FLORENCE-Spotlighting the quietly influential and legendary sound of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the new
star-studded and definitive homage album—Muscle Shoals…Small Town, Big Sound—will be
celebrating the CD release by throwing a Halloween bash with many of the legendary studio
musicians, singers and artists that participated in the recording. The Small Town, Big Sound
Revue is quite literally one of the best backing bands in the world with 25 of the planet’s most
renowned musicians appearing with Special guest Scott Sharrard, the guitar virtuoso for the
Gregg Allman Band. The CD arrives just in time to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the
“Muscle Shoals Sound.” Pre-order at available: http://smarturl.it/MuscleShoalsTribute.
This once-in-a-lifetime collection unites eras of GRAMMY® Award-winning, multiplatinum
superstars on one album for the first time. Powerhouse performers such as Steven Tyler, Chris
Stapleton, Grace Potter, Willie Nelson, and many others breathe new life into seminal
classics by The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, and more originally
birthed in Muscle Shoals throughout the fifties, sixties, and seventies. In order to re-cut these
gems, most of the artists made the trek to FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals to record alongside
homegrown legendary studio musicians and singers, channeling the “Muscle Shoals Sound.”
The album has 19 slots on the first round Grammy ballot.
The event will take place Halloween night at the Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa Conference
Center. The show will be all treats this year, as Scott Sharrard simultaneously celebrates his
new album “Saving Grace” with “Muscle Shoals – Small Town, Big Sound” both of which were
recorded at FAME Recording Studios. Known for his performances with Gregg Allman,
Sharrard will take the stage with his solo work and later be joined by those involved with the
new Muscle Shoals … Small Town, Big Sound album. The album launched digitally in late
September and on CD October 26th, spotlights the influential and legendary sound of Muscle
Shoals, Alabama. Come enjoy an evening of great music with Scott Sharrard, Mike Farris, James
LeBlanc, Angela Hacker, Holli Mosley, Billy D. Allen, the Small Town Big Sound revue and
other surprise guests with Muscle Shoals connections.
Photos: Michael Weintraub
WHEN: Wednesday, October 31. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa’s conference center – 10 Hightower Place, Florence, AL
35630
TICKETS: $50 for general admission. $100 Reserved VIP seats with CD included. VIP table
options available. Tickets and additional information can be found at https://smalltownbigsoundsavinggrace.eventbrite.com
Tickets also will be sold at FAME Studios and at the door.
“Small Town, Big Sound” Quotes:
“I just finished listening for the first time all the way through and it is about as good as
any album I’ve heard in the last 5 years. If you like the actual bands playing actual
instruments, this album is for you.” – Barstool Sports
We were recently reminded of the enduring and powerful musical legacy of the
Muscle Shoals sound by a new collection, Muscle Shoals: Small Town, Big Sound. “
– NPR
“There may not be any better showcases at this year’s AmericanaFest than last night’s
Muscle Shoals Party at 3rd & Lindsley.” No Depression Nashville show review
ABOUT SCOTT SHARRARD:
Scott Sharrard, the longtime musical director, co-writer and
guitarist for his late friend and mentor, Gregg Allman, is celebrating the release of Saving Grace
(We Save Music), an album distinctly Southern in spirit and blues at its core. Produced by
Sharrard with Scott Bomar and Charles Martinez, half the album was recorded at Hi Studio in
Memphis and features the Hi Rhythm Section (Howard Grimes, Reverend Charles Hodges and
Leroy Hodges). The other half was recorded at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals with renowned
Muscle Shoals musicians, David Hood, Spooner Oldham and Chad Gamble.
Saving Grace features “Everything a Good Man Needs,” Gregg’s last known original song, co-written
with Sharrard. Originally planned for Gregg’s Grammy-nominated album Southern
Blood, which was also recorded at FAME and gave Sharrard and Allman a Grammy nod.
Allman’s steep health decline prevented him from recording the song, “Everything a Good Man
Needs.“
“Gregg had a pure passion and heart,” says Sharrard, who was born in Milwaukee on the day his
hero Freddie King died. “That authenticity and dedication is a daily inspiration, and I will
always carry that with me onstage and in the studio. Gregg always said ‘the way you could do
me most proud is to use our experience and let it inspire you to write your own beautiful music.”
Scott Sharrard “Saving Grace” Quotes:
“Together, the musicians pump “Good Man” full of funky fire, with Mahal’s voice and Sharrard’s
slide guitar sharing the spotlight. It’s the sort of recording Gregg Allman would’ve once made:
rooted in the music of his predecessors, with enough electricity and elastic musicianship to
inspire the next generation of Southern sons.” – Rolling Stone
MEDIA RELEASE: Selena Miller – Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa
