shaffner of “The Marvelettes” wrote the foreward of the book. She said, “Midnight Train FROM Georgia: A Pip’s Journey reminds me of all those fun times we had together. It was a wonderful time in the history of musical performance. It captured the love of family, entertainment and survival in the music industry.”

    Ziegler grew up in the entertainment business. She said the Ziegler and Guest families have been united since she was 11-years-old. “I lived the story,” she said.

    Paul Miliken, a features reporter for Fox 5 Atlanta, said, “Midnight Train FROM Georgia: A Pip’s Journey chronicles the life of one Atlanta man who made musical history…If you ever wondered where the name Pip came from, I found it in the book.

The book is published by Branden Books and available on Amazon.com. To view an interview with Ziegler discussing the book, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFetQg0Ld1k&feature=youtu.be

     Ziegler, an author and multimedia producer, has held several administrative positions at FAMU and has received numerous awards throughout the years.