OUR STORY

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The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio site was leased in 1969 by four young musicians who came to be known as “The Swampers”. Between 1969 and 1979 the studio became ground zero for global artists who came to make high impact records with this hit machine studio band. The results made history and the studio was an unprecedented success! 

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When the Swampers moved to a new location in 1979, the building was sold and went into a long gradual decline. Public interest began to rebuild in 2006 when the studio was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2013 the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation was formed and the studio was acquired with the idea of restoration to its golden era condition at some time in the future. During that same year, the Muscle Shoals documentary was released to worldwide critical acclaim inspiring a large gift from Apple/Beats Electronics to complete the restoration project. On January 9, 2017 the studio reopened and has quickly become one of the most important music history attractions in the world. The studio now serves as a valuable rainmaker for Shoals area tourism as well as a gateway for visitors who come to visit and end up opening businesses. Its cultural and economic significance to Alabama and the southeastern United States cannot be overstated.

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OPPORTUNITY

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The studio has performed extremely well as a cultural attraction but lacks the complete infrastructure needed to sustain its long term mission. ​

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Two weeks ago, the little house in the picture above became available for purchase at a very attractive price. The property is well located directly across the street from Muscle Shoals Sound Studio as can be seen in the full campus site plan below. The house was built in the late 1960’s and includes 1255 square feet plus a 392 square foot double car garage. The seller has been a life long fan of Muscle Shoals music and has expressed a desire for the property to become part of the Studio campus if possible. Although the property was recently appraised independently for $90,000 the owner is willing to let the Foundation purchase it for $68,400 if we close by April 1, 2020. 

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​The house acquisition and campaign will provide service issue solutions that include:

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• Moving administration and merchandise operations out of the studio visitor experience areas of the historic studio.
   

• Providing much needed space for a robust merchandise and fulfillment operation. Merchandise sales support the studio financially while branding the Muscle Shoals area as an attractive destination worldwide.
   

• Hospitality, catering and overnight facilities to service a variety of functions that will strengthen and sustain the Foundation. The house will be decorated in classic band house style and feature 1969-70’s furnishings along with Swamper's memorabilia. The house will be known as "1969".
   

• A spacious garage that will be equipped for “garage band” donor events, rehearsals and storage of musical equipment. Just imagine what a Muscle Shoals garage band experience will be like!
   

• Design and installation of site work improvements to safely accommodate handicap access, bus tours and regular visitor parking.
   

• Design and provide landscaping that will provide long-term shade and privacy around the current airstream waiting and hospitality venue. Enhancements to this area will improve service when peak traffic creates a wait for tours of the studio.
   

In addition, the campaign will begin a long term sustainability fund known as the “Muscle Shoals Sound Studio Preservation Trust”.