A new destination music festival celebrating the birthplace of Southern rock will make its debut in the Shoals later this summer, bringing nationally known artists, legendary Muscle Shoals musicians and a weekend of live music, storytelling and Southern culture to North Alabama.
SkyDog: The Shoals Experience is scheduled for Aug. 28-30 at the Renaissance Shoals Resort and Convention Center in Florence. Organizers describe the event as an immersive celebration of the region’s musical heritage, combining concerts, food, film, books and cultural programming into what they call a “cruise ship on land” experience.
The inaugural lineup includes Jackson Dean, Wet Willie featuring Jimmy Hall, Maggie Rose, The FAME Gang, Mike Farris, Gary Nichols, Spooner Oldham, Scott Sharrard of Little Feat, Peter Levin of the Gregg Allman Band and Sons of Legion, along with a collection of legendary Muscle Shoals session musicians.
Named after the nickname given to guitar legend Duane Allman, SkyDog honors The Shoals’ role in shaping Southern rock while recognizing the area’s broader influence on American music.
“This is the fruition of a dream I’ve talked about for a long time,” said Rodney Hall, co-owner and president of FAME Publishing and FAME Studios. “I’ve always wanted to create something that shines a light on this region as the birthplace of Southern rock and as a place where music history still lives. My father, Rick Hall, was part of building that foundation, and Duane Allman earned the name SkyDog within that story. When Duane talked Wilson Pickett and Rick Hall into laying down those legendary tracks on ‘Hey Jude’ at FAME, it marked one of those moments that changed music. This event is about honoring that legacy and giving people an elevated way to experience The Shoals.”
Sharrard, who serves as guitarist, vocalist and musical director for the event’s all-star performances, said the festival will pay tribute to the Allman Brothers Band and the music that helped define the region.
“Gregg Allman once said, ‘There is no such thing as Southern rock; all rock is Southern,’” Sharrard said. “This show is about honoring Gregg’s brother Duane and his pioneering musical soul and visionary spirit. I will be tirelessly curating a show to honor the Allman family’s signature rock-and-roll fusion of the Southern-born music that we all love. Performing this concert with the help and talent of my good friends from FAME studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, one of the true cradles of American roots music in all its forms, is an added bonus that will truly bring the music back home. We will have some very talented friends along for the ride as well, who embody the storytelling and musical adventure that is intrinsic to great rock and roll, soul, blues and all its tributaries for generations. I have no doubt that Gregg and Duane will be smiling down as we hit the note in The Shoals one more time.”
In addition to concerts, attendees will have access to regional food vendors, film screenings, author events and storytelling sessions. VIP experiences will include programming connected to the Caution! Stones Ahead Rolling Stones Museum, with the weekend concluding with a Sunday brunch.
Larry Bowser, general manager of the Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa, said the event is designed to showcase more than just music.
“I’ve spent my career in hospitality, and I’m also an avid concert goer,” Bowser said. “The best music weekends are about more than the set times. They’re about atmosphere, discovery, comfort, and the feeling that you’re somewhere with a real story. SkyDog Shoals is being shaped with that in mind. The Shoals already has the music, the history, and the soul. This is about bringing those elements together in a way people can fully step into.”
The event is presented by Muscle Shoals Music Group with founding support from One Louder, Singing River Automotive and Visit The Shoals.
Additional artists, hotel packages and programming details will be announced throughout the summer. Tickets and event information are available through the festival’s official website.
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