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Tag Archives: music

Florence Alabama, Where FAME Music Started in 1959

 

Florence and Muscle Shoals is proud to have hosted many of the top music entertainers known and loved world wide.
Florence and Muscle Shoals is proud to have hosted many of the top music entertainers known and loved world wide.

APtravelnews-December 1st,-Bob and Barb “On the Road Again” this time in Muscle Shoals, AL.-Music is like mans heart beat. So when FAME was established with entities such as FAME Publishing, FAME Recording Studios, FAME Records, and Muscle Shoals Record, word got out that “great” sounds were coming from Muscle Shoals and so in 1961 FAME moved over from Florence to the Shoals. FAME has had some of the greatest artists in Rock Music history. Artists such as Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Otis Redding, the Osmonds, Jerry Reed, Alabama, Mac Davis, the Gatlin Borthers, Bobbie Gentry, and many others. More recently FAME has recorded projects for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Matisyahu, Band of Horses, Drive by Truckers, the Civil Wars and Jamie Johnson to name just a few. Tours are available with very knowledgeable guides by calling 256-381-0801.

Lots of gold was mined at the FAME Studios.
Lots of gold was mined at the FAME Studios.
The action section of FAME during a guided tour.
The action section of FAME during a guided tour.

In 1969 Rick Hall’s House band, the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section left FAME and partnered with Jerry Wexler to found the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio at 3614 Jackson Highway in Sheffield, , AL. The studio owned by Jimmy Johnson, David Hood, Roger Hawkins, and Barry Beckett cranked out hits on the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Traffic, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens, the Staple Singers, Levon Helm, Joe Cocker and a whole bunch more. The Rhythm section was eventually immortalized as “the Swampers” by Lynyrd  Skynyrd in the lyrics to “Sweet Home Alabama.” Call Bonnie for tour information at 256-394-3562

Peace love and music the Cher generation!
Peace love and music the Cher generation!
The sound mechanics and full scale detail hub of record making.
The sound mechanics and full scale detail hub of record making.

Our Night at the Museum At The Alabama Music Hall of Fame

 

At the Museum you will find a cornucopia of music history!
At the Museum you will find a cornucopia of music history!

APtravelnews-November 21st, Florence, AL.-Bob and Barb On The Road Again-We spent several days in Florence, and what we saw and enjoyed is available for every traveler to this magnificent part of Alabama. Hard on Pickwick Lake, off Muscle Shoals and the TN. River, lies more fine restaurants, music venues and museums. If you have already read our last week’s post about W.C. Handy, Handy is considered the “Father of the Blues.”  He was born in a simple log cabin in 1873, but with his love and single-mindedness to create music, he made a large impact on American Blues music now played, heard and enjoyed around the world.  The last evening before we left Florence, AL. we were treated to a “Night at the Museum.” The exhibits at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia came to life for us. Barbara and I enjoy live music, this night we had our wish, we are enthralled by the history of all music as we feel it is the best expression of mans highest endeavor, that of creation for sheer joy for them and everyone else to be shared. We did have a magical evening of fun, entertainment and non-stop music as we visited with some of the shining stars in the music industry. We met writers, musicians and performers. We mixed and mingled with great music legends such as Jimmy Johnson, Spooner Oldham, Donnie Fritts, Rick Hall, Secret Sisters, Gary Nichols, Travis Wammack, Jerry Philips, Harvey Thompson, Mickey Buckins, Mark Narmore, Foster Family, Mitch Mann, Roger Clark, Marty Raybon, Jim Seales, Mike McGuire and Walt Aldridge. Go: www.alamhof.org

Oh what a night! Music, music stars and hors douvres!
Oh what a night! Music, music stars and hors douvres!

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Outdoor Florida Magazine Editor Visited Cedar Lodge Docks! My favorite family picture. Yes, these children are being taught how great it is to go fishing!!
This could be Pickwick Lake too! Is it? Yes, these children are being taught how great it is to go fishing! Ask us where this is in the comment section below.
Broth, perfect and WOW tasty, dipped a bunch of great breads in this taste! Mussels terrific!
Great restaurants offer all manner of tasty dishes. The broth, perfect and WOW tasty. Dipped a bunch of great breads in this taste! Mussels terrific! 
barb and wurlistzer at museum
Songs of the Century can be found on this Wurlitzer!

Florence, AL. Travel Experiences Part 2 of 5

 

Felt like we were having lunch with the cast of American Graffiti at the very iconic Trowbridge’s ice cream and samdwich spot on Main St. in Florence, AL.
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Everybody loves Trowbridge’s!

APtravelnews-October 25th- Florence, Alabama-Barb and I travel quite a bit all over the place.  You would know this if you’ve been a regular visitor to our APtravelnews.com.  Once in awhile we stumble across a place in time and space that just makes us marvel at all the great things a tourist, or local can experience without going to a big city, or taking a cruise, or visiting anywhere else in the world!

Florence, AL. ( Florence is Firenze in Italy) and the American city of Florence, in many ways is reminiscent of that special city in Italy known for the Renaissance and the “Enlightenment” period that pulled much of Europe out of the Dark Ages! Florence, AL.is known as a place that birthed the Blues, and visiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum pulls at the heart strings of anyone who thinks they can whistle a tune about crying over losing their wife, their dog or their boat, that so many Country songs draw on for song content  thematic’s. We visited several venues that featured all manner of music history and up-to-date music digital publishing of the latest songs coming from the souls and lips of would-be and hopeful stars and those that already have made a name for themselves in the music industry as well. We spent some time at FAME Studios2 for a tour of the facility and found out that anyone who wishes can cut a digital mastered song for hourly or daily fees that seemed quite reasonable to us. For more information go:http://www.fame2.com after visiting this studio we headed for the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio at 3614 Jackson Highway. This location is known by anyone interested in Country Music as the small studio that the likes of Cher, Wilson Pickett, Rolling Stones, Paul Simon,Bob Segar, Aretha Franklin and so many others too numerous to mention. This location is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The location is being renovated at this time thanks to a very generous million dollar gift from a music maker and lover! Their website encourages donations. Check out their website: www.msmusicfoundation.org 

After heading over to Bunyan’s BBQ in Downtown BBQ sandwich. 

The sandwiches come with a sort of mustard cole slaw and I even tried some of it with the ribs and great bean. What a lunch!
The sandwiches come with a sort of mustard cole slaw and I even tried some of it with the ribs and great bean. What a lunch!
A diminutive location with big flavors!
A diminutive location with big flavors!
At one of the spooky church spots you pass by and best to wear a diaper, the whole place is so realistic you may need some bottom-end backup!
At one of the spooky church spots you pass by, you best wear a diaper, the whole place is so realistic, you may need some bottom-end backup! Ha, it’s Halloween time, isn’t it!

Have you ever been spooky scared? Do you enjoy Halloween? Would you like to be frightened out of your shorts and pay 20-bucks for it? Would you make a donation to serious children’s causes (that’s where the 20-bucks go)? Go do it, but my caveat: Its not for the faint of heart. Arx Mortis is probably the greatest haunted attraction anywhere. Well over one hundred volunteers are actors and enjoy scaring the pants off of you. Promise; this is the best spooky spot in America. People drive their families here for over one hundred miles to get scared nearly to death! www.arxmortis.com

And this was just the gift shop!
And this was just the gift shop!
Barb just couldn't wait to get into the act!
Barb just couldn’t wait to get into the act!
Frank Lloyd Wright designed and had built some of the most conic homes in the world. The Rosenbaum home in Florence, AL is but one of them. Fantastic experience to visit this form so well manages function!
Frank Lloyd Wright designed and had built some of the most iconic homes in the world. The Rosenbaum home in Florence, AL. is but one of them. Fantastic experience to visit this home that balances form so well  with function!

 

.Frank Lloyd Wright designed and had built some of the most iconic homes in the world. The Rosenbaum home in Florence, AL. is but one of them. Fantastic experience to visit this home that balances form so well  with function! The Rosenbaum House will be featured in our next article: “Florence, AL. Adventure 3”

 

The Door County, Wisconsin Wine Trail will host its third annual Wine Trail Weekend

 

Barb and a vineyard owner. A recent image, isn't she beautiful?
Barb and a vineyard owner. A recent image, isn’t she beautiful?

APtravelnews-DOOR COUNTY, Wis. May 13th – On May 15-17th  Indulge in a fun-filled weekend at all eight local wineries featuring orchard and vineyard tours, cheese and chocolate pairings, live music, private tastings, and much more. The Wine Trail Weekend will include the following:

  • Door 44 Winery: Try our Blind Tasting Challenge: sample 3 wines poured blind for $4, correctly identify all 3 wines and you will receive $5 off your purchase.
    • Door Peninsula Winery: Enjoy a truffle chocolate plate with wine tasting for $5 and free guided tours all weekend.
    • Harbor Ridge Winery: Live music on Saturday from 1- 4 pm.
    • Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery: Enjoy free tours, complimentary wine tasting, and live music from 1-4 pm on Saturday. Relax with a glass of wine; buy one get one free all weekend.
  • Red Oak Winery & Vineyard: Sample Port wines with chocolate.
  • Simon Creek Vineyard & Winery: Live music 1-5 pm on Sunday.
  • Stone’s Throw Winery: Vino! Vino! Original recipe meatballs included with your tasting of ultra-premium grape wines.
  • von Stiehl Winery: Stop in for a free tour plus a wine and cheese pairing at 9:30 am or 10:30 am.

Barb and I visited this wonderful area. We experienced both a summer and winter visit. Loved the cherries, the ice fishing and ah; the wines too!

For a complete listing of all the wineries and events, please visit doorcountywinetrail.com.

The Door County Wine Trail is composed of eight wineries in Door County. The County has more wineries than any other Wisconsin county and is quickly becoming one of the premier wine regions and destinations in the Midwest.News Release from  timlawrie55@hotmail.com