Franklin, TN – A top-shelf contingent of Muscle Shoals musicians will travel to Franklin, Tenn., on August 11 to showcase the signature sound that garnered international fame. Headlining the show at the historic Franklin Theatre will be rhythm and blues icon Percy Sledge.
A native of Leighton, Ala., Sledge achieved superstar status in 1966 with his Shoals-based hit “When A Man Loves A Woman,” a song that still elicits standing ovations from audiences all over the world. Sledge’s stage band for the Franklin show will include legendary bassist David Hood as well as Charles Rose and Harvey Thompson from the Muscle Shoals Horns. The opening act will be the Decoys featuring Scott Boyer, Kelvin Holly, N. C. Thurman, Mike Dillon and Hood.
The Muscle Shoals tribute show is the brainchild of Aubrey Preston who was involved in efforts to restore the Franklin Theatre when it faced demolition in 2007. Eight million dollars later the well-appointed facility has become a focal point of downtown Franklin. The theatre reopened in the spring of 2011 and its state-of-the-art sound system has made it a preferred venue for numerous music celebrities. Preston, who lives in Leiper’s Fork, believes significant synergies can be achieved by boosting the connection between the
Muscle Shoals and Nashville music scenes.
Jerry Phillips, owner of Big River Broadcasting and son of the legendary Sam Phillips, shares Preston’s passion for encouraging the Muscle Shoals/Nashville connection. Phillips’ broadcasting company launched a show titled “Muscle Shoals To Music Row LIVE” several years ago. The performances, which feature a blend of Muscle Shoals and Nashville artists, are held at the Shoals Conference Center and are shared throughout the world via live webcasts. The Franklin show will be broadcast as part of the “Muscle Shoals To Music Row LIVE” series and can be viewed at www.ms2mr.com
Selected Muscle Shoals music artifacts from the Alabama Music Hall of Fame will be on display in the lobby of the theatre on the evening of the performance.
Tickets are available through the Franklin Theatre at www.franklintheatre.com. Information about special hotel rates in Franklin the night of the show can be obtained by calling 615-591-8514.
For more information:
Debbie Wilson – Director
Florence/Lauderdale Tourism
Phone 256-740-4141,
1-888-356-8687 toll free
Debbie@VisitFlorenceAl.com
www.visitflorenceal.com
