Today's Song of the Day

Imagine, John Lennon, 1971

Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s edition: Night two, set one, song one

Imagine a father and son emerging from stage right in their historic hometown theater and humbly paying homage to one of the greatest artists to ever walk the earth. Go ahead, imagine. It's easy if you try. It's super easy for me because I stood witness -- I saw it with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears and felt my heart fill with joy ... now I testify.

As show openers go, Russell Mefford, accompanied by his son Christopher on keys, evoking the spirit of John Lennon via the timeless humanitarian plea, Imagine, on Saturday night was pretty dang epic. Obviously, since that's the song (performance) that my subconcious has on repeat, their father-son rendition was impactful and truly something to behold. Well done.

Being first is a choice, friends. It's a huge responsibility to open a show. That initial performance sets the tone for the entire night. I can't stop thinking about how Russell, the Fiddleworms, and all of our Muscle Shoals music friends are so good at firsts, y'all. These charitable Muscle Shoals Meets shows are (successful) firsts in so many ways. Just imagine bringing a ton of regional superstars together to raise money to fund building special needs playgrounds. Oh right, you don't have to imagine it being so because it's a reality in the Shoals.

Was this show-opening stunner my favorite Russell moment of the weekend? Maybe. Maybe not. I'm not sure, yet. Stay tuned, y'all.

PS: I hope someday you will join us and the world will be as one. This. Literally.

Happy Labor Day!