Muscle Shoals, Alabama

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, USA. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 11,924, and is included in The Shoals MSA.

Contents 1 Geography 2 Demographics 3 Music 4 Recording Artists 5 External links

[edit] Geography

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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.5 km² (12.2 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 11,924 people, 4,710 households, and 3,452 families residing in the city. The population density was 378.3/km² (979.7/mi²). There were 5,010 housing units at an average density of 158.9/km² (411.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 83.88% White, 14.16% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.56% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 1.16% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 4,710 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.95.

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

The median income for a household in the city was $40,216, and the median income for a family was $48,113. Males had a median income of $38,063 versus $21,933 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,113. About 5.4% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Music

The city is one of four cities known as the Quad Cities, the others being Florence, Sheffield and Tuscumbia. Muscle Shoals is known for recording many hit songs from the 1960s through today.

[edit] Recording Artists

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

Pop and Soul

• Andy Williams
• Aretha Franklin
• Art Garfunkel (solo)
• Arthur Alexander
• B.W. Stevenson
• Billy Swan
• Billy Vera and the Beaters
• Bob Dylan
• Bob Seger
• Boz Scaggs
• Canned Heat
• Carlos Santana
• Cat Stephens
• Cher
• Clarence Carter
• Dorothy Moore
• Dr. Hook
• Duane Allman
• Eric Clapton
• Etta James
• Glenn Frey
• Helen Reddy
• Issac Hayes
• James & Bobby Purify
• Jerry Lee Lewis
• Jimmy Buffet
• Joan Baez
• Joe Cocker
• Joe Tex
• Johnny Rivers
• Jose Feliciano
• Julian Lennon
• Kim Carnes
• Laura Nyro
• Leon Russell
• Linda Ronstadt
• Lulu
• Luther Ingram
• Lynyrd Skynyrd
• Mary MacGregor
• Mel and Tim
• Melissa Etheridge
• Michael Jackson
• Millie Jackson
• Orleans
• Otis Redding
• Patti Austin
• Paul Anka
• Paul Davis
• Paul Simon (solo)
• Percy Sledge
• Phoebe Snow
• R.B. Greaves
• Ray Stevens
• Rod Stewart
• Simon And Garfunkel (duo)
• The Osmonds
• The Rolling Stones
• The Sanford-Townsend Band
• The Staples Singers
• Tom Jones
• Tony Orlando
• Wilson Pickett

Country

• Alabama
• Blackhawk
• Donna Fargo
• Eddie Rabbit
• Faith Hill
• Jerry Reed
• John Michael Montgomery
• Johnny Paycheck
• Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers
• Mac Davis
• Marie Osmond
• Reba McEntire
• Ronnie Milsap
• Shenandoah
• The Amazing Rhythm Aces
• The Forester Sisters
• The Oak Ridge Boys
• Willie Nelson

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

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

In the song "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, a verse states that "Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers." The "Swampers" were studio musicians who were available if backup was needed. They were given this name by Leon Russell, and several of their gold and platinum records read "To The Swampers." Lynyrd Skynyrd saw these awards when they recorded there, and later included it in the song as a tribute. By definition, a "Swamper" is a helper, such as a waitress or truck driver's assistant. The musicians were "hired guns," hence the nickname.

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

The members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section were Pete Carr (lead guitar), Jimmy Johnson (guitar), Roger Hawkins (drums), David Hood (bass), and Barry Beckett (keyboards).

More recently, Florence native, Patterson Hood, son of "Swamper", David Hood, has risen to fame in his own right as a member of the alternative rock group, Drive-By Truckers. The top-two finishing finalists on the 2007 season of country music singing competition Nashville Star, siblings Zac Hacker (second place) and Angela Hacker (winner), both hail from Muscle Shoals.

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

The second Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, located at 1000 Alabama Avenue in Sheffield, closed its doors and now houses a movie production company; however, the Original Muscle Shoals Sound Studios, located at 3614 Jackson Highway, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is open for public tours.

The Original Muscle Shoals Sound Studios building at 3614 Jackson Highway is now open daily for tours as a historic museum. It has been restored to its previous state, as it was in the 1970's with much of the original sound equipment and furniture.

Additionally, a radio station licensed to Muscle Shoals broadcasts only music written or recorded in the city. 1450, WLAY-AM is owned by URBan Radio Broadcasting.

[edit] External links

• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 34.750788° -87.650278°
  • Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
  • Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
  • Topographic map from TopoZone
  • Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
• The Muscle Shoals Music Forum A place to discuss the Shoals and its Music - old and new
• Muscle Shoals Sound Studios
• Shoals Music Magazine