fame studio tour hours

• Things to Do
• Food & Drinks
• Where to Stay
• Cities & Towns
• Travel Tools
• Travel Trade
• Partnership Services
• Media Relations

Loading your recommendations…

Melody Flow

Music Tour of The Shoals

The Shoals area is no stranger to the music scene. From the area’s number one recordings in the ‘60s to the hits being made now, new artists are emerging from the area and hit music continues to be a huge draw to our area.

“The Father of Rock and Roll” Sam Phillips – who had the first recording contract for Elvis – was born in Florence as well as W.C. Handy, “The Father of the Blues.” The story of the music in our area has been recently featured in a documentary called “Muscle Shoals” and many visitors are coming to experience the venues and stories showcased in the film. If you want to really experience the Shoals, take this one-day tour of tunes!

9 am - FAME Recording Studios

The best place to start is with a tour of the studio that created the “Muscle Shoals Sound” — FAME Recording Studios, located on Avalon Avenue in Muscle Shoals. Still a working studio, this is where the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section got its start. FAME was host to artists such as Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Duane Allman, Otis Redding, the Osmonds, Paul Anka and many others. In the last 50 years, FAME Studios recorded or published music that sold over 350 million copies.

Tours are Mon – Fri 9 am & 4 pm; Sat 10 am – 2 pm

603 E. Avalon Ave., Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 256-381-0801 www.fame2.com

10:30 am - 3614 Jackson Highway

The Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Paul Simon, Cher, and others recorded some of their biggest hits in the Shoals, and much of that happened in a little nondescript building at 3614 Jackson Highway in Sheffield. Recently renovated by Apple/Beats, the facility has become a recording studio once again, in addition to conducting tours of the studio where iconic hits like “Wild Horses” were made. The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, also known as the “Swampers”, created Muscle Shoals Sound Studios here, and later moved it to a location on the river in Sheffield.

Hours are 10-4 Monday - Saturday with tours on the half hour 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30

Tickets $20.00 Veterans with ID and Senior discount offered Pet Friendly Groups of 20 or more are $13.00 per person

3614 Jackson Highway, Sheffield, AL 35660 256-978-5151 www.msmusicfoundation.org

11:30 am - Cypress Moon Studios

The second Muscle Shoals Sound, now known as Cypress Moon Studios, brought in acts like Bob Dylan, Julian Lennon, Bob Seger, Steve Winwood and more. Concerts are held periodically in the historic studios where many music icons once recorded their hits.

Open for tours Mon – Fri 10 am – 3 pm; Sat 11 am – 3 pm

1000 Alabama Ave, Sheffield, AL 35660 256-335-6961 www.cypressmoonproduction.com

1 pm - Alabama Music Hall of Fame

After lunch, to see more on both music achievers in the Shoals area and other parts of the state, visit the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia. You’ll be amazed at the number of talented people from Alabama who changed the course of musical history, including Tommy Shaw of Styx, Lionel Richie, Bobby Goldsboro, Jim Nabors, Emmylou Harris and many, many more. Climb aboard a tour bus used by the supergroup Alabama or make your own kind of music in an actual recording booth.

Open for tours Tue – Sat 9 am – 5 pm

617 U.S. 72 West, Tuscumbia 35674 256-381-4417 www.alamhof.org

3 pm - W.C. Handy Museum & Birthplace

Last but not least, head to Florence to see the cabin where in 1873 William Christopher Handy (W.C.), known as “The Father of the Blues”, was born. Today the W.C. Handy Museum & Birthplace houses a museum of memorabilia, sheet music, and the personal papers of the composer of “St. Louis Blues,” among many others.

Open for Tours Tue – Sat 10 am – 4 pm

620 West College St., Florence 35630 256-760-6434 www.florenceal.org

Fame Recording Studios

“Hit Recording Capital of the World" is a rare distinction that certainly fits the Shoals. FAME,...

3614 Jackson Highway Recording Studio

3614 Jackson Highway Recording Studio is the original site of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. It...

Cypress Moon Studios

The second Muscle Shoals Sound, now Cypress Moon Studios, brought in acts like Bob Dylan, Julian...

Alabama Music Hall of Fame

Get closer than ever to Alabama music greats like Nat King Cole, Hank Williams, Lionel Richie and...

W. C. Handy Birthplace, Museum & Library

"Where the Tennessee River, like a silver snake, winds her way through the clay hills of Alabama,...

Photos & videos

See all 35 photos

Services Offered

Verified by Business

Recording and rehearsal studios

Review Highlights

“ Hell, the parking lot should be a National Historic Landmark-- Duane Allman camped out there. ” in 5 reviews

“ And did I mention that you get to stand in the room where Etta James recorded "I'd Rather Go Blind"?!?! ” in 3 reviews

“ In Muscle Shoals, a small town in North Alabama , history was made FAME studios. ” in 2 reviews

About the Business

Business owner information

Business Owner

Fame is a world famous recording studio! Come by and take a tour of our studio. You can also record your next project with us, just call us @ (256) 381 - 0801. …

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

603 E Avalon Ave

Muscle Shoals, AL 35661

Amenities and More

Ask the community.

Ask a question

Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about Fame .

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

This is a nice little piece of history. Tours are atv9am and 4pm and they are recording all the time. To get to hang out in the studio where some of the greats had gotten their start or cut their 2nd and 3rd albums was just a really cool experience. We got to listen to some recorded music in Studio A where Aretha and many others cut some tracks. It would be really cool to get to here some live music on the tour, but maybe that can just be a suggestion for now

Saturday was when the tours are. The tickets were $15/ each . It was a very informative tour and questions were answered. It was great I would recommend it. We also went to Alabama Music Hall of Fame and muscle shoals music studio. We did all three tours in one day it was well worth the time. Then we had dinner in Florence down town. Fun day!

FAME Studio changed my life in ways I didn't even realize till I visited it while in town many years later. What a perfect storm of Wonderful. Lightning in a bottle, one bolt after another. Watch the Muscle Shoals doc if you haven't already.

Really great place to visit. Lots of the actual instruments used. Good tour guide. Speak to Ms Linda at the front desk. She's been there forever and can answer any questions you have and is glad to do so. She is a delight. The price is a bit steep, but if you're a music lover, you have to go. Once you're in for $15, it's worth the EXTRA $15 to go up and be in Rick Hall's office and imagine all the meetings and work that happened there

Fame Studios is what brought us the north Alabama and it didn't disappoint. The tour guide was a Fame engineer and ended with us in a control room sitting and listening to tracks from the Small Town Big Sounds album.

The one positive experience were the two guys working at the gift store and office - they were friendly and polite. An arrogant prick of a tour guide (Spencer) who really just wanted to get the tour over with, speaking fast and responding in a condescending manner to any questions. Such a startling contrast compared to the tour at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, where the guide really had a reverence and passion for the studio and the music that came out of there. When the FAME guide showed us Rick Hall's office, my husband asked about the quite bizarre barber's chair that was there, the guy responded "I guess it's just gangster." What a dork. They also need a serious overhaul of their merch design (it's really gaudy compared to gift shop selection at the other studios.) A total ripoff.

I'm pretty surprised that FAME (I didn't know it was an acronym until the tour) has so few reviews--the way the staff talked, they do a pretty steady tour business. A couple of the people in our group were visiting from Saskatchewan! We had a great hour here on a Saturday morning. The young woman working the front and answering the phones, Abby, was a total delight. She clearly loves being around such an important part of American music history and was really fun to talk to. I can't recall our tour guide's name but she was great. She has worked at FAME for several years and had a very casual style as compared to what you might be thinking of for a paid tour. For one thing, there are really only two rooms--studio A and studio B--so it's not as if you're zipping around from place to place. She was not scripted at all. Rather, she just talked informally about how FAME came to be, who has recorded there, and how the company has evolved over time. We started our tour in what was basically a break room; there were pictures on the wall all the way up to the ceiling, and the tour guide pointed out a few of the pictures and told anecdotes about those musicians. At the end of the tour, we went into the control room of Studio A, where the son of FAME's founder, who has gone into the family business, was working on a track that had been recorded in the studio earlier this year. He took questions from our group and showed us some cool stuff about how the sound board works--taking different components out, changing the volume of certain components, etc. And did I mention that you get to stand in the room where Etta James recorded "I'd Rather Go Blind"?!?! Overall, my husband and I thought this was a super fun way to spend a morning. It's not fancy. You're not getting a slick experience created by marketing consultants. FAME is a working studio that hasn't changed a whole lot since the '60s. The experience is best for people who have at least some awareness of the history of the music scene in the Shoals area--the staff assumes that you know your stuff already, at least a little bit--you're not going to get an orientation here. That said, Muscle Shoals/Florence are not close to much of anything else--we went 2.5 hours out of our way to get here (we were in Nashville for a long weekend)--so hopefully the folks that come to the studio know exactly what they're coming for.

See all photos from Farrah D. for Fame

Enjoyed touring this historic landmark! Our tour guide (I don't remember her name) was delightful. Despite the fact that she had only been working there for a couple of years, she has long term connections to the studio and was really knowledgeable. Definitely not the most organized experience, but that kind of added to the charm. They are still a functioning studio so giving tours is not necessarily the thing they are focused on day to day. A great little glimpse into music history!

FAME Studios-you were a spiritual, musical pilgrimage, and an experience I won't forget. We had the chance to record here (my boyfriend and his high school mates) for his birthday on May 3 and May 4, 2018. We booked it well in advance with John Gifford III (in house engineer). Upon arrival, it indeed filled us with chills. This is the mecca, the spiritual ground of southern rock and soul music. Duane Allman was the in-house guitarist for awhile. John was a total JOY to work with. He was accommodating, friendly, welcoming, and patient. He is also an incomparable talent who knows his craft unlike any other. At the same time, he seems like an old friend-although we just meant, it was like we've known each other for years. We recorded in "Duane's room" Studio B. Studio A is the more "famous" studio as it housed the great hits (etta james "i'd rather go blind", wilson pickett "hey jude").....but B has it's own incredible history as well. The rooms and building remain clothed in so much original instruments, furniture, walls, and photos. However, John had the most up to date equipment catching our sound. We all recorded our parts and had a successful-and surprisingly afforadble-session. John's own mixes of our recordings sounded great, but we will get the final tracks mixed soon. The entire staff is friendly (from the front counter to the interns). We felt at home here. This was such a beautiful, moving experience, and I still can't believe I got to make music with the people I love in an original, historical studio. I imagined the spirits there smiling down on us regular Californians, cheering us on as we make our own music, moving forward.

We enjoyed our tour but didn't come away with the same personal connection we felt when we toured the "other" studio in Muscle Shoals. Our tour guide was a woman with a long family connection to Fame. However, the information was uninspiring and seemed to be more of a scattered list of who's recorded at Fame with a few interesting anecdotes here and there. Fame certainly is prestigious in the fact they've been around since the late 50's and have been writing, publishing and recording music for most of that time. But if you want to experience a more thoughtful, organized and immersive tour be sure to check out the "other" studio.

2 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Collections Including Fame

Schoals Weekend

By Robin O.

By Lindsay W.

By Rachel S.

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Septic Services

Other Recording & Rehearsal Studios Nearby

Find more Recording & Rehearsal Studios near Fame

People found Fame by searching for…

Music Studio Muscle Shoals

Related Cost Guides

Clock Repair

Data Recovery

Environmental Abatement

Mobile Phone Repair

Musical Instrument Services

Recording & Rehearsal Studios

• 5 More Cost Guides

People Also Viewed

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio

Counts Brothers Music

Shoals Guitar Boutique

Coon Dog Cemetery

Sound Shoppe

C and M Excavating

Jamie Hood Jewelers

The Historic Zodiac Playhouse

Mefford Jewelers

Rain or Shine Laundromat

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Download Your

Adventure Guide

Sign Up For Our

E-Newsletter

Unexpected Adventures

Alabama Podcast

FAME Recording Studio

Active recording studio where founder Rick Hall recorded hundreds of hits including records by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Etta James, Gregg Allman, Alabama, Steven Tyler, Keb Mo and many, many more. Also a prolific publishing house of hits and recent recordings include Greg Allman's last album. Tours of the studio are available Monday through Friday at 10 am and 4 pm and Saturday's 10-2.

Getting There

• 603 E. Avalon Ave.
• Muscle Shoals, AL 35661

Where to Stay

Red roof inn, days inn muscle shoals, colbert county alloys park, where to eat, brooks bar-b-que, find your alabama sweet spot.

Find the sweetest Alabama vacation spot perfectly suited just for you. Customize your next Alabama vacation by the type of experience you are looking for, then filter by the region of Alabama you want to visit. Don't know what your Alabama destination should be? Let our interactive location map be your guide. Now, where is your next Alabama Sweet Spot?

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at The Shoals

Was this listing helpful.

Everything Alabama has to offer —in one easy place!

Looking for information on state parks, hot spots to have fun in the sun, or the best places for fishing or bird-watching? How about the world’s best museums or science centers? The Alabama Vacation guide will help you discover so many new and unique experiences. No matter where you’re headed or what you feel like doing, the Alabama vacation guide will get started on the right path.

Fill out your information below to receive a printed guide and Alabama state highway map in the mail. Note: Currently we only send mail inside the United States. All fields are required unless otherwise specified.

• 1 Your Info

• Go to slide 1
• Go to slide 2
• Go to slide 3
• Go to slide 4
• 222 Rep. John Lewis Way S Nashville, TN 37203
• (615) 416-2001

Every dollar donated to the Museum, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit , supports its educational mission: to collect , preserve , and interpret the evolving history and traditions of country music.

Free shipping with $50 Purchase | Members Save 10% On Every Order, Join Today

• Museum Tickets

Tour Studio B

Stand just where Hall of Fame members and musician legends cut tracks, wrote songs, and made history.

Book ahead of time and experience Nashville’s only historic studio tour. Tours of Studio B depart daily from the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Seats and tour availability may be limited. Please arrive 10 minutes early. Transportation is included. The tour is only available in conjunction with museum admission in our Studio B Experience.

Tour Start Times:

Monday-Thursday  – 10:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:30 PM, 2:30 PM, 3:30 PM

Friday-Sunday  – 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM

( Capacity is at 30 guests )

Call (615) 416-2001 to book or for more information.

Book your tickets now

You are now leaving country music hall of fame.

You are now leaving our website and onto another web property, which may include a different set of terms or conditions. We will open the website in a new tab for your convenience!

We use cookies in the following ways: (1) for system administration, (2) to assess the performance of the website, (3) to personalize your experience, content and ads, (4) to provide social media features, and (5) to analyze our traffic. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. Please consult instructions for your web browser to disable or block cookies, or to receive a warning before a cookie is stored on your computer or mobile device. Read our Privacy Policy .

• Muscle Shoals Tourism
• Muscle Shoals Itineraries
• Muscle Shoals Hotels

Fame Recording Studios Ticket Price, Hours, Address and Reviews

• North America
• United States
• Muscle Shoals
• Things To Do In Muscle Shoals

Fame Recording Studios

• Address: 603 Avalon Ave, P.O. Box 2527, 35661, Muscle Shoals, United States
• Timings: 09:00 am - 06:00 pm Details
• Phone: +1-2563810801
• Fax: +1-7186552700
• Tags: Businesses And Services, Entertainment, Media, Landmarks

29.41% of people who visit Muscle Shoals include Fame Recording Studios in their plan

• 12 PM - 1 PM

75% of people start their Fame Recording Studios visit around 12 PM - 1 PM

People usually take around 30 Minutes to see Fame Recording Studios

75% of people prefer walking in order to reach Fame Recording Studios

People normally club together Woodward Avenue Baptist Church and First Assembly Of God while planning their visit to Fame Recording Studios.

Fame Recording Studios Reviews & Ratings

Attractions Nearby

• Old Brick Presbyterian Church
• Huntsville International Airport (Carl T. Jones Field)
• Redstone Army Airfield
• Art Galleries At UAH
• Teledyne Brown Technical Libr, Huntsville, United States
• College Of Discovery Library, Huntsville, United States
• City Of Huntsville Earlyworks Childrens Museum

SNYDE | Royal Guard plays Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

SNYDE | Buckingham Palace Royal Guard plays ‘Shake It Off’ ahead of Taylor Swift’s London shows

The wind and brass performance, which was shared on Instagram by the official accounts of both The Royal Family and the British Army , showed the royal guard’s instrumental rendition of “ Shake It Off” — or, as the post quipped, “Changing of the Guard (Taylor’s Version).”

“Can’t stop, won’t stop groovin’,” the charming video was captioned, in a nod to the lyrics of the hit song.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Royal Family (@theroyalfamily)

Off of Swift’s beloved 2014 album, “1989” — and last year’s rerecording, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” — “Shake It Off” originally debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Friday marks the first of three consecutive shows Swift will play in London at Wembley Stadium as part of the European leg of her record-breaking Eras Tour — the first to ever gross over $1 billion.

Swift shocked fans last week in Liverpool, England when instead of using the tour’s 100th performance, and her half-birthday, to reveal a new project , she announced the tour will end in December .

More in SNYDE

SNYDE | Jennifer Lawrence to star in ‘Real Housewives’-inspired mystery

SNYDE | Joy Behar mocks Bill Belichick for 24-year-old girlfriend

SNYDE | Taylor Swift drops exclusive behind-the-scenes “Fortnight” footage

SNYDE | ‘Hawaii Five-0,’ ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ star Taylor Wily dead at 56

Expedia Rewards is now One Key™

Elektrostal, visit elektrostal, check elektrostal hotel availability, popular places to visit.

• Electrostal History and Art Museum

You can spend time exploring the galleries in Electrostal History and Art Museum in Elektrostal. Take in the museums while you're in the area.

• Cities near Elektrostal

• Places of interest
• Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center
• Central Museum of the Air Forces at Monino
• Peter the Great Military Academy
• Ramenskii History and Art Museum
• Bykovo Manor
• Balashikha Arena
• Malenky Puppet Theater
• Balashikha Museum of History and Local Lore
• Pekhorka Park
• Saturn Stadium
• Orekhovo Zuevsky City Exhibition Hall
• Noginsk Museum and Exhibition Center

Time in Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia now

• Tokyo 10:04AM
• Beijing 09:04AM
• Paris 03:04AM
• London 02:04AM
• Los Angeles 06:04PM

Time zone info for Elektrostal

• The time in Elektrostal is 8 hours ahead of the time in New York when New York is on standard time, and 7 hours ahead of the time in New York when New York is on daylight saving time.
• Elektrostal does not change between summer time and winter time.
• The IANA time zone identifier for Elektrostal is Europe/Moscow.

Time difference from Elektrostal

Sunrise, sunset, day length and solar time for elektrostal.

• Sunrise: 03:39AM
• Sunset: 09:18PM
• Day length: 17h 39m
• Solar noon: 12:28PM
• The current local time in Elektrostal is 28 minutes ahead of apparent solar time.

Elektrostal on the map

• Location: Moscow Oblast, Russia
• Latitude: 55.79. Longitude: 38.46
• Population: 144,000

Best restaurants in Elektrostal

• #1 Tolsty medved - Steakhouses food
• #2 Ermitazh - European and japanese food
• #3 Pechka - European and french food

Find best places to eat in Elektrostal

• Best restaurants with desserts in Elektrostal
• Best dinner restaurants in Elektrostal
• Best fast food restaurants in Elektrostal

The 50 largest cities in Russia

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Eastern Europe
• Moscow Oblast

Elektrostal

Elektrostal Localisation : Country Russia , Oblast Moscow Oblast . Available Information : Geographical coordinates , Population, Altitude, Area, Weather and Hotel . Nearby cities and villages : Noginsk , Pavlovsky Posad and Staraya Kupavna .

Information

Find all the information of Elektrostal or click on the section of your choice in the left menu.

• Update data

Elektrostal Demography

Information on the people and the population of Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Geography

Geographic Information regarding City of Elektrostal .

Elektrostal Distance

Distance (in kilometers) between Elektrostal and the biggest cities of Russia.

Elektrostal Map

Locate simply the city of Elektrostal through the card, map and satellite image of the city.

Elektrostal Nearby cities and villages

Elektrostal weather.

Weather forecast for the next coming days and current time of Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Sunrise and sunset

Find below the times of sunrise and sunset calculated 7 days to Elektrostal.

Elektrostal Hotel

Our team has selected for you a list of hotel in Elektrostal classified by value for money. Book your hotel room at the best price.

Elektrostal Nearby

Below is a list of activities and point of interest in Elektrostal and its surroundings.

Elektrostal Page

• Information /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#info
• Demography /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#demo
• Geography /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#geo
• Distance /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#dist1
• Map /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#map
• Nearby cities and villages /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#dist2
• Weather /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#weather
• Sunrise and sunset /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#sun
• Hotel /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#hotel
• Nearby /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#around
• Page /Russian-Federation--Moscow-Oblast--Elektrostal#page
• Terms of Use
• Copyright © 2024 DB-City - All rights reserved
• Change Ad Consent Do not sell my data

Our History

Our history.

Any discussion about American music that doesn’t include Muscle Shoals, Alabama isn’t really a discussion at all. Heart-pounding. Soul-shaking. Iconic. Many words have been used to describe the Muscle Shoals sound. It’s the sound that implored a generation of musicians to travel to the southern banks of the Tennessee river, searching for a bit of that Muscle Shoals magic. Fame Recording Studios is where it all Started and where that sound lives on today.

Originally housed above City drugstore in Florence, Alabama, Florence Alabama Music Enterprises was founded in 1959 by Rick Hall, Billy Sherrill and Tom Stafford.

In 1960, Hall took over sole ownership and shortened the name to the acronym FAME and temporarily moved to Wilson Dam Highway in Muscle Shoals.  This is where Muscle Shoals would have its first international success. With Arthur Alexander’s “You Better Move On”. Hall took that money, along with a borrowed $10,000, built and moved the studio to its current location at 603 East Avalon Avenue, Muscle Shoals. Beginning with the legendary session that produced Jimmy Hughes’ “Steal Away”, FAME has been producing chart-topping hits ever since. 

The famous sign above the entryway into FAME’s studios reads: “Through these doors walk the finest Musicians, Songwriters, Artists, and Producers in the World”. This is as true today as it was in 1961. Since it first opened its doors, FAME has welcomed a literal who’s who of music royalty from Etta James, Wilson Pickett, and Aretha Franklin to Alicia Keys, Demi Lovato, and Jason Isbell. They have all come searching for the beautiful, soulful, sonic footprint that defines FAME Recording Studios.

FAME Recording Studios’ lush acoustics and unique musical legacy have made it one of the most sought after recording studios in the world. It’s the room where Aretha Franklin found her sound. It’s the room where Wilson Pickett whaled on “Mustang Sally”. It’s where Clarence Carter has recorded for five decades. It’s the room that continually produces chart-topping, generation-defining music year after year after year, including the 2019 #1 Americana album Muscle Shoals – Small Town Big Sound which included #1 Americana single, Grace Potter’s “I’d Rather Go Blind”

FAME Publishing was founded in 1959 by Rick Hall, Billy Sherrill and Tom Stafford.

FAME writers Billy Sherrill, Dan Penn and Rick Hall have cuts on Roy Orbison, Brenda Lee and Tommy Roe.

Rick Hall took over as sole owner of FAME.

Late 1961 Rick Hall produced Muscle Shoals’ first hit record on Arthur Alexander. The song, “You Better Move On”, was later covered by the Rolling Stones.

FAME’s first house rhythm section included Norbert Putnam, David Briggs, Peanut Montgomery and Jerry Carrigan.

FAME moves its studios and offices to the current location on Avalon Avenue in Muscle Shoals.

Jimmy Hughes has a huge hit with “Steal Away” on FAME Records, the first record done at the new location. Hughes went on to have seven hit records most of which were for FAME Records.

The Tams record their huge hit “What Kind Of Fool Do You Think I Am”.

Buddy Killen brings Joe Tex to FAME to record the gold record “Hold On To What You’ve Got”.

Rick Hall produces Etta James’ Tell Mama album. This was James’ biggest hit. This album has been praised as one of the greatest albums of the Rock and Roll era. “Tell Mama” was written by Clarence Carter and published by FAME.

FAME helps place the Muscle Shoals classic “When A Man Loves A Woman”. FAME Records Clarence Carter has his very first hit with “Slip Away”. Clarence went on to record three gold records, “Patches” , “Too Weak to Fight” and “Slip Away” among many other hits at FAME. Clarence’s recent recording marks the fifth consecutive decade that he has cut at FAME. Clarence was also a writer for FAME Publishing. In 1972 Clarence’s record “Patches” was nominated for a Grammy.

Wilson Pickett comes to FAME to fire off a string of classic recordings. “Mustang Sally”, “Funky Broadway”, “Land of 1000 Dances” and “Hey Jude” featuring Duane Allman are only some of the songs that came from these sessions.

Jerry Wexler brings his newly signed artist Aretha Franklin to FAME. Franklin had been signed to Columbia for four years with no success. Her first cut at FAME was the million selling double sided smash, “I Never Loved A Man” and “Do Right Woman”. This album won a Grammy for Album of the Year. FAME also published “Do Right Woman”.

Otis Redding brings Arthur Conley to FAME to record the soul classic “Sweet Soul Music”. On a later visit to FAME Otis cut one of his last records, “You Left The Water Running” which was also published by FAME.

The second house rhythm section, later memorialized as the “Swampers” in Lynyrd Skynrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”, left in 1969 to form their own studio, Muscle Shoals Sound.

FAME Records inks a joint venture with Capitol Records for Capitol to distribute FAME Records. FAME’s artist roster included: Clarence Carter, Candi Staton, Dan Penn, Arthur Conley and Willie Hightower. In 1970 Mike Curb brought a new young group, the Osmonds, to FAME. The Osmonds sold eleven million records in 1971. They had a string of smashes with “One Bad Apple”, “Yo-Yo”, and “Down By The Lazy River”. Donny released several FAME recorded solo albums which were all million sellers, including the hits “Go Away Little Girl” and the Rick Hall/Billy Sherrill song “Sweet and Innocent”. In 1974 Marie Osmond came to town to do her This is the Way That I Feel album. The Osmond Brothers returned to FAME in the 80’s to do their first country record, and had two hits off of the Electra album. Marie also returned to do some work in the 90’s. In 2001 Marie’s son Steven Craig came to Muscle Shoals for a little magic on his upcoming Def Jam release.

1970 Rick Hall was nominated for a Grammy in the “Producer of the Year” category.

In 1971 Mac Davis started recording a string of twelve albums of FAME. Mac had four Gold and platinum records produced by Rick Hall. Hits that came from Mac were: “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me”, “Stop and Smell The Roses”, “Friend Woman Lover Wife”, “Texas In My Rearview Mirror” and “Hooked on Music”.

Billboard Magazine names Rick Hall the World’s Producer of the Year for 1971.

FAME Records Capitol distribution deal ends with FAME placing 29 records in the R&B Top 40 and nine in the Pop Top 40.

FAME Records inks distribution deal with United Artists.

Legendary singer/songwriter, Paul Anka signs with FAME Records. Anka records the smashes “One Man Woman”, “One Hell of A Woman”, “I Don’t Like To Sleep Alone” and “You’re Having My Baby”. Each were million sellers with the latter selling five million.

FAME reinvests in its publishing operations signing several new young writers including Walt Aldridge, Tommy Brasfield, Steven Dale Jones and Robert Byrne.

Grammy winner Terri Gibbs comes to record at FAME.

Walt Aldridge and Tommy Brasfield’s “There’s No Getting Over Me” is recorded by Ronnie Milsap. The song is #1 on both the pop and country charts for several weeks and wins ASCAP’s Song of the Year, the first for FAME Publishing.

Aldridge and Brasfield, along with Robert Byrne, continue to burn up the country charts with hits on acts such as Earl Thomas Conley, T. Graham Brown, Ricky Van Shelton, Ronnie Milsap and Alabama. These hits included “Holding Her and Loving You”, “That Was A Close One”, “How Do I Turn You On”, “I Can’t Win for Losing You”, “Simple Man” and “Once in A Blue Moon”.     Rick Hall produces the Houston to Denver CD for Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. The CD was widely acclaimed as the group’s best in years and yielded three top 10 singles.

RCA’s Jerry Reed comes to FAME after over five years without a chart record. Reed records his next four albums at FAME. These sessions included the #1 records, “She Got The Goldmine I Got The Shaft”, penned by Tim Dubois, and “The Bird”. Once again an artist’s career is turned around at FAME. Drums on these sessions were played by a new guy from Shreveport, Louisiana named James Stroud.

Walt Aldridge pens “My Love is Chemical” sung by Lou Reed for the Mikhail Baryshnikov & Gregory Hines movie White Nights.

The Beatles Live at the BBC is released containing the FAME Publishing tune, “A Shot of Rhythm and Blues”.

In 1987 Rick Hall signs a band playing at a local club down the street from FAME. The group later became known as Shenandoah. After co-producing five sides with Robert Byrne, they took the group to Sony Records who immediately signed the act and FAME Productions to a deal. Walt Aldridge and Gary Baker’s group, the Shooters, were also signed under this production deal. Shenandoah did four albums for Sony and had seven #1 records in a row before leaving Sony and FAME Productions. In 1988 the group won TNN Music City News award for Best Group.

FAME sells its publishing catalog to EMI in 1989.

Another company is formed with Rick Hall and his three sons, Mark, Rodney and Rick Jr. Rick Hall Sr. turns over day to day operations of the company. Publishing hits continue to flow throughout the 90’s from FAME’s songwriters. Gary Baker, Mark Narmore, Brad Crisler, Bruce Miller, Mark Hall, Tony Colton along with Walt Aldridge all pen several hits for FAME.

In 1994 John Michael Montgomery cuts the FAME Publishing classic, “I Swear”. The song goes to #1 for four weeks. Atlantic pop artist All-4-One covered the country smash and their version was at #1 for a Billboard Magazine record 17 weeks. “I Swear” was #1 in every country in the world. The song went on to win every award imaginable including ASCAP country and pop “Song of the Year”, Grammy for Country “Song of the Year” and ACM Country “Song of the Year”. FAME also won American Songwriter Magazine “Publisher of the Year”. The song was involved in over 20 million record sales.

FAME Publishing has hits with John Michael Montgomery, Pam Tillis, Blackhawk, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, All-4-One and Shenandoah.

In 1996 Mark Hall Co-wrote “I Like It I Love It” which went on to be #1 on the country charts for 4 weeks. This song also was nominated for numerous country awards and won the American Songwriter Magazine Song Of The Year.

1997 Sons of the Desert have a top 10 record with Brad Crisler’s “Whatever Comes First”.

1997 Tony Colton pens LeAnn Rimes’ smash “Commitment”.

In 1999 FAME Publishing sells partial catalog to Music and Media.

Rodney and Mark Hall buy the remaining shares of stock from Rick Hall, as he decides to conserve his time for his production efforts.

Dixie Chicks Bruce Miller’s “Once You’ve Loved Somebody” for the Wide Open Spaces CD which has sold eleven million records to date.

In 2000 Tim McGraw cuts and releases FAME’s “Some Things Never Change”, co-written by FAME writer Brad Crisler. The publishing company replenishes its writing staff with new young writers James LeBlanc and Victoria Banks, with veteran Russell Smith to anchor the group. Rick Hall produces part of the Alabama When It All Goes South CD at FAME in 2000.

Since 2000 FAME Publishing has had cuts on the Dixie Chicks, George Strait, Joe Diffie, Martina McBride, Travis Tritt, Sara Evans, Cyndi Thomson, Aaron Tippin, Billy Ray Cyrus, Alabama, John Michael Montgomery, Chris Ledoux, Perfect Stranger, 3 of Hearts, Chad Brock, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Michael Peterson, Kristin Garner, T. Graham Brown, Wild Horses and Kenny Chesney.

Victoria Banks has the to 10 single on Sara Evans, “Saints and Angels”.

James LeBlanc has the Travis Tritt single, “Modern Day Bonnie & Clyde”.

2000 Jason Isbell signs with FAME Publishing.

Jason Isbell joins the Drive By Truckers

In 2001 FAME Publishing established a subsidiary label, Muscle Shoals Records, immediately signing Amazing Rhythm Aces front man Russell Smith and Muscle Shoals super group The Decoys as their first acts.

Drive by Truckers record the “Dirty South” album at FAME Studio B

James LeBlanc lands two cuts on Rascal Flatts #1 “Feels Like Today” album

2007 Jason Isbell records debut album “Sirens of the Ditch” recorded at FAME Studio B.  The entire album is published by FAME.

Bettye Lavette records her Grammy nomitated album “Scene of the Crime” at FAME.. Studio A

Heartland records the song of the year “I Loved her First” in FAME Studio B.. with longtime colleague Walt Aldridge handling the production duties.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Spooner Oldham begins his solo project at FAME.

James LeBlanc and John Paul White pen the Jason Aldean smash “Relentless”

James LeBlanc, Matt Warren and Gary Allan write the Gary Allan top 10 record “Learning How to Bend”

Band of Horses record a portion of their massive hit album “infinite Arms in FAME’s studio A

Jamey Johnson records his great version of “Two out of Three Ain’t Bad” at fame.

2009 Dylan LeBlanc signs with FAME Publishing and records his debut album “Pauper’s Field” recorded in FAME Studio B.  The entire album is published by FAME

2009 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit record their self titled album.  The entire album is published by FAME

2010 Jason Isbell and the 400 unit records “Here We Rest” album.  The entire album is published by FAME

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit Live from Alabama is released.  The entire album is published by FAME.

2012  Eli “Paperboy” Reed records “Steal Away” for the then unamed album that will become “Muscle Shoals Small Town, Big Sound” album.  He also records “Shock to the System”

2013 Phish Records part of “Fuego” album at FAME, produced by Bob Ezrin.

2013 Jason Isbell releases “Southeastern”.  The entire album is published by FAME.

Jan 23-24 Anderson East records “The Muscle Shoals Sessions – Live from FAME” EP

2015 Cyril Neville and the Royal Southern Brotherhood record “Don’t Look Back” album at FAME

March 2016 Gregg Allman records his final farewell album “Southern Blood” at FAME.  RIP Gregg Allman!

Eric Essix records his album, “This Train” at FAME

December 2016 Chris Gelbuda records his debut album

2016 Kirby Brown records “Uncommon Prayer” album at FAME

December 2016 Scott Sharrard, Gregg Allman’s bandleader records his album “Saving Grace” at FAME.

2017 Blind Boys of Alabama record their “Almost Home” album at FAME.

2017 Paul Thorn records part of his “Don’t Let the Devil Ride” with guests the Blind Boys of Alabama

2017 Third Day records their farewell album “Revival” at FAME with Monroe Jones producing.

March 8, 2017 Vince Gill records “True Love” for the Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound” album.

March 14, 2017 Michael McDonald records “Cry Like a Rainy Day” for the Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound” album.

Feb 27, 2017 Tom Johnston and Delbert McClinton record “Giving it up for your love”

Peter Levin records is debut album at FAME.

May 2017 Alan Jackson records “Wild Horses” for the Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound” album.

March 15, 2017 Keb’ Mo’ records “The Road of Love forthe Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound” album.

March 16, 2017  Alison Krauss records “Come and Go Blues” forthe Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound” album.

June 22, 2017 tracks for Aloe Blacc’s “I’ll Take you There” is recorded for the “Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound” album.

August 23, 2017 Mike Farris and the Blind Boys of Alabama record “Respect Yourself” for the “Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound” album.

2017 Paul Cauthen records “My Gospel” at FAME

2017 the Texas Gentlemen record “Texas Jelly”

November 29, 2017 Chord Overstreet records “We’ve got Tonight” for the “Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound” album.

January 2, 2018 Bishopp Gunn records “Alabama” single for the  “Natchez” album at FAME.

February 13, 2018 Robben Ford records

March 11, 2018 Brent Smith from Shinedown recorded “Mustang Sally” for the “Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound” album.

March 6, 2018 track for Grace Potter’s “I’d Rather Go Blind” is recorded.

March 27, 2018 Demi Lovato records an Aretha classic at FAME

April 24-27 2018 Steven Tyler records “Brown Sugar” for the Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound” album.

October 1-5, 2018 – Betty Fox Band

October 15-20, 2018 – Stephen Knight

November 2018 Foy Vance records at FAME

2018 Murray Cook – the red wiggle from the Wiggles.

November 6, 2018 – Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound album goes to #1 for the first of 5 weeks on the Americana album charts.

November 6, 2018 – Grace Potter’s “I’d Rather Go Blind” hits #1 on the Americana singles chart for first of two weeks at the top spot

November 26-30, 2018 – Cody Brooks

January 25, 2019 – Muscle Shoals Small Town Big Sound Vinyl released

Feb 4-8, 2019 – Bishop Gunn starts recording new album.

February 15, 2019 – SSL 5056E delivered to newly remodeled FAME Studio B

May 7-9, 2019 – The Revivalists records and videos upcoming release including “Oh No”

May 21-22 & August 21-23, 2019 – Maggie Rose album

June 1-10, 2019 – Savants of Soul record upcoming release

August 22, 2019 – Blind Boys of Alabama record background vocals on War and Treaty project

August 23, 2019 –

August 25, 2019 – Margo Price works on upcoming project

August 26-Sept 4, 2019

Profile Picture File Upload (allowed file formats gif, png, jpg, jpeg)

Music File Upload (allowed file formats ogg, mp3, mpg, wav, wmv)

Composer Credits

Lyric Sheet

Music Video

Permission to post to our community for review Yes No