ROCK 'N ROLL HEAVEN

The area known for the Muscle Shoals Sound includes the interconnected towns of Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals, either side of the Tennessee River.

The Muscle Shoals Sound could be defined by a handful of songs recorded in the mid 60's. 

"When A Man Loves A Woman"

"I'll Take You There"

"I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)

Muscle Shoals, AL

Not the original building in Florence, AL
but now located in Muscle Shoals, AL

 This is where Rick Hall's (known as "the Father of the Muscle Shoals Sound") FAME Studios (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) and the rival Muscle Shoals Sound Studios Aretha Franklin (who became the Queen of Soul when she recorded "I Never Loved a Man"), found her groove, Paul Simon developed "Kodachrome", and Wilson Pickett cranked up "Mustang Sally".  

A few others who cut iconic hits were Mick Jagger, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Steve Winwood, Otis Redding, Duane Allman, Paul Anka, the Osmonds, Percy Sledge and Etta James.  There were also songs cut by Tina Turner, the Beatles, Jet, Elton John, B. B. King, Tim McGraw, the Dixie Chicks, Leann Rimes and numerous others. 

Keith Richards stated his opinion about Muscle Shoals simply:  "It's rock 'n roll heaven."

North Alabama Recording Studio (NOALA)
Producer and Disc Jockey in Sheffield

Hospital orderly Percy Sledge recorded in 1960
Sheffield, AL

No one can explain the magic.  Some explain it could have been the Tennessee River, known to Native Americans as "The Singing River" in folklore over several hundred years ago.

The Tennessee River looking
toward Muscle Shoals, AL

We've been to this area many times and noticed many large iconic aluminum sculptures throughout the Shoals area which were created to commemorate the Shoals musical heritage.  A local Sheffield company, Wise Alloys, donated the aluminum for the project located in downtown Sheffield.

"The Singing River"
Sheffield, AL

This 18' tall sculpture is one of several throughout the area.  The sculptures are known to represent "The Singing River" and not any musician in particular.

A 25' tall aluminum sculpture is located in Muscle Shoals, AL near the library and the local high school.

A Bass Player as part of "The Singing River"

If you're a baby boomer like us you feel you've been a part of this history.   We could sing just about everyone of the songs I've mentioned above....maybe even dance just the way we did back then!  Tomorrow is a travel day and we'll be heading northward and perhaps you'll hear us going down the road singing at the top of our lungs "On The Road Again" by Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash, or "I've Been Everywhere", by Johnny Cash.

NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH BLING!

Sometimes our travel plans don't go exactly as planned, but we've learned that if you can't be  flexible, then maybe the full time RV lifestyle isn't for you.  Complaining or whining isn't going to help so you need to make the best of any situation and you will be happier and so will those around you.

So here we are, in the middle of hurricane season, 2 weeks past our plans to depart Alabama.  We departed Florida last April and we're anxious to return.   However, on the positive side, we are in our home on wheels, safe and sound, and sleeping in our own bed every night....Life is good.

Rain and wind are not what we are looking for!

We are about as northwest in Alabama as you can be... Red Bay, Alabama, where we schedule our annual RV maintenance as well as usually adding a few upgrades to our coach.  Red Bay is located very close to Belmont, MS, slightly west of Red Bay.  Belmont is known as the home to several thriving industries and the birthplace of well known country musician, Mac McAnally.

Welcome to the State of Mississippi!

This is us "Roughing It Smoothly" as Tiffin says

Red Bay is the location of Tiffin Motorhomes, and over the past 10 years of owning our motorhome we look forward to seeing our Red Bay friends every year (and many have become extensions of our family), as well as numerous private contractors that take care of any issues we may have to keep our coach in good condition.  

Fun and Fellowship at the Downtown Red Bay RV Park
Red Bay, AL

These independent contractors do beautiful woodwork, painting, diesel maintenance, general maintenance, and specialized installations.  (If you would be interested in seeing some of our coach upgrades, they are located on the UPGRADES tab of this blog).  

We learn something new every time we visit the area, and a lot of what we have picked up along the way is the importance of Alabama and Mississippi music history, i.e., the "Muscle Shoals Sound".  Within a few miles of us are several Mississippi Music Trail historical markers of country music stars from this area which have influenced all our country music, like Tammy Wynette, known as the "First Lady Of Country Music", from nearby Tremont, MS, and Mac McAnally, from Belmont, MS.  Remember one of his hits, "Where I Come From"?  

"First Lady of Country Music"
Tammy Wynette

Mississippi Country Music Trail Historical Marker

Mississippi Country Music Trail Historical Marker
Mac McAnally

Mississippi Country Music Trail Historical Marker
Mac McAnally

We will be leaving Red Bay (1) when it is safe to return to Florida and (2) as soon as a few electronic component parts on order arrive.  An item you might notice as we pass you going down the road is the new stainless accent trim on our engine compartment doors.  As RV says, "You just can't have too much bling on classic cars, motorcycles, or RVs!"

Rear Engine Doors