Muscle Shoals to Main Street
A Night of Music, Memories, and Rock 'N' Roll
On Tuesday, November 17th, the Muscle Shoals Sound will once again come to Franklin’s Main Street for an evening of timeless hits, stories… and maybe even a little dancing!
The fifth annual Muscle Shoals to Main Street, hosted by YOUR Community Media and YOUR Williamson in partnership with The Shoals and presented by Carlock Motorcars, will feature the Muscle Shoals Allstars Band. The Muscle Shoals Allstars features Grammy-winning artists and powerhouse performers including Gary Nichols, Angela Hacker, Will McFarlane, Jamie McFarlane, Brad Guin, Marc Franklin, Cindy Walker, Marie Lewey, Brad Kuhn, Kelvin Holly, Will McFarlane and Kensie Coppin – and together they blend the soulful sounds of R&B, rock, blues and country.
With a career spanning more than six decades, Will McFarlane has played alongside some of music's biggest names. Will is a longtime musician and member of the Muscle Shoals Allstars, sharing that musical history is something he genuinely enjoys. And with a career that has taken him from New York and Boston to Los Angeles and eventually Muscle Shoals, he certainly has a few stories to tell.
Music was part of his upbringing from the beginning. His mother was a talented musician with perfect pitch and a music degree from the University of Texas. But it was seeing the Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 that helped seal his fate. He picked up a guitar and, within a couple of weeks, three bands had formed at his school. Will played his first junior high dance in 1964 and hasn't looked back. His musical journey eventually led him to playing open-mic nights in New York and performing in clubs around the country. Then came an introduction that changed everything. Bonnie Raitt was brought to see him perform at a small club in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She came, sat in the front row and, as Will remembers it, jumped up and said, "Introduce me!"
That meeting led to an invitation to join her on the road for the Late for the Sky tour in 1974. He stayed with Bonnie Raitt for more than five years, performing alongside an incredible collection of artists, including Little Feat, Jackson Browne, Tom Waits and Muddy Waters.
Eventually, he was ready for a different pace of life. Married with young twins, he was looking for somewhere to raise his family, and a connection with legendary Muscle Shoals musician Jimmy Johnson opened the door. After spending just three days in Muscle Shoals, he decided to move his family there in 1980. He settled in and raised his family while continuing to work with an extraordinary roster of musicians, including Bobby Bland, Johnnie Taylor and Etta James. He also recorded duets with Steve Winwood and Etta James, with legendary producer Jerry Wexler involved.
After forty-five years in Muscle Shoals, Will is still making music with many of the same friends he's known for decades. Music is and always has been his true calling. He says he picks up a guitar every day and that this is what he was designed to do. "I don't remember not having music in my life," Will said.
The multi-generational Muscle Shoals Allstars Band will feature Will alongside longtime friend and fellow guitarist Kelvin Holly, background singers, horn players and a talented rhythm section. Audiences can expect familiar songs accompanied by the stories behind them.
"We love bringing the history," Will said. "I think people are always surprised at how much music came out of Muscle Shoals."
That love of music and the friendships built along the way are exactly what this event celebrates. It also celebrates local community, shining a light on this year’s community partner for the event - Davis House Child Advocacy Center. Davis House provides a safe, child-focused environment for children who have experienced abuse, allowing them to share their experiences with trained professionals in a supportive setting. Through the event, we hope to bring awareness and encourage donations to Davis House and their mission.
Whether you're a longtime fan of the Muscle Shoals sound or a lover of live music, this is an evening worth experiencing.
Get your tickets now for the fifth annual Muscle Shoals to Main Street. There will also be a VIP Pre-Party, presented by Carlock Motorcars, at Stable Reserve Distillery. The VIP Pre-party experience includes food and cocktails and requires advance reservations. Tickets and additional information are available at yourcommunity.media.
Thank you to our sponsors: Carlock Motorcars, International Insurance Brokerage, Southern Bank of Tennessee, Stable Reserve Distillery, and Williamson Health.
