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.
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Black History Month
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.