State of rights and songs: Freedom fighters and music lovers in awesome Alabama

[Syrinx]

Chris Jagger (yes, Mick's little brother) had a nice time in Alabama.

I'm posting this because I've seen a lot of negative articles in the British press about Alabama, and this is one of the few positive ones I've seen.

Alabama has a lot of surprises if you go there with an open mind. It certainly surprised me: I went there mostly for the music – but ended up making a lot of friends along the way.

My first port of call was Muscle Shoals on the Tennessee River, where I planned to meet the Swampers, a group of Alabama session musicians who have backed a string of artists including Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Wilson Pickett and Rod Stewart.

One of the Swampers is songwriter and pianist Spooner Oldham, who took me round the town’s music Hall of Fame and, amid the fading clothes of country star Hank Williams and other famous Alabamians, gave me the lowdown on a town steeped in musical heritage.

Back in Selma, I picked up some soul food – black-eyed peas, okra and chicken – and then it was time to say our farewells, which is no easy task when you’ve met people as friendly as those in Alabama.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2076182/Alabama-holiday-State-rights-songs-freedom-fighters-music-lovers.html

[dixiegrrrrl]

1. Lots of beauty in this state, indeed.

And lots of famous, too.