Music of Alabama
Alabama has played a central role in the development of both blues and country music. In addition the blues and country, Appalachian folk music, fiddle music, gospel, spirituals, mariachi and polka have had local scenes in parts of Alabama. Gospel music, especially the Five Blind Boys of Alabama, has been especially influential in the state (see also the Birmingham Sunlights).
Alabama is the leading state for Sacred Harp singing. The B. F. White Sacred Harp is published by the Sacred Harp Book Company of Samson, Alabama. The Sacred Harp/Shape Note Music and Cultural Center is located in Bessemer, Alabama.
The Alabama Music Hall of Fame was created by the Alabama state legislature as a state agency in 1980. A 12,500 square foot exhibit hall opened in Tuscumbia in 1990.
The studios of the Muscle Shoals area (Florence, Sheffield, Muscle Shoals, and Tuscumbia) figure prominently in the history of rock and R&B through the 1960s and 1970s. Fame Studios, Muscle Shoal Studios, Quinvy Studios, Wishbone Studios, and more like them proved to be fertile ground for local musicians and international superstars alike. Artists like Aretha Franklin, The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Otis Redding recorded there. The studio house bands have even become famous as "The Fame Gang", "The Swampers", The Muscle Shoals Horns" and "The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section". One broke out on their own to become major stars, known as "Shenandoah."
Notable Alabamians in music
- W.C. Handy - Father of the blues, Born in Florence
- Lionel Richie - Singer/songwriter, see also Commodores, born in Tuskegee
- Commodores - Soul/Funk group formed in Tuskegee
- Hank Williams - Country music pioneer, born in Georgiana
- Hank Williams Jr. - Country music star, lived in Gadsden
- Sam Phillips - Founder of Sun Records, born in Florence
- Jimmie Rodgers - Early country star, born in Geiger
- Tammy Wynette - Country singer - Lived in Red Bay
- Sonny James - Early country star - born in Hacklebug
- Billy Sherrill - Country producer, with 74 top 10 hits, born in Phil Campbell
- Nat King Cole - Jazz and R&B musician/songwriter, born in Montgomery
- Blind Boys of Alabama - Legendary Gospel group, based in Talladega
- Dinah Washington - Jazz and blues singer, born in Tuscaloosa
- Willie Mae "Big Momma" Thornton - Legendary blues and R&B artist, born in Ariton
- Toni Tennille - Half of '70s hitmakers Captain & Tennille, born in Montgomery
- Percy Sledge - 1960s soul star, born in Leighton
- Maddox Brothers and Rose - Influential early country group, from Boaz
- Nell Carter - Broadway and TV, Born in Birmingham
- Hank Ballard - Early rock songwriter, wrote The Twist, lived in Bessemer
- Alabama (band) - Country superstar band, based on Fort Payne
- Martha Reeves - Motown lead singer, Born in Eufaula
- Louvin Brothers - Influential early country group, from Section
- Lionel Hampton - Jazz vibes pioneer, lived in Birmingham
- Charlie Hodge - Musician for Elvis Presley, member "Memphis Mafia", born in Decatur
- Temptations - Many members from Alabama, mostly Birmingham
- Eddie Floyd - R&B singer, born in Montgomery
- Jimmy Buffett - Popular singer/songwriter, lived in Mobile
- Merle Kilgore - Country musician, lived in Cullman
- Take 6 - Contemporary Gospel groum, from Huntsville
- Thrasher Brothers - Seminal Gospel group, based in Birmingham
- Clarence Carter - R&B musician and songwriter, Born in Montgomery
- Ty Herndon - Country singer, lives in Butler
- Wilson Pickett - R&B star, born in Prattville
- Eddie Levert - Founding member of The O'Jays, born in Birmingham
- Sun Ra - Jazz musician and composer, Born in Birmingham
- Emmylou Harris - Country singer/songwriter, Born in Birmingham
- Ruben Studdard - Winner of American Idol, Born in Birmingham
- Jim Nabors - Actor and singer of standards and gospel, born in Sylacauga
- Alan Hunter - Original MTV "VJ", Born in Birmingham
- Brian McKnight - R&B singer and producer, Born in Huntsville
- Shelby Lynne - Country music artist, lives in Jackson
- Brother Cane - Alternative musicians, based in Birmingham
- Nicolette Larson - 1970s songwriter - Lived in Birmingham
- Seaborn McDaniel Denson - Sacred Harp teacher and composer
- Thomas Jackson Denson - Sacred Harp teacher and composer
