MSMA Newsletter DEC. 2012

Welcome to the MSMA Newsletter! The annual Cypress Moon Studios/MSMA Christmas Party is on Tuesday, December 18th, at Cypress Moon Studios.  The party will start at 7pm.  We invite all of you to attend this great event.  The Decoys (and a whole lot of other folks) will be playing some tunes. The MSMA is planning for a productive year in 2013.  Be among the first to here about our new plans.     Review Of The Jake Landers Benefit By Terry Pace Multi-Grammy Award nominees The SteelDrivers (featuring Muscle Shoals' own Gary Nichols) with legendary Muscle Shoals songwriter and bluegrass music legend Jake Landers ("Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine," "Beyond the Gate," "Soldier's Return") at the Ritz Theatre in Sheffield, Alabama, during a special Oct. 16, 2012, benefit concert that raised funds to help pay Jake's medical bills. In addition to The Steel Drivers, the all-star show featured performances by Muscle Shoals songwriters Walt Aldridge, Chris Tompkins, Peanutt Montgomery and Rusty Moody as well as the bands Iron Horse and Doctors, Lawyers and Such. An inductee of the Alabama Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame, Jake was a member of Bill Monroe's famed Bluegrass Boys as well as the Dixie Gentlemen, an influential Shoals-based bluegrass band that also featured Vassar Clements, Rual Yarborough and Herschel Sizemore. Photo of Gary Nichols, Richard Bailey, Jake Landers, Mike Fleming,Tammy Rogers & Tony Robertson Big River Broadcasting Program Director Fletch Brown is Growing Up! Fletch is celebrating the beginning of his Midlife Crisis by bringing together friends and fans for a good cause. Come join the fun. 100% of proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society. December 13, 2012 Sundance Saloon, Muscle Shoals, AL 7pm $5 cover           David's Diary  Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section Bassist David Hood has kept all of his work diaries from the mid-sixties to the present. Because they contain information that spotlights the rich history of Muscle Shoals Music, he will share one segment of his diary in this column each month. By David Hood Of the many great records associated with Muscle Shoals, most were recorded in the local studios. A notable exception is Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years". Because of Simon's busy schedule, Roger Hawkins, Jimmy Johnson, Barry Beckett and David Hood flew to New York City on October 1, 1974 to record with Paul and his co-producer Phil Ramone at CBS studios. The entire first day was spent while Paul and Barry worked out the electric piano intro and first verse. The next day the rest of the rhythm section got to work and knocked out the rest of the track in short order. They were joined on the recording by Micheal Brecker’s overdubbed sax solo and strings and woodwinds arranged by Bob James. “Still Crazy After All These Years” would become one of Paul’s signature songs and would reach Number 1 on the U.S. album chart on December 6, 1975.   MSMA 2012 Board of Directors Jimmy Nutt - President   Rodney Hall - Vice President Larry Bowser - Sec/Treasurer   David Hood - Past President Wiley Barnard Dick Cooper   Nick Martin Suzanne Bolton   Terry Pace Kathie Adams, Scott Boyer, Russell Mefford, Wayne Bridge, Scooter Muse & Nancy Bridge at the Fiddleworms CD Listening Party for "See The Light." Forward to a Friend Photo of Chris Tompkins and Carrie Underwood Big Deal -Chris Tompkins gets Grammy Nomination for Carrie Underwood's hit "Blown Away."  The song was written by Tompkins and Josh Kear.  "Blown Away" is nominated for "Country Song of the Year." -The Civil Wars were nominated for the Grammy for "Best Country Duo/Group Performance" for their collaboration with country superstar Taylor Swift on the track "Safe & Sound." -The Alabama Shakes were nominated for Grammys in "Best New Artist" and "Best Rock Performance" categories for "Hold On," a track from their debut album "Boys & Girls." The Times Daily -Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham are scheduled to be inducted into the Alabama Music Hall Of Fame at its Awards and Induction Ceremony in September of 2013. Other inductees include Candi Staton, Hank Locklin, Sun Ra & Charlie Monk. Buy Your MSMA T-shirt Support Muscle Shoals Music...buy a MSMA T-shirt here for just $20 Muscle Shoals To Music Row Live December 20, 2012 The Marriott Event Center 8-10p We are excited to announce that Country Music Star Jimmy Wayne will be taking the Muscle Shoals to Music Row LIVE stage on Thursday December 20th!! He is also bringing along with him his hit songwriting friends Tony Arata & Pat Alger. (Tony wrote "The Dance" for Garth Brooks and has had number 1 records with "Here I am" for Patty Loveless, "Dreaming with my eyes Open" Clay Walker and many more. Pat Alger wrote unanswered prayers for Garth Brooks & "The Thunder Rolls"). This will be a very special Muscle Shoals to Music Row LIVE. Tickets are $20 and 100% of the tickets sales will go to Jimmy's "Meet Me Halfway" fund that will directly benefit homeless children or children in foster care. (There is a video on KIX's website that people can watch to learn more about the charity and also a link for people to make a donation if you are unable to attend.) http://www.kix96country.com Rhyal Knight at the Grand Opening for the Commercial Music Dept. of UNA's new Event Center Donations Simply click the link below to pay through PayPal. Donate through PayPal OR Send check or Money Order to: MSMA PO Box 2383 Muscle Shoals, Al 35662 ***Please include your name, address and email. Mission Statement To preserve and promote the legacy and future of Muscle Shoals music. Contact us at: mailto:themsma@gmail.com