FLORENCE, Ala. — "Muscle Shoals Meets the 80s" is a unique concert experience happening Friday and Saturday at the Shoals Theatre. Proceeds from the event will fund special needs playgrounds at Florence High School and Muscle Shoals Middle School, but the mission behind the benefit has a humble beginning.
At Mefford Jewelers in downtown Florence, you’ll find owner Russell Mefford providing services that have made his family a household name for generations, but his services to the community shine even brighter than diamonds and pearls.
Each year, Mefford’s band, Fiddleworms, hosts a concert called “Muscle Shoals Meets,” where the band performs with a guest artist. The band donates event proceeds to charity.
“Two different charities approached me about ten years ago and wanted … to hire my band to raise money for their charities,” Mefford said.
Led by a passion for service, Mefford said he didn’t want the charities to spend any of their money on the concert, but one issue did come to mind.
“I told them this is perfect for me because I was reopening my family business, and I didn’t have the ability to write checks, but I could give them my time,” Mefford explained. “I had to pay everybody else because the musicians and the artists here, if we don’t pay those guys we won’t have them.”
Mefford said after years of planning, he collaborated with local businesses to perfect the concert’s fundraising model, selling out shows for six consecutive years. After discussing this year’s show with a local sponsor, Mefford said it was suggested that he choose a charity promoting autism awareness, a cause he knows well.
“He was aware that I have a child that’s nonverbal autistic,” Mefford said. “His name is Armstrong; he’s 14 years old, and I said, ‘Well, I never wanted this to be about me,’ and he said, ‘It’s not about you; it’s about a bunch of people.’”
After discussing the plans with his wife and the band, Mefford contacted the Muscle Shoals and Florence City school systems to ask what their greatest needs were for special needs students, and the unanimous answer was special needs playgrounds.
“On August 23, we’ll perform 'Muscle Shoals Meets the 80s' at the Shoals Theatre, and then on the 24th, we’ll do an encore of the performance, and then we’ll build some playgrounds,” Mefford said.
It’s an event that, for one weekend, is putting to rest the "River Rivalry" and bringing the community together for a common cause.
"Muscle Shoals Meets the 80s" will feature a number of guest artists.
Performers include:
- The Fiddleworms, Kelvin Holly, The Shooters, Jay Burgess, Gary Baker, Jimbo Hart, Chalmers Davis, Jimmy Nutt, Barry Billings, Dave Anderson, Taylor Grace, Ethan Sak, Mike Dillon, Marty Lewis, Rodney Hall, Marie Lewey, Cindy Walker, G Mane, Cissy Ashley Guin, Brad Guin, Scott Campbell, Eddie Martin, Connr, Nick Franks, Lenny Leblanc, Gary Nichols, Rob Aldridge, Natasha Paige Nix, Bay Simpson, Daniel Crisler, Michael Ledbetter, James Leblanc, Angela Hacker, Jamie Barrier, Travis Wammack, Cadence Baker, Monkee Wammack, Red Mouth, Doug Stokes, Trey Nichols, Chip Valentine, River Jones, Steve Vickery, Scott Todd, Halley Phillips, Microwave Dave, and Walt Aldridge.
On Saturday night, select members of the Florence and Muscle Shoals high school bands will perform Fleetwood Mac's "Tusk" for the concert's finale.
To purchase tickets, click here.
