Colbert Tourism offers Shoals music history audio tour

In 2013, the history of the local music scene was brought to the mases like never before in the documentary “Muscle Shoals.”

The film explored the history of music in The Shoals, the artists who made the sound and the impact the songs and albums coming out of local studios had on the world.

When the documentary was released, Susann Hamlin, president and CEO of Colbert Tourism, decided to put together a companion piece for anyone visiting The Shoals who wanted to know more about the areas covered by the film.

So, the bureau put together an audio driving tour that highlights different studios and organizations that helped produce The Shoals sound.

“When the ‘Muscle Shoals’ documentary was released in 2013, we saw a tremendous increase in visitors from all around the world,” Hamlin said. “This surge created a need to brand Muscle Shoals music, which led to the creation of ‘We Rocked the World: Muscle Shoals Music.’ We developed an informational brochure, an audio tour, and a range of merchandise to promote the brand, including T-shirts, mugs, mouse pads, shot glasses, caps, and cutting boards—items visitors love to take home.

“The audio tour, available for download on our website and at our office, not only guides travelers but also educates them about our music heritage. The ‘We Rocked the World’ brand has been a tremendous success, and we’ve extended it through songwriter events, benefit concerts, and holiday events and festivals that celebrate and preserve the legacy of Muscle Shoals music.”

Included on the tour are Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Wishbone Studios, Muscle Shoals Sound, FAME Recording Studios, Cypress Moon Studios and other areas of interest in The Shoals, like The Ritz Theatre and Rattlesnake Saloon.

“Shortly after the documentary released, Susann felt the need for an audio tour that would tie together everything people saw in the documentary,” said Maryanne Floyd with Colbert Tourism. “This was her brainchild. She developed the product that is our music tours.”

The CD is broken down into six parts, which includes a bonus chapter on local attractions like Coon Dog Cemetery, Belle Mont Mansion and LaGrange College Site Park.

The CD is narrated by Marie Tomlinson Lewey. A longtime studio vocalist who worked with the likes of Glenn Frey, Lionel Richie, Tammy Wynette, Kris Kristofferson and Ronnie Milsap.

Tony Raine, Bill Nemuth and Billy Lawson wrote and produced the CD.

“I was genuinely surprised by how much I learned, even as someone from here,” Lawson said. “Tony Raine was incredibly thorough, and he, along with Susann and Bill, drove the route countless times to ensure they got everything just right. That project was my first collaboration with Colbert County Tourism, and it’s been the first of many. Honestly, I still learn something new every time I listen to it. If you haven’t checked it out yet, you’re missing out on an incredible experience.”

“It does a fantastic job of detailing our music history,” Floyd said. “It helped put our music tourism on the map, and it’s one of my favorite things Colbert Tourism has ever done.”

While many vehicles still have CD players, those wanting to take the tour without one are in luck.

The parts of the CD are available to stream at https://drive.google.com/drive/mobile/folders/1uLnBByajgX4o-6QP1v3wgqWVHwFdPLCv?usp=sharing.

The “Muscle Shoals” documentary is currently free to watch on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKmGUIM1uAI.