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| Singing River Sculpture |
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| 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.
2020Legend 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.
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| Singing River Sculpture |
