A Rock & Roll Road Trip to Remember

by: Haley Hust, class of 2026

Haley (left) and classmates at the world-famous FAME music studios.

On an early and frigid morning, both current and past History of Rock and Roll students joined Dr. York and Mr. Harrison on a four-hour bus ride to Muscle Shoals, AL. What seems like a random small town is actually an epicenter of rock history. From the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Aretha Franklin, to Demi Lovato, Chris Stapleton, and Alicia Keys, tons of artists recorded parts of their famous discographies in this town. There is a musical magic in Muscle Shoals, and we had to experience it firsthand.

Our first stop on our tour of the historic Muscle Shoals was the iconic FAME Studios. Started in 1959 by Rick Hall, FAME Studios became a site of history. When we walked in, the smell of wood and coffee enveloped us. The building felt homey on such a cold day.

Students pose with iconic photo of Duane Allman shaking hands with legendary producer and songwriter Rick Hall.

We entered Studio B in awe of how tall the walls were. Our tour guide explained how the room's acoustics worked. The walls were slightly slanted, the floor was carpeted, and slats lined the walls, all in an attempt to make the sound feel still. It was amazing to see the original pianos and microphones used by famous musicians years ago.

We then ventured into Studio A, the original studio. The sound felt completely different in comparison to Studio B. It was livelier, and the paneling was distinct. Our tour guide played us music from various artists who had recorded right where we stood. It was a unique and fascinating experience to hear the music while visualizing where they were. We heard artists from the 70s all the way to this year. It was so intriguing.

After buying some merch, we boarded the bus again and headed to the second studio, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio. Famous for their “Muscle Shoals Sound,” the studio's founders were known as the Swampers. The Swampers were a group of studio musicians who were renowned for their ability to create hit music. With collaborations with Paul Simon, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and the Rolling Stones, the Swampers created a significant name for themselves. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Bob Seger, Elton John, and Willie Nelson all traveled to or hired studio space to experience the town's classic, magical sound.

Students enjoyed a tour of the space where “The Swampers” helped create some of the most beloved music to ever come out of Muscle Shoals.

Our tour guide offered up stories, songs, and facts about the studio, and when our tour was done, Dr. York had the opportunity to play on the historic piano where hits like “Free Bird” and “Kodachrome” were created. It was an amazing experience. Learning about Rolling Stone’s illegal recordings and Paul Simon’s perfectionism was fascinating. No one wanted to leave after our tour of the studio finished, but sadly, our hunger had gotten the best of us.

We boarded the bus and headed to the Pie Factory, an outstanding pizzeria that had specialty dishes inspired by the artists who recorded in the local studios. Their calzones and pizzas were a hit with our group, and it was an outstanding way to end our trip.

For the last time, we boarded our bus and headed home. Our experience in Muscle Shoals was absolutely fantastic and filled with memories I will never forget. Listening to rock music, hanging out with the best teachers, and learning about local history is the best way to fill a day. I am so thankful for this opportunity, and this was a rock & road trip for the books.