Allison Stark's 1st Story

MUSIC IN THE SHOALS – Fame Studios was the place to record music a few decades ago. What happened?

Has the music died?

By Allison Stark

401 Words

FLORENCE – Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals was a leading place to record music in the 1970s. Where did all the star power go? Why is Lady Gaga or T.I. not vying for a spot to record? The answer is not money, but style.

“No one wants to go to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to record music when Atlanta and Nashville are relatively close by,” said Dillon Green, a sophomore at UNA.

Even though Fame’s popularity has declined in recent years, the talent in the studio is phenomenal.

“Fame is notorious for producing demos of master quality, said Chelsea Carroll, an entertainment industry management major.

In the past, the likes of Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, as well as Donny Osmond have recorded at Fame. The singers were brought in by different producers from various record labels including Atlantic Records.

According to Paul Ennis, a local musician, the idea of Fame Studios began in the late 1950s. “It was first located above a drug store in Florence. Then, in the early 1960s it was moved to an old tobacco warehouse,” he said.

What is happening at Fame Studios today? Fame Studios was not available for questions; however, the website explains reality television show Nashville Star winner Angela Hacker is set to record there very soon. She is quoted there as saying the Muscle Shoals Sound has greatly influenced her sound. According to Green, the Black Keys recently recorded part of their album with Danger Mouse at Fame.

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio is a second recording studio in the Shoals area. Most notable artists who have recorded there include Bob Seger, the Rolling Stones, as well as Paul Simon. The studio was formed when a group known as the Swampers decided to branch off from Fame and begin their own studio. This is where the famous line “Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers, and they’ve been known for a song or two,” from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” comes from.

What does the future hold for these studios? Carroll said, “I believe the studios will continue to prosper if a few big names come through every once in a while as they do now. It would be great though if an even bigger interest could be found.”

The Shoals will always be known for its contributions to the music industry. In the future, hopefully Fame and Muscle Shoals Sound will continue prosper and maybe even grow.