Race and Music in Muscle Shoals discussion Friday

UNA sponsored an interesting panel discussion Friday;  “Color-Blind Harmony: Race and Music in Muscle Shoals". 

Panelists included legendary soul singer Jimmy Hughes (“Steal Away,” “Neighbor, Neighbor,” “Why Not Tonight?”), guitarist Jimmy Johnson and bassist David Hood of the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section (the group immortalized as “The Swampers” in the Lynyrd Skynyrd anthem “Sweet Home Alabama”). 

Really interesting to hear just why so much of the problems and conflict that surrounded the country and the South somehow, for the most part past us by.  I had always attributed UNA (then Florence State Teachers College) for this.  Wonderful to see just how big our local music history joined in as well.