Falling tree limbs in Birmingham kills one person — A single-vehicle crash on Tuesday afternoon claimed the life of Trevor S The wreck happened at approximately 3:40 p.m about a mile north of Muscle Shoals in Colbert County Malone was driving a 2007 Honda Pilot when the vehicle veered off the roadway sustained injuries in the crash and was transported to Helen Keller Hospital for treatment The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Highway Patrol Division is investigating the incident and no further details are available at this time © 2025 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us) The material on this site may not be reproduced except with the prior written permission of Advance Local Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site YouTube's privacy policy is available here and YouTube's terms of service is available here Ad Choices Mike Farris was born to record in Muscle Shoals If you close your eyes when you’re listening to Farris’s new album you’d swear you’re listening to Clarence Carter Drenched in the bone-shaking power of soul and the transcendent strains of gospel Farris’s gritty vocals get deep in our bones moving us to dance and transporting us to a brighter place The soaring Southern soul rocker “Ease On” launches the album and Wes Sheffield’s screaming guitars and riding on layers of Clayton Ivy’s waltzing Wurlitzer chords The escalating chorus of background vocals lift this ode to moving on from home and looking back on it into the sonic stratosphere Brightly strummed acoustic guitars twine around punchy Wurlitzer notes and swampy lead riffs on the minor chord anthem to humility “Bird in the Rain” picks up where “Ease On” left off and moves into a swirling stride blues with a swaying New Orleans undertone Aching pedal steel strains lead off “Bright Lights,” a soulful country rocker—which sonically resembles a sound that might result from a jam between the Marshall Tucker Band and Pure Prairie League—that takes a long look back at the pleasures and pains of life on the road The shimmering acoustic soul ballad “Learning to Love,” co-written by Farris and McFarlane that traces the singer’s determination to learn how to love while “Before There Was You & I” aches in the soul—especially on the instrumental bridge—like the best of Percy Sledge Aided by Wendy Moten’s ethereal background vocals Farris delivers a towering take on Steve Cropper’s and William Bell’s classic gospel song “Slow Train,” made famous by the Staples Singers The album closes takes a sonic riff from the Tams’ “Be Young Carolina soul-infused “Sunset Road.” The song will have us “shaggin’ on the boulevard” and joining along in singing the closing gospel-inflected chorus: “we will never worry no more.” The Sound of Muscle Shoals showcases Mike Farris at his very best Every song on the album delivers soul-stirring music that captures the energy of one of his live performances and it conveys how deeply soul and gospel music dwell in him Mike Farris’s The Sound of Muscle Shoals is out March 7 via Fame Records By Grant Britt on August 21 FRESH TRACK: Steve Bardwil Band – “Send ‘Em Love”Check it outSPONSORED BY Steve Bardwil Band – The Tennessee Tech women's golf team takes on the rest of the Ohio Valley Conference with a bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line over the next three days competing at the OVC Championships at the Fighting Joe Course at The Shoals on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Muscle Shoals 6,016-yard Fighting Joe Course at the RTJ Golf Trail at The Shoals in Muscle Shoals Play will open on Sunday with tee times beginning at 8:00 a.m THE COMPETITION: The nine-team field consists of host Bryant We use cookies to ensure you have the best browsing experience on our website. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understood our Privacy Policy & Terms of Service Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInMUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (WAFF) - A Muscle Shoals firefighter was recently placed on administrative leave following an arrest Officials with the Muscle Shoals Fire Department confirmed Wednesday that the department is cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues the identity of the firefighter arrested is unknown This story will be updated when more information is made available Click Here to Subscribe on YouTube: Watch the latest WAFF 48 news sports & weather videos on our YouTube channel Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTHE SHOALS, Ala. (WAFF) - Power outages have been reported in the Muscle Shoals area There have been over 4,000 power outages reported in Florence and over 1,500 power outages reported in Sheffield Tune into WAFF 48 for updates on the severe weather event How to watch Alabama high school softball: Muscle Shoals vs April 28Data SkriveHartselle High School plays on the road against Muscle Shoals High School at 4 p.m How to watch Hartselle vs. Muscle Shoals softballHartselle and Muscle Shoals will hit the diamond on Monday, April 28, at 4 p.m. CT. Don't miss out on any of the action with NFHS Network The NFHS Network gives you access to live high school sports around the country Follow your favorite team and never miss a game Want to track your alma mater, local team or family member's school throughout the playoffs? NFHS Network has high school softball streaming live plus on-demand replays and highlights of all the action from thousands of schools across America Watch Muscle Shoals vs. Hartselle on NFHS Network! All NFHS Network events are available to watch online at NFHS Network and through the NFHS Network Mobile Apps for iOS and Android and TV Apps for ROKU Industry veteran Mike Farris has returned to the scene with an album that blends out his prolific history in music The album’s title alone pays tribute to those who came before Farris Those familiar with blues rock will likely know The Screamin’ Cheetah Wheelies including a Grammy-award winning album in 2014 ‘The Sound of Muscle Shoals’ marks a glorious return it’s clear that Farris understands the power of instrumentals and makes space for the band to shine through and Wes Sheffield’s guitars bolster Farris’ unmistakable voice as he narrates his past of a “deep South country backroad” where “Mama never told us we were poor” His cover of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ ‘Swingin’’ is certainly one of the album highlights – so much that may Petty above forgive this – it feels and sounds like Farris wrote it himself To make such a classic song one’s own using only a unique arrangement and voice is a testament to Farris’ talent this time to the world of gospel that has profoundly shaped Farris Having worked extensively with legendary artists like Stevie Ray Vaughan the power in his songwriting and singing proves that Farris has persevered just as tirelessly and dedicated everything to carving out his own sound But despite the blues rock that dominates the album the decidedly country song ‘Bright Lights’ suddenly emerges in the middle of the album Complete with a steel guitar and a more stripped-back Farris relates his struggles alongside his music career including his challenges with addiction and the strength it took to overcome it “I’ve been running these roads damn near all of my life” “It took everything I had just to get here” may appear a plaintive refrain on paper but Farris sings it like an award acceptance speech triumphantly chronicling how hard the battle was won: “every mile can feel like a hundred” but with a nostalgia for the tranquility of childhood and the chase in finding it again “I remember when I was a boy / I followed you home to worry no more” he reminisces but later envisions an “unknown road somewhere in the night / Waiting for us to gas up and ride” It is easy for listeners to lose themselves in the sheer power of Farris’ vocals and the roaring energy the band and backup singers bring it is worth listening twice over initially to catch the lyrics and their connecting thread of Mike Farris’ past and strength prevailing Jackson Hollow “Appalachia” – dreaming of the home of bluegrass Book Review: Uncut – Ultimate Genre Guide Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. If you enjoy what you're reading and don't want to support us on a monthly basis you can help us keep this site free from looking like one of those awful REACH sites by making a one off donation towards our running costs Be daring, be yourself, be willing to take risks and stand alone. Vanessa Collier’s music is gritty, raw, and at times, either downright sad or bubbling happy. As with most songwriters worth their salt, her songs […] “All of a sudden, time stood still, and we watched our plans and expectations float away like lost balloons.” For Angela Easterling, life began in South Carolina and, except for college years in Boston, has been […] Past, present and future are inseparable in her songs. There is an openness to Maya de Vitry that is refreshing to come by. Formerly in the Stray Birds, a bluegrass band, the Lancaster, Pennsylvania-born musician is […] As always in these prescriptive articles there must be a drawing of boundaries and Clint’s first article in the series seemed to have dealt with the idea that you should define americana in a narrow sense […] Steve Earle announced his arrival in our lives with his debut album in 1986. Since then, he has racked up almost thirty studio and live albums under his own name or in collaboration with others. I […] I heard from a colleague,  who has contact with associates of Eric Taylor, that he had died on March 9th 2020 following a period of illness. I immediately checked the web for confirmation but there was […] the iconic brand behind some of the most revered studio gear and audio plugins in the world Known for marrying analog warmth with digital precision the company has announced a new project rooted in one of the most legendary consoles in recording history: the UA 610 tube console This isn’t just a story about resurrecting old equipment revisiting the very place where that sound was born—Muscle Shoals Muscle Shoals has long been hallowed ground for music lovers and even The Rolling Stones laid down some of their most iconic tracks And behind many of those timeless recordings a pioneer in modern recording whose influence still echoes through studios around the world is leading the charge to build a “new” 610—one that’s deeply informed by its roots but crafted for a modern era of music-making A statement from the company discloses that “Universal Audio CEO Bill Putnam [is on] a journey of ‘audio archaeology,’ as he travels to Muscle Shoals with the goal of learning about this iconic console and designing a modern ‘new’ 610 using vintage modules purchased from Neil Young.” those vintage modules come courtesy of Neil Young—a name synonymous with analog fidelity and sonic authenticity That detail alone speaks volumes about the level of respect and precision being poured into this project While most companies are racing toward the next big technological leap UA is taking a different route: looking backward to move forward This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s craftsmanship The original 610 wasn’t just a piece of hardware; it was a sound-defining force and Putnam Jr.’s mission is to capture that same character in a console that speaks to today’s studios UA is reconnecting with the roots of American recording history—and proving that in music some of the best ideas are worth bringing back to life Music Connection magazine is a monthly music trade publication catering to musicians Music Connection exists to serve artists and music people to offer connections to the unconnected and to provide exclusive information that can help our readers take their music to the next level Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInTHE SHOALS, Ala. (WAFF) - The National Weather Service has canceled a tornado warning for the Muscle Shoals area The tornado warning has been issued for Lauderdale and Colbert counties Tune into WAFF 48 for more updates on the severe storms Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker By Javon WilliamsPublished: Mar. 12, 2025 at 12:43 PM CDT|Updated: Mar. 12, 2025 at 3:56 PM CDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCOLBERT CO., Ala. (WAFF) - A Colbert County man was arrested after a video allegedly showed him physically abusing a two-year-old Muscle Shoals Police received a report of child abuse incidents committed by a friend of a friend The man told officers that he was friends with a 22-year-old woman who was a mother of two The friend said the woman lived with her boyfriend He said the mother had sent him disturbing videos of Watkins being physically abusive towards her 2-year-old son The friend showed an officer one of the videos The video showed two adults standing and two small children either sitting or lying down in a living room. The friend identified one of the adults as Watkins he did not know the other female in the video Watkins is allegedly seen tending to another child when he turns towards the two-year-old and begins to yell and throw what appears to be three closed-fisted punches at the child’s back area The officers were shown five other videos and two pictures of marks on the child’s back Watkins is “extremely physical with the child,” and it appeared to have taken place at different times throughout the same day They say this was determined as the time stamped on the videos shown Jan and the clothing of Watkins and the mother of the child remained the same throughout Officials say the Muscle Shoals Police Department and the Department of Human Resources attempted to make contact with Watkins and the child’s mother probable cause led to a warrant being issued Watkins was arrested and charged with Aggravated Child Abuse He is being held in the Colbert County Jail without bond Fla.-- The Pensacola International Airport welcomed home an inaugural flight Contour Airlines flew in from Muscle Shoals seasonal route to the Northwest Alabama regional airport Flights will run there and back on Wednesdays and Saturdays "Although we're a small player in this part of the world we do bring quite a few people in and out of these smaller airports in the area and connect to the larger airports so we're very happy about that," Contour Airlines' Executive Vice President of Flight Operations Lee Harris said "For the folks that are coming to town it goes to the economic development of the area We're growing and so is our local economy and it's great." executive director of the Pensacola International Airport Matt Coughlin said The seasonal route will connect passengers to the Northwest Alabama Regional Airport The partnership with Contour Airlines is seen as a sign of future growth for Pensacola International Airport "We're growing typically 10% or above every year everything from parking to a new concourse We're going to be starting that next summer and we look forward to that to meeting that heavy demand that we're seeing here," Coughlin said The airport is set to expand with the addition of five new gates the concourse will be located on the right side just prior to the terminal And it'll be able to house any aircraft that flies here typically," Coughlin added Flights to and from Muscle Shoals are already nearly full for next week indicating strong demand for the new service RAIN AHEAD: Most of Alabama will be dry during the day today but a few showers are possible over the southwest corner of the state this afternoon Tonight a large rain mass will likely move into the state ahead of a slow moving upper low to the west which will keep Alabama’s weather wet at times for several days Read More PLEASANT SPRING DAY: The sky is partly to mostly sunny across Alabama this afternoon with temperatures in the 60s and 70s A few isolated showers could form this evening over the Tennessee Valley otherwise tonight will be mostly fair with a low in the 50s Read More it will likely be October before we see weather this nice again across Alabama with a few more clouds the farther north you go as an upper-level low spins over the Ohio River Valley Read More knew he made the right decision to open his own business but it wasn’t until he won the 2023 Birmingham Small Business Week Pitch Competition that he got an additional boost Read More COOL START: Temperatures are in the 40s across much of North/Central Alabama just before daybreak… for some places this will most likely be the last morning with temperatures in the 40s until late September or October Read More Sunday brought Alabama a taste of early spring and a mix of sun and clouds—especially north of the Tennessee River where a few sprinkles are still possible Read More Exceptional Anglers events at Oak Mountain State Park teach basic fishing skills to students with disabilities from Alabaster and Pelham city schools and the Shelby and Jefferson County school systems Read More Sunday brings Alabama a breath of fresh air—literally and figuratively—with cooler temperatures and low humidity replacing Saturday’s storms in a refreshing pattern shift worthy of a “Cool Change.” Read More but dense fog may pose a travel hazard overnight and into Sunday morning across north Alabama and southern Tennessee Read More the severe threat is nearly over in Alabama as storms shift east into Georgia Read More strong storms remain active in eastern Alabama this evening with gusty winds Read More A new severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for northeastern Lee County and heavy rain moving east toward Auburn and Opelika Read More Severe storms continue across east Alabama with warnings active in Chambers County and strong storms impacting several others under Severe Thunderstorm Watch #221 through 10 PM Read More Strong to severe storms continue moving through east-central and southeast Alabama this evening with the threat of damaging winds and frequent lightning continuing through 10 PM Read More