A curated directory of venues, studios, grants, and support programs for musicians.
Nine days of jazz, blues, gospel, and R&B each summer across multiple Shoals venues. A major opportunity for local artists to perform and connect with regional audiences.
Named for the legendary session band. Hosts nightly live music across a range of local and regional artists.
Active local venue hosting live music, karaoke nights, and multi-act shows throughout the week.
lavaroomflorence.comFormer second location of Muscle Shoals Sound. Open for studio work, touring productions, and periodic concerts.
Est. 1959. Birthplace of the Muscle Shoals Sound. Still an active working studio — contact directly for sessions. Tours available Mon–Sat.
Est. 1969. Restored to its 1970s look and function and once again producing records. Available for private rental when tours aren't running.
Est. 1976. One of the longest-running studios in the area, serving the Shoals music community for nearly five decades.
Alabama's primary arts grant-making body. Awards grants from $500 to $150,000 to individuals, nonprofits, schools, and community programs. Applications reviewed four times per year. Also administers the Folk Arts Apprenticeship program.
Alabama is in the South Arts nine-state region. Programs include Jazz Road Tours ($5K–$15K) for multi-city touring, Jazz Road Creative Residencies ($5K–$40K) for recording and new work, and Express Grants (up to $2K) for rural nonprofit presenters.
Federal grants for nonprofits and arts agencies. Individual artist grants available through state programs such as ASCA.
Honors Alabama's music achievers across all genres. A major cultural institution and potential programming partner for local music organizations.
Dedicated to "The Father of the Blues," a Florence native. Houses personal papers, sheet music, instruments, and memorabilia.
Federally designated heritage area preserving the musical and cultural history of the Shoals region.
Country Music Hall of Fame exhibition exploring the Shoals as a global recording epicenter. Narrated by Jason Isbell, featuring artifacts from FAME Studios and over 50 hours of filmed interviews.
A free local helpline. Call or text 211 to get connected to local area resources for housing, utilities, food, healthcare, transportation, and more.
Free mental health support built specifically for people who work in music. Offers therapy referrals, peer groups, and a 24/7 crisis line — one of the few resources that understands what this industry actually feels like.
The music industry's largest safety net, run by the Recording Academy. Covers financial assistance, healthcare referrals, and addiction support. Available to anyone with at least five years working in music.
The community mental health center serving Colbert and Lauderdale counties. Counseling, psychiatric care, and crisis support available on a sliding fee scale.
Free and low-cost medical care for uninsured and underinsured residents. No coverage needed to be seen.
Financial assistance for musicians and music workers dealing with illness, injury, or a rough stretch. Broad eligibility — worth checking if you need a hand.