FAME Recording Studios, Inc. “Where it All Began” 603 East Avalon Avenue, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661. FAME, established in 1959, was the first successful professional recording studio in Alabama. Arthur Alexander’s 1961 hit, “You Better Move On,” cut here, launched the famous Muscle Shoals sound. R&B classics by Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Clarence Carter, Otis Redding, Etta James and others drew world-wide attention to FAME. Pop artists Liza Minelli, Tom Jones, Little Richard, and the Osmonds then brought their talents to studio owner/producer Rick Hall, who also produced some of the nation’s best Country artists, including Shenandoah, Mac Davis, Jerry Reid, and Darryl Worley. During the studio’s half-century history, releases from FAME have sold over 300 million copies worldwide. Current sessions produce some of the best new pop, rock and country music, including Dylan LeBlanc, Band of Horses, Angela Hacker, Jason Isbell, Drive-by Truckers, Jamey Johnson, Gary Nichols and Ugli Stick. (256) 381-0801. www.fame2.com. Public Tours offered M – F, 9-10 am. Admission
