Why, yes, this is my circus and this is my Monkee

Here’s how “Muscle Shoals Meets the 80s” went down, Part 5: Why, yes, this is my circus and this is “my” Monkee.

Shoals natives are quick to attribute Muscle Shoals music magic to our majestic Singing River. At one point or another, I bet we’ve all said, “There’s something in the water.” I realized Saturday night, though, that there must be some sort of rock n’ roll kool-aid they’re all drinking to stay young, too. Case in point: Monkee Wammack.

I have one very important question, y’all: How is it that we’re all getting older but this OG Shoals legend is aging backwards? Yeah. Bueller? Bueller? Whether it’s good ole Singing River music magic or the Muscle Shoals rock n’ roll kool-aid keeping him young, Monkee’s energetic cover of Delbert McClinton’s “Giving It Up for Your Love” takes the Fountain of Youth Moment of the night.

You know what? Monkee’s one of the most skilled front men to come out of the Shoals, period. Fight me on it. Yes, he is forever the consummate professional and oozes natural talent but it’s his spirit that I’ve always admired most. Monkee commands a stage with a sincerity and joy that is so personable and inviting. The way he works a room is mesmerizing. Under Monkee’s masterful guidance, the entire “Muscle Shoals Meets the 80s” crowd (of mostly chair-dancing folks, up to that point) was singing along and clapping. Many were even on their feet, some were dancing in the aisles, and still others met Monkee down front and joined him for a mini dance party.

When Monkee asked, “Are you feeling good tonight?” The crowd answered with a hearty, “Yes!” When Monkee said, “This band is great!” We clapped with all our might. Speaking of the band, mercy at that brass, y’all! Drew White, Brad Guin, and Ricky Burks brought the heat all night long but they really turned it up on this song. You can’t have an 80s music tribute show without bringing in the big guns on horns and they were brought, bet.

Please indulge me just a minute more while I rave about this song. In case you don’t know, this one’s Muscle Shoals-made, y’all. I was 11 years old when this song was crazy popular and I know it may sound weird, but I remember knowing it was made “here.” It was the first time I remember feeling proud to be from “here.” Somehow I just knew there was something special about being from this place we lovingly call the Shoals. I can’t describe it but even now, singing this song makes me feel proud. I feel as if this song is mine — it’s part of who I am, you know?

Stay tuned — more to come soon.