No'Ala July/August 2011 by No’Ala Studios

MUSIC SCHOOL NORTH ALABAMA’S CLASS OF 2011

HAS LOCAL MUSIC LOST ITS SOUL? THE FUTURE OF THE “HIT RECORDING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD” JULY/AUG 2011 $3.95

THE LAST SUMMER OF KODACHROME “HANDY” SUMMER FASHION noalamag.com

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2 | No’Ala

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4 | No’Ala

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July/August 2011 | 5

{ contents }

ON THE COVER: Spencer Murphy leads the seventeen members of our Class of 2011 for No’Ala’s annual music issue. It’s our tribute to music in the Muscle Shoals area, past, present...and future.

Photo by Abraham Rowe

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July/August 2011 | 7

{ contents } Features 16 Proﬁle of Artist Audwin McGee 24 Has Local Music Lost Its Soul? 40 Lift Your Voices: A Review of Choral Music in the Shoals 46 Handy Festival Fashion 62 The Last Summer of Kodachrome 72 Music School: The Class of 2011 88 Catching up with No’Ala’s Musicians of 2010

July/August 2011 Volume 4: Issue 4 ••• C. Allen Tomlinson Editor-In-Chief David Sims Managing Editor/Design Director Contributing Writers Sarah Gaede, Claire Stewart Contributing Photographers Armosa Studios, Danny Mitchell, Stephen Paley Abraham Rowe, Tommy Wright Business Manager Frances Adams Marketing Coordinator/Advertising Sales Lyndsie McClure

er Summe t s a L The odachrom of K

Everything Else 12 Calendar 56 Shopping 92 Bless Their Hearts 94 Twenty Questions 98 Parting Shot

Administrative Assistant Claire Stewart Student Intern Ashley Neill Printing and Distribution The Ovid Bell Press ••• No’Ala is published six times annually by ATSA PO Box 2530, Florence, AL 35630 Phone: 256-766-4222 | Fax: 256-766-4106 Toll-free: 800-779-4222 Web: www.noalamag.com

Standard postage paid at Florence, AL. A one-year subscription is $19.95 for delivery in the United States. Signed articles reflect only the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of their advertisements. © 2008-2011 ATSA, All rights reserved. Send all correspondence to Allen Tomlinson, Editor, at the postal address above, or by e-mail to atomlinson@atsa-usa.com. Letters may be edited for space and style. To advertise, contact us at: 256-766-4222, or sales@noalamag.com. The editor will provide writer’s guidelines upon request. Prospective authors should not submit unsolicited manuscripts; please query the editor first.

Photo by Armosa Studios

8 | No’Ala

Photo by Danny Mitchell

No’Ala is printed with vegetable-based inks on 100% recycled paper.

Join us on Facebook: No’Ala Mag

{ editor’s letter }

ALLEN TOMLINSON

I wish I could sing. Oh, I try. I sing at the top of my lungs when I’m in the car, by myself, with the windows rolled up—if I see you look over at me at a traffic light and see my lips moving, I’ll pretend I’m on my phone, but I’m not. I studied music, so I know how to read it, and I know music theory, but my voice just doesn’t cooperate. It’s not strong enough to belt out songs the way I really want to. Thank goodness I live in a place where I can surround myself with people who really can sing. Beautifully. There’s something about the Shoals area that breeds musical talent, and I have finally resigned myself to being a member of an appreciative audience, instead of a member of the musical ranks. And in this issue, I get to live vicariously by helping the No’Ala staff introduce you to a few of the up-and-coming singers who are making a name for themselves; we’re also giving you a few things to ponder about the past, present and future of music in the Muscle Shoals region, a place known far and wide for being the “Hit Recording Capital of the World.” We’re profiling sculptor Audwin McGee, who is creating lasting monuments to our musical heritage and Tori Bailey, President of the group that has brought us the W.C. Handy Festival for the last 30 years, answers our Twenty Questions. We also take a look at three choral groups who have entertained us for years. It’s a diverse issue, but one we hope you’ll enjoy! It’s time once again for your nominations for our Renaissance Awards. This series of awards, held every other year, is designed to recognize those people in our midst who do extraordinary things, quietly and without a lot of fanfare. Won’t you please point them out to us? Next spring’s March/April issue will be devoted to telling their stories, and last time we were amazed by the number of people nominated and the things they do to make this the best place in the world to live. Email us, write us, or visit our Facebook page to tell us who you think deserves this recognition. Finally—for those of you who subscribe to No’Ala, this issue comes with our Entertainment issue bonus, thanks to First Southern Bank: an audio CD with a track from each of the performers profiled in this issue. We hope you enjoy it—First Southern has a limited number of CDs to give away at its branches, but they will go fast. If you’re like me, I’m grabbing one to stick in the car, so I can sing along. If you pull up beside me at a traffic light, if you won’t make fun of me as I sing along, I won’t make fun of you as you do the same.

July/August 2011 | 9

{ contributors } Abraham Rowe is a sentimental guy—well at least when it comes to slide film. When he heard that the last known Kodachrome processing laboratory would process its last roll in January of this year, he sought out several rolls at a Sheffield flea market (The film was last manufactured in 2009). Then he set about Abraham Rowe to document some wellknown local color, using Paul Simon’s song “Kodachrome” as inspiration. The result is a quirky, imaginative, and colorful send-off of the world’s first successfully mass-marketed color slide film. Wes and Tera Wages of Armosa Studios are as passionate about photo and video almost as much as they are about each other. Though they specialize in wedding photography, the Wes and Tera Wages couple will be releasing a commercial site very soon. Keep watch and view more of their work at www.armosastudios.com. A Shoals resident since 2003, Sarah Gaede gives us a Bless Your Heart column this issue that will make you smile, make you hungry, and might bring a nostalgic tear to your eye. Thank goodness she’s included a recipe!

CORRECTION For those of you who receive a CD in your magazine, or pick up a copy at First Southern, we mistakenly used Melissa Daniel Bain’s married name without including the “Daniel.” We corrected the mistake in the magazine, and regret the error on the CD. Sarah Gaede

10 | No’Ala

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July/August 2011 | 11

of events July

July 1–8 The Watercolor Society of Alabama, Annual Juried Competition Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 North Water Street, Tuscumbia, 9:00am–5:00pm weekdays and 1:00pm–3:00pm Sundays; $5 adults, $3 children; Sundays free. July 1 First Friday Court Street, downtown Florence, 5:00pm-8:00pm; no admission. This monthly event is a gathering of artists of all kinds: musicians, painters, sculptors, photographers, hand-crafted jewelry creators and more. July 2, 3, 8, and 9 The Miracle Worker On the grounds of Helen Keller’s birthplace, 300 North Commons West, Tuscumbia. Gates open at 6:45pm; play begins at 8:00pm. $10 reserved seating, $8 general admission. (256) 383-4066 or (888) 329-2124; www.helenkellerbirthplace.org. July 4 Shoals Spirit of Freedom Celebration McFarland Park, Florence; 10:00am–10:00pm. No admission. Celebrate Independence Day in the Shoals! Live, nationally-known musicians perform all day, food vendors are onsite, and activities for the entire family will be at the park throughout the day. The day ends with one of the largest fireworks shows in the Southeast. Cherokee 4th of July Street Dance Downtown Cherokee, 9:00am–10:00pm, no admission. (256) 3594312. An old-fashioned street dance climaxed with a fireworks display, includes live music, concession sales by the Cherokee Rescue Squad and more. 4th of July Walking Parade Begins at 4th Street and Montgomery Avenue, Sheffield, 10:00am; no admission. cpdriskell@gmail.com. The parade is for all ages, preschool through adults. Prizes will be awarded for best decorated bicycle, tricycle, wagon, scooter, or costume. Come dressed in patriotic colors. July 7 and every Thursday Spring Park Market, and Upscale Farmer’s Market Spring Park, Tuscumbia, 4:00pm–7:00pm; no admission. Fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade breads, jellies, soaps and Shoals Culinary Center-made products will be available for purchase. Live music and cooking demonstration add to the evening! July 7–August 11 Mostly Blues Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E. Tuscaloosa Street, Florence. Mon.–Fri., 9:00am–4:00pm; no admission. (256) 760-6379 12 | No’Ala

Visit www.yearofalabamamusic.com for events and dates.

Calendar

or www.florenceal.org. Area artists create paintings, drawings and sculptures with a musical flair, to set the mood for the W.C. Handy Music Festival. July 15–16 15th Annual “Saddle Up for St. Jude” Gardiner Farm, Tuscumbia; Noon to midnight Friday; 7:00am–midnight Saturday. Donations accepted; entry fees apply. Benefits St. Jude’s Hospital. (256) 446-5392 or (256) 282-7436; Email: Drjtg64@aol.com. Features nationally known music headliners on stage both days. Auction, horse-related events such as trail rides, wagon rides, roping, seminars and demonstrations. July 16–17 Rogersville Bluegrass Festival Downtown Rogersville in the park; start time to be determined. No admission. Live bluegrass and entertainment for the entire family. July 21–23, 28–29 SummerStock at the Ritz: Guys and Dolls Ritz Theatre, 103 W. 3rd Street, Sheffield; 7:35pm curtain time each evening. $14.50/$12.50 at door, $12.50/$10.50 advance. (256) 3830533. Many audiences consider this to be the perfect Broadway comedy, with its legendary characters and soaring songs. SummerStock at the Ritz’s version includes a cast of local young people ages 16-29 with teaching faculty David Hope, artistic director, Gene Ann Gifford, vocal performance; and Patrice Smith, choreography. July 22–30 The 30th Annual W.C. Handy Music Festival Held at venues all over the Shoals, some free and some with

admission. The 30th annual Festival includes everything from a headliner concert to music in the streets. For schedules, admissions and times, visit www.wchandyfest.com. July 24–September 2 ArtWorks ‘11 Tennessee Valley Museum of Art, 511 North Water Street, Tuscumbia; Sunday, 1:00pm–3:00pm; Monday–Friday, 9:00am–5:00pm. Admission: $5.00 for Adults, $3.00 for Students. (256) 383-0533 or www.tvaa.net. The exhibition illustrates a vast range of art media by the multi-talented artists from the northwest Alabama region. July 26 W.C. Handy Music Festival Wine Tasting at The Wine Seller Featuring a line of wines called “Wines That Rock” along with live music from Chris Roach. 5:00pm–7:00pm, $15 per person. Wines are: Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon Cabernet Sauvignon, The Police Synchronicity Red Blend, The Rolling Stones 40 Licks Merlot, and Woodstock Chardonnay.

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August 5 First Friday Court Street, downtown Florence, 5:00pm–8:00pm; No admission. This monthly event is a gathering of artists of all kinds: musicians, painters, sculptors, photographers, hand-crafted jewelry creators and more.

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August 13 11th Annual Littleville Fun Fest Littleville Town Hall, 1810 George Wallace Blvd. ; 9:00am–10:00pm; no admission. (256) 332-3567 or Email: avandivertol@yahoo.com. Full day of fun and entertainment. Arts and crafts, car and truck show, musical entertainment ending with a spectacular fireworks show. August 18–September 27 Works by Todd Reed Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts, 217 E. Tuscaloosa Street, Florence. Mon.–Fri., 9:00am–4:00pm; no admission. (256) 760-6379 or www.florenceal.org. This Harrison, TN, artist works in several media including graphite, watercolor and acrylic to create masterful images of wildlife and other nature subjects. Reed has received First Place awards in competitions across the nation. August 25-27 Center Stage presents You Can’t Take It With You Ritz Theatre, 103 W. 3rd Street, Sheffield; 7:35pm curtain time each evening. $13 adults/$11 students at the door, $11/$9 in advance. (256) 383-0533. To honor Center Stage’s 30th anniversary, the theatre company is reprising the play that launched the performing-arts series. This classic Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman comedic tale of love, family and “unsuitable” marriage has delighted audiences for years and is considered one of the best romantic comedies ever. August 27 Killen Founder’s Day Killen, 10:00am–10:00pm; no admission. Celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the town of Killen with a parade, a 5k run, artisans and food vendors, live musical entertainment, activities for kids, a working colonial village, Native American demonstrations, and a display of classic vehicles. Fireworks show takes place on Saturday night to conclude the event.

July/August 2011 | 13

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Billy Reid Shindig JUNE 34, 2011  VARIOUS LOCATIONS, FLORENCE, ALABAMA

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Jeanne Reid Butch Anthony 14 | No’Ala

Pine Hill Haints The Apache Relay PHOTOS BY BRADLEY DEAN

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{ everybody’s business }

Audwin McGee is changing the landscape of the Shoals TEXT BY ALLEN TOMLINSON » PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL

16 | No’Ala

In the late 1950s, something interesting was about to happen to music, as a group of music lovers gathered above a drug store in downtown Florence and started a recording studio. What grew from that venture changed the landscape of music. Forever. In the late 1950s, a young boy, whose father had been in the Navy during World War II, became fascinated with the flags and pictures of naval ships he found in the Bluejacket’s Manual, and he began drawing. He drew everything he saw, refining his art and expanding it to include sculpture and threedimensional art. What grew from that promises to change the landscape of the Shoals. Forever. This is a story about sculpture. Soon— very soon, in fact—you will be able to see eighteen to twenty-foot tall semiabstract sculptures of musicians, crafted from aluminum, at focal points in each of the four cities. These sculptures pay homage to the musical heritage of the Shoals, a heritage that includes the native Americans who lived along the Singing River, W.C. Handy, the recording studios that helped make a musical name for this area, the state’s Music Hall of Fame, and all of the talent, past, present and future, that makes this place sing. This is also a story about some creative minds who dreamed up this project, some political leaders who jumped in with their support, and a major employer in the area who agreed to donate the materials…but most of all, this story is about the artist, Audwin McGee. First of all, the Singing River Sculptures. Bill Matthews, the retired director of Continuing Education at UNA, was on a hiking trip in Ireland when he saw a roundabout; in the middle of the roundabout was a grouping of four sculptural figures. It was a neat idea, and it got him thinking: could something like this happen in the July/August 2011 | 17

{ everybody’s business } “I love living here, because it’s such a creative area. The musicians and fashion designers and other creative people who live here have shown us that creative things can be done.” —Audwin McGee

18 | No’Ala

Shoals? When he got home, he discussed the idea with his friend Dave Anderson, from TVA, and the two of them decided to approach Audwin to see if it was even possible. It was. The men came to Audwin to ask how to go about obtaining an artist for the project, and Audwin, who not only was interested but had already designed and created a 9’ tall sculpture prototype for the lodge at Doublehead Resort in Town Creek, tossed his hat in the ring. Audwin’s idea was to create a series of semi-abstract figures that would feature different parts of the musical heritage that is a part of the Shoals Area culture. There will be homages to Native American music, the music of riverboat workers, of ScottsIrish and German immigrants, of early jazz and blues, black gospel, white gospel, country, bluegrass, rock and roll and more. Audwin’s vision was to create movement in the design, so that each piece represents a dramatic performance pose. Dave Anderson contacted Alex Godwin, of Wise Alloys, to tell him about the idea. The leaders at Wise were immediately on board, offering to donate all of the aluminum materials needed. City leaders were also contacted, and each agreed to offer the land and perform the site work, installation, lighting and maintenance. Fundraising began. Sheffield was the first to the table. The City of Sheffield quickly raised money for Audwin’s first commission, and the city has designated a spot at the center of town, on Montgomery Avenue, as the location. Near the former Valley Federal Bank building (now a part of Park Place), the location is central and easy to spot, and its location in a park-like setting will be the perfect showcase. Audwin hopes the new sculpture will be unveiled in July, during the W.C. Handy Music Festival. “It’s one thing to have an idea and bring it back to the Shoals,” said Sheffield’s Mayor Ian Sanford, “and it’s another to have the knowledge to sell it to the community. Bill Matthews has that ability, and I think this idea, coupled with Audwin’s talent, will really bring home how much of an impact music has had on the area. We’re also excited to bring art to our downtown, and maybe this will inspire other small towns to do the same.” The core of the sculpture is made from half-inch aluminum plate. The exterior, the part that makes up the figure, is made of 10-gauge recycled aluminum, a metal that Wise creates using a specific alloy. The sculptures will probably weigh about two tons apiece. The fact that the aluminum comes from a company that was in its heyday in the late 1950s (Wise took over the former Reynolds Aluminum Company facility in Muscle Shoals) and has been an economic engine for the Shoals makes the sculptures even more meaningful for the area. Others will follow. The plan is to locate one sculpture or group in each of the four cities, and then to create a cluster

July/August 2011 | 19

{ everybody’s business } father sold heavy equipment and traveled extensively, but he found the time for special artistic projects, “just playing around,” he said. “About that time, Bo Osborn’s sister, Chan, who lived in Santa Fe, asked me to participate in a show out west, and from that I had galleries who wanted to consign my art,” he said. There was a baker’s rack he designed and produced that sold very well at a gallery called Simply Santa Fe, which led to commissions from other art lovers, and even to an article in Better Homes & Gardens. Marigail Mathis commissioned him to create chairs, tables and mannequins for her new upscale dress shops in Memphis, Nashville, Florence and other locales; Debbie Rappuhn commissioned a four poster bed from steel; Harvey and Joyce Ann Robbins asked him to help with their new house, and with the lodge at Doublehead Resort. And even though much of this art was metal and sculptural, Audwin didn’t give up on his painting, concentrating on portraits. “I really enjoy painting,” he said, “probably even more than sculpture, although I don’t get to paint that often.”

One of the smallscale models McGee has created to publicize the venture.

of sculpted figures in a central location somewhere in the Shoals that will serve as a focal point. It’s a unifying project, and it’s one more attraction for the thousands of visitors we have in the Shoals every year. When Audwin McGee was a teenager, his father bought a piece of property in Waterloo, and Audwin decided the place needed some gates. He had learned welding from Bud Rideout, who worked for Audwin’s dad, so he decided to weld metal pieces together to create a gated entrance to their land. “I got some calls from those gates from people who wanted them, but I never thought about selling my art as a living, because I was so busy doing other things.” He and his

20 | No’Ala

And then, there was Africa. Audwin smiles as he talks about “The Africa Thing.” A good friend of his, Jeff McCollum, with whom he has been friends since they met in the eighth grade at Appleby School, loves to hunt. Through a series of unusual events, including a chance meeting with a man who had connections to Samora Machel (who actually led the resistance in Mozambique’s 10-year civil war and became its President), Jeff ended up purchasing a hunting concession located next to the Niassa Reserve, some 42,000 square kilometers of African plain on the Lugenda River. Jeff hired Audwin to build a lodge in the bush, and a beach house on the Indian Ocean, about an hour and half away by plane. “I spent nine months of the year there for two years,” said Audwin, and he returns two or three times a year to lead photographic safari expeditions. “This is also a fantastic place for big game hunting,“ says Audwin, and you can tell that this is a particular love of his. Other than the sculptures, what is next? Audwin and his wife, Sandi, have created a new studio in Tremont, Mississippi, restoring the house where Sandi’s father was born and creating a 40’ x 80’ studio where Audwin can concentrate on his metalwork. But his interests aren’t limited to that; he has some ideas for some leatherwork he’d like to do, and some jewelry designs that he might collaborate with Sandi on. (Sandi has a degree in sculpture from UNA, with a concentration in metal casting, and studied under Ron Shady.) “I love living here, because it’s such a creative area,” Audwin said. “The musicians and fashion designers and other creative people who live here have shown us that creative things can be done.” It’s a sure bet that the Singing River Sculptures will also inspire. N

At great restaurants, like Crocodile Ed’s, the evening is much more than what’s on your plate. Fresh food, impeccable presentation, and music in the air create a harmonious experience. For the same in real estate, Pam Minetree’s dedication, imagination, and execution are HANDY when you are looking for a change. Come celebrate W.C. Handy Festival with live entertainment every night!

Dining With Friends

Saturday, July 30, 2011 Featuring Comedian Vic Henley Jackson Center Huntsville, Alabama 9:00pm–12:00am

Dining with Friends is a fun and innovative event that raises money for the AIDS Action Coalition. Volunteers help by throwing dinner parties, either individually or collectively at homes, businesses, and churches. From sit-down dinners to to backyard barbeques, the menu and style of dinner is at the host’s discretion. A minimum of $50 is donated by each dinner guest at each party; which pays for a ticket to the Dessert Reception with all the proceeds going to support the AAC. Call (256) 536-4700, x118 or visit www.diningwithfriends.org to learn how you can participate!

July/August 2011 | 21

“P.S. I Love You”

The Engagement Photos of Alex Wittscheck and Erin Speed, Winners of the Shoals Perfect Wedding

Follow the entire experience at ShoalsPerfectWedding.com

Photography by Armosa Studios

More from Erin’s Blog at ShoalsPerfectWedding.com— Cane Creek Canyon (near/in Tuscumbia) was our choice of location for the engagement shoot, and I’m so glad we went with it. It’s the perfect place for our photos. It holds a special place in both mine and Alex’s hearts: we both like to hike, Alex claims our first date was there (I say it wasn’t, haha), and it’s where he asked me to marry him. In the future when we have kids, even grandkids, I’ll get to show them these pictures and tell them about our love story. They’ll be able to see a place that we treasure, a place where we fell more in love. The shoot was so much fun! I’m not used to getting pictures taken of myself, so it was a little strange at first being on the shooting end of a camera lens, but it got easier—it’s not hard to “look” like you’re in love when you ARE in love. Wes and Tera are so easy to work with! And, having seen their work, I have full confidence in them and their skills. Check out their work on the Armosa Studios blog! You won’t want to stop looking at their work, trust me! Getting ready for the shoot was just as fun! Jordyn helped Alex and me choose outfits and styles for our photos, all the way down to shoes and jewelry. We brought together a bunch of different pieces and she helped us sift through them to pull together a cohesive look. She did a great job pulling in our interests and helping us show them in our photos. She also made a “backdrop” (I don’t know what else to call it, haha) for us to use in one of the photos that we’ll also be able to utilize at the wedding! There are only a few months left before Erin and Alex’s big day, and the couple have met with all of the Perfect Wedding Partners and made most of the major decisions for the event. Every single partner has been a delight to work with, and everyone has taken a personal interest in seeing that this is, indeed, the Perfect Wedding. Visit Erin’s blog as the day approaches at www.shoalsperfectwedding.com.

SHOALS PERFECT WEDDING PARTNERS: Andy’s • Armosa Studios Bluewater Creek Polo Club Center for Skincare and Wellness Cherry Tree Lane • Coker Family Dentistry Dish Café • First Southern Bank Grogan Jewelers • Halsey House Jamie Hood Jewelers • Jordyn Dean Lola’s Gifts & Flowers • L.O. Bishop Barbeque Magpie Designs • Meffords Jewelers Natalie Faggioni • No’Ala • Overflo Productions Party Pros • Printers and Stationers Sweet Basil Café • Side Lines • Table 18 The French Basket • The Sweet Magnolia Café The Wine Seller • Thread

At one time, music from Muscle Shoals had an international reputation. Can we still be a player in the music scene? BY

24 | Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ala

ALLEN TOMLINSON

This is not a museum—it’s an ongoing, living musical community, and it needs to be fostered and supported.” —BEN TANNER, LOCAL MUSICIAN

could have predated the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes who settled along the banks of what they called “The Singing River.” Even today, although our river has been dammed and controlled to maximize river traffic and minimize flooding, it has a musical quality to it; many residents of the Shoals, in reflective moods, love to listen to the sound of the water as it flows through our area, and swear it still sings.

“We want your readers to know that it’s important to support new music,” Tanner continued. “There’s as much talent in this area as there was in the glory days, when Muscle Shoals was known as the Hit Recording Capital of the World. This is not a museum—it’s an ongoing, living musical community, and it needs to be fostered and supported.”

Perhaps one of the area’s best-known celebrities is William Christopher Handy, who was born in Florence and became known worldwide as the “Father of the Blues.” He’s certainly not our only early musical claim to fame: Sam Phillips, whose Memphis recording studio produced the first record for a young singer named Elvis Presley, was born in Florence, graduated from Coffee High School, and got his start as a deejay at WLAY Radio. Buddy Killen, born to a family of modest means in East Florence, went to Nashville to become a publisher and musical entrepreneur, eventually selling his company, Tree Music, for $40 million. All were quoted as crediting the unique area of the country they grew up in for influencing their careers; they all drew upon a mixture of the spirituals and Southern gospel songs found in African-American and white churches, and the music of the Grand Old Opry they heard, gathered around their radios on Saturday nights.

That was an interesting observation from someone half my age, who probably wasn’t even born when you could ride down Woodward Avenue and catch a glimpse of the Oak Ridge Boys in their tour bus, or when you could board a Southern Airlines Whisperjet from the Muscle Shoals Airport, bound for Atlanta, and have Rod Stewart in the seat in front of you. And it made us stop and think about our musical history, our past, our present and our future. What was so special about the Muscle Shoals area, when it came to music? Is there still a viable musical presence in our area? Where are we headed with this—is Muscle Shoals likely to play a role in shaping the world’s musical taste from this day forward?

Our Musical Past If you really want to consider the roots of Muscle Shoals Music, it’s best to go back a lot farther than the musical recording studios of forty or so years ago. A lot farther. There’s speculation that the original inhabitants of the banks of the Tennessee River were musical—evidence of early musical instruments have been discovered in the area, a few of which

“There’s something we’d like for your readers to know,” said Ben Tanner, a music engineer and member of “The Bear.” We were sitting in a photo studio, waiting for artist and musician Ben Stedman to finish drawing a magnificent chalk rendering of a Chinese junk to use as the backdrop of their portrait. Stedman is a good artist, but it was going to take awhile, so the other musicians were relaxing and chatting.

Perhaps it’s our geographic location—so close to Memphis and Nashville and the cotton fields of the Mississippi delta— that made this the ideal spot for recording to begin and take hold. There aren’t enough pages in one magazine to write the entire story behind the birth of the recording industry here, which included names such as Rick Hall (FAME Studios, originally named “Florence Alabama Music Enterprises”), Quin Ivy (Norala Sound Studios), Tom Stafford and James Joiner (Spar Music), Jimmy Johnson, Roger Hawkins, Barry Beckett and David Hood (Muscle Shoals Sound), Jerry Wexler and many more.

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Muscle Shoals music wasn’t country, it wasn’t jazz, it wasn’t strictly rock and roll. Instead, it was a fusion of all sorts of styles, including gospel, soul, blues, and country, and it was performed by people who knew—and loved—what they were doing. Perhaps it’s easier to mention the songs and artists that came from here. Percy Sledge, and “When A Man Loves A Woman.” Wilson Pickett and “Mustang Sally.” Aretha Franklin and “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You).” Etta James and “Tell Mama.” Clarence Carter and “Slip Away.” R.B. Greaves and “Take A Letter, Maria.” Dr. Hook and “Sharing the Night Together.” The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, the Staple Singers, Cher, Rod Stewart, the Osmonds, Mac Davis, Bobbie Gentry, Joe Cocker, Dire Straits, James Brown, Jimmy Buffett, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Just to name a few. It sounds like the radio playlist for baby boomers, doesn’t it? These are the songs we heard when we borrowed our father’s cars and rode down Woodward Avenue with the windows down. It was the music we grew up with, and quite a few of us sang along, knowing every single word to every single tune, but without the slightest idea that it had been created, recorded, and birthed right here at home. There were a few other things that made the Muscle Shoals style of music so unique. First, it couldn’t be categorized. It wasn’t country, it wasn’t jazz, it wasn’t strictly rock and roll. Instead, it was a fusion of all sorts of styles, including gospel, soul, blues, and country, and it was performed by people who knew—and loved—what they were doing. The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, a group of studio musicians, gained an international reputation, and later, Lynyrd Skynyrd immortalized them by calling them “The Swampers” in the song “Sweet Home Alabama.” Many Muscle Shoals musicians traveled the world to play for recording artists, because of their unique laid-back style and professionalism, and the recording studios here were known throughout the music world for the work they did. In retrospect, the fact that an industry caught hold here and grew into an institution isn’t that much of a surprise. Talent attracts talent, and talent fosters talent, and, as Adam Berry said in an interview a couple of years ago, “when you grow up in a place like this and dream of becoming an artist, you look around and actually see people who have done that and you know it’s possible. I feel sorry for the people in Kansas who want to be a musician but don’t know it can actually be done.” What is surprising, in retrospect, is that so much of this took place in the turbulent late fifties, sixties and seventies, when race relations—especially in Alabama—were contentious. And

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yet, in the music industry, everyone was pretty much colorblind. Race didn’t matter in the studio, and more and more it didn’t matter to the listening audience. Good music was—and is—universal, and, it might be argued, music played a tremendous role in getting the world through some pretty rocky times. Music put words to what we were going through, and forced us to think, especially in a time of civil unrest—including the Vietnam War, college protests, women’s liberation and the Age of Aquarius. From the late 50’s until the mid 70’s, Muscle Shoals was hot, and we truly were the Hit Recording Capital of the World. But things change.

A musical reinvention In the 1980’s, music evolved into something new. The trend was moving away from R&B, the songs that Muscle Shoals was famous for, and toward more acid rock, on the one extreme, and disco on the other. Several established studios in the Shoals area closed (Wishbone, East Avalon and Music Mill, for example), and others began making the move to country music. Lots and lots of talented people moved to Nashville, a music center in its own right. These were uncertain times all around the Shoals, regardless of musical trends. Ford Motor Company announced they were closing their production facility in Muscle Shoals, and Reynolds Aluminum, long a stable employer in our area, began to downsize. TVA was reinventing itself, and there were job losses as a result. Under President Jimmy Carter’s term, interest rates had soared, and there were hundreds of houses sitting on the market in the Shoals as families of laid-off workers prepared to move out and relocate in communities that offered work. Hard times didn’t kill music in Muscle Shoals—it may have actually made it stronger. The Oak Ridge Boys recorded several hits at Muscle Shoals Sound, including “Ozark Mountain Jubilee” and “Thank God for Kids;” At FAME, songwriters Tommy Brasfield and Walt Aldridge wrote Ronnie Milsap’s successful crossover hit, “No Gettin’ Over Me.” Jerry Reed created “She Got the Goldmine (I Got the Shaft).” Mac McAnally, Shenandoah, Donnie Lowery, Spooner Oldham, Dan Penn, Donnie Fritts, along with Rick Hall, the Swampers and many others,

Above: FAME got its start above the City Drug Store in Florence, and after Rick Hall left and moved to Muscle Shoals, Tom Staﬀord and Billy Sherrill ran SPAR Music there. RIGHT: FAME’s present location in Muscle Shoals, pictured here in the mid-1960’s. Front: Jimmy Johnson, Roger Hawkins. Back: Junior Lowe, David Hood, Barry Beckett.

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HAS LOCAL MUSIC LOST ITS SOUL?

Above: The Muscle Shoals Horns: Harrison Calloway, Charles Rose, Harvey Thompson, Ronnie Eades. Left: Cher takes a break from recording. Behind her, from the left: Eddie Hinton, Jimmy Johnson, David Hood, Arif Mardin, Sonny Bono, Roger Hawkins, Jerry Wexler, Barry Beckett, Jeannie Green, Donna Thatcher, Tom Dowd. Below: Bowlegs Miller, (unidentiﬁed), Etta James and Rick Hall.

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There’s been a musical revival in this area,” he said, “and there’s something new here to talk about. The singers and songwriters in this area are changing the musical DNA in the Shoals.” —ARCHIE HUBBARD, LOCAL MUSICIAN

continued to work in the business, and although the region was overshadowed by the musical centers of the country—Los Angeles, New York and Nashville—there were still hits to be recorded here. And, as we moved into the 1990’s, a new group of songwriters began to become prominent: Ava Aldridge wrote Dr. Hook’s “Sharing the Night Together” and Sawyer Brown’s “Treat Her Right.” Gary Baker co-wrote the biggest single title of the decade, “I Swear,” and won a Grammy for it.

The state of music in the Muscle Shoals area Here’s where it gets dangerous to try to list the people who are making an impact on music from the Shoals, for fear of slighting someone. Today, there are more than twenty studios in the Shoals area, some large and established (like FAME) and some smaller set-ups in musician’s homes. There are musical families—Rick Hall is still active in the business, and his son, Rodney, is also at FAME. Walt Aldridge’s daughter, Hannah, is following his lead in the music business. Dylan LeBlanc was named one of the Top Ten Hottest New Acts by Rolling Stone for 2010 and James LeBlanc has recent top 10 country singles by Jason Aldean and Gary Allan. (The other LeBlanc family, which includes Lenny—no relation—is also known for its talent.) Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit currently has the nation’s number four hit. There is the Baker family, not to mention Patterson Hood, a member of the Drive By Truckers and son of Swamper bassist David Hood. The Civil Wars are touring and making a name for themselves, and the Secret Sisters are on a roll; Angela and Zac Hacker were the top two finalists on the 2007 season of Nashville Star. For every name mentioned here, there are a hundred more who have played an important role in Shoals musical heritage. And for every person who played a role, there are a hundred more who want to be a part of it. In fact, the University of North Alabama began offering a degree in entertainment management and created a production company called “Singing River Productions” to teach aspiring producers the business. The W.C. Handy Music Festival, celebrating its 30th year this summer, is a popular weeklong event that showcases the very best of a variety of musicians and musical genres. There’s music at The Swampers Bar & Grille at the Marriott, regular Shoals Songwriting Showcases, and Wednesday lunchtime music at Wilson Park during the summer. You can hear live music at On The Rocks or the pool room in Florence, or on the streets during First Friday in Florence or during Spring Park Market on Thursday evenings in Tuscumbia. It’s

varied—what you hear at Billy Reid’s store gatherings in downtown Florence might be very different from what you hear at a Shoals Symphony concert or an On Stage presentation, or even what you will hear from a gospel choir like Ascending Voices or choral groups like The Florence Camerata or the Shoals Chamber Singers. Music permeates our life in the Shoals. It’s assumed that we will always have access to it, and that live musicians will be a part of most of our important gatherings. We also have that rare pleasure of rubbing elbows with people who happen to be pretty big deals in the music world; you’re likely to see Rick Hall at a party, or Mac McAnally at Sweet Basil Cafe, or David Hood in line at the grocery store—and not think anything about it. To some people, these are legends; to us, they are our neighbors. So, are we still a musical community? “I felt it when I moved here,” said Spencer Murphy. “You can find any kind of music you want here, and the music scene is alive and well. There’s something about this place that other places don’t have, something that provides inspiration for a songwriter. Maybe it’s the river? I don’t know, but I’m glad I found it.” “There is more raw talent here now than there has been in the last 20 years, that’s for sure,” said Rodney Hall of FAME. “We’re not back to the heyday yet, but we’re headed in the right direction. The difference is that today there are more singer/songwriters and bands, where before there were more great studio musicians.” Mary Reeves, from the group “Only In Stories,” wants people to know something else about music in Alabama: it’s not all country. “Our musical history gives other people the inspiration they need to pursue their musical dreams,” she said, and adds that the variety of music that’s found here is amazing. And Archie Hubbard, a product of UNA’s Singing River Productions, agrees. “There’s been a musical revival in this area,” he said, “and there’s something new here to talk about. The singers and songwriters in this area are changing the musical DNA in the Shoals.”

Can Muscle Shoals Music play a role in the world? When Rick Hall, Billy Sherrill and Tom Stafford set up FAME in 1959, above Tom’s father’s drugstore in downtown Florence,

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HAS LOCAL MUSIC LOST ITS SOUL?

Little Richards, (unidentiﬁed), Rick Hall

There’s something about this place that other places don’t have, something that provides inspiration for a songwriter. Maybe it’s the river? I don’t know, but I’m glad I found it.” —SPENCER MURPHY, LOCAL MUSICIAN From the left: Diane Butler, Gregg Hamm, Jimmy Johnson, Carol Buckins, Barry Beckett, Roger Hawkins, David Hood, Steve Melton and (unidentiﬁed).

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the studio consisted of a tape recorder, a piano, and egg cartons taped to the wall to improve the acoustics. In the early 1960’s, when Hall split from Sherrill and Stafford and moved FAME to Muscle Shoals, he and other large recording companies developed and mentored talent, recording, producing, distributing, marketing and gaining radio play to propel a star to the top of the game, where fame—and fortune—awaited. Records, and then eight track tapes, and then cassettes and finally CDs, were sold through record stores. The business model didn’t change much, for years and years.

If we actively work to foster the creative streak that runs so deep, we’ll continue to draw other creative people into the area, and our influence will continue to grow.

Do we have a place there? Definitely.

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For one thing, there is no substitute for a studio that knows how to put together the best mix of sound. Artists might work out the kinks in their home studios with their Macs and their Yamaha keyboards, but when it’s time to get serious,

Above: Tom Jones, left, and Rick Hall, center. Left: Art Garfunkle. Below: David Hood and Mavis Staples.

But it certainly is different now: technology has changed everything. It’s easy for artists to afford recording devices, and for a little more money they can invest in mixing software and synthesizers to create just about any sound they want. There’s still a need for recording engineers and studios, but distribution of the final product has changed so dramatically that the industry is in a state of flux. Record stores are virtually nonexistent - thanks to iTunes. The influence of commercial radio is waning as more and more listeners set the dial on commercial-free satellite radio or put together their favorite playlists from their MP3 players. Artists are becoming independent. Distribution is becoming more accessible. Pirating is rampant. The landscape has changed.

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the studio with the know-how and the professionalism to pull the very best from an artist will always be needed. In our area, we’re known for a distinct, laidback style, and the popularity of the music coming from the songwriters, musicians and studios here does not seem to be declining. Quite the opposite, in fact. © Courtesy David Hood

Secondly, as it’s been pointed out, this is a creative place, and creativity breeds creativity. We have a musical legacy here, but our creativity isn’t restricted to music; we’re becoming known for fashion designers, visual artists, designers and creative people of all types. If we actively work to foster the creative streak that runs so deep, we’ll continue to draw other creative people into the area, and our influence will continue to grow. Along with that comes the need to accept people who think differently, which can be the hallmark of creativ-

Above: Paul Simon. Right: Bob Segar and David Hood’s daughter, Lilla Hood (Smith). © Courtesy David Hood

There is more raw talent here now than there has been in the last 20 years that’s for sure.” —ARCHIE HUBBARD, LOCAL MUSICIAN

ity...but, as we proved during the heated civil rights years of the 60’s, when Alabama erupted in violence (but we made music together in studios in Muscle Shoals), we can handle that. Left: Kris Kristoﬀerson and Jerry Wexler. Below: Rick Hall and Duane Allman. © Courtesy David Hood © Courtesy FAME

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The story of Austin, Texas, is an interesting lesson. Austin has a reputation as one of the most creative cities in the country, and it has become a desirable place for business relocation, enjoying the reputation as the fastest growing city in the country for a number of years. What started out as a quirky artist’s colony (whose slogan continues to be “Keep Austin Weird”), Austin also quickly became the “Live Music Capital of the World.” But not because they were—because they wanted to be. Legend has it that the city fathers decided that no other place in the country had laid claim to that title, so they adopted it

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HAS LOCAL MUSIC LOST ITS SOUL?

as their own. It became a self-fulfilling prophecy; today, a visitor to Austin can be greeted by a live band in the airport, where a stage has been built in the middle of everything, and a stroll downtown will reveal one live music venue after another. There’s an energy in Austin that we share, on a smaller scale, here in the Shoals. They said it and made it so; maybe we could do the same thing. Back in the mid 1950’s, one of the centers of musical inspiration in the Shoals was the Sheffield Community Center. There were musical performances there all the time, and the talent ranged from Louis Armstrong to Hank Williams to Elvis Presley, who Sam Phillips booked here in 1954 and again in 1955. “Every artist I had of note played the Sheffield Community Center,” Phillips was quoted as saying. “In fact, the feeling was that you hadn’t made it until you’d played there.” Maybe it’s time for a renaissance, of sorts; maybe we can develop a reputation as the showcase for up-and-coming talent, so that someday the world will say that as a musical artist, you haven’t made

it until you’ve performed in the Shoals. Or recorded here—or spent time here, on the banks of the Singing River, finding inspiration for your next hit. Our area could support more venues for live music, and the musicians we interviewed for this issue all agreed that our downtown areas are the best places to locate them. Despite efforts to relocate entertainment districts to outlying areas, our downtowns are easily accessible, especially by students at UNA who can walk down Court Street. It’s already happening, with wonderful relaxed musical parties at Billy Reid, live music at On The Rocks, CD release parties at the Trojan House, creative gatherings at GAS Studios in Tuscumbia, and more. If we want to build on our reputation as a creative incubator and brand ourselves as a place that fosters talent, we should be open to more venues for creative expression. Maybe that’s an economic development project for the entire Shoals area? For the long run, though, the artists all agree that learning and understanding

our musical roots and claiming our rightful place as a creative incubator will reap rewards for this area for years to come. Outside our city limits, we have a reputation for creativity and musical influence, and we are sometimes unaware of it. (Did you know that Garden and Gun Magazine named our area the Best Art and Design Town in its April/May, 2011, issue?) It’s something to be proud of! So, the next time you travel and someone asks where you are from, tell them you’re from The Shoals, The Hit Recording Capital of the World—on the banks of the Singing River—in the Creative Center of the Country. But don’t be surprised—they may already know all about it. N Thanks to Tommy Wright, Stephen Paley and FAME Studios for granting permission to use the historical photographs in this article. To see more, visit documentary photographer Tommy Wright's website at tommywright.webs.com; Steven Paley's works can be viewed at rockpaperphoto.com/photographer_stephen_paley; and FAME can be found at fame2.com.

The Oak Ridge Boys take a break during a recording session at Muscle Shoals Sound. From the left: David Hood, Joe Bonsall, Steve Nathan, Jimmy Johnson, Les Ladd, Marybeth McLemore, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, Richard Sterban, Ron Chancey, Roger Hawkins, Wayne Perkins and Barry Beckett

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Lift Your Voices

TEXT BY ALLEN TOMLINSON » PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL

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you’re a devotee of choral music, the Shoals area has three groups that should be on your radar. Each of the three is distinctly diﬀerent, but each is populated by singers who are dedicated to their craft. Here’s a look at Ascending Voices Gospel Choir, The Florence Camerata, and the Shoals Chamber Singers. Ascending Voices Gospel Choir Begun more than 30 years ago by Dwight Winston About 28 voices “We’re a ministry,” said Tabitha Jackson, current President of the Ascending Voices Gospel Choir. “When Dwight Winston began this group, he thought there was a need for a gospel choir at UNA, so he gathered together some people with good voices and the organization was begun.” Today, although the size of the group varies from semester to semester, it remains a UNA organization and performs two concerts on campus every year. But that’s not the only place you can hear this powerful assembly of voices. “We’re asked to perform at churches and other organizations all the time,” said Tabitha, “and we really love performing during the W.C. Handy Festival each year.” They are a ministry, after all, she points out, and ministries need audiences. They frequently travel to Memphis and Huntsville to perform, in addition to their appearances in the Shoals. Attending their concert is like attending a spirited, exciting church service, and it’s not unusual for audience members to

stand, clap, sing along and participate as the spirit moves them. It’s a joyous and emotional experience. Dwight Winston passed away about three years ago, and Ascending Voices is now led by Aaron Freeman, a UNA Senior studying music education. “We get together every Wednesday for rehearsal,” said Tabitha, “and we’re like a church family, we enjoy each other so much. We’re a family on campus too, not just in the choir room, and we want to minister to people whenever we have the occasion.” Interested in participating? Membership is open to UNA students and alumni. “We require that a new member sing for us, so we can know where to place them in the choir, but we don’t call this an audition,” says Tabitha with a smile. Visit their Facebook page for more information. Florence Camerata Begun in 2006 by Ian Loeppky About 40 voices “We started this group as a way for singers in the community to have a chance to sing for appreciative audiences, and we want to be a true civic choir that embraces singers of all types,” says Ian Loeppky, founder of the Florence Camerata (and Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at UNA). “Our music incorporates everything from 17th century choral masterworks to Broadway songs, and it’s our goal to do the very best music we can ﬁnd, as well as we can, for who we are. It’s fun!”

“We incorporate what makes us happy into our music.” —Tabitha Jackson, President, Ascending Voices Gospel Choir

Facing and below: The Ascending Voices Gospel Choir

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Florence Camerata

“There’s only one thing more fun than being an audience member—that’s singing in our group.” —Ian Loeppky, Founder/Director, Florence Camerata

The Camerata performs four times a year, usually to packed-out houses, and one of the challenges for the future is to ﬁnd venues that will hold a growing audience. Ian’s wish Ian Loeppky is also to be able to raise enough money to perform with an orchestra. “We’d like to be the chorus that does the big choral symphonic works,” he says. Concerts range from “A Night at the Theatre,” featuring numbers from musical theater, opera and operettas, to a Christmas concert, to choral masterworks, such as Carmina Burana or the Duraﬂé Requiem. “There’s no better place in the world to learn how to sing than inside

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a choir, because there’s safety in numbers,” says Ian. “And there’s no other activity on the planet where everyone is doing the same thing at the same time for a greater purpose, and no one is sitting on the bench.” Auditions for the Florence Camerata are ongoing, but the best time to join the group, according to Ian, is at the beginning of a rehearsal cycle. Rehearsal for the ﬁrst fall concert will begin the middle of August; details are at their website, www.ﬂorencecamerata.com. Shoals Chamber Singers Begun in 1986 by Kevin Robison About 26 voices It’s challenging to sing in a smaller choral ensemble, according to Shoals Chamber Singers Conductor Jerry Olson. “A chamber choir is smaller, so there’s more singing responsibil-

ity. During the Renaissance, chamber choir music was popular, with only one or two people singing per part. Our singers tend to come and stay, because they love that challenge, and they feel like part of a family.” The Shoals Chamber Singers was started in 1986 by Kevin Robison, a UNA student who created the Jerry Olsen group to sing madrigals and Renaissance music. (They performed annually at the Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery.) When Kevin left the Shoals area, the group was led by Bob Proust, then Sally O’Bannon, and then, in the fall of 2000, Jerry. “The music has changed a little,” Jerry said,

“and we tend to do a little more American music, but we still perform music from every period.” The group gives two concerts a year—sometimes three—and has even served as the opera chorus for UNA, along with the UNA Chamber Singers. “We are always interested in good singers,” said Jerry, “and it’s not necessary for you to have a solo voice. We are interested in a musician that has good pitch and a good core to the sound, and our musicians are all good music readers who are interested in advanced sacred and secular choral literature.” The best time to audition is at the beginning of each semester, and an audition can be arranged by calling Dr. Olson at First Baptist Church in Tuscumbia, where he serves as the Minister of Music and Administration. Jerry is quick to point out that his job couldn’t be done without his assistant conductor, Martha Johnson, and Karen Cantrell, the group’s accompanist. “Without these people, a choir is impossible,” he said with a laugh. For more information, visit www.shoalschambersingers.org.

“We perform chamber music from every period, from the Renaissance to the latest from Z. Randall Stroope—the most top notch music available in the country.” —Jerry Olsen, Director, Shoals Chamber Singers

Shoals Chamber Singers

July/August 2011 | 43

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Frolic Clothing Cotton Tank Dress ($39)

Relique Assorted Metal Necklaces ($36-$48) Metal Leaf Earrings ($26) Industrial Leather CuďŹ&#x20AC; ($48) Bullet Ring ($48)

July/August 2011 | 49

H ANDY FASHION

Village Shoppe Nic & Zoe Blue Night Blouse ($123) Ryu Ballon Jacket ($108) Miss Me Jeggin ($85) Brighton Sunglasses ($85) Diva Daisly Clutch ($110) Cross Earrings ($24) Liquid Metal Cuﬀ ($118)

50 | No’Ala

The W.C. Handy Music Festival The W.C. Handy Music Festival is an annual ten day series of events held in the Northwestern part of Alabama. The Festival was named after William Christopher Handy, born in 1873 in the Shoals city of Florence, Alabama. Handy became known as “Father of the Blues” and was the ﬁrst to present that genre to the world in the form of sheet music. The Festival has been endorsed by the family of Mr. Handy, who has participated several times through the years, and who still operate Handy Brothers Music in New York. Handy’s music has been featured world wide, and his inﬂuence on modern music is unparalleled. This year, The W.C. Handy Music Festival will take place July 22-31 at locations all over the Shoals. Visit wchandymusicfestival.org for more information and a complete schedule of performances and activities.

Dragonﬂy Boutique Silver Cuﬀ Shorts ($144) Cotton Tank ($52) Cotton Cardigan ($82)

Sidelines Jewelry Simon Seabag Ring ($115) Earrings ($98) Necklace ($248) Bracelets ($75-$148)

July/August 2011 | 51

H ANDY FASHION

Alabama Chanin Tank Top in Indigo ($300) Ruﬄe Skirt in Ruby ($410)

52 | No’Ala

Shoals Christian School is now enrolling for grades K3-12 • 301 Heathrow Drive, Florence, AL 35633 • 256-767-7070 • www.shoalschristian.org SACS and ACSI Accredited

Shoals Christian School NOW OFFERING K-3 with a variety of schedule options!

July/August 2011 | 53

Save your local economy...

three stores at a time.

K 7 the project

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Think about which three independently owned stores youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d miss most if they were gone. Stop in and say hello. Pick up a little something that will make someone smile. Your contribution is what keeps those businesses around.

If just half the employed U.S. population spent $50 each month in independently owned stores, their purchases would generate $42,629,700,000 in revenue.* Imagine the positive impact if 3/4 of employed Americans did that. For every $100 spent in independently owned stores, $68 of it returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home. The number of people it takes to start the trend...you.

Pick 3. Spend 50. Save your local economy.

4 For more information, visit the350project.net ÂŠ Cinda Baxter 2010; all rights reserved. Proudly supporting RetailSpeaks and independent retailers everywhere. * Employment statistics courtesy U.S. Department of Labor/Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2/6/2009 54 | Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ala

From colored pencils to color printing At PSI, we have everything you need for your business... especially when your business needs color printing. From office supplies to party invitations, gifts and everything in between, check with us for all of your colorful home and office needs!

Printing • Office Supplies • Furniture • Gifts 113 North Court Street, Florence AL 35630 256-764-8061

{ shopping } Betty Jo’s Slaw—Hot or Mild ($6.99) Betty Jo’s Gourmet Slaw 256-468-5423

Piña Colada Cupcake ($1.25/ea. or $15/dozen) Sugar on Top 256-760-2253

Grey Goose La Poire Peartini; Wild Turkey Manhattan (Both $7) On the Rocks 256 760-2212

Beach Carrier ($70) Carter McGuyer Design Group 866-466-7888

CDs from local artists The Secret Sisters, Dylan LeBlanc, and Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit (Prices vary) Pegasus Records 256-767-4340

Marigolds ($2 for a six-pack and $12 a ﬂat) Coldwater Nursery 256-349-2352

Summer Picks Court Street Club with Greek Pasta Salad ($7.99) McGraw’s 256-765-7779

56 | No’Ala

MZ Wallace Canvas Tote ($175) Marigail Mathis (256) 764-9444

Aveda Sun Care Hair & Body Products ($21-$26) Andyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Professionals 256-767-2800

Too Late Redemption by James A. Greene ($12.95) Coldwater Books 256-381-2525

Earrings ($28) Relique 256-767-4810

Glo Pressed Base ($36) Glo Tinted Base ($28) Me Spa 256-712-5524

K-Swiss By Billy Reid ($98) Billy Reid 256-767-4692

July/August 2011 | 57

{ shopping } Anchor Button-up ($36) Anchor Shorts ($38) Dena Diane 256-760-9671

Rhyal Knight In Transit Ruﬄe Dress ($39) Pegasus Records Frolic 256-767-4340 256-766-6150

Sun Dress ($39) Frolic 256-766-6150

Diana Warner Necklace ($118) Side Lines 256-767-0925

Gumdrop Green Dress ($87) Audie Mescal 256-314-6684

Brighton Sunglasses ($75 and $80) The Village Shoppe 256-383-1133

58 | No’Ala

Tank ($49) Girl’s Top ($49) Girl’s Pants ($32) Josey Ella 256-248-4166

Starr Luna Belt ($32) & Buckle ($42) Dragonﬂy Boutique 256-386-5242

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Shirley Neese 256.335.6789 www.shirleyneese.com

Marla M. Smith • Danielle Snoddy 1211 North Wood Ave Florence, AL 35630 256-702-3022 July/August 2011 | 59

{ guess who I saw }

Silka Miller and Kyle Mitchell Martha Beadle and Liza Hill Cellie and Van Morgan

Joey James and Nicole Hugaboom

Ginnie Higginbotham

Ralph and Brantley Holt, and Alicia and Jody Hanson Shelia and Dennis Upchurch

Shane Baker PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL

Above: Arts Alive Gala

Below: First Fridays

M AY 14, 2011  KENNEDYDOUGLASS CENTER FOR THE ARTS

M AY 6, 2011  DOWNTOWN FLORENCE

PHOTOS BY JAMES CARSON

60 | No’Ala

Personalâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and personalizedâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;private events and dinner parties. Professional Chef Kevin Kilburn.

KevinKilburn.com 615.973.9151 Kevin@KevinKilburn.com July/August 2011 | 61

62 | No’Ala

BY TEXT AND E S W O T PHO M RO

ABRA

In the summer of 1973, Paul Simon recorded his hit song “Kodachrome” at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, in Sheffield Alabama. It was one of his biggest hits, and turned out to be a prophetic eulogy. After seventy-four years, Kodak discontinued Kodachrome, the first commercially accepted color film, poetically marking the end of the film era in photography. This collection of photographs is a tribute to the song, the film, and the town—The Last Summer of Kodachrome.

July/August 2011 | 63

The Last Summer of Kodachrome on’s eared on Paul Sim “Kodachrome” appere Goes Rhymin’ Simon Th , um alb 1973 hit

64 | No’Ala

July/August 2011 | 65

The Last Summer of Kodachrome Abrahamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rolls of Kodachrome were purchased at Hobbyland Charlene's Variety in Sheffield, Alabama (left).

66 | Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ala

July/August 2011 | 67

The Last Summer of Kodachrome

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For the week ending May 19, 1973, "Kodachrome" made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart and five weeks later, the song moved to number nine, just ahead of "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree" by Tony Orlando and Dawn, and just behind â&#x20AC;&#x153;Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)" by George Harrison.

July/August 2011 | 69

We know all about entertainment!

From gourmet catering for your event... to fine wines and legendary sweet things at our Café... Our food makes any occasion special. It’s what we do best!

1627 Darby Drive in English Village, Florence

• (256) 764-5991 call for entries

No’Ala

Renaissance Awards Now accepting nominations for Shoals area individuals who have made remarkable contributions in the following areas: Arts & Culture Business & Leadership Education Service & Spirituality Science Submit your nominees (with details) by email: award@noalamag.com Award winners will be featured in the March/April, 2012, issue of No’Ala.

70 | No’Ala

Celebrate the Handy Festival with us! We’re hosting the pre-party for the North Court Handy Event! Come to a special Wine Tasting on Tuesday, July 26th, featuring a line of wines called “Wines That Rock.” Enjoy live music featuring Chris Roach from 5:00-7:00pm ($15 cover) and then hear The Midnighters on North Court from 7:00-9:00pm! Featured wines: Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon” Cabernet Sauvignon The Police “Synchronicity” Red Blend The Rolling Stones “40 Licks” Merlot “Woodstock” Chardonnay As well as a refreshing cocktail made from New Age wines, ice and lime.

Open Monday-Saturday every week Follow us on Facebook!

Offering the most unique selection of wine and beer in the Shoals area.

324 North Court St. Florence, AL 35630 256-766-1568 wineseller@att.net

A fresh, new season A new conductor Ticket prices at or below last year’s Details at hso.org

2011-2012 Huntsville

Symphony Orchestra

Leon Russell Norton Auditorium Sunday, September 18, 2011

Ricky Scaggs & Kentucky Thunder Shoals Theatre Thursday, October 20, 2011

The “Tschaikowski,” St. Petersburg State Orchestra Norton Auditorium Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Quartetto Gelato Shoals Theatre Thursday, April 12, 2012

Season tickets on sale now at www.shoalsonstage.com July/August 2011 | 71

72 | No’Ala

Here’s an amazing fact about musical talent in the Muscle Shoals area: it just gets better. The seventeen artists proﬁled this year in our annual look at rising stars may not be familiar names to you yet—but they will be. It’s further proof that our part of the world continues to put real Muscle in music. Spencer Murphy Hannah Aldridge The Bear Archie Hubbard Doc Dailey & Magnolia Devil Melissa Daniel Bain Only In Stories

PHOTOS BY DANNY MITCHELL » TEXT BY ALLEN TOMLINSON » ART DIRECTION BY DAVID SIMS

July/August 2011 | 73

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M U S I C S C H O O L C L A S S O F 2011

I just sing what I write. It’s storytelling, but it can be bare bones, and I don’t really try to dress it up.”

Spencer Murphy didn’t really intend to be a songwriter. The sophomore at UNA majoring in English and journalism, originally from Woodland, Alabama, is just a good writer, and some of his writing found expression in music. “Growing up in Woodland, you had to find something to do to occupy your time, and I wrote my first tune when I was 16,” he said. “I try not to be too gaudy, and just sing what I write. It’s storytelling, but it can be bare bones, and I don’t really try to dress it up. I just find inspiration from the people I know, and the books I read, and I use my imagination to create a song.” It can take awhile—sometimes he can write it all down at once, but other times it takes weeks to finish a song. Spencer describes his style as folksy, written on an acoustic guitar, and he lists Bob Dylan as one of his strongest influences.

After winning second place in UNA’s Talent Show in 2009, Spencer went on to win MEISA’s UNA Showcase in 2010, and came to the attention of Ben Skipworth and Jon Garcia. Their production company, Red Tie Affair Productions, is producing Spencer’s ﬁrst release. Spencer has played at Billy Reid events, is a regular at Swamper’s, and opened for Archie Hubbard for his CD release party at the Ritz Theatre. “The most fun part of all of this is performing in front of a live audience,” he says, “especially when I’m playing right. I know the music well, but I never get tired of it, and I love the energy of the audience.”

July/August 2011 | 75

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M U S I C S C H O O L C L A S S O F 2011

I’ll ﬁnd inspiration when I’m driving along and I see people doing normal things, just living their lives.”

In the Muscle Shoals area, Hannah Aldridge is almost descended from musical royalty. Her father, Walt, was named one of Billboard’s Top Ten Country Songwriters two separate years, is a member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame Achievers, and is well known in musical circles in the Shoals. Hannah is going to give him a run for his money. For one thing, as a child of a new century, Hannah approaches everything differently. That means incorporating video into her work, and she has an amazing library of video footage that documents the creative process at every step. A participant in TurnOffYourRadio.org, she is an advocate for new and undiscovered artists and believes that the traditional way of gaining exposure— which, for years, centered on radio play—is outdated.

Her music, on the other hand, is not. Her sounds are fresh and fun, “earthy and acoustic,” in her words. “I’ll find inspiration when I’m driving along and I see people doing normal things, just living their lives. The guitar part comes first for me and the words follow—but I try to always go by exactly what I’m feeling. I think that creates emotional music that’s also very honest.” Hannah’s first album, which her father assisted with by mastering and playing for, was released at Trojan House in Muscle Shoals on May 8th. You’ll also be able to hear her at this year’s W.C. Handy Festival. Hannah is tall, striking, and has a voice mature beyond her years. Although she moved to Nashville when she was 16, she still feels connected to the Muscle Shoals area and wants to be involved in recording here. “There are a lot of great things happening in Muscle Shoals right now,” she says. “I feel like it has a good vibe.” And so does her music— varied, exciting, and very much a part of a new century.

July/August 2011 | 77

M U S I C S C H O O L C L A S S O F 2011

Front row, left to right: Nathan Pitts, Amber Murray, Daniel Stoddard. Back row, l to r: Kyle Minkler, Ben Tanner, Ben Stedman

78 | Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ala

We can’t really be labeled. We just play what we like.”

Nathan Pitts, Amber Murray, Kyle Minkler, Daniel Stoddard, Ben Tanner and Ben Stedman. These six people are passionate about their music and consider themselves somewhat of a family. Amber and Nathan write music, “and the fact that we’re married brings a family dynamic into it,” says Nathan. They ﬁnd it hard to describe their style—is it Americana? Is it folk?—so they decide instead to explain that they incorporate a variety of different styles and can’t really be put inside any particular box. It’s true. The band’s distinct sound is a fusion of storytelling and melody, and it’s always song-driven. Ben Tanner admits that the group prefers working in the studio as opposed to live performance, but they do both very well; their CD release performance at Billy Reid’s in January of this year was a good mix of a great crowd and a great sound. Inspiration comes from every direction, sometimes

from as obscure a source as a William Faulkner novel. (A Faulkner short story is where the name of the group came from.) When you listen to the music, the melodies will capture you, but it’s the stories inside that sound that will keep you interested, all packaged in a mellow, folksy, bluesy package that is beyond description. The musicians are versatile and passionate about the craft of making music. In fact, you’ll notice that a few of the members of this group are also part of Doc Daily, another musical group featured in this issue. Nathan, one of the few in the group who does not make his full-time living as a musician, explains that no one in The Bear wants it to feel like work. “We work hard at it, and we might like for it to someday be our full time jobs, but we don’t want it to ever be work,” he explains.

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M U S I C S C H O O L C L A S S O F 2011

I’m excited to be starting a career in a time when a lot of independent songwriters are making music on their own terms.”

“I write songs that are really stories about people,” says Archie Hubbard, the musician chosen by UNA’s Singing River Productions to be their 2011 featured artist. “I like to listen to what’s going on around me, and then write about what other people are going through. A lot of people are having to make tough decisions in their lives, and that makes for great inspiration when I am writing my songs.” Archie describes his style as acoustic rock, with modern folk and country and blues inﬂuences. “I like to think it’s organic,” he says. His inspiration can come from the strangest places, too: “Sometimes I’ll overhear a conversation or read about a situation in the newspaper, and that leads to the beginning of a song,” he said.

Archie has had a busy year. After being selected as the Singing River artist, he performed at a CD launch party at the Ritz Theatre in March. “I wish I could just stay there, in that moment,” he said. “The most fun I have is playing with a band, and I’m very blessed to have really good musicians to perform with. I’m also excited to be starting a career in a time when a lot of independent songwriters are making music on their own terms. There are more distribution channels available these days, and that’s exciting for musicians today.”

July/August 2011 | 81

M U S I C S C H O O L C L A S S O F 2011

Front row, left to right: Susan King, Doc Dailey, Jon Berry. Back row, l to r: Kyle Minkler, Ben Stedman

82 | Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ala

This sounds crazy, but sometimes the only time we have to relax is when we’re actually performing.”

“I’m obsessed with music,” admits Doc Dailey. “I’ve been writing music for more than ten years, and this band has been together almost three. And songs come as they come,” he adds, claiming his inspiration for his songs come from his travels and the people he meets. Doc writes all of the songs the band performs, but he’s quick to credit the band with helping work out the arrangements. Doc and his band describe their music as a mixture of Americana and alternative country. “Sometimes they are pop songs with banjos and twangy voices,” he says, “and sometimes they are gritty Southern rock.” With band members Susan King, Jon Berry, Ben Stedman and Kyle Minkler, the group has been extremely busy, especially lately, traveling to festivals and musical venues such as the Do-Nanny Southern Outsider Folk Festival in Pittsview, Alabama, the Whistlestop Festival in Huntsville, and the Old 280 Boogie Music

& Art Festival in Waverly. One of the most memorable gigs for the band was a recent engagement at the Bluebird Café in Nashville. “This sounds crazy, but sometimes the only time we have to relax is when we’re actually performing,” Doc says with a smile. The band is like a family, and “we’re just us,” said Doc. “There’s no competition among the band members, and we all get along really well.” Jon Berry adds that performing tends to increase the stress levels, but the band has adopted the attitude that it’s not worth it if it’s not fun to do, and everyone is open and relaxed around each other. “This group has a family feel,” says Doc. “We play music that appeals to almost every age group, too, and we encourage people to check us out. You might just ﬁnd something you like.” The band is currently working on a CD, recording whenever and wherever Engineer Ben Tanner can schedule them. You can follow Doc Dailey at docdaileyandmagnoliadevil.com or on Facebook and Twitter.

July/August 2011 | 83

84 | No’Ala

M U S I C S C H O O L C L A S S O F 2011

At best, life will surprise you. Whatever it throws your way, you have to pursue it.”

“I was seven years old when I first went on stage with my father at the Country Shindig,” says Melissa. “My hair was all teased out and I was wearing a sequined vest.” She was performing with her father’s band, Showdown, and from that point on there was no looking back. Melissa started singing even earlier than that, imitating her idol, Reba McIntyre, and entertaining her family. She began voice lessons in the 7th grade from Linda Young, and it just got better from there; she wrote her first song for her high school graduation, but long before that she knew that this was what she wanted to do with her life. “My music is very laid back,” she says, “and there’s a mixture of country influence and a little of that Muscle Shoals Sound.” Melissa thinks that the fact that she’s a female guitar player makes her unique, and her best inspiration comes when she’s relaxed and sitting by the water. Relaxation is sometimes hard to come by. Melissa and her husband

live in an RV, and the couple travels the U.S. as spokespeople for Soles for Souls; at one time, the newlyweds had seven part time jobs between them. She’s able to entertain as they travel to college campuses, and when they are home she is in demand at local music spots, such as the Swampers Bar and Grille at the Marriott. Her new album is due for release in late July and will be available through her Facebook page at Facebook.com/melissadanielbainmusic. In 2005, Melissa performed in a USO tour with Brianna Dean (one of last year’s No’Ala featured musicians), giving 19 shows in 21 days in seven countries. In 2007, Melissa’s father, and one of her biggest supporters, was diagnosed with melanoma, and passed away four and a half months later. “That was so painful for me,” she says, uncharacteristically quiet at the memory. “After my father’s death, I began taking guitar lessons from Jim Seales, the lead guitarist for the band Shenandoah, and thirteen months later I performed my ﬁrst four hour show alone…with my father’s guitar. He taught me that I should be ﬂexible, and that at best, life will surprise you. Whatever it throws your way, you have to pursue it.”

July/August 2011 | 85

M U S I C S C H O O L C L A S S O F 2011

From left to right: Miika Weimann, Mary Reeves, Caleb Olkiewicz, Jeremy Guyse

86 | Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ala

The most important thing is that we are creating good music, and we get to do it with our best friends.”

It started at a church competition. Mary Reeves, Jeremy Guyse, Miika Weimann and Caleb Olkiewicz got together a band to sing in a Fine Arts competition…and ended up placing seventh in the nation. The competition among high school students is held in different parts of the country—Charlotte, Orlando, Detroit and this year in Phoenix—and it attracts thousands of up-and-coming musicians: Only In Stories is that good. They should be; most of the members of the group come from musical backgrounds, including Miika’s father, Viljar, who is an instructor in UNA’s School of Music, violinist with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director and Conductor of the Shoals Symphony at UNA. “The name of the band came from the fact that everyone has a story,” explained Mary, the lead vocalist and youngest member of the group. “Everyone’s life is a story, and every story is part of a bigger story. We want to help people ﬁnd purpose and meaning in their lives through our music.”

The band describes their music as Christian, but in the pop/rock/alternative vein. “We strive to be different,” said Jeremy, “and the fact that we use other instruments, like the cello, makes our sound richer and unique.” The group says their ideas come in the middle of the night, and are always based on Biblical principles. “Most of all, we’re trying to keep it real,” Jeremy explained. For now, the group is touring, playing at festivals, in churches and for youth groups. “We see our path as stepping stones,” said Mary. “We’d like to be on a label someday, and for now we’re writing and performing whenever and wherever we can. The most important thing is that we are creating good music, and we get to do it with our best friends.”

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M U S I C S C H O O L C L A S S O F 2011

TEXT BY CLAIRE STEWART

WHAT’S GOING ON WITH OUR FEATURED MUSICIANS FROM 2010? Christopher Joel Carter IV

Christopher Joel Carter IV Christopher Joel has been busy all year keeping up with his music. Along with performing and playing for the Florence Camerata, he has directed music and played piano for Cabaret, as well as playing for The Drowsy Chaperone, and A Christmas Carol. Outside of the south, he performed for the annual Festival of Trees and Lights at the Paris hotel in Las Vegas. Then, he hosted and emceed Liberace’s 91st Birthday Party at the Liberace Museum, also in Las Vegas. Along with performing, Christopher Joel has been working on copywriting and publishing his piano arrangements in Los Angeles. Michael Clements After the 2010 Entertainment Issue, Michael graduated from UNA with a Bachelor's in Commercial Music. He then moved into a recording studio on Main Street in Tuscumbia which should be opening soon. He is writing music and collaborating with other artists like Kirsten Shaw of Columbiana, Alabama, and Bent Creek bluegrass band out of Anniston, Alabama. He and Shaw have since formed The Whiloms, a bluegrass and pop infused country duo. Hello August Hello August has had a very exciting year since we last saw them. They have been touring the country and performing in arenas, camps, churches, and everything in between! This past December, they released a new album called Rise that can be purchased on iTunes. In personal news, lead singer, Natalie, is expecting her second child in October and we hear that bass player, Alex Wittscheck, will be married in October in a very “perfect wedding” here in the Shoals. Read more about it at www.shoalsperfectwedding.com. Dillon Hodges For most of this year, Dillon has been working hard towards graduation from UNA with a double major in Accounting and Entertainment Management. But, of course, he is keeping up with projects in the music industry as well. He has produced two albums, the ﬁrst being My Getaway by Leslee Scott, the second The Ride by Archie Hubbard. He also composed music for the documentary-style ﬁlm Newport, to be debuted soon. Right now, he is working in Nashville over the summer with Sugar Hill Records.

Michael Clements

Hello August

Dillon Hodges

McKenzie Lockhart

Pine Hill Haints

Chris Roach

McKenzie Lockhart Since she last spoke with No’Ala, McKenzie has been hard at work. She is currently working with her production company, Pindrop Entertainment, to record and release a brand new, full-length album featuring

88 | No’Ala

Savanna Smallwood

more of her original songs. John Paul White of the Civil Wars recently sang one of McKenzie’s songs about downtown Florence called “Quiet Town”. She also recently ﬁlmed a video highlighting a few songs from the forthcoming CD with live acoustic performances as well as short commentaries. Pine Hill Haints The Pine Hill Haints have been touring Europe and the States this past year. They have been working on collaborations with other artists locally and throughout the country. This past year the group made one EP called Split that was a collaboration with the group Trainwreck Riders. The Haints continue to play around the country and incorporate even more unconventional instruments into their songs. Chris Roach Since the feature in the last Entertainment issue, Chris had a song picked up that is going to be featured in the upcoming movie Doonby, with John Schneider and Ernie Hudson. It’s scheduled for a September release and will be performed by BJ Thomas on the soundtrack. He has also been working with legendary Nashville producer Larry Butler who has worked with stars like Kenny Rogers and Johnny Cash. He is now currently showcasing as an artist for a few major record labels in Nashville. Savanna Smallwood Over the past year, Savanna has continued to focus on her songwriting skills, writing with Nashville friend Mila Mason. She also participated in the "Music Composition" competition of the Lads to Leaders Convention in Nashville, TN, where she won ﬁrst place for lyrics and harmony for her song, “Delivered.” She has also been performing locally in Alabama and Tennessee.

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{ guess who I saw } Barbara and C.B. Nix

Marcy Oberholzer

Sarah Sneed, Debbie McGee, and Lynn Thigpen

Andrea Trapp, Cheril Cleveland, Shirley Barber, Charlie Grimmett, Katelyn Parks, and Thomas Spence Sharon Robbins and Greg Thornton Wes Oberholzer, David D’Addario, Sandra Scarborough, and Dick Weaver

Elizabeth Berry, Laura Hammer, and Victoria Rose

Sarah Irons and Cheryl Wilson PHOTOS BY LAUREN BURROWS

Above: Salvation Army Womens Auxiliary Empty Bowl Luncheon

Below: “Operation SJS Spring Fundraiser 2011”

M ARCH 31, 2011  M ARRIOTT SHOALS CONFERENCE CENTER Kathy Smith, Andi Linville, Jenifer Bissell, and Leigh Ann Franck

M AY 7, 2011  M ARRIOTT SHOALS CONFERENCE CENTER

KP and Katy McNeill

Sherrie and Brooks Collins Jeanne and Billy Reid Garry and Barb Rosenberger

Mary Locker, Lizzie Walters, Abbey Dobbs, & Hannah Beer 90 | No’Ala

Jim and Brenda Hawhern, Mercy and Denny Winters, Molly and Tony Kalliath PHOTOS BY LAUREN BURROWS

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July/August 2011 | 91

{ bless their hearts }

SARAH GAEDE

In Search of the Perfect Fried Corn

Marcel Proust had his memory-invoking madeleines. I have fried corn. Just thinking about my quest for the perfect fried corn, which has occupied me off and on for over 40 years, brings up fond memories—mostly of food, of course. When I was a girl in Maryland, we took the same family vacation every year in our unair conditioned Plymouth station wagon. The lure to get us three girls up and in the car before dawn was a week at the Carolina Temple Apartments at Wrightsville Beach. But first we drove to Kinston, NC, to visit my mother’s side of the family; Granny and her sister, Aunt Hattie. Granny was not a good cook, and Aunt Hattie was worse, so the gourmet highlights of that stage of our pilgrimage were Dr Peppers and Mountain Dew, meals at Creech’s cafeteria (mmm, boiled potatoes swimming in margarine), King’s Barbecue (root of my conviction that there is no other barbecue but East Carolina barbecue), and individual chocolate meringue pies from the bakery. I also enjoyed lolling in the hammock and reading my Granny’s vast collection of post-WWII Ladies’ Home Journals. (Can This Marriage Be Saved?) After a few days we piled in the car and drove

“My converted Yankee husband calls it ‘corn the way God intended it to be.’ You will too.” to Darlington, SC, where we visited with Daddy’s family—Grandma, Granddaddy, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Daddy swears Grandma wasn’t all that good a cook, but fortunately, she had Eloise, whose nom de cuisine was Lucille. Since Daddy was the spoiled youngest of three boys (his childhood nickname was Baby Jesus), Grandma (i.e. Lucille) went all out for his yearly visit. We had big fat sausages that looked like hobo cigars for breakfast, with eggs, yellow grits, and biscuits with butter and homemade jam. After spending the morning sitting on the front porch visiting and shelling peas, we adjourned to the huge mahogany table in the dining room for dinner. There was always some kind of meat, rice (of course), sliced tomatoes, butter beans (my other favorite vegetable), potato salad, fried okra or eggplant, and my beloved corn. And fresh biscuits. And dessert. After spending the early afternoon in a somnolent stupor, we would go swimming with our cousins in Black Creek. For supper, we helped ourselves to the leftovers, which had been sitting out on the counter all afternoon. Granddaddy always had cold cereal. I had corn and butterbeans, and maybe a tomato sandwich to wash it down. Then we sat on

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the front porch in the hot dark, visited some more, and waited for the mosquito fogging truck to come along. If we were feeling peckish, there were always boiled peanuts on hand, washed down with ice-cold 6-ounce Coca-Colas. When I started learning to cook southern for myself, I was eager to duplicate Lucille’s corn. My friend Big Martha, from Monroe, GA, helped me get close, but I still hadn’t attained the Proustian ideal. Something was missing. I knew bacon grease was key (sorry, you vegetarians, but it is!), and just a pinch of sugar. My corn was good, but it wasn’t the corn I remembered from my childhood. Finally that guru of southern cooking, Frank Stitt, came to my rescue. He insisted on a cast iron skillet for authentic fried corn. And he was right! He was right about the tablespoon of flour too. But he was not right about using white pepper, which tastes like silver polish. The first batch of corn I made after this revelation was itself a revelation. Finally, Lucille’s corn! My converted Yankee husband calls it “corn the way God intended it to be.” You will too. N

Fried Corn • Six (6) Ears Very Fresh Sweet Corn (You can’t beat Silver Queen, but any sweet corn is good. Shun field corn.) • 1 Tablespoon Bacon Grease (which of course you have on hand) • 1 Tablespoon Unsalted Butter • 1 Tablespoon All-purpose Flour • 1 Cup (approx.) Water • Big Pinch Sugar • Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper Shuck and de-silk corn. (Wal-mart has a great little plastic brush for this. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, they have those too. Preseasoned.) Stand corn upright in a wide bowl and, with a very sharp knife (ceramic works really well), cut off the top half of each kernel. (You can cut down the middle of each kernel before you cut it off, but that’s supererogatory. And tedious.) Then scrape cobs into bowl, trying to avoid spattering yourself and everything else within a three-foot radius. Melt bacon grease and butter in a CAST IRON SKILLET over medium heat. Add corn and flour; stir for about 5 minutes. Rinse out corn bowl with water and add to skillet; stir until flour is incorporated. Toss in sugar and pepper. Lower heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until corn is done, about 20 minutes. You may need to add a bit more water. Taste before salting, and salt judiciously. Serves anywhere from one to six people, depending, as my friend Ann Hodgman says, on various factors.

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{ 20 questions }

20 QUESTIONS

FOR TORI BAILEY ABOUT THE W.C. HANDY MUSIC FESTIVAL

It’s important that people know… …that this is the 30th W.C. Handy Music Festival, and it’s the year of music throughout the state of Alabama, so we’re planning wonderful things! The Festival is designed with something for everyone, and with nearly 300 events spread throughout the Shoals, it appeals to a variety of musical tastes. There are also athletic events, car shows, kids events, and more. Anyone can drop by Handy Headquarters during Festival week and ask for a Handy specialist to work with them to select events they will enjoy. When it comes to music, the Shoals… …has the most eclectic range. Even people who live here may not be aware of the wide variety of music that has been recorded here, including jazz, blues, country, gospel, rock, pop, R&B, and even hip-hop. It is amazing to hear about people from other countries who know about the Handy Festival. We’re famous world-wide! Don’t be surprised to see… …people you haven’t seen in years. The Handy Festival has become a time for homecoming. People plan family and class reunions, business meetings, and conventions around Festival dates. After all of these years, we still… …have managed to keep the majority of events free of charge so that not only is it affordable, but it gives area businesses a chance to benefit from the economic opportunity. And we still try to provide a good mix of local musicians with those who come from far away to play. The most interesting part of the Handy Festival, to me, is… …Wow. All of it. I love music, and I love seeing people come together to have a good time. I also love the partnerships we have with other organizations such as Alabama Folklife Association who will work with us to present what will be a fantastic headliner. There are other wonderful organizations we partner with, too many to name, but without whom the Festival would not be successful.

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Sometimes, local people don’t… …understand why the Festival is set up the way it is. It has purposely never been intended as a center stage event. We work with event coordinators to take the music into different areas of the Shoals. That benefits communities and local businesses who sponsor bands that will draw people to enjoy the music, and hopefully to also patronize that business, during the Festival and all year round. We’re reaching the community by… …by our local media, Twitter, Facebook, and our website: www.WCHandyMusicFestival.org. We present upon invitation whenever asked. This year, you’ll also find information about the headline concert at www.AlabamaFolklife.org. If you’ve seen it once, you haven’t seen it because… …the Festival changes every year to keep it fresh. That goes for everything from the play Determined (about the life of W.C. Handy), to the bands that play various events. Each year we have new event coordinators add wonderful new activities to the ten days of events. The most interesting personality I’ve met is… …There have been so many, from visitors who come to town just to enjoy the Festival, to some of our headliners, to neighbors who live here that I would never have been lucky enough to meet had it not been for Handy Festival. The one thing people don’t know about putting together a festival like this is… …that there are many volunteers who work hard to make it happen, some of them all year round! And that we receive much more amazing music from talented performers who want to play during the Festival than we can actually book. Performers are suggested by the Festival’s Music Committee, but mostly selected by the business sponsor or the coordinator. You can always count on… …Something new and different, like the wonderful band from the Netherlands, Acoustrio, who will be playing the first part of Festival week. This year our headline concert

Bring this ad and get a Banana Tempura dessert FREE! (Expires July 31, 2011) Sushi was introduced to Japan from China in the seventh century, and is the most famous form of Japanese food outside of Japan. Sushi does NOT mean raw fish - that’s called sashimi, and although sashimi can be used in sushi, it is not always. Sushi is healthy, fresh, and a work of art—and we would love to introduce you to it at UMI Japanese Steakhouse. For a unique dining experience, come to UMI Japanese Steakhouse. We make your occasions SPECIAL!

201 Cox Creek Parkway, Florence, at the corner of Florence Blvd. • will be a tribute to the heritage of the Shoals featuring talented generations of music that have come from our area. Our biggest challenge, going forward, is… …keeping the Festival as affordable as possible, while continuing to market to the business community in order to solicit the financial support needed to make that happen. Sometimes, decision-makers are not local, so we work hard to show them the benefit of partnering with us. That can be a tall order when you’re a volunteer with limited time. If you can only do one thing this year, … …come to Handy Headquarters so we can find that perfect one thing for you! This year, you’ll find me… …at Handy Headquarters, housed at the Kennedy-Douglass Art Center Annex, corner of Wood Avenue and Tuscaloosa Street in Florence. The biggest thing we have planned for the future is… …continuing to present what has become the largest annual event in northwest Alabama. Thank goodness for… …city workers (parks and recs, street, sanitation, police

256-718-6868

and fire departments, and others) all of whom work so hard, and thanks for sponsors and Friends of the Festival, volunteers, our partners, staff, and the wonderful people who attend the Festival! Ten years from now… …I’ll be sitting down at an event, enjoying the music at a W.C. Handy Music Festival. What we need right now is… …good people, positive and sensible ideas, and more money to keep it all happening! The Festival’s contribution to this area is… …another opportunity for people in the Shoals area to shine. It brings together people of differing socio-economic backgrounds, and even many churches of varying denominations who present music. It is also an economic boon via tax dollars derived from restaurants and bars, hotels, and retail. And tourism dollars are always good for a community—ask any mayor. It matters because… …it gives us an opportunity to pay homage to the musical talent that came from (and still comes from) the Shoals area. Besides, can you imagine a summer in the Shoals without the Handy Festival? N

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DANNY MITCHELL PHOTOGRAPHY

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SHOAL CREEK PRESERVE » MAY 30, 2011 » 12:21 P.M.

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DANNY MITCHELL

To celebrate thirty years of wonderful entertainment in the Shoals, First Southern Bank has underwritten the cost of a sampler CD featuring the musicians profiled in this issue.* Supply is very limited, but you may pick up a FREE copy at any branch of First Southern Bank while supplies last. Help us celebrate the creativity that has made us the Hit Recording Capital of the World - from your friends and neighbors at First Southern Bank.

Florence: 256-718-4200 Muscle Shoals: 256-718-4242 Killen: 256-718-4273 Ford City: 256-718-4255 St. Florian: 256-718-4282 Mortgage Department: 256-718-4237 or 256-718-4241 Trust Department: 256-718-4238 www.firstsouthern.com *Noâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Ala subscribers receive a CD inside their magazine, with our compliments. MEMBER FDIC

Milner-Rushing congratulates the W.C. Handy Music Festival on thirty wonderful years. The W.C. Handy Music Festival has been a part of life in the Shoals for thirty years. It’s so much a part of our lives it has become an institution. Milner-Rushing Discount Drugs has been a part of life in the Shoals for 158 years. We, too,

are part of the lives of families here—and we’re an institution, too! Milner-Rushing congratulates the W.C. Handy Festival on its milestone anniversary. We think 30 years is a pretty good start!

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