Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s rewind

Part 6: The key to every door

Night two of the Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s stand had me in what I felt like was the best seat in the house. Not only did I have a pretty clear line of sight to see these Shoals superstars up close and personal, I could take in everything happening on stage. The best part, though, was being close enough to live inside the actual moments as they unfolded.

About halfway through the first set, Fiddleworms co-founder, Russell Mefford, stepped to the microphone and my heart fluttered a little. I don’t know how it could be true but it was as if my heart knew what was to come. Russell, a huge John Denver fan, told us the story of his parents taking him to see John Denver at nine years old. He told us about his family’s connection to the artist and he talked about flying ... then, Russell soared and sang his heart to us.

Flanked by Kirk Bowie and his mandolin to his left and Marie Lewey and Cindy Walker on his right, Russell spun the “Rocky Mountain High” yarn in a way that floored me. This songwriting masterpiece literally lives for posterity as Colorado’s state song, friends, but that night in Florence, Alabama, with those four beautiful souls singing its truth, “Rocky Mountain High” took on a whole different meaning. In that moment, this iconic song became a sort of de-facto anthem of our beloved Shoals. Russell, Kirk, Marie, and Cindy gifted us “Rocky Mountain High” as a love letter to us and this warm, unique, music-rich community we proudly call the Shoals. Thank you.

I ain’t gonna lie, I love that Russell’s first (and probably longest) fandom is with John Denver. Truth is, John Denver is near and dear to my heart, too. In my book, he holds one of highest level “cool” cards in existence because of his close friendship with The Muppets. That’s how I roll. Anyone cool enough to hang out with The Muppets too many times to count is worthy of hero-worship. Done.

It was almost as if Mr. Denver was our very special guest star at our MSM the 70s show. John Denver: 15 seconds to curtain, Mr. Denver. (If you know, you know.) Scooter may not have welcomed John Denver to Florence’s historic Shoals Theatre stage that Saturday night of Labor Day weekend but the Shoals welcomed Mr. Denver’s spirit with open arms.

It was the most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational night.

Stay tuned … more to come.

Dig worms.

Photo credit: Devona Hawkins