With a week’s worth of time off and a long drive to Florida to visit family, I decided to check off a bucket list item: Visiting the sound recording studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
I meant to get to Muscle Shoals when I lived in Mississippi, but never got around to it. So making due for time lost, I suppose.
Got an early start and stopped in Arcola, Illinois.

Buzzed south to Paducah, Kentucky, just past the Illinois border.


Made it to northern Alabama by 3:30p, and the Muscle Shoals Sound Studios were closed (bummer).

I was disappointed, but undeterred since I had a 4p tour at FAME Recording Studios.

Some of the most enduring American music—Respect by Aretha Franklin, I’d Rather Go Blind by Etta James, and Mustang Sally by Wilson Pickett—was captured at FAME. Amazing experience, and Rick Hall’s grandson facilitated the tour.
