W.C. Handy Home, Museum & Library
W.C. Handy Music Festival
FAME
3614 Jackson Hwy Studio
Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Sounds of the Southern Soul
FAME
"Hit Recording Capital of the World" is a rare distinction that certainly fits the Shoals. FAME, the first successful studio in Alabama was established in 1959 by Rick Hall. His FAME Rhythm Section cut hits with some of the greats such as Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Arthur Conley and Clarence Carter. The list of artists that recorded at FAME are among the Who's Who in the music industry - Duane Allman, The Osmonds, Bobbie Gentry, Wet Willie and Otis Redding. FAME is still cranking out the hits from its staff of song writers and recording artists. Nashville Star winner Angela Hacker and the runner up Zac Hacker are regulars at the studio along with up and coming James LeBlanc, Gary Nichols and Jason Isbell.
Located: 603 East Avalon Avenue - Muscle Shoals, AL 35662
Call 256-381-0801 or visit www.fame2.com for the complete history.
3614 Jackson Highway Recording Studio
3614 Jackson Highway Recording Studio is the original site of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the home of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section also known as the "Swampers." If these walls could talk, they would tell the stories behind some of the most notable hits throughout the '70s. The studio is pictured on the cover of Cher's 3614 Jackson Highway album cover. A walk through the studio is truly a walk through music history.
This is just a sample of the talent and hits:
Wilson Pickett - Sugar Sugar
R.B. Greaves - Take A Letter
Aretha Franklin - This Girls In Love With You
Rolling Stones - Wild Horses
Paul Simon - Kodachrome
Bob Segar - Old Time Rock & Roll
Other recording artists include:
Joe Cocker
The Staple Singers
Linda Ronstadt
Percy Sledge
Willie Nelson
Rod Stewart
Lynyrd Skynard.
Located: 3614 Jackson Highway - Sheffield, AL 35661
For tours and a complete list of hits and artists call 256-783-2641 or visit
www.muscleshoalssound.org
The Alabama Music Hall of Fame
It's Unforgettable! Face to face with life-sized Nat King Cole in wax crooning at his piano plus a jukebox full of his hits recorded in the Hit Recording Capital of the World. The blues, rock and roll, country, gospel and jazz-all in a museum that features Alabamians who changed the course of music history. Bop and jive with Father of the Blues W. C. Handy, Sam Phillips who created Elvis' legend, and producer giant Buddy Killen. Get down with exhibits from local recording studios famous for cranking out hit after hit for music greats like The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Percy Sledge. The gallery also includes extensive exhibits and collections from Tommy Shaw of Styx, Lionel Richie and the Commodores, Bobby Goldsboro, Jim Nabors, Emmylou Harris, Tammy Wynett, Vern Godsin, Hank Willams Sr. and many more. Best of all-go platinum! Record your own hit in the Hall of Fame Recording Studio; you might make music history. Then stop by the large on-premises gift and souvenir shop and take home a bit of soul from The Shoals.
Explore Alabama's rich music history or schedule an educational group tour.
Located: US 72 West, Tuscumbia, Alabama. Phone 256-381-4417 or
800-239-2643 or check the website for hours and admission
www.alamhof.org
W. C. Handy Birthplace, Museum & Library
"Where the Tennessee River, like a silver snake, winds her way through the clay hills of Alabama, sits high on these hills, my home town, Florence."
W.C. Handy The Father of the Blues, William Christopher Handy, was born in Florence in 1873 in a simple cabin that today houses a large collection of his personal papers, memorabilia and artifacts. Born with a natural musical bent-as a boy he visualized birdcalls as notes on a scale-Handy went on to compose such well-known blues jewels as St. Louis Blues, Beale Street Blues, and Memphis Blues. Feel the blues down to your toes standing next to the very piano that shook with St. Louis Blues for the first time; see his hand-written sheets of music-originals of many of his tunes.
Location: 620 West College Street, Florence, Alabama. Phone
256-760-6434.
Open Tuesday-Saturday-10 AM-4 PM
Admission charged.
W. C. Handy Music Festival
Jazz your blues away for ten full days at a festival that honors The Father of the Blues. Over 250 music events set the stage for this festival that preserves, promotes and presents the musical heritage of northwest Alabama. A destination on the National Geographic Appalachian Regional Commission's Featured Sites Map, and a Top Twenty event in the Southeast US since 1986 and the 2007 Alabama Event of the Year. Held annually at the end of July, call for specific dates each year 256-766-9719 or visit the website
www.wchandymusicfestival.org
Florence Fact: FATHER OF THE BLUES W. C. HANDY, PRODUCER BUDDY KILLEN, AND ELVIS-DISCOVERER SAM PHILLIPS-ALL FLORENCE, ALABAMA BRED AND BORN.