Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s

Part 17: Mother, mother Singing River

Hey, friends. In case I didn’t tell you, it was really good hanging out with y'all Labor Day weekend. Thank you to Kelvin Holly and the Fiddleworms for giving us a truly profound celebration of Jimmy Buffett via his timeless anthem, “A Pirate Looks at 40.” How about we raise a glass to all of us pirates looking at 60 ... 70 ... and beyond? Give me rock bottom with just a few friends, y’all, and I’ll be just fine.

When Kelvin, stood before us and asked, “Are there any Parrot Heads in the house?” The switch flipped and we all became the son of a son of a sailor. We always heed the Parrot Head call, friends. That's just what we do. Argh … such is the life of a pirate in the Shoals.

I just have one question: If the Shoals is paradise – and it is, that's not up for discussion, y'all – and Godfather Fiddle is our captain, is Jimmy Buffett our patron saint? Is he our Patton Island troubadour? I’m thinking that’s the freshwater Shoals version of salt life in this Margaritaville North.

Kelvin’s heartfelt vocals led us in a chill, sing-along of "A Pirate Looks at 40" that won't soon be forgotten. We were all so deeply connected in the moment, friends, as we reverently came together to tell the story of bonding with your found people. How about Mitch Mann on the harmonica, friends? He and Kelvin guided us in the comforting essence of this gentle jam. No surprise, I cried. This performance was one of the most uplifting collective moments I’ve ever experienced at a live show. Fiddleworms, Shoals Sisters, Polyester Horns, Shoals Strings, Alyssa Guin – fellow pirates – we see you.

You know, there’s only one, maybe two, degrees of separation between the Shoals and Buffett at any given time in history. Whether it’s the Swampers or The Fiddleworms, we’re all members of The Coral Reefer Band in one way or the other. In the Shoals, we’re all friends, we’re all fans, and first and foremost, we’re all pirates.

You get it, right? Kelvin and the Fiddleworms held my hand that Saturday night as I, too, switched from sails to steam. Sure, maybe I've seen it all, but this is still pirate country, friends.

Stay tuned … more to come.

Dig Worms.

Photo credit: Devona Hawkins