The South & Music Holidays

15 Days/14 Nights

Who knew?  Bob Seger’s signature song “Old Time Rock and Roll” came from Muscle Shoals, Alabama or that there’s a clarinet player (who still gives guided tours!) at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame from the Jimmy Dorsey Band who can massage a sound out of the instrument that sends chills up your spine.  Or that W. C. Handy credited with inventing the blues was not from Memphis, he was from Florence Alabama. 

Now it’s time for the world to know that Alabama is incredibly rich in music heritage.  Besides all of the above greats, Hank Williams who is still a great influence on country music, grew up here.  There’s a Hank Williams Trail outside of Montgomery.  Musicians from California say there’s a “soul” in Alabama they can’t find in Los Angeles that makes the music richer and more authentic.  And we haven’t even gotten to Sweet Home Alabama yet!  That was recorded in Muscle Shoals. 

We suggest it’s worth a trip to get toe tappin’ and down with the beat in Alabama.  Better yet, help Alabaman’s celebrate their musical heritage at one of the festivals around the state where the music can move mountains and good southern cooking is piled high. Bay Fest in Mobile is a good choice, but if your dates don’t make that possible, bolt on any of the other great festivals to your trip.

Days One and Two: Nashville

Nashville is the perfect place to start any trip featuring music.  Even though country music began in the hills and the hollers of Southwestern Virginia and Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings once tried to take it to Austin, Texas, Nashville has been the Capital of Country Music since 1926.  That’s the year that the Carter family (as in June Carter Cash) produced the first recordings with a true country sound.

The Grand Old Opry began as a barn dance in the studios of WSM Radio before taking up residence in Ryman Auditorium (a Nashville must-see) that is now known as the “Mother Church of Country Music.”  Other must sees include the Country Music Hall of Fame, historic RCA Studio B where great like Elvis and Chet Atkins recorded, and the Second Avenue Historic District. 

Tootsie’s Lounge is the only honky tonk still open on Lower Broadway.  Authentic Nashville sound can also still be heard in Printer’s Alley. 
You’ll find Music Row lined with recording studios and music producers just outside of downtown.  Further out, Opryland is the new home to the Grand Old Opry, nestled in a massive resort complex. 

Suggested Hotel: Best Western Music Row

Days Three, Four and Five: Huntsville

Now that you’re music ears have been warmed up in Nashville and you’re ready to rock and roll, head to Huntsville, Alabama, home of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center , the world's largest space attraction.  Simulators let you experience a space shot, G-forces, and weightlessness onboard a spacecraft. Tour the grounds of the U. S. Space Camp Training Center where kids of all ages go to experience life in the final frontier. Next door is America’s largest seasonal butterfly house at the Huntsville Botanical Gardens. Located at the base of some of the most beautiful mountains in North Alabama, Huntsville offers visitors outdoor activities such as hiking, bike riding, horseback riding and fishing along the Tennessee River

Huntsville’s downtown area hosts Washington Square, a mini entertainment district with plenty of live music. Stop by ‘Humphreys’ for Blues, Rock and Bluegrass and Crossroads Cafe for some of the best live music in the South East. Sammy T’s Music Hall is another one of the best known music venues in the city. You can even take a gondola ride at Bridge Street Town Centre, a new shopping and entertainment district.

If there’s time while you are in Huntsville, take time to visit Alabama’s Constitution Village where a step inside the fence will transport you back to 1819, when 44 delegates gathered in a vacant shop to organize Alabama as the 22nd US State.  The little village complete with a cabinetmakers shops, law office, post office and sheriff’s office has been impeccably preserved.  More of Alabama’s heritage is featured at Burritt on The Mountain, where Dr. Burritt’s eclectic mansion is surrounded by the original barnyard filled with animals. 

Suggested Hotel: Best Western Rocket City

Day Six Muscle Shoals

Leaving Huntsville, you’ll be passing through four northwest Alabama towns that were integral to the American music scene.  Florence is the birthplace of W. C. Handy who is regarded as the “Father of the Blues.” Each summer Handy is honored with a music festival.  Another native son, Sam Phillips, discovered Elvis and the two signed a contract with RCA that can be seen in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Sheffield.

FAME is just one of the recording studios located in Muscle Shoals where international superstars like Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Otis Redding and the Rolling Stones came to record in the 60s. It is here that Sweet Home Alabama was first recorded. 

Suggested Hotel: Best Western Fairwinds Inn

Days Seven, Eight and Nine: Birmingham

Turning now south, you’ll be headed for Birmingham, Alabama’s largest city.  It was heavily involved in the Civil Rights movement, although today it is better known for its more playful mode.  The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute which works at taking the
lessons from the past in Civil Rights to chart new directions for the future, is a must see.   Other locations in the top 10 to visit in Birmingham include the Birmingham Museum of Art, the largest municipal museum in the southeast with 21,000 works.  The Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden and the Beeson Collection of Wedgwood are unique to this museum.  Holdings also include a collection of Native American art that sprung originally from the Native American influences in the region. 

Birmingham is also home to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame where Dr. Frank Adams who is a jazz original and former member of the Dorsey band, presides over very interesting and engaging tours.  At 82, he makes an amazing tour guide.  You can still hear the jazz echoing from downtown nightclubs in places such as Ona’s Music Room. Also take in 5 Points South Entertainment district.

Suggested Hotel: Best Western Mountain Brook

Days Ten and Eleven: Montgomery

You’ll find Montgomery, Alabama, a bustling city of the New South with as much contradictory history as other fascinating southern locations.  Visit the Alabama State Capitol where Jefferson Davis took the oath of office as President of the Confederacy and where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made his stand at the end of the Selma-Montgomery March. Visit the Rosa Parks Library and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church. Old Alabama Town is one of the South’s premier history villages.

Montgomery sits at the end of the Hank Williams Trail, a route through the famous singer’s life located in central Alabama.  At the Hank Williams Museum you can learn how his sound and style still influence country music.  The steel guitar is integral to any good country song. Plan to spend your second day in Montgomery exploring the Alabama countryside on the Trail for a real down home look at the state. 

You’ll find downtown nightlife in the new ‘Alley’ where live music, bars and restaurants are clustered to allow you to walk between venues and enjoy the atmosphere.

Suggested Hotel: Best Western Hope Hull

Days Twelve, Thirteen and Fourteen, (Friday Oct 1, Saturday Oct 2 and Sunday Oct 3)

Mobile, originally the capital of the Louisiana Territory, held sway over an area that stretched from West Florida to Texas.  Few cities boast such rich history.   Remember when you talk to the locals the city’s name is “Mo-beel” given the soft emphasis on the second syllable by its French founders. Having lived under six flags, culture, “cul-cha,” as they call it here, is a rich conglomeration of influences.

The city’s main attraction is Bellingrath Gardens, one of the top public gardens in the United States. Fort Conde is also a must see.  Other than that, just marvel at the sheer beauty of this place.  

One of the major attraction of Mobile is the food! Try the goodies of Tiny Diny, Pollman’s Bake Shop Brownies, or Bailey’s Restaurant. Treat yourself to the real deal barbeque at The Brick Pit and Creole soul food at Mary’s Place. Wintzell’s Oyster House has been serving them “fried, stewed or nude” since 1928. In between all that eating, travel out to Dauphin Island where you can consider a boat trip out into the ocean. 
During your stay, be sure to enjoy yourself with the 200,000 other guests who will be making merry on the streets of downtown Mobile during Bayfest. The over 125 musical acts that are featured every year have included Alan Jackson, Steve Miller Band, Akon and T-Pain.

Suggested Hotel: Best Western Moffat Road

Day Fifteen

Fly out of Mobile back home … or if time permits travel just 2 ½ hours to New Orleans for a few days of excitement in the French Quarter.

Can’t make these dates? Don’t worry! Alabama has festivals year round. Choose another to connect to your trip:

January Festivals in Alabama
The Sam Phillips Festival celebrates the man who discovered Elvis amongst other famous musicians in a week long celebration held every January in Florence (North West Alabama).

February Festivals in Alabama
The city of Mobile parties hard with a Mardi Gras Festival that claims to be older than it’s more famous counterpart in New Orleans.

April Festivals in Alabama
Visitors to Alabama’s capital city, Montgomery, in April will be able to take in the Jubilee CityFest, a family weekend festival featuring entertainment, cultural, sporting and arts events.

May Festivals in Alabama
The Freedom Creek Blues Festival held the last weekend in May in Aliceville near Tuscaloosa honours Alabama Bluesman Willie King.

Blues enthusiasts can also enjoy the Down Home Blues Festival  held every May in Huntsville in the North of the state.

June Festivals in Alabama
The Hank Williams Festival celebrates the life of the Country Music legend in his boyhood hometown Georgiana with a weekend of live country music.
Jazz enthusiasts flock to the Preserve Jazz Festival held each June in Birmingham, Alabama’s largest city.

July Festivals in Alabama
Tens of thousands visit the W.C.Handy Music Festival to honour the ‘Father of the Blues’ in a celebration of Blues and Jazz,held every July in Florence.

The Gulf Coast Ethnic & Heritage Jazz Festival is also held at the end of July/beginning August in Mobile

August Festivals in Alabama
Headliner music and world class BBQ abound at the Stokin’ the Fire BBQ & Music Festival in Birmingham during August. The Black Belt Folk Roots Festival O’l Timey Blues Show is also held in Eutaw every August and offers  Blues on Saturday and Gospel on Sunday washed down with some Downhome cooking, soul food, fish and Eutaw ice cream.

September Festivals in Alabama
Birmingham hosts the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival is inspired by the Sundance Film Festival and shows around 200 films at venues around Birmingham.   
 
October Festivals in Alabama
Orange Beach and Gulf Shores on the Gulf Coast link up with Pensacola and Perdido Key to host the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival each October. The festival is a series of events over 10 days at venues along the Gulf Coast of Alabama and Florida dedicated to the memory of Frank Brown. It inspires songwriters, musicians and performers to participate and provides a stage for all types of music.

The Bayfest Music Festival also takes place on the streets of downtown Mobile each October. Festival goers stroll among historic buildings and parks in a site that is adjacent to the city’s entertainment district while Bayfest’s 9 stages offer continuous music for every taste over three days and nights.

Gulf Shores  National Shrimp Festival. Held on the beach, this free event features plenty of music, sand castle building contest and vendors selling food and crafts. While you are on the South Coast of America, cast your line for deep-sea adventure on a charter fishing trip or take dauphin cruise. Walk the 32 miles of beaches during the day and visit the great roadhouse beach bar, the Flora-bama that night. Other sites in the area are LuLu’s, a restaurant on the intercostal  waterway operated by Jimmy Buffett’s sister and The Wharf a shopping and entertainment area