The music born in the Shoals that has shaped generations is being brought into focus through a new exhibit in downtown Florence.
The University of North Alabama’s Shoals Music Archive is unveiling its first public exhibit, showcasing rare images and photographs that capture the region’s rich musical history. The exhibit will be on display March 20 through April 24 at Gallery 126.
Known as the “Hit Recording Capital of the World” during the 1960s and 1970s, the Shoals produced a signature soul-infused sound shaped by legendary studio musicians known as The Swampers and iconic recording spaces like FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.
“It is absolutely vital that UNA be at the heart of archiving the wide-ranging and diverse items that comprise the Muscle Shoals musical heritage,” said UNA President Dr. Ken Kitts. “It is an honor to launch this exhibit for our campus and greater community to enjoy and appreciate as a small but important part of what makes the Shoals such a unique place.”
Launched in 2025, the Shoals Music Archive preserves artifacts, photographs and oral histories spanning from the 19th century to today, documenting the people and places behind the region’s influential sound.
“We are thrilled with this opportunity to unveil these pivotal images in the history of Muscle Shoals music,” said Brian Dempsey, curator of the archive. “The collected works detail the rich and unique history of our area, and it celebrates the artists — from the musicians to the photographers — who continue to put this area on the map.”
The exhibit is organized into three themes that trace the evolution of Shoals music:
- Living Traditions, highlighting today’s artists carrying the Shoals sound forward
- Creative Spaces, offering a look inside the studios and personal environments where music is made
- Historical Foundations, featuring iconic moments, venues and figures that built the Shoals’ global reputation
A public reception is scheduled for March 20 at 5 p.m. at Gallery 126 is at 126 Tombigbee Street in downtown Florence. Admission is free and open to the public.
