Muscle Shoals launches new showcase of musical heritage
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The Shoals Music Archive has opened an exhibition in celebration of the region’s musical history with memorabilia and photographs from as far back as the 19th century.
You can check out the exhibit from March 20 through April 24. It is available for viewing at Gallery at 126 on Tombigbee Street in downtown Florence.
The details:
What is the gallery?
The Shoals Music Archive was launched in May 2025 in order to preserve the region’s extensive musical heritage.
Already, the Archive is home to scholarly research materials, photographs, and other memorabilia, representing a unique cross-section of the Shoals’ musical history.
“We are thrilled with this opportunity to unveil these pivotal images in the history of Muscle Shoals. The collected works detail the rich and unique history of our area, and it celebrates the artists—from the musicians to the photographers—who continue to put this area on the map for this vital part of our past, present, and future.”
Dr. Brian Dempsey, Shoals Music Archive Curator and Associate Professor of History at UNA
The gallery is divided into three movements that intersect to represent the growing history of the music in the region:
- Theme 1: Living Traditions — Highlights contemporary musicians carrying the Shoals sound culture forward, featuring the Musician Census + photography by Florence resident Abraham Rowe
- Theme 2: Creative Spaces — Explores the intimate environments where music is born, featuring images from the Roots of American Music Trail project + uses color photography to showcase musicians in their personal studios and homes
- Theme 3: Historical Foundations — Captures pivotal moments, iconic venues + legendary figures in Shoals history + is anchored by the Dick Cooper Collection of photography that establishes the region’s musical roots
Why Muscle Shoals?
Muscle Shoals is home to a top-notch music repertoire. The infamous Muscle Shoals Sound Studios + FAME Recording Studios are both known for putting out tons of great music across genres and generations.
Over the years, many famous musicians and bands have recorded in the Shoals, including:
- Aretha Franklin
- Bob Dylan
- Lynyrd Skynyrd
- Paul Simon
- The Rolling Stones (the iconic album “Sticky Fingers” was recorded here!)
- Willie Nelson
These stars, among others, are celebrated by the Shoals Music Archive and its upcoming collection.
Plan your visit
The gallery opens on Friday, March 20, and a gallery reception is scheduled for that night at 5 p.m.
- Where: 126 W Tombigbee St, Florence
- When: March 20-April 24 | Monday-Friday, 2-5PM
- Price: FREE
- Website
Additionally, visitors who would like to view the exhibition outside of gallery hours may contact the UNA Department of Visual Arts and Design.
🎶 Who is your favorite Shoals’ recording artist? Head out to the gallery to see if there’s any photos of them!
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