Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section Inducted In Hall Of Fame

Great to hear the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section getting due recognition for their work:

Here is an article by Russ Corey from the Times Daily

Bob Seger's "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll" never sounded better than when the past met the future Tuesday during the Musicians Hall of Fame Awards Show.

Fresh off their induction into the Musicians Hall of Fame, members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section joined Kid Rock for a rousing rendition of the Seger classic, which is just one of many hits the group was a part of.
"It's pretty cool," bassist David Hood said.

While he appreciated the recognition, Hood said he was honored to be inducted alongside the likes of Booker T and the MGs, Buddy Holly's band, The Crickets and country music legend George Jones.

"These are some of my personal heroes," Hood said.

Located in the heart of Nashville, Tenn., The Musicians Hall Of Fame and Museum, is the only museum that honors the talented musicians who actually played on what's considered by some as the greatest recordings of all time.

Drummer Roger Hawkins said he grew up in Florence listening to music from Nashville.

"To be honored by them is very special to me," Hawkins said.

Rhythm section guitarist Jimmy Johnson said the induction was special because of the hall's mission, which is to honor musicians.

The rhythm section also performed "When a Man Loves a Woman" with Shoals native Percy Sledge, who is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Hawkins said the rhythm section's induction validates the music that was recorded in the Shoals, New York and Nashville. He used the word "luck" to describe how it all came together, but added that it was really a combination of the right artist, the right song, the right producer - and luck.

"Those things always make the music sound real good," he said.

The rhythm's section's long list of hits include Paul Simon's "Kodachrome" and "Loves Me Like a Rock," Rod Stewart's "Tonight's the Night," Seger's "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll" and "Main Street," "I'll Take You There" by The Staple Singers, and, of course, Sledge's timeless classic, "When a Man Loves a Woman."

"There were a bunch of hit records when we hit our stride in the late '60s and early '70s," Hood said. "Pretty soon, we were cutting hits with everyone we worked with. We enjoyed hit after hit after hit."

Hood, Johnson, Hawkins and pianist Barry Beckett comprised the core group that became known as "The Swampers," but worked with several other musicians who were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame along with them.

"This is a great thing for me," said guitarist Pete Carr. "It's something to validate all these years of work."

Carr said it's also gratifying that many of the albums he performed on are still played every day all over the world. "That's hard to beat as far as satisfaction goes," Carr said.

Also inducted Tuesday were guitarist Will McFarlane, keyboard player Randy McCormick, who is known for playing the introduction to Seger's "Old Time Rock 'n' Roll," fellow keyboardists Spooner Oldham and Clayton Ivey.

"It's wonderful to see my fellow Alabamians recognized for the amazing music they created," said John Briggs, vice-president of membership for the American Society of Artists Composers and Producers in Nashville, and a Killen native.

McFarlane said it was gratifying to be inducted along with his fellow musicians.

"Nothing compared to being in the studio with Roger and David," McFarlane said.

Also among Tuesday's inductees were Memphis Horns members Wayne Jackson, who played trumpet, and Andrew Love, who played saxophone and often collaborated with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.

Jackson said the horns played on the first hit for Stax Records, "Last Night" by the Mar-Keys.

Producer Billy Sherrill, who has been regarded as being the defining influence of the "countrypolitan" sound, was also inducted into the hall of fame.

Sherill is famous for his associations with country artists Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Tanya Tucker, Charlie Rich and many others.

The "King of Twang" Duane Eddy was also inducted into the hall of fame along with producer Al Kooper, who was unable to attend the event because of an illness

The event was held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Hall just off Broadway in downtown Nashville.