113-757: Muscle Shoals is the largest city in Colbert County , Alabama, United States. It is located on the left bank of the Tennessee River in the northern part of the state and, as of the 2010 census , its population was 13,146. The estimated population in 2019 was 14,575. Both the city and the Florence-Muscle Shoals Metropolitan Area (including four cities in Colbert and Lauderdale counties) are commonly called "The Shoals". Northwest Alabama Regional Airport serves
226-609: A Spaniard born in North Africa), and two other Spaniards. In the last months of 1528, they sailed between Florida and Texas (Galveston Island) and from there, they walked until 1538, ending their journey in Mexico/New Spain. They covered much of the territory that now corresponds to the southern and southwestern United States, including the coast of Louisiana (see the book "Naufragios" which recounts this adventure). Long before France began exploring this area and creating
339-657: A company for the purposes of establishing a colony at Muscle Shoals. Many Cherokee fought against the rebels during the late American Revolutionary War, hoping to expel them from their territories. After the Revolution, Cherokee attitudes toward the new U.S. republic were divided, as settlers increasingly encroached on their territory. An anti-American faction, dubbed the Chickamauga , separated from more conciliatory Cherokees, and moved into present-day south-central and southeastern Tennessee . Most of this band settled along
452-501: A dam on the Tennessee River just downstream of Muscle Shoals to help power nitrate plants for munitions. The first plant started producing nitrates two weeks after the armistice , but the dam was not completed until 1924. Meanwhile, in 1922 Henry Ford tried to buy the nitrate works and the unfinished dam . The Michigan car manufacturer and industrialist proposed leasing the uncompleted hydro-electric dam at Muscle Shoals on
565-505: A distinct sound. Sam Phillips , founder of Sun Records , was born in and lived in the area. He stated that the Muscle Shoals radio station WLAY (AM) , which played both "white" and "black" music, and where he worked as a disc jockey in the 1940s, influenced his merging of these sounds at Sun Records with Elvis Presley , Jerry Lee Lewis , and Johnny Cash . Rolling Stone editor David Fricke wrote that if one wanted to play
678-621: A fort and trading post at Muscle Shoals. This expedition was nearly annihilated by a Chickamauga and Creek party sent to destroy it, and the administration abandoned the project. Meanwhile, Francisco Luis Hector de Carondelet , governor of the Spanish Louisiana , was in conversations with the Indian confederation to establish a fort in 1792. Anglo-American settlers in Tennessee continued to agitate for control of this region. The site
791-469: A household in the city was $ 40,210, and the median income for a family was $ 48,113. Males had a median income of $ 38,063 versus $ 21,933 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 21,113. About 5.4% of families and 7.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.1% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over. The Muscle Shoals City School District is currently led by Superintendent Dr. Chad Holden. There are seven schools in
904-471: A household in the county was $ 31,954, and the median income for a family was $ 39,294. Males had a median income of $ 32,112 versus $ 20,107 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 17,533. About 11.10% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line , including 18.40% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over. As of the census of 2000, there were 54,984 people, 22,461 households, and 16,037 families residing in
1017-551: A new expedition to take control of the site, but to no avail. U.S. officials finally took control of the region in the wake of the U.S. invasion of Creek country during the War of 1812 . Jackson and General John Coffee obtained cession of the land from both the Cherokee and Creek (who had continued to dispute possession) by treaty, without permission from the federal government. Secretary of War William H. Crawford refused to recognize
1130-805: A number of tracks with the Muscle Shoals band, including " Kodachrome " and " Loves Me Like a Rock ". When Bob Dylan began to plan the recording of an album that would feature his new-found faith in Christ, he recruited veteran R&B producer Jerry Wexler and they agreed to use the Muscle Shoals studio. Wexler remembered: "Dylan came to me because he wanted the sonority he'd heard in Aretha and Otis as opposed to those out-of-time, see-you-down-the-line, thirteen-and-a-half-measure, out-of-time phrases." With Wexler, Dylan recorded two albums of contemporary gospel music, Slow Train Coming (1979) and Saved (1980). In
1243-636: A rebellion erupted, largely fueled by the settlers' displeasure with the governor. Alejandro O'Reilly , the second governor, successfully suppressed the uprising. Soon after, under the leadership of Governor Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga , who also presided over the New Orleans Cabildo, Spanish law was instituted. Notably, the cabildo banned the enslavement of indigenous people. And on November 3, 1770, Governor Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga abolished ineffective regulations on slave acquisition with his legal code. Louisiana, under Spanish rule, especially during
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#17327732904791356-417: A single recording that would "epitomize and encapsulate the famed Muscle Shoals Sound", that record would be " I'll Take You There " by The Staple Singers in 1972. After hearing that song, American songwriter Paul Simon phoned his manager and asked him to arrange a recording session with the musicians who had performed it. Simon was surprised to learn that he would have to travel to Muscle Shoals to work with
1469-473: A territorial subdivision of Louisiana into Upper Louisiana (Luisiana Superior) and Lower Louisiana (Luisiana Inferior). The dividing line was approximately set at latitude 36°35'N, which is roughly in alignment with New Madrid. This northern demarcation was farther up than what the French had previously considered. To the French, Lower Louisiana was the region south of approximately latitude 31°N (which aligns with
1582-666: Is Tuscumbia . The largest city is Muscle Shoals . The county is named in honor of brothers George and Levi Colbert , who were Chickasaw chiefs in the early 19th century in this territory. Ultimately the federal government forced the removal of most of the Chickasaw and other historic tribes from the Southeast. Colbert County is part of the Florence–Muscle Shoals , AL metropolitan statistical area , also known as "The Shoals". The Chickasaw and Cherokee peoples are
1695-470: Is a direct result of their film." Additional donations were made by other groups and individuals. As of August 2015, tours were visiting the partly-restored studio on Jackson Highway. It was closed when major restoration work started in September 2015. Muscle Shoals Sound Studio reopened as a finished tourist attraction on January 9, 2017. Owned and operated by the foundation, the interior is reminiscent of
1808-620: Is a testament to a certain kind of hope." Al.com commented that Hall is survived by his family "and a Muscle Shoals music legacy like no other". An editorial in the Anniston Star concludes with this epitaph, "If the world wants to know about Alabama – a state seldom publicized for anything but college football and embarrassing politics – the late Rick Hall and his legacy are worthy models to uphold". The original location of Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Sheffield has been listed on
1921-651: Is held in the Florence/Sheffield/Muscle Shoals area, featuring blues , jazz , country , gospel , rock music and R&B . The roster of jazz musicians known as the "Festival All-Stars", or as the W. C. Handy Jazz All-Stars, includes musicians from all over the United States, such as guitarist Mundell Lowe , drummer Bill Goodwin , pianist/vocalist Johnny O'Neal , vibraphone player Chuck Redd , pianist/vocalist Ray Reach , and flutist Holly Hofmann . On January 6, 2010, Muscle Shoals
2034-423: Is named in his honor. Governor Esteban Rodríguez Miró 's tenure witnessed two major fires that ravaged half of New Orleans. To regulate building constructions, he introduced Spanish architectural styles, resulting in arcades, courtyards , and fountains , traces of which remain evident today. The governance of Colonel Juan Bautista Gemmir y Lleonart also deserves mention. He briefly succeeded Rodríguez Miró until
2147-754: Is present-day Colorado. Spain also gave up its claim on the western part of the current U.S. state of Louisiana, including the Neutral Zone between the Sabine River and the Hondo Creek . The boundaries set by the Spanish-American treaty of 1819, which took effect in 1821 with Spain's withdrawal from St. Augustine on July 10 and Pensacola on July 17, were ratified by the U.S. with the First Mexican Empire and subsequently with
2260-464: Is that it was named after a former natural feature of the Tennessee River, a shallow zone where mussels were gathered and settlers named, and spelled, "Muscle Shoals". When the area was first settled, the proper spelling of "mussel" to refer to the shellfish had not been locally adopted. Cherokee people knew this place as ᏓᎫᎾᏱ (Dagunahi), or "the place of clams or mussels," from daguna (mussel) and -hi (place). Like other areas along waterways, this
2373-635: Is the only Spanish governor buried in New Orleans. Following the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte sought to reclaim Louisiana. The governor who followed Gayoso was the Marquess of Casa Calvo (1799–1801), and the last Spanish governor was Juan Manuel Salcedo (1801-1803). Ultimately, the 1803 Treaty of San Ildefonso saw Louisiana returned to France under Napoleon's pressure. In 1772, Spanish Governor Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga instituted
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#17327732904792486-473: Is water. The local hardiness zone is 7b. Interactive Map | USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map Archived July 4, 2019, at the Wayback Machine As of the 2020 United States census , there were 16,275 people, 5,371 households, and 3,738 families residing in the city. As of the census of 2010, there were 13,146 people, 5,321 households, and 3,769 families residing in the city. The population density
2599-796: The Adams-Onís Treaty , both Spain and the United States made claims over vast territories. By 1810, due to the weakening of Spain as a result of the American War of Independence and the Napoleonic Wars , U.S. troops demanded the retreat of Spanish detachments to the north of the Red River , currently situated in Oklahoma. However, in 1819, the U.S. agreed to maintain what is now known as the Oklahoma Panhandle and
2712-644: The Chickamauga Creek , from which their name was derived. They claimed Muscle Shoals as part of their domain. When Anglo-Americans attempted to settle the region in the 1780s and 1790s, the Chickamaugas bitterly resisted them. The Upper Creek , residing in what is now north and central Alabama, also resented any European or Euro-American presence in the region. A major incident occurred in 1790, when U.S. President George Washington sent an expedition under Major John Doughty in an attempt to establish
2825-679: The Floridas . At the end of the war, the Treaty of Paris of 1763 was signed, acknowledging that Great Britain received the Floridas from Spain. To balance Spain's loss of the Floridas, it gained most of what had been French Louisiana (Upper French Louisiana was split with Britain at the Mississippi River, with the west going to Spain). In the same Treaty of Paris of 1763, France handed over New France (Quebec and Acadia, today Canada) and
2938-555: The National Register of Historic Places since June 2006. From the early 2000s to 2013, it had been partly restored and open for tours. In 2013, the documentary Muscle Shoals raised public interest in a major restoration of the original studio. In the same year, the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation was formed to raise funds to purchase the building and to complete major renovations. In June 2013,
3051-526: The Province of Louisiana ( Provincia de La Luisiana ), was a province of New Spain from 1762 to 1801 primarily located in the center of North America encompassing the western basin of the Mississippi River plus New Orleans . The area had originally been claimed and controlled by France , which had named it La Louisiane in honor of King Louis XIV in 1682. Spain secretly acquired
3164-669: The St. Louis Cathedral , the Cabildo , and the Presbytere . Louisiana was later and briefly retroceded back to France under the terms of the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso (1800) and the Treaty of Aranjuez (1801) . In 1802, King Charles IV of Spain published a royal bill on 14 October, effecting the transfer and outlining the conditions. Spain agreed to continue administering the colony until French officials arrived and formalized
3277-581: The Tennessee Valley Authority in 1933 to construct needed infrastructure and install an electrical system in the rural area, using newly generated electricity from the dam complex. Residents in Muscle Shoals created two studios that have recorded many hit songs since the 1960s. These are FAME Studios , founded by Rick Hall , where Arthur Alexander , Percy Sledge , Aretha Franklin , Wilson Pickett , Otis Redding and numerous others recorded; and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio , founded by
3390-486: The United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 622 square miles (1,610 km ), of which 593 square miles (1,540 km ) is land and 30 square miles (78 km ) (4.7%) is water. The county's elevation ranges from 410 feet at the Tennessee River in northwestern Colbert County to 980 feet in southeastern Colbert County at the broadcast facility's tower of WQPR-FM/WFIQ-TV. As of
3503-496: The census of 2020, there were 57,227 people, 21,880 households, and 14,797 families residing in the county. According to the 2010 United States census Bureau: There were 22,461 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.00% were married couples living together, 12.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.50% had someone living alone who
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3616-651: The 1970s, with relevant recording equipment and paraphernalia. There are plans for future recording projects. Even before the Jackson Highway studio reopened, The Alabama Tourism Department named Muscle Shoals Sound Studio as the state's top attraction in 2017. The members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section were Pete Carr (lead guitar), Jimmy Johnson (rhythm guitar), Roger Hawkins (drums), David Hood (bass guitar) and Barry Beckett (keyboards). Affectionately called The Swampers,
3729-690: The Adams-Onís Treaty. Through the treaty, the Americans staked their claims on the southwestern area of today's state of Louisiana, including regions like Natchitoches and Lake Charles, in exchange for recognizing the boundaries at the Red River and Nexpentle/Arkansas up to the 42°N parallel and the main meridians connecting these points. However, despite the treaty, jingoists claimed areas like Texas or Tejas, much of New Mexico and Colorado, and more, as part of what they termed Lower Louisiana. This
3842-577: The Alabama Avenue building closed in 2005; as of 2018 it houses a movie production company, which also hosts tours and concerts at the venue. Muscle Shoals encouraged the cross-pollination of musical styles: black artists from the area, such as Arthur Alexander and James Carr , used white country music styles in their work, and white artists from the Shoals frequently borrowed from the blues/gospel influences of their black contemporaries, creating
3955-650: The Continental Army's Secret Committee. In contrast, Bernardo de Gálvez, succeeding Unzaga y Amézaga as interim governor, declared war on Great Britain on May 8, 1779. He defeated the British in Baton Rouge , Naches, Mobile , and Pensacola , reclaiming Florida for Spain in 1781, a feat recognized by the 1783 Treaty of Paris . An iconic statue of him stands on Canal Street, and the Texan city of Galveston
4068-519: The Fort Chartres fortress and its surroundings. French settlers were ordered to leave or obtain a special license to stay. Many French settlers moved across the river to St. Louis (Missouri), then under Spanish rule. One of the three founding partners was Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent , who would become the father-in-law of the governors of Louisiana, Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga and later also Bernardo de Gálvez . Spanish Louisiana stretched from
4181-955: The French Empire in the 18th century. By the time Spain received Louisiana, indigenous Sioux (called Siuxes by the Spanish) or Cheyennes populations were estimated to be about 30,000 in Upper Louisiana, primarily in Minnesota . Ecologically, the vast territory of Spanish Louisiana corresponded to most of what is now called the Midwest and included the following biomes: The Great Plains, largely consisting of expansive flat and gently rolling prairies roamed by herds of millions of massive American bison or cíbolos. These prairies or great plains, covered with tall grasslands (up to 6 feet high) with deep and extensive roots, were located west of
4294-650: The French were able to maintain the territory's integrity for over 80 years and the Spanish for 40 years. In 1682, the region was named French Louisiana (la Louisiane Française) in honor of Louis XIV , King of France, and was incorporated into New France as an administrative district. It stretched from the Upper Mississippi watershed to the Gulf of Mexico and was first settled from the North. In 1718, New Orleans
4407-602: The French, originating from their colonies in New France (present-day Quebec and Acadia , Canada), began to explore the Mississippi River and claimed the territory for France . The first French settlers explored the new territories of the Mississippi Basin from the Great Lakes (which they reached it via the St. Lawrence River ). They undertook canoe journeys that lasted about five to six weeks, aided by
4520-767: The Gulf of Mexico's Coastal Plain and the areas adjacent to the Mississippi Delta to Canada's border. From east to west, it covered the left basin of the Mississippi up to the Rocky Mountains in northeastern Colorado and the Mountain region, thus covering a large part of the Midwest . It spanned an area of 878,745 square miles (2,275,940 km ), including all or parts of more than ten current U.S. states. The population of this vast Spanish territory
4633-481: The Listerhill community, three miles east of Muscle Shoals; it closed in 1982 as part of industrial restructuring when jobs moved out of the country. Since the 1960s, the city has been known for music. Local studios and artists developed the "Muscle Shoals Sound", including FAME Studios in the late 1950s and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in 1969. There are several explanations as to how the city got its name. One
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4746-484: The Mississippi River for the duration of Spain's rule in the colony. New Orleans was devastated by large fires in 1788 and 1794 which destroyed most of the original wooden buildings in what is today the French Quarter . New construction was done in the Spanish style with stone walls and slate roofs, and new public buildings constructed during the city's Spanish period include several still standing today such as
4859-536: The Mississippi River) by encouraging development here, but that project did not succeed. Under President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's administration during the Great Depression , the Tennessee Valley Authority was established to create infrastructure and jobs, resulting in electrification of a large rural area along the river. The Ford Motor Company did build and operate a plant for many years in
4972-641: The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section was a local group of first-call studio musicians (initially working at FAME and then at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios) who were available for back-up. They were given the nickname The Swampers by music producer Denny Cordell during the Leon Russell sessions because of their "funky, soulful Southern 'swamp' sound". A verse of the Lynyrd Skynyrd song " Sweet Home Alabama " contains references to
5085-540: The Ohio Basin to New Orleans) but going upstream, or against the current, from New Orleans, took almost three months. The navigation technique of the time only allowed for a speed of about 3 miles per hour (4.8 km/h). Upstream navigation improved only with the advent of steamboats in the second half of the 19th century, known as steamers. The three existing routes from New Orleans to Upper Louisiana were challenging and full of hazards. This might explain, in part, why
5198-619: The Reconstruction era after the American Civil War on February 6, 1867. The state legislature split it from Franklin County over political issues. It was abolished eight months later on November 29, 1867 by an Alabama constitutional convention , and reestablished by the legislature on February 24, 1870. In 1890, the eastern boundary of Colbert County was changed from County Line Road to Town Creek; this resulted in all of
5311-586: The Seven Golden Cities and the Great Quivira (1540-1542). In October 1541, he crossed the plateau he called Llano Estacado, explored the vast prairies ( Great Plains ) of the territory he named "Cíbola" or "Llanos de Cíbola" (due to the abundance of cíbolos or American bison ) or "Llanos del Cubo", perhaps a distortion of the original Spanish name. He reached, from the north, approximately Uachita in today's Ouachita County (Arkansas) and, from
5424-418: The Shoals region, located in the northwest section of the state in Muscle Shoals. Due to its strategic location along the Tennessee River , Muscle Shoals had long been territory of Native American tribes. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as Europeans entered the area in greater number, it became a center of historic land disputes. The new state of Georgia had ambitions to anchor its western claims (to
5537-488: The Swampers and their native town, Muscle Shoals: "Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers / And they've been known to pick a song or two." Muscle Shoals is located on the south bank of the Tennessee River at 34°45′03″N 87°39′01″W / 34.750788°N 87.650278°W / 34.750788; -87.650278 . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 15.6 square miles (40.3 km), of which 0.02 square miles (0.05 km), or 0.13%,
5650-452: The Tennessee River in Alabama. The US War Department had begun the project during World War I, and engineers estimated a cost of $ 40 million to complete. At this time, public projects were financed either through raising taxes—which, Congress was unwilling to do at the time- or by issuing bonds. For the Muscle Shoals project, the proposal was for 30-year bonds at 4% interest. Ford and his friend and fellow inventor Thomas Edison balked at
5763-423: The United States took place on Three Flags Day in St. Louis. It encompassed a series of ceremonies held over two days: 9–10 March 1804. The Spanish were the first known Europeans to discover the Mississippi Delta during the expedition of Alonso Álvarez de Pineda in 1519. This was followed by the forced exploration of the shipwreck survivors Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca , his companion Estebanico (believed to be
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#17327732904795876-419: The age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93. In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under
5989-462: The age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 24.9% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 48,134, and the median income for a family was $ 60,875. Males had a median income of $ 41,061 versus $ 37,576 for females. The per capita income for
6102-510: The alternation of warm fronts from the south and icy fronts from the north, causing Spanish Louisiana's core to experience frequent tornadoes and lighting storms, especially in Oklahoma . As for the areas adjacent to the gulf, they occasionally suffer from hurricanes from the southwest that reach important southern cities like New Orleans. In 1764, Spain formally announced its acquisition of Louisiana. Antonio de Ulloa assumed his role as Louisiana's first Spanish governor in 1766. However, by 1768,
6215-419: The area surrounding Muscle Shoals (Tuscumbia), or riverside estates along the Tennessee River. They may be seen performing in area nightclubs, typically rehearsing new material. Sister city Florence , Alabama, is frequently referred to as "the birthplace of the Blues". W. C. Handy was born in Florence and is generally regarded as the "Father of the Blues". Every year since 1982, the W. C. Handy Music Festival
6328-479: The arrival of the new governor, Baron de Carondelet, in 1791. The Baron began his rule in 1791 and distinguished himself as one of the city's top administrators and urban planners. He commissioned the construction of new trade canals and built forts to shield the city from military attacks. Other advancements during his tenure included public lighting, night patrols, and the release of Louisiana's first newspaper. Manuel Luis Gayoso de Lemos, who served from 1797 to 1799,
6441-406: The artists. After arriving in the small town, he was introduced to the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section ("The Swampers") who had recorded this song with Mavis Staples . Expecting black musicians (the original Rhythm Section consisted only of white musicians), and assuming that he had been introduced to the office staff, Simon politely asked to "meet the band". Once things were sorted out, Simon recorded
6554-412: The branches down to the watery ground. In the far west and north, the great prairies entered an ecotone often covered by coniferous forests , especially in the west where the mountainous relief began. Except for areas near the Gulf of Mexico which have a subtropical climate , most of the territory (The Great Plains) has a continental climate with warm summers and very cold winters. These plains allow
6667-485: The cession, and reconfirmed Cherokee ownership, leading to personal enmity between him and Jackson. The political struggle over the lands was eventually won by Jackson and his backers, who gained passage in Congress of the Indian Removal Act in 1830. When Jackson, as president, implemented the policy of Indian Removal , Muscle Shoals was used as a site from which to exile the Upper Creek to Indian Territory (now Oklahoma). During World War I President Wilson authorized
6780-469: The city was $ 23,237. About 8.3% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.9% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over. As of the census of 2000, there were 11,924 people, 4,710 households and 3,452 families residing in the city. The population density was 979.7 inhabitants per square mile (378.3/km). There were 5,010 housing units at an average density of 411.6 per square mile (158.9/km). The racial makeup of
6893-552: The city was 83.88% White , 14.16% Black or African American , 0.38% Native American , 0.56% Asian , 0.31% from other races , and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population. There were 4,710 households, out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.4% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who
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#17327732904797006-445: The city's musical legacy. George Michael recorded an early, unreleased version of " Careless Whisper " with Jerry Wexler in Muscle Shoals in 1983. Bettye LaVette recorded her Grammy nominated album "Scene of the Crime" at FAME in 1972. The original Muscle Shoals Sound Studios were located at 3614 Jackson Highway in Sheffield but that site was closed in 1979 when the studio relocated to 1000 Alabama Avenue in Sheffield. The studio in
7119-433: The colony had a small but significant free Black population. Government policies on slavery—a status that the majority of the non-indigenous population fell into—largely sought to sustain it. Still, they enabled an increase in slaves who had purchased their freedom. Aiming to boost agriculture and curry favor with the Creole oligarchy, Gálvez authorized the increased importation of African slaves in November 1777. To reinforce
7232-482: The colony of New France, the Spanish had already explored the Mississippi River (which they called "Río del Espíritu Santo") and its vast basin from La Florida. Hernando de Soto claimed the Mississippi Basin for Spain in 1538. Spanish Captain Luis de Moscoso de Alvarado reached the territory of the Natchitoches (also called Nachistochis by the Spanish) in 1542 and then went on to Texas. Shortly before, Francisco Vázquez de Coronado 's expedition left Mexico in search of
7345-454: The county. The population density was 92 people per square mile (36 people/km ). There were 24,980 housing units at an average density of 42 units per square mile (16 units/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 78.52% White or European American (non-Hispanic), 16.62% Black or African American , 0.37% Native American , 0.24% Asian , 0.02% Pacific Islander , 0.34% from other races , and 0.89% from two or more races. 1.12% of
7458-442: The current boundary of the state of Louisiana) or the area south of where the Arkansas River meets the Mississippi River, around 33°46'N latitude. In 1764, French fur trading interests founded St. Louis ( San Luis de Illinois ) in what was then known as the Illinois Country . The Spanish referred to St. Louis as "the city of Illinois" and governed the region from St. Louis as the "District of Illinois". Bernardo de Gálvez assumed
7571-452: The defensive function of this border territory, there was a drive to increase the population, partly through immigration from both Spanish nationals and foreigners, preferably Catholics. In previous decades, settlers of German and French cultures, specifically the Acadians, had settled in the region and had played a part in the revolt against Governor Ulloa. Among the Spanish immigrants, Gálvez particularly encouraged Andalusians to settle, though
7684-401: The district: The city is served by Northwest Alabama Regional Airport , which is one mile east from the town and is served by one commercial airline. Colbert County, Alabama Colbert County ( / ˈ k ɒ l b ər t / ) is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Alabama . As of the 2020 census the county's population was 57,227. The county seat
7797-484: The downstream currents of the Mississippi River. In this manner, they traveled from Montreal to Fort Michilimackinac and Grand Portage , a route which included about 50 smaller portages or carryovers. They could also access the territory via the Ohio River (Ujayu), a more accessible and easy route to travel from Montreal to New Orleans during the time of New France. River navigation was relatively swift when going downstream (it took approximately 15 days to travel from
7910-428: The earliest known inhabitants of Colbert County, an area that was part of their territories for hundreds of years. Before they emerged, there were earlier cultures of indigenous peoples who established settlements and seasonal villages for thousands of years in the area. In the 1810s, settlers began to settle in an area at a crossroads that developed as Leighton, Alabama . Colbert County was originally established during
8023-667: The early 21st century, Florence native Patterson Hood , son of "Swamper" David Hood, found fame as a member of the alternative rock group Drive-By Truckers . Siblings and Muscle Shoals natives Angela Hacker (winner) and Zac Hacker (second place) were the top two finishing finalists on the 2007 season of Nashville Star , a country-music singing competition. In 2008, State Line Mob , a Southern rock duo group formed by singer and songwriters Phillip Crunk (Florence native) and Dana Crunk (Rogersville native), released their first CD, Ruckus , and won two Muscle Shoals Music Awards for 2008 for (Best New Artist) and Best New Country Album) of
8136-589: The east, to Kansas. In 1601, from the already Hispanic Texas (or Tejas) and New Mexico, Juan de Oñate and his Spanish troops entered the Great Plains area, almost reaching the city of natives whom the Spanish nicknamed Rayados due to the stripe tattoos from their eyes to their ears that these natives (the Wichita ) wore. Oñate's forces nearly reached the city of Etnazoa, which perhaps had a huge population of 20,000 inhabitants in today's Arkansas City . However,
8249-506: The eastern Illinois Country to Great Britain. Until then, the fortress known as Fort de Chartres had served as the center of French administration in the region. The British were slow in establishing regiments in their part of the newly acquired Illinois Country (Pays des Illinois). However, on October 10, 1765, a small detachment of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment under the command of Captain Thomas Stirling took control of
8362-640: The economy of these immigrants. To solidify control over Spanish borders in Upper Louisiana , especially along the Missouri basin , a Spanish military expedition led by Captain Francisco Rui set out from New Orleans in 1767. Rui established multiple Spanish forts in Upper Louisiana. Meanwhile, French settlers, who resided in the region east of the Mississippi River before English occupation, favored Spanish sovereignty. This led them to relocate to
8475-689: The entire western part of the Mississippi Basin up to the Rocky Mountains watershed and the southeastern land up to the Rio Grande's watershed. Spain argued that it comprised only the Mississippi Basin's western half, which includes cities like New Orleans and St. Louis. The relatively narrow strip of Louisiana within the Viceroyalty of New Spain was a special province under the Captaincy General of Cuba's jurisdiction. Meanwhile,
8588-474: The expansive, nearly uninhabited, and undefended province into a thriving region with some autonomy. Known as 'le Conciliateur', he adopted a conciliatory approach, notably freeing the leaders of the Louisiana Revolution and promoting cross-border trade with American settlers through the Mississippi. This boosted the economies of New Orleans and St. Louis. In addition, Unzaga y Amézaga established
8701-496: The few troops led by Oñate had to retreat due to indigenous hostility and not finding any trace of gold or other typical riches of mercantile capitalism. [REDACTED] Kingdom of France 1718–1763 [REDACTED] Kingdom of Spain 1763–1802 [REDACTED] French First Republic 1802–1803 [REDACTED] United States 1803–1861 [REDACTED] Confederate States 1861–1865 [REDACTED] United States 1865–present Starting in 1673,
8814-484: The idea that the US government should have to pay $ 48 million in interest on top of the $ 40 million they would have to pay back—all for a project that would benefit the public (the argument being that the hydro-electric dam and accompanying fertilizer plants would create jobs and revitalize the area). Responding to the bond issue, Edison remarked: "Any time we wish to add to the national wealth, we are compelled to add to
8927-406: The major towns. Bison meat was exported as a preserved item, often resembling the "pemmican" style of jerky during that era. By the end of Spanish rule, significant portions of Lower Louisiana started cultivating cotton, which would become a globally essential textile until the mid-20th century. The territory of Spanish Louisiana encompassed the entire Mississippi Basin to the west, starting from
9040-551: The majority came from the Canary Islands and were thus termed "Isleños". Governors, especially Bernardo de Gálvez, focused on curbing English smuggling and promoting monopolistic trade between the large colony and the Spanish metropolis, and occasionally with France. Beginning in the 1790s, following the slave rebellion in Saint-Domingue (now Haiti ) that began in 1791, waves of refugees came to Louisiana. Over
9153-583: The musicians known as The Swampers . They worked with Bob Dylan , Paul Simon , Rod Stewart , the Rolling Stones , The Allman Brothers , and others. In addition to the city being home to country music band Shenandoah , it has been a destination of numerous artists to write and record. Both FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio are still in operation in the city. They recorded such recent hit songs such as " Before He Cheats " by Carrie Underwood and " I Loved Her First " by Heartland , continuing
9266-467: The national debt." Edison and Ford hoped that a new monetary system could be created where dollar bills were issued directly to workers and manufacturer, with the money being backed by the goods they produced rather than the gold and silver held in bank vaults. Congress eventually rejected Ford's idea. The project of area development based on hydroelectric power languished until the Great Depression . President Franklin D. Roosevelt 's administration created
9379-695: The next decade, thousands of migrants from the island landed there, including ethnic Europeans, free people of color , and African slaves, some of the latter brought in by the white elites. They greatly increased the French-speaking population in New Orleans and Louisiana, as well as the number of Africans, and the slaves reinforced African culture in the city. One of the reasons the Spanish Monarchy, which during its height largely adhered to mercantilism , did not prioritize such vast and fertile territories (especially in agriculture and livestock)
9492-480: The owner of the property since 1999 sold it without the historic recording equipment to the Foundation. A grant from Beats Electronics , a manufacturer of headphones owned by Apple Inc. , and founded by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine , provided an essential $ 1 million. The state tourism director said in 2015 that the 2013 film Muscle Shoals had been a significant influence. "The financial support from Beats
9605-419: The percentage of the Spanish population remained quite low, only reaching about 15% by the end of the Spanish period. Although the non-indigenous free population represented considerably less than half of the province's total, they wielded significant power. Gálvez's economic policies facilitated the continued dominance of the regional oligarchy, which was primarily composed of Creoles or "creoles". Additionally,
9718-410: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Colbert County is governed by a County Commission that is composed of six members, elected from single-member districts, numbered one through six, by the qualified voters residing within each district. The term of office is 4 years. The six districts are apportioned as provided by law. Each Commissioner resides in the same district they represent at
9831-442: The region was sparsely populated, with both free inhabitants and slaves, as well as indigenous people. During the early decades of Spanish rule, however, the population grew rapidly: according to a census conducted during O'Reilly's governance in 1769, there were 13,513 inhabitants (excluding indigenous people). Two decades later, the population had surged to 31,433. However, by the end of the century, this growth had plateaued. Notably,
9944-414: The right bank of the Mississippi River and including the entire Mississippi Delta, which also encompassed New Orleans. The absence of sufficiently-known geographical landmarks at the time, aside from parts of the Mississippi River's watershed, the French Empire initially laid claim to territories that were indisputably Spanish up to the Rio Grande's watershed. That encompassed all of Spanish Texas or Tejas and
10057-648: The river's western side. Hence, Kaskaskia was occupied by the English, while French settlers, protected by Spain, settled in Santa Genoveva del Mississippi and San Luis de Illinois. The English and later the Americans utilized the ancient Cahokia mound to establish a fort opposite the Spanish capital of Upper Louisiana. Notable figures of the Spanish period included Malagan governors Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga and his successor and future brother-in-law, Bernardo de Gálvez. Governor Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga transformed
10170-614: The roles of Mayor of New Orleans and interim Governor of Spanish Louisiana on January 1, 1777. France had ceded Louisiana to Spain in 1763 as compensation for handing Florida over to England after the Seven Years' War. Gálvez's primary mission was to monitor events in the British colonies in North America, which were embroiled in war, and prepare the territory for a potential conflict with the United Kingdom. At that time,
10283-529: The terms of Malagan governors Luis de Unzaga y Amézaga and his brother-in-law, Bernardo de Gálvez , experienced significant demographic shifts. Spanish authorities promoted considerable European migration (including Acadians , Islanders , Alsatians , and Americans ), resulting in a 500% population growth in Spanish Louisiana from 1763 to 1803. This brought the number of European-descended inhabitants to 50,000. However, Spain's trade monopoly hindered
10396-479: The territory between Texas and Oklahoma, referred to by the Americans as Miller County, as neutral territories. On the other hand, the Americans relinquished their claims on the territories of Texas and the northwestern half of New Mexico. In return, Spain, which by then was rapidly losing its grip on the American continent, retained control over the entirety of New Mexico, all of Texas, and nearly two-thirds of what
10509-523: The territory from France near the end of the Seven Years' War by the terms of the Treaty of Fontainebleau (1762) . The actual transfer of authority was a slow process, and after Spain finally attempted to fully replace French authorities in New Orleans in 1767, French residents staged an uprising which the new Spanish colonial governor did not suppress until 1769. Spain also took possession of
10622-720: The time of qualifying for office and during their tenure. The Chair of the Commission rotates among the six members of the commission with each Commissioner serving as chair for one-sixth of their four-year term of office. Regularly-scheduled meetings of the Colbert County Commission are held in the evenings of the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month. See also: 34°40′36″N 87°49′02″W / 34.67667°N 87.81722°W / 34.67667; -87.81722 Spanish Louisiana Louisiana (Spanish: La Luisiana , [la lwiˈsjana] ), or
10735-769: The town of Leighton placed within Colbert County. Colbert County is the location of Ivy Green , the birthplace of noted author and activist Helen Keller . Colbert County includes the cities of Sheffield and Muscle Shoals, where many popular American and British musicians, such as Aretha Franklin and the Rolling Stones , respectively, recorded music. Also located in Colbert County is the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard established in 1937. Coon dogs were bred and trained for hunting in this region. According to
10848-472: The trading post of St. Louis and all of Upper Louisiana in the late 1760s, though there was little Spanish presence in the wide expanses of what they called the " Illinois Country ". New Orleans was the main port of entry for Spanish supplies sent to American forces during the American Revolution , and Spain and the new United States disputed the borders of Louisiana and navigation rights on
10961-468: The transfer. After several delays, the official transfer of ownership took place at the Cabildo in New Orleans on 30 November 1803. Three weeks later on 20 December, another ceremony was held at the same location in which France transferred New Orleans and the surrounding area to the United States pursuant to the Louisiana Purchase . A transfer ceremony of Upper Louisiana to France and then to
11074-652: The vast region extending westward was still seen as a part of the Commandancy General of the Provinces Internas. Louisiana was never considered one of the Provinces Internas of New Spain. Specifically, Americans laid claim to territories that had been Spanish for centuries, resulting in conflicts with the Spaniards in all frontier areas, including those historically indisputably Spanish. A brief acknowledgment of these American claims occurred with
11187-751: The western forests and north of the Cross Timbers, a wooded region primarily composed of deciduous trees. It continued about 150 miles (240 km) west of the Mississippi River from the dense mixed temperate forests that populated the eastern area of North America from the North Atlantic Ocean until the 19th century. These forests were cleared by American settlers after 1803; many forests in Lower Louisiana and The Floridas not only grew in flooded areas but also had foliage covered with Spanish moss, forming natural serpentine hanging from
11300-624: The western half of New Mexico. When the Louisiana Purchase occurred, the Americans inherited these French claims, leading to immediate disputes in Spain. The territorial boundaries had not been defined in the Treaty of Fontainebleau through which France ceded it to Spain.. The same was true in the Treaty of San Ildefonso, which involved retrocession to France andin the final purchase agreement. The United States claimed that Louisiana included
11413-480: The world's first bilingual and intercultural public education system on December 19, 1771. He strengthened Louisiana's defenses, planning the creation of forts such as the Unzaga Post. From April 1776, he covertly aided American revolutionaries during the American Revolution by supplying powder, medicine, flour, etc., responding to requests from Patrick Henry , Charles Lee , Robert Morris , and other members of
11526-747: The year. Band of Horses recorded a portion of their album Infinite Arms at Muscle Shoals. Artists signed to the FAME label in 2017 include Holli Mosley , Dylan LeBlanc , Jason Isbell , Angela Hacker , Gary Nichols , and James LeBlanc. Although Muscle Shoals is no longer the "Hit Recording Capital of the World" (as it was in the 1960s and 1970s), the music continues. Groups and artists include Drive-By Truckers , The Civil Wars , Dylan LeBlanc , Gary Nichols , Jason Isbell , State Line Mob , Eric "Red Mouth" Gebhardt , Fiddleworms , and BoomBox . A number of rock, R&B and country music celebrities have homes in
11639-458: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.10 males. The median income for
11752-451: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.95. In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 29.6% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males. The median income for
11865-464: Was 845.4 inhabitants per square mile (326.4/km). There were 5,653 housing units at an average density of 363.5 per square mile (140.3/km). The racial makeup of the city was 80.6% White , 15.3% Black or African American , 0.3% Native American , 0.9% Asian , 1.3% from other races , and 1.6% Hawaiian or Pacific Islander . Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.7% of the population. There were 5,321 households, out of which 31.1% had children under
11978-617: Was added to the Mississippi Blues Trail . After FAME studio founder Rick Hall died in early 2018, The New Yorker concluded its retrospective with this comment: "Muscle Shoals remains remarkable not just for the music made there but for its unlikeliness as an epicenter of anything; that a tiny town in a quiet corner of Alabama became a hotbed of progressive, integrated rhythm and blues still feels inexplicable. Whatever Hall conjured there—whatever he dreamt, and made real—is essential to any recounting of American ingenuity. It
12091-479: Was although the true Lower Louisiana referred to the southern part of the Mississippi Basin from New Madrid's latitude. Manuel Salcedo handed over Lower Louisiana at the New Orleans Cabildo, while Upper Louisiana was officially ceded in St. Louis of Illinois by Lieutenant Governor Carlos de Hault de Lassus . Spanish exploration Louisiana (New France) Louisiana (New Spain) Louisiana (New France) Until
12204-664: Was estimated to be 125,000 people in 1785. This population was concentrated along the main – and to a lesser extent, secondary – rivers and watercourses such as the Mississippi River, the Red River , and the Missouri River . Demographic movements developed along these rivers and the Ohio River , which, located in the Illinois Country, had already been subjected to Britain after the British Empire defeated
12317-422: Was founded, which would become the most important city in the territory and its capital in 1723. Spain entered the Seven Years' War in support of France, near its conclusion. King Charles III asked the French king to hand over Louisiana to Spain in exchange for Spain's support, which was accepted in the Treaty of Fontainebleau of 1762. However, the war turned out unfavorable for Spain, and Great Britain seized
12430-479: Was handed over to the United States. The core of Louisiana's economy was primarily based on almost industrial-scale hunting, especially of the bison (also known as "cíbolos") and other wildlife. This practice was later intensified by the Americans, leading to the near-extinction of some species. Consequently, one of the main export items became hides and leather, fostering growth in the fur and leatherworking sectors, and perhaps even in fine leather goods production in
12543-444: Was important to indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The area of Muscle Shoals was a part of the historic Cherokee hunting grounds dating to at least the early eighteenth century, if not earlier. In the early 18th century, Muscle Shoals was the site of a French trading post. In 1783, six prominent North Carolinians ( William Blount , Richard Caswell , Griffith Rutherford , John Donelson , Joseph Martin , John Sevier ) formed
12656-409: Was particularly desirable, as it controlled access to fine cotton-producing land immediately to its south. In 1797, John Sevier , the first governor of Tennessee, complained to Andrew Jackson that "The prevention of a settlement at or near the Muscle Shoals is a manifest injury done the whole western country." At Sevier's behest, Jackson attempted to persuade Congress and President John Adams to fund
12769-402: Was the lack of significant gold, silver, or precious stone mines. Additionally, the absence of non-enslaved labor to advance intensive agriculture, which became prolific from the latter half of the 19th century, played a role. Although significant gold and silver deposits were eventually discovered in the mountains of present-day Colorado, this discovery came late—just around the time the territory
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