SHEFFIELD-The Muscle Shoals Music Foundation announces today that renovations to the iconic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio at 3614 Jackson Highway will start in early September and be completed by the end of this year. This one of a kind project, made possible through a grant from Beats by Dr. Dre (Beats), the leading audio brand co-founded by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, will include carefully staged construction that will render the studio structurally sound while preserving the ambience that made it one of the most important recording studios in the world. Les Tillery of Fuqua & 
Partners Architects, B. H. Craig Construction and Michael Cronin Acoustic Construction have teamed together to ensure delivery of this important renovation while also trying to minimize the amount of time the site will be closed to the public.
Rodney Hall
MSMF board member Rodney Hall spearheaded the foundation’s purchase of 3614 Jackson Highway from a private owner so that it could be operated by a nonprofit organization. “We are thrilled that this important piece of music history can be permanently restored and made available to the public,” said Hall. “The foundation was able to purchase the building through the generosity of private investors, like Gene Hamby, who understand the importance of preserving the legacy of Muscle Shoals Music.”
The studio was founded in 1969 by Swampers Jimmy Johnson, Roger Hawkins, David Hood and Barry Beckett. It became one of the most influential recording studios in the world, attracting artists such as the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Bob Seger, Linda Ronstadt, Willie Nelson, Cher, Bob Dylan, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, the Staples Singers, Art Garfunkel, Traffic, Cat Stevens, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many, many more. Since the 2013 release of the critically-acclaimed
Judy Hood
documentary “Muscle Shoals,” more than 24,000 music enthusiasts from throughout the world have made pilgrimages to the iconic studio.
“We are grateful to Beats for supporting our community’s efforts,” said MSMF Chairman Judy Hood. “Jimmy Iovine, Dr. Dre and Beats understand that the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio is magic and we are now protecting and preserving that distinct and authentic sound. The studio will be open to the public as well as to musicians for sessions. After the grand re-opening of the room that Keith Richards called ‘rock and roll heaven,’ we expect both hit records as well as selfies of visitors from all of the world to come out of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.” Hood said the foundation has also purchased land behind the studio to be developed later as museum space or as a performance venue.
“Muscle Shoals”
“Everyone who loves Muscle Shoals music owes an enormous debt to filmmakers Stephen Badger and Freddy Camalier for their documentary ‘Muscle Shoals.’ The financial support from Beats is a direct result of their film,” said state tourism director Lee Sentell.
More information and photos will be released as the project progresses on the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation website, msmusicfoundation.org. Please visit the website for information regarding visiting hours including mandatory closure dates for construction. The Muscle Shoals Music Foundation’s mission is to enhance the legacy and sustain the future of the legendary Muscle Shoals sound.
For information:
Bonnie Bak
256-394-3562
MEDIA RELEASE/MSMF/JUDY HOOD
