THE SHOALS-The first Swampette music tour of the year is set for Saturday, February 7 from noon to 4 p.m. The popular tour, which starts at the new Visitor Center in McFarland Park in Florence, offers stops at FAME Studios, 3614 Jackson Highway and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Led by Judy Hood, wife of Swamper bass player David Hood, the tour travels to each venue aboard the “Trolley of Tunes.” Tour cost is $35 per person.
An added feature to this month’s tour is a free presentation about Florence native Sam Phillips, who was known as the “Father of Rock N’ Roll.” The presentation, which will be held at 11 a.m., is free and open to the public as well as participants on the Swampette tour,
Sam’s son Jerry and granddaughter Halley will reminisce about their father and grandfather’s interesting life as an American businessman, record executive, record producer and DJ who played an important role in the emergence of rock and roll as the major form of popular music in the 1950s. The founder of both Sun Studio and Sun Records in Memphis, TN, he discovered such recording talent as Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash. The height of his success culminated in the launching of Elvis Presley’s career.
Phillips and his family also founded Big River Broadcasting Corporation which owns and operates several radio stations in the Florence area.
Lastly, the Gallery in the Visitor Center will have a special exhibit of Sam Phillips photos and memorabilia, as well as a 60-year information and photographic timeline from Alabama Music Hall of Fame curator and photographer Dick Cooper, entitled “Sounds of the Shoals: A Walk Down Melody Lane.” This exhibit will be on display and open to the public free of charge throughout the month of February.
Additional Swampette tour dates for 2015 are March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 11, August 1,September 5, October 3 and November 7.
For reservations for the Swampette tour or information about the Sam Phillips presentation or photographic exhibit, contact the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Office at 256-740-4141.
