nola_funk,
I do know that Jason Isbell is playing a show in Muscle Shoals in October. It's not the DBT, but is a former member. He usually performs a few of his DBT songs like "GD lonely love" and "Outfit" and a few others.
It's close
I think the DBT have a complex relationship with the Shoals. A handful of residents actually participate in the music scene, but for the most part the community all but ignores its musical present. People are quick to spout off "The Stones recorded here, Dylan did! Aretha! Wilson Pickett!"
But does anyone ever tell guests or friends about a local artist playing in the coming weeks? Doubt it.
I love music and am an "amateur" musician. I always imagined I would end up in the entertainment industry in some way--probably not as a musician but at least involved in the industry.
I also realized it wasn't going to happen in Muscle Shoals. Too many people still believe music is a sin. And a lot of people think driving from the outskirts of the Shoals (about 20-30 minutes) is just too far to drive. But I've driven as far as 8 hours to see a show that I loved. Hearing live music has always been worth a little time and money to me. It's the perfect way to unwind from a bad or even a good day.
I know the DBT really struggled in the beginning to find the support they needed in the Shoals to advance their careers. If music is going to pay your bills, and you opt out of any kind of traditional job, you can't just play PJs every night and expect to make it. I think in order to REALLY make it, they had no choice but to expand outside the Shoals. They ended up with a record deal out of Austin--and then just exploded.
To have your records reviewed in Rolling Stone as soon as they are released is never a bad sign!!! It's probably the biggest feat to happen to a Shoals artist in a long time, but of course local media doesn't say or do anything to inform residents and to support the band and spread the word.
I think in all of my adult years spent in the Shoals, I read maybe 2 small articles about them. When they do come to town, they usually get a tiny mention in the "Best Bets". I usually knew about them coming home from friends that worked for or were related to the band.
I wish the Shoals would embrace all of their CURRENT artists more. People are always fascinated with the story of the Shoals musical history, but if you asked an average Joe resident to name 2-3 CURRENT artists, they would probably just scratch their heads.
Everyone focuses on "the Stones, Aretha", and I LOVE them and all of the other legends who recorded in the Shoals, but isn't it time to move on a little? And embrace the struggling artists who have deep roots in the music of those legends?
$5.00 for ANY show is a steal. I am involved in the local scene of my new area. Nashville
And I go to $5 and $10 shows every chance that I get. I am a music junkie. I live for it. And I guess that is also why I had to move. I grew frustrated with the Shoals scene. My husband struggled for years in a band. A really good band. And it was always such a let down when 5 or 10 people trickled in. Sometimes the shows were free; sometimes $5. Never unreasonable, and always a lot of fun.
I guess my wish is for people to let go of the musical past just enough to embrace the new.
I think the DBT truly love the Shoals but, like me and many others, realized the majority of people just don't attend shows. It's a dormant scene. For whatever reason. There are the faithful few, but I've never heard of a show being sold out in the Shoals....
Maybe I am wrong?!? This is just my perception.