2026 May 15-16, Shoals Frontporch Storytelling Festival

Day 1: Friday, May 14, 

Melissa Foster did the opening, introducing each and every storyteller, beginning with Johnny Fowler. 

Eric Kirkman had a death in the family and had to travel out of town. He was to be our first teller, so Johnny Fowler stepped in to take his place. 8:55-9:25

Donald Davis followed with childhood stories. 9:25-9:55.

Next up was Jennifer Armstrong telling Folk Tales, along with singing and music, 9:55-10:25 

Next is Bil Lepp with his tall tales about traveling. 10:25-10:55

We have a twenty-minute break from 10:55 to 11:15 

My friend and I walk around the block and take a restroom break. The theatre is cold, so we need to warm up.

I bought a Diet Coke and a bag of M &M peanuts in the snack bar. 

Back inside, we listen to Dolores Hydock tell a story about WWI, 11:15-11:50.

We break for lunch from 11:50-1:50PM. 

We decided to walk to Mugshots on Court Street. We both ordered hamburgers. I ordered a Bishop Burger with Mayo, Mustard, Onions, Pickles, Lettuce, and tomatoes with sweet potato fries and a cold glass of iced tea with lemon. 

We return from lunch to listen to Johnny Fowler tell stories and play several musical instruments from 1:50-2:20 PM.

Next up is Tom Gordon, a storyteller from Centerville, TN. Tom tells a story about growing up with different women in his life.  One of the stories he told was about his first love in elementary school. He was playing baseball, and the girl he liked was watching. He hit a home run and ran all the way to home plate. When he looked up at his girlfriend, she was out cold because he had swung his bat after his hit and had hit her with it. 

Another story was about his first kiss, and he had closed his eyes only to kiss her on the nose, causing a bruise on her nose. The last story was his first date, and he was stopped by a police officer for speeding. 

Next up was Bil Lep 2:30 -3:00

Dolores Hydock talked about things she didn't know about the Statue of Liberty. Celebrating 250 years of our great Country. You can read the history of the Statue of Liberty on Wikipedia. 3:20-3:50

Jennifer Armstrong told folktales that incorporated musical instruments. 3:50-4:20 

Donald Davis was our last teller of the day with his funny stories of growing up. 4:20-5:00.

We dismissed for dinner, and hubby picked me up, and we went home.

Day 2: Saturday, May 15:

Once again, Melissa Foster introduced the tellers, beginning with Johnny Foster.

Johnny told stories and incorporated music in his stories with audience participation. 9:00-9:30 

Next up was Donald Davis and the story of the two-car family, 9:30-10:00 

a twenty-minute break for the restroom and to walk around town. 10:00-10:20 

Next was Jennifer Armstrong, who told folktales and incorporated music with audience participation, 10:20-10:50.

Next was Dolores Hydock, 10:50-11:20.

Dwight Henry talked about his dad in WWII and his visit to the house where his dad stayed in France. 11:20-11:50

Bil Lepp finished the morning with his tall tells 11:50-12:00

Break for lunch 12:00-2:00. My friend and I ate lunch at Lost Pizza.

We both ordered a pizza and a drink.

I ordered a Hippi Pizza with cheeses, spinach, roma tomatoes, artichokes, green peppers, yellow onions, and black olives on a garlic buttered crust.

After lunch, we walked across the street to the  Arts Alive Festival located in Wilson Park, spilling over into the Florence Library and in front of the Church of Christ. 

We returned to the Shoals Theater for the final portion of the storytelling. 

Donald Davis began the storytelling at 2:00-2:30 

Next up was Johnny Fowler, 2:30-3:05

Break from 3:05-3:25

After the break, we continued with Jennifer Armstrong 3:25-3:55

Next Dolores Hydock 3:55-4:40 

Bil Lepp finished the day with his tall tales from 4:30-5:00.

Hubby picked me up, and we headed home. 

He stopped at the Chinese restaurant in Killen and bought a plate of food and some soup, egg rolls. 

I am not a fan of this food, so I ate a hot dog. 

The end of Storytelling until May of Next year. 

 

2025 June 21, 2025 Nashville Day Trip with BackRoads Tours, LLC

My husband and I stopped for breakfast at Jack's in Athens on Highway 72. 

I ordered a single gravy and biscuit and two peach pies for later. 

Hubby ordered the big breakfast. 

We traveled to Madison to catch our ride at Gabe's. 

We loaded onto the bus.

To our amazement, the seat Hubby had been sitting in was broken, so we moved a few seats back. 

We heard someone else say their seat was broken. We had a full bus and needed every seat. 

The driver (Floyd) said I could run up the road and catch a different bus.

There were still about six passengers missing, so our group leader (Kelley) said I would stay here while you and the other passengers went to get the other bus. 

Ardmore Rest Area 

Our first stop was at the Ardmore, Tennessee, Rest Area. 

After about an hour, we arrived at our destination (after getting turned around at the Opryland Hotel. 

We finally arrived at the  General Jackson loading dock. Our group leader went to get everyone's tickets. 

There were two bus loads, one from Scottsboro and one from Madison.

Our bus group was going to the show and dinner at 1:30, while the first group's time was at 12:30.

Around 12 P.M., the General Jackson Showboat began traveling down the Cumberland River toward downtown Nashville. 

Hubby and I sat outside, where we enjoyed a virgin Pina Colada. 

View of Nashville from the boat 

The Nissan Tennessee Titans Football Field view from the boat. 

I took pictures of downtown Nashville buildings and Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans Football Team. 

On the bank of the Cumberland River, we saw Canada Geese and Kakaik's.

We also saw sites where the homeless lived. We saw lifts from people's homes and businesses leading down to the river below. 

At 1:30 P.M., the second group walked to the dining room on deck one. 

We enjoyed a buffet with chicken, BBQ, macaroni and cheese, carrots, salad, rolls, and apple pie. 

BBQ, Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Carrots, roll, and Apple Pie 

We were entertained by the Tennessee Legends' music and songs. 

Next, we loaded onto our buses and rode to the Opryland Hotel. 

Several people from both buses rode the Gaylord Opryland boat inside the hotel. 

The scene from the boat ride at the hotel. 

The waterfall at Opryland Hotel 

At the Bravo Gelato, I ordered an Oreo ice cream Waffle cone.

Hubby ordered a Mt Dew and a cookie.

Everyone had to be back on the bus at 5:30 P.M. 

We began our journey home. 

The Tennessean Travel Stop Fire Truck

We stopped at The Tennessean Travel Stop, where several enjoyed a meal, and others just bought snacks. 

We ate our peach pies and drinks that we had brought with us. 

On our ride home, we saw several rainbows and the sunset.

Sunset 

The Rainbow 

Everyone loaded into their vehicles and began their journey home. 

We stopped at Krystal's and bought burgers and fries to go. 

We stopped at several Dollar General Stores for Mt Dew. 

There was a sale on drinks, and several of the smaller stores were out of stock. 

We arrived home around 10 P.M. 

Photos 

9443-9451 @9:01 A.M. Ardmore Rest Area

9452-9457 10:33 A.M Opryland Hotel outside

9458-9464 @12:18 P.M. General Jackson

9468 @ 4:51 P.M. Opryland Hotel 

690-720 General Jackson downtown Nashville 

722-733 Hotel Boat Ride

9476-9481 @6:51 The Tennessean Travel Stop 

9485-9472 Sunset and Rainbow @6:20-8:16 P.M.

Spirit Coach LLC  #452431
Huntsville, AL 
Driver: Floyd 

  

 

Singing River Sculpture in Florence

Singing River Sculpture 

Singing River Sculpture in Florence 

Dedicated to the world-renowned musicians, recording executives, writers, producers, and performers who made Florence and the Muscle Shoals area the "Hit Recording Capital of the World" in the 1960s and 1970s, and those who continue that legacy.

2020 
Legend of the Singing River 
The Yuchi and other early Native Americans who lived along the banks of the mighty Tennessee River long held the legend of a Spirit Woman who lived in the river, sang her song, and protected them. She sang to them loudly if the drive was angry, softly and sweetly when the river was peaceful, and sometimes in the calming hum of a lullaby. In her honor, they named it the Singing River.
Some say that all they heard was the high waters' mighty rush and roar over the mussel shoals or the calm, low waters babbling through the river rocks. 
Others say she is honest and over the waters, as she did many years ago. So goes the legend of the Singing River. 

The World-Changing Music Shoals Music 
From the latter half of the 20th century, artists, musicians, songwriters, and music industry professionals from the Muscle Shoals area have contributed significantly to shaping the world's expansive musical heritage. 

Few styles of music were untouched by Muscle Shoals music, and local contributions have been made in all areas of the complex industry, including production, recording engineering, songwriting, music publishing, and music business interests.

Many of the world's most outstanding performers began their ascent to stardom in Muscle Shoals. Artists such as Percy Sledge, Aretha Franklin, The Staple Singers, Bob Seger, and many others quickly created a legacy that earned the area the title "Hit Recording Capitol of the World."

The warning in Arthur Alexander's "You Better Move On" got the attention of the Rolling Stones. The Beatles heard Alexander's song "Anna," and each band acknowledged their respect for Alexander by recording their own version of the song on their debut albums. 

The songwriting tradition remains one of the most substantial facets of Muscle Shoals music, with area songwriters penning songs such as "When a Man Loves a Woman," "I Swear," "Blown Away," "Before He Cheats," and hundreds of other hits over the decades. 
The area grew into a music center by drawing together people of all races and religions. In the 1960s, despite racial segregation enforced outside the studio, soul classics were created in the studios, with musicians contributing their innate musical talents. The collaborations created some of the most widely loved music of the 20th century, including "When A Man Loves A Woman," "Mustang Sally," "Tell Mama," "Patch," "Respect Yourself," and many others. 

The heart and soul of Muscle Shoals music have always been the players and singers. Four Muscle Shoals Sound Rhythm Section members were immortalized in the Lynyrd Skynyrd song Sweet Home Alabama. The lyric, "Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers, and they've been known to pick a song or two, "honors Barry-Beckett, Jimmy Johnson, David Hood, and Roger Hawkins, owner of Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, and studio musicians who produced and played on hundreds of hit records at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios from the late 60s until the mid-70s.

Florence's Contribution to this Golden Era
Florence has long had a rich and varied music culture and heritage. Building on the foundation of blues and spiritual music laid by Florence native W.C. Handy, known as the father of the blues and the composer of "Beale Street Blues," "St. Louis Blues," and other notable works, that legacy continues today. 
The roots of what became known as the Muscle Shoals sound are found north of the Tennessee River in Florence, AL. They were planted by pioneers such as James Joiner, Tom Stafford, and Rich Hall, as well as the many talented musicians and songwriters who recorded in Florence studios before 1960.
Other notable music personalities from Florence include Sam Phillips, Buddy Killen, Billy Sherrill, and Kelso Herston, who found significant success in Memphis and Nashville. 

In 1956, Joiner wrote and produced the area's first regional hit, "A Fallen Star" by Bobby Denton. He, Kelso Herston, and his partners established "Tune Records and Publishing Company," the first in Alabama, and published the classic Country song "Six Days on the Road" by Earl Greene and Carl Montgomery. 

Stafford, Hall, and Billy Sherrill created Florence, Alabama Music Enterprises (FAME) above the City Drug Store, which was owned by Stafford's family. The studio attracted young talent such as David Briggs, Norbert Putnam, Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham, Jerry Carrigan, Earl "Peanutt" Montgomery, Donnie Fritts, Arthur Alexander, Bobby Denton, and others who would go on to become legendary musicians and songwriters. 

In 1964, at John Lennon's request, four members of the original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section —Norbert Putnam, David Briggs, Jerry Carrigan, and Terry Thompson —backed the opening acts for the Righteous Brothers and Tommy Roe at the Beatles' first US concert in Washington, D.C. 

In 1976, Wishbone Studio owner and producer Terry Woodford cofounded the University of North Alabama Commercial Music Program, which prepared many for success in the music industry, including Randy Poe, President of Leiber & Stoller Music Publishing/music biographer; Walt Aldridge, songwriter/producer; Nancy Lee, V.P. Music Industry Business, Manager Higham Management Ince.; Mark Narmore, Songwriter/singer/keyboardist; John Briggs, V.P. ASCAP (Retired); V.P. Entertainment and Pro Sports, Tower Community Band; and Kevin Lamb, V.P. Peer Music (Retired).

Photos: William Christopher (W.C)Handy
Photo courtesy of W.C. Handy Foundation Inc. 

Photo: James Joiner  and Kelson Herston (L) 
Photo editing courtesy of Glenn Bevis 

Joiner's Bus Station 
Site of Joiner's first recording studio 
Photo courtesy of the Joiner Family 

Photo: Tom Stanford 
Enigmatic mentor to many young Muscle Shoals musicians 
Photo courtesy of David Briggs

Photo: The Original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section 
Terry Thompson, Norbert Putman, Jerry Carrigan, and David Briggs 
Photo completion courtesy of Will C. Roberson and Trevor J. Joiner 

Photo: Terry Woodford 
With guest speaker Glenn Frey of the Eagles in the UNA Commercial Music class 
Photo courtesy of Terry Woodford. 

The City of Florence, Alabama 
Mayor Steve Holt - Eric Nubbe, Sculpture 
A special thanks to former Mayor Mickey Haddock and former Mayor Bobby E. Irons for their early and unwavering support and encouragement.
Historical commentary by Dick Cooper, David Anderson, Bill Matthews, and Sandra Vetters.

Singing River Sculpture 

2024 April 19, Visitor Center, Kennedy Douglas Art Museum, Coffee Cemetery with AVA

 Today, we rode into town to pick up Hubby's medicine at Walgreens. 

We rode to the Blue Door Thrift Store/SCOPE 310 and bought AVA a game. 

Ate lunch at Culverts. 

Hubby and I split a plate of shrimp, fries, cole Slaw, and Chocolate moose yogurt.  

We bought an AVA hamburger, fries, and chocolate yogurt.

We stopped at the nearby Walmart to pick up a few items. Then, Ava and I walked across the street to the Coffee and Slave Cemeteries. 

A  large old tree at Coffee Cemetery

Ava wanted to visit a museum, so we rode to the Kennedy-Douglass Art Center. There, we saw AROY Artistic Rendering of Youth, featuring artwork created by students from 7th through 12th grade at 15 schools. Outside, we stopped to take pictures of the statues. 

AVA and the outdoor art

We walked across the street to Wilson Park, and the mist from the fountain seemed to reach the clouds.

Overflowing Fountain at Wilson Park 

Color is the music of light. 
Frank Lloyd Wright 
(This marker is on the sidewalk at Wilson Park.)

We watched a barge go up the Tennessee River 
men fishing 

Ava enjoyed the playground area at McFarland Park. Our last stop was the Visitor Center, where they saw several displays. 

Large and small-mouth bass
Bass fishing & tournaments are significant on the Tennessee River in Florence.
Ava enjoyed the one with the big and small-mouth fish. 

WC Handy Statue in Wilson Park 
WC Handy 
Father of the Blues 
1873- 1958 
Born in Florence, Alabama 

Display of WC Handy's music at Florence-Lauderdale Visitor Center.
Handy played the Cornet (pictured here) 
Handy's first hit was "The Memphis Blues".

The W. C. Handy Music Festival is held annually in Florence, Alabama, sponsored by the Music Preservation Society, Inc., in honor of Florence native W. C. Handy, the "Father of the Blues." The non-profit Music Preservation Society was formed in 1982 with the mission to preserve, present, and promote the musical heritage of Northwest Alabama.

The 2024 Handy Festival will take place from Wednesday to Saturday, June 12-15, in Florence, Alabama. 

2023 Feb 20-21, Bus Trip to Jacksonville, and touring Jacksonville, Fl (Diamond Travel, with Anderson Travel Hueytown, AL) (5day trip)

Day 1: Monday, February 20

Hubby and I traveled 2 1/2 hours to Hueytown, Alabama, and stopped at Jack's in Hueytown for gravy and biscuits.

Everyone checked in and was given a name tag, which served as their ticket for meals, events, and lodging.

Around 7:30, the bus arrived, loaded our luggage along with 40 other people's luggage onto the bus, and 

By 8 A.M., we were on our way.

Our first restroom stop was I-20 at the Georgia Welcome Center in Waco, Georgia.

Georgia Welcome Center, Waco, Georgia.

Our next stop was for lunch at the Arbor Mall in Douglasville, Georgia, where several dining options were available. We picked Chick-fil-A. I ordered a kid's chicken nugget meal, and Hubby ordered a chicken sandwich with waffle fries.

Arbor Mall in Douglasville, Georgia 

Our third stop was at the I-75 Southbound Rest Area, Forsyth, Georgia.

 I-75 Rest Area Southbound Forsyth, Georgia.

Our fourth stop was the Florida Welcome Center I-75 in Jennings, Florida. (They always have fresh orange juice here, but they close at 5 P.M., just a few minutes after 5).

Florida Welcome Center I-75 in Jennings, Florida

We stopped for dinner at Ole Times Country Buffet in Lake City. Here, I ate collard greens, green lima beans, carrots, fish, cornbread, and a slice of chess pie.

Ole Times County Buffet in Lake City

We finally arrived at the hotel, were given our room keys, and took our luggage to our room.

Exhausted from the long ride, they showered and went to bed. 

Holiday Inn Express room 310.

Day 2: Tuesday, February 21,

Breakfast at the hotel: omelet, sausage, biscuit with grape jelly, and milk.

At 8:00, we were on the bus headed to St John's Town Center to pick up our guide.

Our first stop was Memorial Park, located along the St. John's River. 

St John's Memorial Park along the St John's River

Our next stop was Sweet Pete's Candies, where they have 100s of candies & chocolates.

Sweet Pete's Candies 

We walked to Weldon Johnson Park, near the Art Museum and City Hall in the center of town.

James Weldon Johnson Park

Our next stop was Jessie Ball Dupont Park to see Jacksonville's Favorite 70-foot-tall, 25-foot trunk Oak Tree.

The so-called Treaty Oak is at least two centuries old.

Treat Oak 70 Feet 25-foot trunk. 

We loaded onto the bus and returned to St John's Town Center to drop off our guide and get lunch.

We chose M-Shack's gourmet burger made with all-natural, hormone-free ground beef. 

Hubby and I split the M-Shack's hamburger. 

Our next stop was the Miss Headley River Boat Cruise along St John's River.

Miss Headley River Boat Cruise 

We loaded back onto the bus and headed to the hotel to freshen up, as we were going to the DoubleTree by Hilton for a buffet dinner and show.

There was no place for us to sit as a group when we filled our plates. We set up in front of a band with a fun group from Louisiana.

One of the women was a librarian. The one sitting beside me had red hair, and she said her husband didn't care for traveling. She told me my dad would take me to the pub with him when I was growing up. He would give her money to play Pac-Man, and he would go and drink. Her dad was much older than her mom. Her dad had passed several years back, and her mom remarried, and she didn't care much for her new husband.

She said she would never remarry if anything were to happen to her husband. Their group had already visited the Fountain of Youth, and she said the water tasted like sulfur. This group was a lot of fun, and we all danced around the room waving our napkins to The Saints Go Marching In.