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Black History Month

Soulful Echoes: A Melodic Journey through Black Music History in Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Muscle Shoals, Alabama, may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about the roots of Black music. However, our unassuming town played a crucial role in shaping the sound of soul, gospel, and rhythm and blues. In spirit with this year's Black History Month theme of "African Americans and the Arts", we're taking a closer look at the rich Black music history of The Shoals and celebrating the indelible contributions of legendary artists W.C. Handy, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and Otis Redding.

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The Birth of the Blues

W.C. Handy, often referred to as "Father of the Blues," was born in Florence, Ala. (just a stone's throw from Muscle Shoals) and lived to become a prolific composer and musician who played a pivotal role in popularizing the blues. His timeless compositions, such as "St. Louis Blues," laid groundwork for the evolution of blues and its influence on various music genres.

Aretha Franklin's Southern Soul Sojourn

Fame Studios, founded in 1959, became hallowed ground for recording artists seeking a distinct sound. Aretha Franklin, known as the "Queen of Soul," recorded iconic hits like "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" and "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" in 1967. The one of a kind blend of Franklin's renowned vocals and the studio's powerful ambiance birthed timeless classics that continue to resonate with audiences all over the world.

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Etta James and the Magic of FAME Studios

FAME Studios became a creative haven for artists like Etta James as well. The "At Last" singer challenged the music industry with powerful ballads and emotionally charged performances. James' recordings at FAME Studios, including "Tell Mama" and "I'd Rather Go Blind," showcased both the Muscle Shoals studio's ability to capture the raw essence of soul and James' talent to turn words to power.

Otis Redding's Unforgettable Sessions

Otis Redding is arguably one of the most influential soul singers of all time who left his mark on Muscle Shoals through several independent and collaborative works. His collaboration with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section resulted in unforgettable recordings including "I've Been Loving You Too Long" and "Respect," which would be later rearranged and covered by fellow recording artist Aretha Franklin (becoming a feminist anthem and one of the most recognizable songs ever made).

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Transcending the Muscle Shoals Sound

Percy Sledge was an American R&B, soul, and gospel singer born in Leighton, Ala. in 1940. Beginning his career as a hospital orderly at Colbert County Hospital, Sledge pursued his passion for music with a local rhythm-and-blues combo called the Esquires Combo on the weekends. He also performed with church gospel choirs.

Sledge achieved international acclaim with his debut single, "When a Man Loves a Woman." Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in 1966, this soul anthem became the first No. 1 hit to be recorded in Muscle Shoals and an instant classic topping charts in both the U.S. and the U.K. He also recorded several great hits including "It Tears Me Up" and "Out of Left Field" written by Muscle Shoals songwriters Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham.

Sledge would go on to be hailed as the "Golden Voice of Soul" and inducted into the Rhythm-and-Blues Foundation's Career Acheivement Hall of Fame in 1989. He was later inducted by fellow Muscle Shoals recording artist, Rod Stewart, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.

Percy Sledge sadly passed away in 2015, but his golden voice continues to resurface and captivate younger generations in various forms of movie and television.

Timeless Talents

Born in Manhattan in 1981, Alicia Keys made a name for herself in the early 2000s with hits like "Fallin'" and "No One". It's a lesser-known fact that Keys actually recorded a song at Fame Recording Studios for the Muscle Shoals documentary. Throughout her career, Keys has won numerous awards including 15 Grammy Awards, 11 Billboard Music Awards, 9 American Music Awards, 5 NAACP Image Awards, 4 MTV Video Music Awards, 3 BET Awards, and 3 Soul Train Music Awards.

Her career has also grown outside of the recording booth. She was a coach on seasons 11 and 12 of The Voice, regularly performs for sold out venues across the world, and recently performed alongside Usher for the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show. Keys' talent and contributions to the music industry have been widely recognized and continue to be celebrated.

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Muscle Shoals may seem like a small town, but the impact of the talented Black artists who wrote, recorded, and performed here is huge. The convergence of these legendary artists (and many others) with the unique sound of Muscle Shoals Sound and FAME Studios created a musical tapestry that has transcended time and genre.

Listerhill Credit Union is proud to be founded in The Shoals which has been shaped for over 50 years by the creativity and talent of singers, songwriters, musicians, and producers from around the nation and in our own backyard.

As we celebrate the incredible talents of Black artists throughout this month, we're excited to share their stories with you and show how these famous artists have redefined and revolutionized music. Happy Black History Month from Listerhill!

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