During his career J. L. White was involved in editorial work on at least four tune books, two of which can be viewed as his attempts to reshape the musical practice of the Sacred Harp singing community.
According to Gavin James Campbell (see reference below), this book was not a success: Most singers held fast to their disintegrating 1869 editions rather than convert to The New Sacred Harp.
Although a few orders continued to trickle in, the Musical Million [a leading shape note periodical] advertised the book for less than a year, and made no mention of it after 1890.
"[3] As late as August 1896, the Withlacoochee Musical Convention, meeting in Berrien County, Georgia, adopted The Sacred New Harp "for the next annual session.
"[4] In 1897, White and his nephew Charles P. Byrd, responding to a demand for the older book, issued a reprint of the fourth edition of the Sacred Harp.
The Cleburne County (Alabama) Sacred Harp Convention pledged that it would continue to use the old Fourth Edition.
The Mulberry River Convention, also of Alabama, asked that any new songs be "composed by Sacred Harp singers only."
This 1911 "White Book" contained 597 total songs and was the largest of the early 20th century revisions of the Sacred Harp.
To counter White's work, J. S. James brought suit against him, though unsuccessfully, seeking damages for infringement of copyright.
J. L.'s siblings were William Decatur, David Patillo, Robert H., Mary Caroline, Nancy Ogburn, Thurza Melvina, Benjamin Franklin, Jr., and Martha America.
On January 19, 1887, James Landrum White married Mary Melinda (Minnie) Clarke in Fulton County, Georgia.