Bass Life

Visiting Muscle Shoals Sound

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It's not often when the Elites come to town you can take in some real music history, but the Shoals area of Alabama is full of it. There's the FAME studio in Muscle Shoals, and in Sheffield Alabama is this tiny building which is where such artists as The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Wilson Pickett, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Cocker, Levon Helm, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, The Black Keys and Cat Stevens recorded countless hit songs.
It’s not often when the Elites come to town you can take in some real music history, but the Shoals area of Alabama is full of it. There’s the FAME studio in Muscle Shoals, and in Sheffield Alabama is this tiny building which is where such artists as The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Wilson Pickett, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Cocker, Levon Helm, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Rod Stewart, The Black Keys and Cat Stevens recorded countless hit songs.
Cher's sixth album is actually named after the address of Muscle Shoals Sound. She played with the four founders of the studio, who were known as the Swampers.
Cher’s sixth album is actually named after the address of Muscle Shoals Sound. She played with the four founders of the studio, who were known as the Swampers.
When B.A.S.S. sent Dave Mercer and a film crew to record a segment for Bassmaster LIVE, I couldn't help but come along and shoot some photos.
When B.A.S.S. sent Dave Mercer and a film crew to record a segment for Bassmaster LIVE, I couldn’t help but come along and shoot some photos.
We started in the basement, which is where the bands would hang out while the studio engineers were busy working above them in between takes. The studio was recently restored (with help from Dr. Dre!) and albums of music produced here line the walls.
We started in the basement, which is where the bands would hang out while the studio engineers were busy working above them in between takes. The studio was recently restored (with help from Dr. Dre!) and albums of music produced here line the walls.
Gold records, too.
Gold records, too.
It's almost time for the interview...
It’s almost time for the interview…
Judy Hood gave us a wonderful tour of the studio. She's been around it for 30 years and it's a big part of her life.
Judy Hood gave us a wonderful tour of the studio. She’s been around it for 30 years and it’s a big part of her life.
For a very good reason - she's married to one of the Swampers, David Hood.
For a very good reason – she’s married to one of the Swampers, David Hood.
Dave Mercer interviews Judy in the secret bar that is hidden downstairs. Sheffield, Alabama was technically in a dry county, but when the Rolling Stones came here, it was definitely not dry down here.
Dave Mercer interviews Judy in the secret bar that is hidden downstairs. Sheffield, Alabama was technically in a dry county, but when the Rolling Stones came here, it was definitely not dry down here.
Mercer felt right at home in this secret bar, but we had to go upstairs and see the studio.
Mercer felt right at home in this secret bar, but we had to go upstairs and see the studio.
One last thing - the restoration of the studio was so meticulous that they looked at old photos and searched high and low ... to find a couch that matched the old days.
One last thing – the restoration of the studio was so meticulous that they looked at old photos and searched high and low … to find a couch that matched the old days.
You can feel it when you walk in - this room is where the magic happened. The restoration includes a neat trick - they can play you parts of songs that were recorded right here. It's chilling, looking at the piano that you hear a song recorded on it.
You can feel it when you walk in – this room is where the magic happened. The restoration includes a neat trick – they can play you parts of songs that were recorded right here. It’s chilling, looking at the piano that you hear a song recorded on it.
Judy goes over some of the artifacts here from 50 years ago.
Judy goes over some of the artifacts here from 50 years ago.
Drums have their own isolation booth, so as not to interfere with the sound picked up by the other mics.
Drums have their own isolation booth, so as not to interfere with the sound picked up by the other mics.
This is the original piano played by everyone from Bob Segar to Paul Simon.
This is the original piano played by everyone from Bob Segar to Paul Simon.
This little bathroom in the studio has a great story behind it - Keith Richards wrote the Rolling Stones' hit song Wild Horses in it.
This little bathroom in the studio has a great story behind it – Keith Richards wrote the Rolling Stones’ hit song Wild Horses in it.
They even have the original invoice to the Stones for it.
They even have the original invoice to the Stones for it.
Linda Rondstadt was one of many vocalists that recorded in this booth.
Linda Rondstadt was one of many vocalists that recorded in this booth.
Modern studios use some kind of foam insulation. In the 70s, it was much more stylish.
Modern studios use some kind of foam insulation. In the 70s, it was much more stylish.
There are touches of modernity here - the studio is a museum during the day, but at night artists still rent it out and record here.
There are touches of modernity here – the studio is a museum during the day, but at night artists still rent it out and record here.
I did not sit on the couch.
I did not sit on the couch.
This old reel to reel machine is exactly like the ones used in the 1970s here.
This old reel to reel machine is exactly like the ones used in the 1970s here.
While not the original recording equipment, it's the same kind that was here. The computer is a new addition, though.
While not the original recording equipment, it’s the same kind that was here. The computer is a new addition, though.
I'm not going to lie, I took a ton of pics of this board because it was cool. I did resist turning any of these dials.
I’m not going to lie, I took a ton of pics of this board because it was cool. I did resist turning any of these dials.
While we waited to get our tournament finally going, this was a wonderful time for us to visit this amazing historic site. If you are ever near the Florence, Alabama area, definitely make the trip. It's worth it.
While we waited to get our tournament finally going, this was a wonderful time for us to visit this amazing historic site. If you are ever near the Florence, Alabama area, definitely make the trip. It’s worth it.

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