Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s Rewind

Part 1: Show up and show out

Listen, I don’t know much but I do know that those of us born "in the 1900s" know how to party. Am I right, Julie Cox Mann? And … Friday night's Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s show at Florence's historic Shoals Theatre was a party of epic proportions. It was a groovy, old school, Shoals-style house party for the ages. Thank you to the world-famous Fiddleworms for having us over. Just 700 or so of their closest friends raring to go. Showing up and showing out – it’s what we do, y’all. It was out of sight, man. Love my hometown.

Now, down to brass tacks ... never forget, Russell Mefford is a freaking rockstar, y'all. He's not going to like being called out like this because he's one of the humblest people I've ever met but it’s got to be done. Knowing Russell is kind of like knowing Clark Kent/Superman. Yeah. He’s a mild-mannered business owner by day and a rockstar by night. Yeah, that’s a good analogy. Well, except compared to Clark Kent/Superman, Russell is actually cool ALL the time. Sure, he’s a superhero on stage but he’s also a superhero in his day job and in our community. Yeah, I said it. You heard it here first: Russell Mefford is cooler than the Man of Steel.

I can't stop thinking about Friday night's show opener with the Fiddleworms performing Aerosmith's “Sweet Emotion.” Picture this: Russell’s on the mic draped in skinny scarves channeling just the right amount of Steven Tyler’s iconic frontman energy. It was perfect. This kick-off performance of show one, set one of Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s stands as a great example of how the Fiddleworms (and friends) subtly pay homage to timeless classics while still celebrating our unique Shoals roots. It’s something to behold. It’s beautiful and so very magical.

More to come … stay tuned for a play-by-play rewind of the two-night Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s philanthropic rocking extravaganza.

Dig Worms, friends.

*Photo credit: Angel DeAnn Pilati