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Encyclopedia > Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Location in Colbert County and the state of Alabama
Country United States
State Alabama
Counties Colbert
Area
 - City  12.2 sq mi (31.5 km²)
 - Land  12.2 sq mi (31.5 km²)
 - Water  0 sq mi (0 km²)
Time zone Central Time Zone (UTC)

Muscle Shoals is a city famous for its music and contributions to American popular music, in Colbert County, Alabama, USA. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 11,924, and is included in The Shoals MSA. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Colbert County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... This is an alphabetical list of the sovereign states of the world, including both de jure and de facto independent states. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      The political units and divisions of the United States include: The 50 states... This article is about the U.S. State. ... List of 67 counties in the U.S. state of Alabama: Autauga County Baldwin County Barbour County Bibb County Blount County Bullock County Butler County Calhoun County Chambers County Cherokee County Chilton County Choctaw County Clarke County Clay County Cleburne County Coffee County Colbert County Conecuh County Coosa County Covington... Colbert County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... ... Colbert County is a county of the State of Alabama. ... This article is about the U.S. State. ... Location of The Shoals The Shoals is a metropolitan area in northwestern Alabama, officially known as the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area, including the cities of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, and Sheffield, and the counties of Lauderdale and Colbert. ... In the United States, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has produced a formal definition of metropolitan areas, which are organized around county boundaries. ...

Contents

Geography

Muscle Shoals is located at 34°45′3″N, 87°39′1″W (34.750788, -87.650278)GR1.


According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.5 km² (12.2 mi²), all land. The United States Census Bureau (officially Bureau of the Census) is a part of the United States Department of Commerce. ... A square metre (US spelling: square meter) is by definition the area enclosed by a square with sides each 1 metre long. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ...


Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 11,924 people, 4,710 households, and 3,452 families residing in the city. The population density was 378.3/km² (979.7/mi²). There were 5,010 housing units at an average density of 158.9/km² (411.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.88% White, 14.16% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 1.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Image:1870 census Lindauer Weber 01. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ... It has been suggested that Ethnicity (United States Census) be merged into this article or section. ...


There were 4,710 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.95. Marriage is an interpersonal relationship with governmental, social, or religious recognition, usually intimate and sexual, and often created as a contract, or through civil process. ...


In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.


The median income for a household in the city was $40,216, and the median income for a family was $48,113. Males had a median income of $38,063 versus $21,933 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,113. About 5.4% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over. The per capita income for a group of people may be defined as their total personal income, divided by the total population. ... Map of countries showing percentage of population who have an income below the national poverty line The poverty line is the level of income below which one cannot afford to purchase all the resources one requires to live. ...


Music

The city is one of four municipalities known as the Quad Cities, the others being Florence, Alabama, Sheffield, Alabama and Tuscumbia, Alabama. Muscle Shoals is known for recording many hit songs from the 1960s through today at FAME Studios, where Aretha Franklin recorded many of her signature works, and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio which developed work for Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and countless others. While the music from the area is often referred to as the "Muscle Shoals Sound", all four of the Quad Cities have significantly contributed to the area's impressive musical history. Without question, Muscle Shoals is among the world's most unassuming "music capitals" in that it remains unspoiled by the music industry. It can be said that the same attraction that artists such as Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and The Rolling Stones felt to the area remains intact today. The famed southern hospitality is still present and, at first glance, one may assume that everyone in residence is a part-time songwriter or musician. The community's contribution to American popular music during the 1960s, 70s and 80s is staggering, and the tradition continues to the present day. Florence Florence city is the seat of Lauderdale County, which is situated in the northwest corner of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... Sheffield is a city located in Colbert County, Alabama. ... Tuscumbia is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. ... FAME (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) Studios were an integral part of American popular music in the late 60s and 70s. ... Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... The distinctive Muscle Shoals sound moved from FAME Studios in 1969 when Barry Beckett (keyboards), Roger Hawkins (drums), Jimmy Johnson (guitar) and David Hood (bass) created their Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, half of the folk-singing duo Simon and Garfunkel who continues a successful solo career. ... Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, half of the folk-singing duo Simon and Garfunkel who continues a successful solo career. ... “Rolling Stones” redirects here. ...


A number of artists have made successful pilgrimages to Muscle Shoals in an effort to escape the limelight and write/record their signature works. Both FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studios are still in operation in the city. While famous for classic recordings from Rod Stewart, Aretha Franklin, Eric Clapton, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Allman Brothers, recent hit songs such as "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood and "I Loved Her First" by Heartland continue the city's musical legacy. FAME (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) Studios were an integral part of American popular music in the late 60s and 70s. ... The distinctive Muscle Shoals sound moved from FAME Studios in 1969 when Barry Beckett (keyboards), Roger Hawkins (drums), Jimmy Johnson (guitar) and David Hood (bass) created their Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. ... Roderick David Stewart, CBE (born January 10, 1945), is a Scottish singer and songwriter born and raised in London. ... Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born 30 March 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. ... Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced lĕh-nérd skin-nérd) (or IPA pronunciation: ) is an iconic U.S. Southern rock band. ... The Allman Brothers Band is a pioneering and innovative Southern rock group from Macon, Georgia originally popular in the 1970s, described by Rolling Stones George Kimball in 1971 as the best . ... Before He Cheats is the fifth single released from Carrie Underwoods debut album, Some Hearts. ... Carrie Marie Underwood (born March 10, 1983) is an American pop country music singer who won the fourth season of American Idol. ... I Loved Her First is a single by American country music group Heartland that reached the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. ... Heartland is a most often a geopolitical term, often used to refer to a central area of Eurasia that is remote and inaccessible from the periphery. ...


Additionally, fans of Muscle Shoals Music frequently make trips to the area to visit local landmarks. While most of the city's esteemed recording studios are still active, the majority will allow tours with an appointment. Further, a number of Rock, R&B and Country music celebrities have homes in the serene, mountainous rural area surrounding Muscle Shoals (Tuscumbia) or riverside estates alongside the Tennesse River and often perform in area nightclubs, typically rehearsing new material to an audience of honest locals. Among the musical celebrities with homes in the area are George Strait, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. George Harvey Strait, (born May 18, 1952), is an American country music singer. ... For the song by Taylor Swift, see Tim McGraw (song). ... Audrey Faith Perry McGraw, known professionally by her first married name Faith Hill (born September 21, 1967), is an American country singer, known for her commercial success as well as her marriage to fellow country singer Tim McGraw. ...


The music written and recorded in Muscle Shoals is typically regarded as unique because of the frequent combination of soul/gospel, country and rock influences. During the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, the area was a hotbed of creative talent as both white and black artists worked side-by-side. While this "desegregation" of artists is usually praised for its innovation, it was nothing new for most artists in North Alabama. In fact, the common practice of white and black musicians working together in Muscle Shoals can be traced as far back as the 1930s, regardless of racial tensions elsewhere in the American South.


What is most unique, musically speaking, about the area is the cross-pollination of musical styles that originated in Muscle Shoals. Black artists from the area (Arthur Alexander and James Carr being ideal examples) utilized White country music in their work and White artists from the Shoals frequently borrowed from blues/gospel influences of their Black contemporaries, creating a generous melting pot of music. Arthur Alexander (May 10, 1940 - June 9, 1993), born in Florence, Alabama, was perhaps the biggest star to arise out of the American country-soul scene. ... James Carr (June 13, 1942 - January 7, 2001), was a United States soul music singer. ...


Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records, lived in the area and directly related in his autobiography that Muscle Shoals (primarily radio station WLAY-AM, which played both "white" and "black" music on its playlist) influenced his merging of these sounds at Sun Records with Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. Sam Phillips, born Samuel Cornelius Phillips (January 5, 1923 – June 30, 2003), was a record producer who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950s. ... Label of the fourth Sun Records Sun Records has been the name for four 20th century record labels. ... WLAY-FM is a Country radio station in the Florence/Muscle Shoals, AL market that operates at 103. ... “Elvis” redirects here. ... Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935), also known by the nickname The Killer, is an American rock and roll and country music singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... For the song of the same name, recorded by Tracy Byrd and later by Jason Aldean, see Johnny Cash (song). ...


Muscle Shoals remains a fascinating study of American music and today is at once a landmark and distinguished contributor to popular recordings.


Recording artists

A partial list of artists who have recorded in Muscle Shoals:


Pop, Rock and Soul

For other persons named Andrew Williams, see Andrew Williams (disambiguation). ... Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... Art Garfunkel in Bad Timing (1980) Arthur Ira Garfunkel (born November 5, 1941) is an American white gollywog and actor, best known as half of the folk duo Simon and Garfunkel. ... Arthur Alexander (May 10, 1940 - June 9, 1993), born in Florence, Alabama, was perhaps the biggest star to arise out of the American country-soul scene. ... B.W. Stevenson (October 05, 1949 in Dallas, Texas - April 28, 1988, Born Lewis Charles Stevenson, B.W. stood for Buckwheat) was a country pop artist most famous for the top ten hit My Maria from 1973. ... Billy Swan (born Billy Lance Swan, 12 May 1942, Cape Girardeau, Missouri) is an American songwriter and singer, best known for his 1974 single, I Can Help. Swans role in the music industry was largely invisible. ... This article is about the recording artist. ... Robert Clark Seger (born May 6, 1945) is a Rock and Roll singer, songwriter, and musician from Michigan. ... Boz Scaggs album cover Boz Scaggs (born William Royce Scaggs, June 8, 1944) is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. ... Canned Heat is a blues-rock/boogie band that formed in Los Angeles in 1965. ... Carlos Augusto Alves Santana (born July 20, 1947), is a Grammy Award-winning Mexican-born American Latin rock musician and guitarist. ... This article is about Cher, the entertainer. ... Clarence Carter (born 14 January 1936, Montgomery, Alabama) is a singer and musician. ... Dorothy Moore (born October 13, 1946 in Jackson, Mississippi) is an American pop and r&b, soul singer. ... Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show is a pop-country rock band formed in Union City, New Jersey in 1968. ... Howard Duane Allman (November 20, 1946 – October 29, 1971) was an American lead guitarist and noted session musician. ... Eric Patrick Clapton CBE (born 30 March 1945), nicknamed Slowhand, is a Grammy Award winning English guitarist, singer, songwriter and composer. ... Etta James (born Jamesetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938) is an American blues, soul, R&B, and jazz singer and songwriter. ... Glenn Lewis Frey (born November 6, 1948 in Detroit, Michigan[1]) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as one of the founding members of rock band Eagles. ... 2003 Greatest Hits compilation Helen Reddy (born October 25, 1941 in Melbourne, Australia) is an Australian pop singer and actor. ... Isaac Hayes performs at the International Amphitheater in Chicago as part of the annual PUSH `Black Expo`, October 1973 Isaac Lee Hayes (born 20 August 1942, in Covington, Tennessee) is an actor, and influential soul singer, songwriter, musician and arranger. ... James & Bobby Purify were an R&B singing duo, whose biggest hit was Im Your Puppet in 1966. ... Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935), also known by the nickname The Killer, is an American rock and roll and country music singer, songwriter, and pianist. ... Jimmy Buffett (born James William Buffett on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi) is a singer, songwriter, author, businessman, and recently a film producer best known for his island escapism lifestyle and music including hits such as Margaritaville (No. ... Joan Chandos Baez (born January 9, 1941) is an American folk singer and songwriter known for her highly individual vocal style. ... Joe Cocker OBE (born John Robert Cocker, 20 May 1944, Sheffield) is an English rock/blues singer who came to popularity in the 1960s, and is most known for his gritty voice and his cover versions of popular songs. ... Joe Tex (born Joseph Arrington Jnr, in Baytown, Texas, on 8 August 1933; died in Navasota, Texas, on 13 August 1982) was an American soul singer most popular during the 1960s and 1970s. ... Johnny Rivers (born John Henry Ramistella, 7 November 1942, in New York) is an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. ... José Montserrate Feliciano (born September 10, 1945 in Lares, Puerto Rico) is a Puerto Rican singer. ... John Charles Julian Lennon known universally as Julian Lennon, (born April 8, 1963 in Liverpool, England) is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and first son of Beatle John Lennon and the only child of his first wife Cynthia Lennon. ... Kim Carnes (born July 20, 1945 in Pasadena, California) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter. ... Laura Nyro (born Laura Nigro) (October 18, 1947 – April 8, 1997) was an American songwriter and singer, one of the most influential musicians to emerge in the 1960s. ... Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2, 1942 in Lawton, Oklahoma) is a singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist. ... Linda Marie Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946 in Tucson, Arizona) is a popular vocalist with multiple Grammy Awards, numerous multi-platinum albums, an Emmy Award, a Tony Award nomination who has recorded over 30 studio albums and has made guest appearances on over 100 other albums. ... Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, OBE, (born 3 November 1948 in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire), best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, songwriter, actor, model, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through the 2000s. ... Luther Ingram (November 30, 1937 — March 19, 2007) was an R&B soul singer and songwriter. ... Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced lÄ•h-nérd skin-nérd) (or IPA pronunciation: ) is an iconic U.S. Southern rock band. ... Mary MacGregor (born 6 May 1948, St. ... Mel and Tim were an American soul music duo active in the 1960s and early 1970s, and best known for the hit, Backfield in Motion. Mel Hardin and Tim McPherson were cousins from Holly Springs, Mississippi, who traveled to Chicago where they were discovered by Gene Chandler. ... Melissa Lou Etheridge (born May 29, 1961 in Leavenworth, Kansas) is a Grammy- and Academy Award-winning American rock musician. ... Millie Jackson is an African-American R&B singer. ... This article is about Orléans, France; for other meanings see Orleans (disambiguation). ... Otis Ray Redding, Jr. ... Patti Austin (born August 10, 1948, in Harlem, New York), to Edna and Gordon Austin, is an R&B and jazz music singer. ... Paul Albert Anka, OC (born July 30, 1941, in Ottawa, Ontario) is a Canadian singer, songwriter and actor. ... Paul Davis may refer to: Paul Davis (programmer), British programmer Paul Davis (footballer) (born 1961), English footballer Paul Davis (singer) (born 1948), American singer Paul Davis (Stargate), fictional character in the Stargate SG-1 television series Paul Davis (basketball) (born 1984), college basketball center for the Michigan State Spartans Paul... Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, half of the folk-singing duo Simon and Garfunkel who continues a successful solo career. ... Percy Sledge Percy Sledge (born November 25, 1941 in Leighton, Alabama) is a US-American R&B and soul performer. ... Phoebe Snow was a fictional character created to promote the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad. ... Rebekah Greaves has afro nips! --- GET A MACH THREE TURBO --- dont suffer alone call beki if u have afronipitis. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... Roderick David Stewart, CBE (born January 10, 1945), is a Scottish singer and songwriter born and raised in London. ... The duo of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel are American popular musicians known collectively as Simon and Garfunkel. ... The Allman Brothers Band is a band from Macon, Georgia, labeled by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as the principal architects of Southern rock. ... The Osmonds are an American family pop group who achieved enormous worldwide success as teenybopper idols in the 1970s. ... “Rolling Stones” redirects here. ... The Staple Singers were a United States gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. ... For other uses, see Tom Jones (disambiguation). ... Image:Tony Orlando main. ... Travis Wammack (born 1946) is an American rock and roll guitarist from Memphis, Tennessee. ... Widespread Panic is a southern rock band from Athens, Georgia. ... Wilson Pickett (March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006) was an American R&B/Rock and Roll and soul singer. ...

Country

This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Amazing Rhythm Aces is an American country rock group. ... Blackhawk is a musical ensemble including Henry Paul (formerly of The Outlaws), singer/songwriter Dave Robbins, and Anthony Crawford (bandmember for both Neil Young and Steve Winwood). ... Donna Fargo, (born Yvonne Vaughan on November 10, 1945 in Mount Airy, North Carolina), is a Country Music singer and songwriter. ... Eddie Rabbitt (November 27, 1941-May 7, 1998) was a country music singer and songwriter who reached the peak of his popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s. ... Audrey Faith Perry McGraw, known professionally by her first married name Faith Hill (born September 21, 1967), is an American country singer, known for her commercial success as well as her marriage to fellow country singer Tim McGraw. ... Jerry Reed Hubbard (born March 20, 1937) is an American country music singer, country guitarist, songwriter, and actor. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Johnny Paycheck (May 31, 1938 – February 18, 2003) was a country music singer. ... Larry Gatlin (born May 2, 1948 in Seminole, Texas) is an American Country Music Singer. ... Mac Davis (born Scott Davis, January 21, 1942, in Lubbock, Texas) is a country music singer and songwriter, who has enjoyed much pop music crossover success. ... Olive Marie Osmond (born October 13, 1959 in Ogden, Utah) is an American actress, singer, and a member of the show business family, The Osmonds. ... Reba Nell McEntire (born March 28, 1955) is a Grammy award winning American singer and country music performer, and actress. ... Ronnie Milsap (born Ronnie Lee Milsap January 16, 1943 in Robbinsville, North Carolina) is an American Country/Pop Singer and Musician. ... Shenandoah is an American country music band that a scored a string of hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s. ... The Forester Sisters are an American country music vocal group consisting of Kathy, June, Kim and Christy Forester. ... Press photo of The Oak Ridge Boys. ... Willie Nelson (born Willie Hugh Nelson, April 30, 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ...

Muscle Shoals music trivia

Sister city Florence, Alabama is frequently referred to as "the birthplace of the Blues". W.C. Handy was born in Florence and is generally regarded as the "Father of the Blues". Every year since 1982, the W. C. Handy Music Festival is held in the Florence / Sheffield / Muscle Shoals area, featuring blues, jazz, country, gospel, rock music and R & B. The roster of jazz musicians, known as the "Festival All-Stars," or as the W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars, includes noted musicians from all over the United States, such as guitarist Mundell Lowe, drummer Bill Goodwin, pianist / vocalist Johnny O'Neal, vibraphonist Chuck Redd, pianist / vocalist Ray Reach, flutist Holly Hofmann and many others. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Florence Florence city is the seat of Lauderdale County, which is situated in the northwest corner of the U.S. state of Alabama. ... W.C. Handy photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1941 William Christopher Handy (November 16, 1873 - March 28, 1958) was an African American blues composer, often known as The Father of the Blues. ... The W. C. Handy Music Festival is held annually in Florence, Alabama, sponsored by the Music Preservation Society, Inc. ... “Blues music” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Jazz (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Country (disambiguation). ... Gospel, from the Old English good tidings is a calque of Greek () used in the New Testament (see Etymology below). ... For other uses, see Rock music (disambiguation). ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ... Mundell Lowe (b. ... Bill Goodwin (born: Los Angeles, California, January 8, 1942) is an American jazz drummer. ... Johnny ONeal is an American jazz pianist from Detroit. ... Chuck Redd is a an American drummer and vibraphonist. ... Ray Reach (b. ...


Rolling Stone editor David Fricke wrote that if one wanted to play a single recording that would "epitomize and encapsulate the famed Muscle Shoals Sound", that record would be "I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers. This article is about the magazine. ... David Fricke is a senior editor at Rolling Stone magazine, where he writes predominantly on rock music. ... Ill Take You There is a number-one single recorded by soul/gospel family band The Staple Singers, released on Stax Records in 1972 (see 1972 in music). ... The Staple Singers were a United States gospel, soul, and R&B singing group. ...


Upon hearing "I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers, American songwriter Paul Simon phoned his manager and asked him to arrange a recording session with the musicians who had performed this song. Simon was surprised to be told that he would have to travel to Muscle Shoals to work with the artists. After arriving in the small town, he was introduced to the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section ("The Swampers") who had recorded this song with Mavis Staples. Expecting black musicians (the original Rhythm Section consists only of white musicians), and assuming that he had been introduced to the office staff, Simon politely asked to "meet the band". Once things were sorted out, Simon cut a number of tracks with the group including "Loves Me Like A Rock", "Kodachrome" and "Still Crazy After All These Years". The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section is often mistaken as being made up of black musicians because of their association with several classic R&B recordings. Paul Frederic Simon (born October 13, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, half of the folk-singing duo Simon and Garfunkel who continues a successful solo career. ... The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section was based in the Alabama town Muscle Shoals, the site of legendary recording studios and home to many skilled musicians. ... Mavis Staples (born July 10, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American rhythm and blues singer. ...


Duane Allman, later of Allman Brothers Band fame, once pitched a tent and camped out in the parking lot of FAME studios in an effort to be near the recording sessions occurring there. He soon befriended the studio staff and Wilson Pickett (who was recording at FAME during this time). During a lunch break, Allman taught Pickett the Beatles song "Hey Jude". Duane and Wilson's version of the song was eventually recorded with Allman on lead guitar. Upon hearing the session, Pickett's label (Atlantic Records) asked who had played the guitar solos on the record. The staff responded with a hand-written note that read "some hippie cat who's been living in our parking lot." Shortly afterwards, Allman was offered a recording contract. Auditions for the Allman Brothers Band were later held at FAME Studios. Duane Allman loved the area and frequently returned to the Shoals for session work throughout his life. Howard Duane Allman (November 20, 1946 – October 29, 1971) was an American lead guitarist and noted session musician. ... The original Allman Brothers Band The Allman Brothers Band is a pioneering and innovative Southern rock group from Macon, Georgia originally popular in the 1970s, described by Rolling Stones George Kimball in 1971 as the best . ... Wilson Pickett (March 18, 1941 – January 19, 2006) was an American R&B/Rock and Roll and soul singer. ... The Beatles appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 as part of their first tour of the United States, promoting their first hit single there, I Want To Hold Your Hand. ... Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label, and operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group. ... The original Allman Brothers Band The Allman Brothers Band is a pioneering and innovative Southern rock group from Macon, Georgia originally popular in the 1970s, described by Rolling Stones George Kimball in 1971 as the best . ...


When Bob Dylan announced to his record label that he intended to record Christian music, the initially dismayed label executives insisted that if he planned to pursue the project, he must, at least, record the work in Muscle Shoals as they felt it would provide the work "some much needed credibility" (Dylan was not previously known for his overtly religious pronouncements and many worried that his efforts would be satirical; recording in the Bible Belt, it was thought, might prevent a disaster). Dylan was happy to oblige the label and recorded not one but two genuine Christian albums in the Shoals. The resulting albums ("Slow Train Coming" and "Saved") were recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. While the records were, at first, received poorly by critics (perhaps because of their sincerity), they are today regarded as the birth of modern Christian Rock. This article is about the recording artist. ...


In the song "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, a verse states that "Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers". The "Swampers" were studio musicians who were available if backup was needed. They were given this name by Leon Russell, and several of their gold and platinum records read "To The Swampers". Lynyrd Skynyrd saw these awards when they recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, and later included it in the song as a tribute. By definition, a "Swamper" is a helper, such as a waitress or truck driver's assistant. The musicians were "hired guns", hence the nickname. Sweet Home Alabama is a song by Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd that first appeared in 1974 on their second album, Second Helping. ... Lynyrd Skynyrd (pronounced lĕh-nérd skin-nérd) (or IPA pronunciation: ) is an iconic U.S. Southern rock band. ... Leon Russell (born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2, 1942 in Lawton, Oklahoma) is a singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist. ...


The "Swampers", also known as the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, were recently inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. To celebrate their success, MSRS released a limited-edition compilation CD, sold through the Hall of Fame, containing ten instrumental tracks. The tracks include "Swampers", "Muscle Shoals", "3614 Jam", and "Inner Tube". The CD came with a special insert full of information about the members of MSRS. The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section was based in the Alabama town Muscle Shoals, the site of legendary recording studios and home to many skilled musicians. ...


The members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section were Pete Carr (lead guitar), Jimmy Johnson (guitar), Roger Hawkins (drums), David Hood (bass), and Barry Beckett (keyboards). Lead guitar refers to a role within a band, that provides melody or melodic material, as opposed to the rhythm of the rhythm guitar, bass, and drums. ... Jimmy Johnson is a member of the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section that was attached to FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama for an extended period in the 60s and 70s. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... Roger Hawkins is an American drummer known for playing in the hit making machine The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section of Alabama. ... For other kinds of drums, see drum (disambiguation). ... David Hood is a world class bassist from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. ... The electric bass guitar (or electric bass) is a bass stringed instrument played with the fingers by plucking, slapping, popping or using a pick. ... Piano, a well-known instance of keyboard instruments A keyboard instrument is any musical instrument played using a musical keyboard. ...


More recently, Florence native, Patterson Hood, son of "Swamper", David Hood, has risen to fame in his own right as a member of the alternative rock group, Drive-By Truckers. The top-two finishing finalists on the 2007 season of country music singing competition Nashville Star, siblings Zac Hacker (second place) and Angela Hacker (winner), both hail from Muscle Shoals. David Hood is a world class bassist from Muscle Shoals, Alabama. ... Drive-By Truckers are a rock/alt-country/cowpunk (their website actually calls them a psychobilly band) band based in Athens, Georgia, though three out of five members (Mike Cooley, Patterson Hood, and Shonna Tucker) originally hail from The Shoals region of Northern Alabama. ... Nashville Star is a television program broadcast on the USA Network in the United States and CMT in Canada. ... Zac Hacker is a country music singer who came into the public eye during the 2007 season of the televised singing competition Nashville Star, on which he finished second behind his sister Angela. ... Angela Hacker is a country music singer currently signed to Warner Bros. ...


"Original Swamper" Jimmy Johnson recently recorded tracks for the debut album of up & coming Rock group KING KARMA at the legendary studio at 3614 Jackson Hwy, recently restored by Noel Webster.


The second Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, located at 1000 Alabama Avenue in Sheffield, closed its doors and now houses a movie production company.


The original Muscle Shoals Sound Studios building at 3614 Jackson Highway is now open daily for tours as a historic museum. It has been restored to its previous state, as it was in the 1970s with much of the original sound equipment and furniture. The distinctive Muscle Shoals sound moved from FAME Studios in 1969 when Barry Beckett (keyboards), Roger Hawkins (drums), Jimmy Johnson (guitar) and David Hood (bass) created their Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. ...


Although Muscle Shoals has receded somewhat from its 1960s and 1970s status as "Hit Recording Capital of the World", (as a sign near the airport once read), it remains an important and enduring landmark location for the American recording industry.


The historical significance is so great that in May 2006, Shoals Music Magazine was founded to publicize the area’s musical history as well as its current and up-and-coming artists. It is believed to be the first magazine in Alabama to feature local music exclusively.


Songs associated with the "Muscle Shoals Sound"

A partial list of songs recorded or written in Muscle Shoals or featuring artists from the area. This is, by no means, a complete discography of Muscle Shoals music, as there are literally thousands of songs to be cataloged.

  • Air Supply - "Even The Nights Are Better"
  • Alabama - "Old Flame"
  • Alicia Bridges - "I Love The Nightlife"
  • All 4 One - "I Swear"
  • Andy Williams - "Tell It Like It Is"
  • Angela Hacker - "Total Loss"
  • Aretha Franklin - "Baby Baby Baby (Since You Been Gone)"
  • Aretha Franklin - "Chain Of Fools"
  • Aretha Franklin - "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man"
  • Aretha Franklin - "I Never Loved A Man (The Way That I Love You)"
  • Aretha Franklin - "Respect"
  • Aretha Franklin - "Think"
  • Arthur Alexander - "Anna (Go With Him)"
  • Arthur Alexander - "Sally Sue Brown"
  • Arthur Alexander - "You Better Move On"
  • Arthur Conley - "Sweet Soul Music"
  • Barbara Mandrell - "Angel In Your Arms"
  • Barbara Streisand - "Woman In Love"
  • Beatles - "Anna (Go With Him)"
  • Beatles - "Soldier Of Love"
  • Billy Ray Cyrus - "Achy Breaky Heart"
  • Billy Swan - "I Can Help"
  • Blackhawk - "I Sure Can Smell The Rain"
  • Blackhawk - "Like There Ain't No Yesterday"
  • Bob Dylan - "Gotta Serve Somebody"
  • Bob Seger - "Night Moves"
  • Bob Seger - "Old Time Rock N Roll"
  • Bobbie Gentry - "Fancy"
  • Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces - "Searching For My Love"
  • Bobby Womack - "Harry Hippie"
  • Bobby Womack - "That's The Way I Feel 'Bout 'Cha"
  • Bobby Womack - "Woman's Gotta Have It"
  • Box Tops - "Cry Like A Baby"
  • Box Tops - "The Letter"
  • Boz Scaggs - "Loan Me A Dime"
  • Brooks & Dunn - "Hillbilly Deluxe"
  • Candi Staton - "I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (Than A Young Man's Fool)"
  • Candi Staton - "Young Hearts Run Free"
  • Carrie Underwood - "Before He Cheats"
  • Clarence Carter - "Patches"
  • Clarence Carter - "Slip Away"
  • Clarence Carter - "Too Weak To Fight"
  • Commodores - "Machine Gun"
  • Conway Twitty - "I Was The First"
  • Conway Twitty - "She's Got A Single Thing In Mind"
  • Craig Morgan - "That's What I Love About Sunday"
  • Cry Of Love - "Peace Pipe"
  • Darryl Worley - "Have You Forgotten?"
  • Dave Dudley - "Six Days On The Road"
  • David Alan Coe - "Now I Lay Me Down To Cheat"
  • Denise LaSalle - "Fast Hands And Dirty Mind"
  • Derek & The Dominoes - "Layla"
  • Derek & The Dominoes - "Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad?"
  • Dire Straits - "Lady Writer"
  • Dixie Chicks - "Once You've Loved Somebody"
  • Don Covay - "I Was Checking Out, She Was Checking In"
  • Donnie Fritts - "Muscle Shoals"
  • Dorothy Moore - "Misty Blue"
  • Dr. Hook - "When You're In Love With A Beautiful Woman"
  • Dramatics - "Be My Girl"
  • Dramatics - "I'm Going By (The Stars In Your Eyes)"
  • Dusty Springfield - "Breakfast In Bed"
  • Earl Thomas Conely - "Holding Her And Loving You"
  • Eddie Hinton - "Uncloudy Days"
  • Eddie Rabbit - "Suspicions"
  • Elton John - "Philadelphia Freedom"
  • Emmylou Harris - "I'm Too Far Gone"
  • Emmylou Harris - "One Of These Days"
  • Emotions - "If You Think It..."
  • Eric Clapton - "I've Got A Rock N Roll Heart"
  • Eric Clapton - "Please Be With Me"
  • Etta James - "Amost Persuaded"
  • Etta James - "I'd Rather Go Blind"
  • Etta James - "Tell Mama"
  • Forester Sisters - "Mama's Never Seen Those Eyes"
  • Forester Sisters - "Men"
  • Gary Nichols - "I Can't Love You Anymore"
  • George Jones - "If You Can Touch Her At All"
  • George Strait - "You Know Me Better Than That"
  • Glenn Frey - "Smuggler's Blues"
  • Grateful Dead - "Alabama Getaway"
  • Grateful Dead - "Franklin's Tower"
  • Grateful Dead - "Mr. Charlie"
  • Grateful Dead - "Sugar Magnolia"
  • Grateful Dead - "Tennessee Jed"
  • Grateful Dead - "Truckin'"
  • Gregg Allman - "I'm No Angel"
  • Hank Williams Jr. - "That's How They Do It In Dixie"
  • Heartland - "I Loved Her First"
  • Herbie Mann - "Muscle Shoals Nitty Gritty"
  • Highwaymen - "Silver Stallion"
  • Hot - "Angel In Your Arms"
  • James & Bobby Purify - "I'm Your Puppet"
  • James Brown - "It's Too Funky In Here"
  • James Brown - "Regrets"
  • James Carr - "The Dark End Of The Street"
  • Janie Fricke - "Tell Me A Lie"
  • Jerry Lee Lewis - "A Damn Good Country Song"
  • Jerry Lee Lewis - "You're All Too Ugly Tonight"
  • Jerry Reed - "She Got The Goldmine, I Got The Shaft"
  • Jimmy Buffett - "Bama Breeze"
  • Jimmy Buffett - "Coconut Telegraph"
  • Jimmy Buffett - "Growing Older But Not Up"
  • Jimmy Buffett - "It's My Job"
  • Jimmy Cliff - "Sitting In Limbo"
  • Jimmy Cliff - "The Harder They Come"
  • Jimmy Hughes - "Steal Away"
  • Joan Baez - "Rainbow Road"
  • Joe Cocker - "High Time We Went"
  • Joe Simon - "Let's Do It Over"
  • Joe Tex - "Ain't Gonna Bump No More (With No Big Fat Woman)"
  • John Lennon & Elton John - "Whatever Gets You Thru The Night"
  • John Michael Montgomery - "I Swear"
  • Johnnie Taylor - "Disco Lady"
  • Johnnie Taylor - "Running Out Of Lies"
  • Joss Stone - "Victim Of A Foolish Heart"
  • Julian Lennon - "Too Late For Goodbyes"
  • Julian Lennon - "Valotte"
  • Kenny Chesney - "Back Where I Come From"
  • Kris Kristofferson - "Border Lord"
  • Kris Kristofferson - "The Pilgrim"
  • Laura Lee - "Dirty Man"
  • Leann Rimes - "The Heart Never Forgets"
  • Leblanc & Carr - "Falling"
  • Leon Russell - "Stranger In A Strange Land"
  • Leon Russell - "Tight Rope"
  • Little Richard - "Greenwood, Mississippi"
  • Loleatta Holloway - "Love Sensation"
  • Lonestar - "I'm Already There"
  • Loretta Lynn - "Somewhere Someone's Fallin' In Love"
  • Lou Rawls - "Dead End Street"
  • Lou Rawls - "Love's A Hurtin' Thing"
  • Lou Rawls - "Your Good Thing (Is About To End)"
  • Louvin Brothers - "Cash On The Barrel Head"
  • Louvin Brothers - "I Don't Believe You've Met My Baby"
  • Luther Ingram - "If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don't Wanna Be Right)"
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Ballad Of Curtis Loew"
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Free Bird"
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Gimme Three Steps"
  • Lynyrd Skynyrd - "Sweet Home Alabama"
  • Mac Davis - "Baby, Don't Get Hooked On Me"
  • Mel & Tim - "Starting All Over Again"
  • Millie Jackson - "A House For Sale"
  • Millie Jackson - "Bad Risk"
  • Millie Jackson - "If You're Not Back In Love By Monday"
  • Millie Jackson - "Letter Full Of Tears"
  • Millie Jackson - "Lovin' Your Good Thing Away"
  • Neal McCoy - "Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On"
  • Oak Ridge Boys - "American Made"
  • Oak Ridge Boys - "Bobbie Sue"
  • Osmonds - "Down By The Lazy River"
  • Otis Redding - "You Left The Water Running"
  • Patti LaBelle - "Dreamer"
  • Paul Anka - "You're Having My Baby"
  • Paul Kelly - "Stealin' In The Name Of The Lord"
  • Paul Simon - "Kodachrome"
  • Paul Simon - "Loves Me Like A Rock"
  • Paul Simon - "Still Crazy After All These Years"
  • Paul Simon - "Take Me To The Mardi Gras"
  • Percy Sledge - "Sweet And Tender Love"
  • Percy Sledge - "Take Time To Know Her"
  • Percy Sledge - "When A Man Loves A Woman"
  • Phish - "Fast Enough For You"
  • Phish - "It's Ice"
  • Phish - "Maze"
  • Phish - "Mound"
  • Phish - "My Friend, My Friend"
  • Phish - "Silent In The Morning"
  • R.B. Greaves - "Take A Letter, Maria"
  • Rammstein - "Du Hast"
  • Randy Travis - "Is It Still Over?"
  • Ray Charles - "We Had It All"
  • Reba McEntire - "He Gets That From Me"
  • Reba McEntire - "One Honest Heart"
  • Ricky Skaggs - "Country Boy"
  • Ricky Van Shelton - "I Am A Simple Man"
  • Rod Stewart - "I Don't Wanna Talk About It"
  • Rod Stewart - "Sailing"
  • Rod Stewart - "The First Cut Is The Deepest"
  • Rod Stewart - "Tonight's The Night"
  • Rolling Stones - "Brown Sugar"
  • Rolling Stones - "Wild Horses"
  • Rolling Stones - "You Better Move On"
  • Rolling Stones - "You Got To Move"
  • Ronnie Milsap - "There's No Gettin' Over Me"
  • Ruth Brown - "Can't Stand A Broke Man"
  • Sanford Townsend Band - "Smoke From A Distant Fire"
  • Sawyer Brown - "Thank God For You"
  • Sawyer Brown - "The Walk"
  • Shenandoah - "I Wanna Be Loved Like That"
  • Shenandoah - "Sunday In The South"
  • Shenandoah - "The Church On Cumberland Road"
  • Shenandoah - "The Moon Over Georgia"
  • Simon & Garfunkel - "My Little Town"
  • Solomon Burke - "Proud Mary"
  • Solomon Burke - "Someone To Love Me"
  • Solomon Burke - "Take Me As I Am"
  • Soul Children - "The Sweeter He Is"
  • Staple Singers - "Heavy Makes You Happy"
  • Staple Singers - "I'll Take You There"
  • Staple Singers - "Respect Yourself"
  • Steve Wariner - "Lonely Women Make Good Lovers"
  • Supremes - "Bend A Little"
  • Sweet Inspirations - "Sweet Inspiration"
  • T. Graham Brown - "Don't Go To Strangers"
  • T. Graham Brown - "Memphis Women And Chicken"
  • Tanya Tucker - "What's Your Mama's Name?"
  • Temptations - "Glass House"
  • Temptations - "Happy People"
  • Temptations - "Memories"
  • The Dells - "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation"
  • The Kendals - "Teach Me To Cheat"
  • Tony Joe White - "On The Return To Muscle Shoals"
  • Tony Joe White - "Polk Salad Annie"
  • Traffic - "Light Up Or Leave Me Alone"
  • Traffic - "The Low Spark Of High Heeled Boys"
  • Traffic - "Uninspired"
  • Travis Tritt - "Now I've Seen It All"
  • Travis Tritt - "You Really Wouldn't Want Me That Way"
  • Travis Wammack - "Scratchy"
  • Van Morrison - "A Shot Of Rhythm And Blues"
  • Van Morrison - "Meet Me In The Indian Summer"
  • Waylon Jennings - "Ladies Love Outlaws"
  • Wham! - "Careless Whisper"
  • Widepsread Panic - "Pickin Up The Pieces"
  • William Bell - "I Forgot To Be Your Lover"
  • William Bell - "My Whole World Is Falling Down"
  • Willie Nelson - "Bloody Mary Morning"
  • Willie Nelson - "If You Can Touch Her At All"
  • Willie Nelson - "It's Not Supposed To Be That Way"
  • Willie Nelson - "Pretend I Never Happened"
  • Wilson Pickett - "Land Of 1,000 Dances"
  • Wilson Pickett - "Mustang Sally"

Schools

The Muscle Shoals City Schools system enjoys a reputation for its rigorous academic standards. There are seven schools in the MSCS district: Muscle Shoals High School, Muscle Shoals Center for Technology, Muscle Shoals Middle School, McBride Elementary School, Highland Park Elementary School, Webster Elementary School, and Howell Graves Preschool. The system is currently led by Superintendent Dr. Jeff Wooten. Visit the district website at http://www.mscs.k12.al.us.


External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
Muscle Shoals, Alabama - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (811 words)
Muscle Shoals is a city located in Colbert County, Alabama, USA.
As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 11,924, and is included in The Shoals MSA.
The members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section were Donny Short (lead guitar), Jimmy Johnson (guitar), Roger Hawkins (drums), David Hood (bass), and Barry Beckett (keyboards).
  More results at FactBites »


 

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