Muscle Shoals Studio To Get Facelift from Dr. Dre

Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.

The historic Muscle Shoals Sound Studio will get a special revamp by the end of the year thanks to a grant from Beats by Dr. Dre, the audio brand co-founded by Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine. 

Care will be taken during the renovations to preserve the ambience that made the studio so significant in music history while reinforcing the structure of the building.

Muscle Shoals Music Foundation’s co-founding board member Rodney Hall spearheaded the purchase of the studio from a private owner so that it could be operated as a nonprofit and the history preserved. Since the 2013 release of the documentary Muscle Shoals, more than 20,000 music enthusiasts from around the world have visited the iconic musical landmark.

“We are grateful to Beats for supporting our community’s efforts,” said MSMF Chairman Judy Hood. “Jimmy Iovine understands that the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio is magic and we are now protecting and preserving that distinct and authentic sound. The studio will be open to the public as well as to musicians for sessions. After the grand re-opening of the room that Keith Richards called ‘rock and roll heaven,’ we expect both hit records as well as selfies of visitors from all over the world to come out of the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.”

The foundation has also purchased land behind the studio for later development as museum space or a performance venue.  

Founded in 1969 by Swampers Jimmy Johnson, David Hood, Roger Hawkins and Barry Beckett, the studio at 3614 Jackson Highway has attracted and recorded everyone from the Rolling Stones and Paul Simon to Bob Dylan and Linda Ronstadt in its heyday. The studio still sees recording action these days as well. In 2010, The Black Keys‘ sixth Grammy-nominated album Brothers was recorded there.

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at [email protected].

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