New Museum Exhibit Chronicles the Rise of Muscle Shoals

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville has launched a new featured exhibit titled Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising. The display occupies a 5,000-square-foot gallery on the museum's second floor and marks the beginning of a run that will last more than two years. The project was inspired by a 2011 panel discussion at the museum, which featured key figures from the Alabama recording scene. Michael Gray, the museum's vice president of museum services and a co-curator of the show, noted that the team had been working toward this project for a long time before it received final approval approximately three years ago.

While the museum is primarily dedicated to country music, this exhibition follows a pattern established by previous shows that explored broader aspects of American music. RJ Smith, a museum writer-editor and co-curator, explained that the institution's mission encompasses American music influenced by various genres. The exhibit traces the story of the Quad Cities in northwest Alabama, a region that became a global destination for recording artists. The narrative spans from W.C. Handy, born in Florence, Alabama, to modern artists such as Jason Isbell and The Black Keys who continue to record in the area.

The history of professional recording in the region began in 1960 when Rick Hall opened FAME Recording Studios. Before Hall's arrival, recording efforts were informal, taking place in garages or bus station waiting rooms. Hall is credited by local musicians as the pioneer who built the first real studio, transforming the area into a hub for pop and R&B hits. The first major success was Arthur Alexander's "You Better Move On," which reached the Billboard Top 40 in 1962. This initial success allowed Hall to move the studio to its current location in Muscle Shoals.

The exhibit highlights the critical role of the rhythm sections that defined the local sound. The original group, featuring Terry Thompson, David Briggs, Norbert Putnam, and Jerry Carrigan, produced several hits before moving to Nashville in 1964. Their departure led Hall to assemble a new lineup known as The Swampers, which included Jimmy Johnson, Barry Beckett, David Hood, and Roger Hawkins. This second group played on iconic tracks by Percy Sledge, Etta James, and Wilson Pickett, cementing the studio's reputation for a distinctive, swinging rhythm.

In 1969, The Swampers left FAME to form their own studio, Muscle Shoals Sound, where they continued to produce hits for artists like Paul Simon and The Staple Singers. Hall subsequently formed a third group called The Fame Gang, which maintained the flow of successful recordings. The success of these studios inspired the opening of additional facilities in the 1970s, including the NuttHouse and Music Mill, further solidifying the region's status as a recording capital.

The physical exhibit includes hundreds of historic artifacts, such as the Apollo baby grand piano used by Aretha Franklin and a 1964 Fender Stratocaster formerly owned by Duane Allman. Visitors can also view Wilson Pickett's stage jumpsuit and a 1957 Fender Telecaster modified by Allman. The gallery features multiple video screens, including a mini theater with a film narrated by Jason Isbell. Interactive digital stations allow guests to explore a jukebox of over 60 classic songs and read oral history interviews with the musicians.

The subtitle of the exhibit, Low Rhythm Rising, references the specific musical style developed in the area. Co-curator Gray explained that the term captures the simple, earthy nature of the sound, where musicians would let songs simmer before building intensity. Warren Denney, the museum's vice president of creative, added that this low, powerful rhythm was the primary draw for artists seeking the unique Muscle Shoals feel.

The opening of the exhibit coincides with a weekend of festivities featuring many of the musicians highlighted in the display. An all-star concert took place at the CMA Theater, featuring performers such as Bettye LaVette, Spooner Oldham, and Dan Penn. A songwriter session was also held, celebrating the collaborative history of the region's musical pioneers.