Entering the front door, the visitor is greeted by a feast for the eyes and ears that continues throughout the visit, beginning with the stars on the Walk of Fame. Looking for all the world like the famous stars imbedded in the sidewalk in Hollywood, a closer inspection yields names of singers instead of actors. Reflections of light from the chandelier play on the floor in time to music. In seconds, you’re caught up in the magic of the place.
The Alabama Music Hall of Fame is sometimes erroneously called the Country Music Hall of Fame. While many of the musicians featured here wrote or performed country music, there are also sections featuring popular music, rhythm and blues, the Muscle Shoals sound, and gospel music.
Enter the Popular Music section via the giant jukebox that plays classical, pop, and opera music to see who’s represented here. How about a figure of Nat “King” Cole sitting at a piano? Didn’t know he was Alabama? Well, how about Elvis Presley? OK, he’s not from Alabama, but Sam Phillips, the producer who discovered Elvis, is. The contract between Phillips and RCA selling Phillips’ rights to the future star is displayed here.
Of course, those of us who attended Governor Siegelman’s inauguration already knew Jimmy Buffett was not from the Florida Keys, but a native Alabamian. Buffett sang “Stars Fell on Alabama” in one of the highlights of the inaugural day.
But I digress. The country section features, among other things, the group Alabama’s touring bus. Really. The WHOLE bus! You can board it, walk through, and leave by the back door.
As you travel through the museum, it is interesting to see just how many Alabamians have impacted all kinds of music. Perhaps the best example is in the section that recounts the history of Muscle Shoals sound, begun in the now-defunct Fame studio and continuing today. In the 70’s, many famous rock artists chose this area to record their music; I have an old Cher album titled 3614 Jackson Highway. That’s the address of the old Fame studio, which is still there but no longer functioning as a recording studio.
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