TUSCUMBIA-A Songwriter Showcase featuring popular local singer/songwriters Mark Narmore, Mitch Mann and Mickey Buckins is planned at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame on Monday, September 28 at 7:30 p.m.
The Songwriter Showcase at AMHOF, produced by Crazy Chester Records, will be open to the public. Tickets are $10 and are on sale in advance at the Visitor Center in McFarland Park (pay by credit card or cash) and on the day of the show (cash only).
The Showcase is part of a joint media tour organized by Florence-Lauderdale Tourism, Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Williamson County/Franklin, TN Convention & Visitors Bureau. The three tourism organizations are bringing in five journalists from the U.S. and Germany who will tour part of the newly-formed Americana Music Triangle from September 25–October 1.
The Showcase will feature a variety of Muscle Shoals music styles and eras:
Mickey Buckins
As an artist, Buckins fronted the New Breed, playing venues throughout the Southeast during the mid 1960s. In 1967 he joined FAME Studios where he worked as an engineer, producer and songwriter and was also a member of FAME’s rhythm section, The FAME Gang. He has written five BMI award winning songs including Janie Fricke’s “Tell Me A Lie” which climbed to the top of the charts and earned a BMI Millionaire award. His “Double Lovin’” was a Top 10 Pop hit for the Osmonds. “The Feeling Is Right”was a Top 10 R&B hit for Clarence Carter. As a percussionist, Buckins has played on many sessions, including Bob Dylan’s platinum album “Slow Train Coming.”
Mark Narmore
Narmore co-wrote “That’s What I Love About Sunday” for Craig Morgan which was named as the most-performed song of 2005 by Billboard Magazine. He also wrote hit songs for Josh Turner, Toby Keith, John Michael Montgomery and Heartland. The Alabama Country Gospel Music Association named him Songwriter of the Year in 2006 and in 2009 he was honored with a bronze star on the Alabama Music Hall of Fame walk. Mark’s music is a mixture of country, gospel and Southern soul music. His album “Chocolate Gravy” features the playing of legendary Muscle Shoals session players Spooner Oldham (Narmore’s cousin), David Hood and Kelvin Holley.
Mitch Mann
Born in Birmingham and raised in Lynn, Alabama, Mitch Mann began playing guitar at an early age. He studied Commercial Music at Northwest Community College in Phil Campbell, AL and in 2007, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Alabama. Since Mann moved to Muscle Shoals in 1993, he has added his succulent guitar and smoky vocals to groups such as Fiddleworms, Yellowhammer, Donnie Fritts and The Mojo Mixers. In 2006, Mann’s song “Good Things” (co-written with Grateful Dead and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Donna Jean Godchaux) was included in the film “When I Find The Ocean.” His new album “Blackwater Creek” was released in 2015 and features guest appearances from Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie, Jeff Beck’s band), Scott Boyer (Cowboy) and Godchaux. A new Fiddleworms album will be out by Christmas.
For more information, contact Florence-Lauderdale Tourism at 256-740-4141.
