Southern States

Legend has it that North Alabama’s Muscle Shoals region was named after the Tennessee River shoals that required muscle to navigate. Florence, Muscle Shoals, Sheffield and Tuscumbia made up an area where the river was particularly difficult to navigate. The Yuchi Indians, whose home was along the river, were aware of the unique sound of the water passing over the shoals and referred to it as “The Singing River” long before European contact. The indigenous people believed a woman sang from the river and her song protected them and their culture.

There is something mystical that permeates the region and it would become a music mecca, Hit Recording Capitol of the World and custodian of the cultures of all the groups that interacted there. Today visitors can experience the sites, attractions and history by traveling portions of the 200-mile Singing River Trail. https://singingrivertrail.com

The Alabama Music Hall of