FLORENCE – An upscale salute to the local music scene and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame will open Friday, June 3, in Florence. Spearheaded by local businessmen Marty Abroms and Bill Lyons, the Shoals Gold Record Room will be located in the ground floor lobby of the Suntrust Bank Building, also now known as the 201 South Court Building. After purchasing the facility last year Abroms and Lyons immediately partnered with AMHOF to develop a salute to the Shoals area’s rich music heritage.
“Marty and Bill have always been very generous in their support of AMHOF and both of them have an unwavering passion for the past, present and future of our area’s music.” said Judy Hood, AMHOF board member who directed the project with assistance from the No’Ala magazine team. “This room is a stunning reflection of their dedication.”
The room features 100 gold records, a giant mural of iconic music photos, a baby grand player piano loaded with 100 Muscle Shoals tunes, costumes
Marty Abroms
from the AMHOF, guitar displays, vintage records autographed by local recording artists, a state-of-the-art sound system and a jukebox vending machine. The custom designed flooring is inlaid with guitars and a large gold record. Several musicians contributed to the project and many of the displays in the room are on loan from the private collection of Steve Price.
“We are fans and supporters of Muscle Shoals music,” said Lyons, CEO of Lyons HR. “This is our way of celebrating our area’s contributions to the world. This has been a labor of love for us.”
“The renaissance of the Shoals music scene has boosted tourism and economic growth in our community,” said Abroms. “The Muscle Shoals documentary reignited the
Bill Lyons
spark that made this the hit recording capitol of the world and we believe it is important for local businesses to support the efforts of AMHOF and our local musicians. “
Abroms and Lyons pointed out that the room will be a “dynamic” tribute to music and that exhibits will be added in the coming months and years. “This is just the starting point,” said Lyons. “There are many more individuals, performers, artists and designers that we will honor and showcase over time.”
The room will be open to the public from 8 am until 5p.m., Monday through Friday, and will also be made available to nonprofits that support music, education, fashion and the arts. Abroms, who also serves as chairman of the UNA Board of Trustees, said: “Our vision is to see ‘many synergies’ developed with the Shoals Gold Record Room to benefit education outreach efforts by the university and the community college, tourism, the library systems and business and industry.
“Shannon Specialty Flooring designed the very unique floor and Mid South Vending provided us with a jukebox vending machine. Both are creative and functional additions to the room. Local artisan Robin Wade supplied some beautiful pieces to complement the décor.”
The grand opening will be held from 5-8 p.m. in conjunction with June’s First Friday event in downtown Florence. For information call 256-767-0740, ext. 221 or email Judy Hood at jdyhood@aol.com
