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Alabama's Music Achievers
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MUSIC ACHIEVERS
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MERLE & BUFORD ABNER - --Wedowee, Alabama
- Members of the Swanee River Boys
- Their unique sound was often compared to the Mills Brothers, due to their "black", spiritual sound with smooth, close harmony.
- The lead singer, Buford Abner, wrote many famous songs including "Gloryland Jubilee". His brother, Merle Abner, sang bass for the group.
- They sang together for thirty-seven years and had network programs on both NBC and CBS.
- Buford Abner was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame in May 2002.
FRANK ADAMS SR. --- Birmingham, Alabama
- He served for 47 years as a music teacher and supervisor of music for Birmingham City Schools.
- In 1978, Adams was inducted as a charter member into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
- In 1998 he was named executive director of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.
JOHN RAINEY ADKINS --- Dothan, Alabama
- Played lead guitar with Roy Orbison for 7 years
- John played the now famous lick on Roy's biggest hit "Pretty Woman".
- He also appeared on network television shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show, Shindig and others.
THE AEOLIANS OF OAKWOOD COLLEGE --- Huntsville, Alabama
- Choir originally organized in 1946 by the late Dr. Eva B. Dykes.
- The Aeolians have performed in nearly every state of our nation, Canada, Bermuda, Bahamas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Great Britain, and Romania.
- They have also made appearances on Good Morning America (ABC) and the CBS Morning Show.
RAY AGEE --- Dixon Mills, Alabama
- Rhythm & blues singer whose smooth and relaxed vocal style was similar to Charles Browns'
- Agee and his brothers formed a gospel group called the Agee Brothers. The group often performed in local churches on the west coast.
- Some of Agee's later records include guitar work by Bay Area artist Johnny Heartsman.
ALABAMA--- Fort Payne, Alabama
- Named "Country Music Artist of the Decade" in the 1980s
- Charted 41 #1 singles
- 21 consecutive #1 singles
- Record sales in excess of 45 million albums.
- Become the first "group" to be named Entertainer of the Year by the Country Music Association
- Inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1993.
AVA ALDRIDGE --- Sheffield, Alabama
- She co-wrote the award winning song "Sharing The Night Together" recorded by Dr. Hook, the #1 song "Treat Her Right" by Sawyer Brown, as well as songs by America, John Prine, Tammy Wynette, Percy Sledge, Z.Z. Hill, Barbara Mandrell, Marty Stuart, Melba Montgomery, and many others. She has had over 150 songs recorded.
- She is a former member of the board of the Muscle Shoals Music Association, and organized the first Songwriter Workshops in the area sponsored by the MSMA.
WALT ALDRIDGE --- Florence, Alabama
- Billboard magazine named Aldridge one of the Top Ten Country Songwriters of the year in 1989 and 1991
- His song "(There Ain't) No Gettin' Over Me" was ASCAP's most performed country song in 1982 and in the top 5 in 1983.
- "Holding Her and Loving You" was named song of the year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
ARTHUR ALEXANDER--- Sheffield, Alabama
- Wrote & recorded the 1st hit for FAME Studio, "You Better Move On"
- Career was the cornerstone of the "Muscle Shoals Sound"
- His style influenced Beatles, Rolling Stones, Percy Sledge, and many others.
JAMES ALLEN --- Mobile, Alabama
- Classic Birmingham tenor singer
- He came to Jefferson County in 1920 and was drafted into the Dunham Jubilee Singers. He toured and recorded with that quartet during the 1920s.
- In the early 1930s James Allen moved to Gadsden, Alabama to train a quartet, known as the Golden Stars, sponsored by the Gulf State Steel Company.
RICH AMERSON--- Livingston, Alabama
- A relatively obscure Alabama blues harmonica player and singer who recorded some sides for the Folkways label in the early 1950s.
- He drew most of his vocal inspiration from old field hollers and shouts.
- He performed in local jukes and at Saturday night socials.
- In the late 1930s he recorded for the Library of Congress.
- He is listed in The Big Book of the Blues and his recordings appear on numerous blues compilations.
DAVE ANDERSON-- - Huntsville, Alabama
- Toured with gospel duo, BeBe and CeCe Winans doing shows in Europe and Japan.
- Later became guitarist for the rock group Brother Cain
ANDY ANDREWS --- Birmingham, Alabama
- For two years in a row, he was voted "Comedian of the Year" by the National Association of Campus Activities.
- He was also given their highest honor when he was voted "Entertainer of the Year," voted on by 1,000 colleges and universities nationwide.
- The 1988 cassette Andy Andrews Live at Caesars, Tahoe, was the fist live tape recorded by a comedian at Caesars
ANGLIN BROTHERS-- - Athens, Alabama
- One of the brother acts of the 30's,
- Considerable significance as predecessors of the highly successful team of Johnnie and Jack (Anglin).
- Jim Anglin had a later career as a songwriter.
- As a musical group, the Anglins fit within the spectrum of what might be termed the Delmore tradition.
JACK ANGLIN --- Athens, Alabama
- Jack along with Johnnie Wright formed the group Johnnie and Jack
- Johnnie & Jack ranked as one of the great Country duets of the 40's and 50's.
- In 1951, they had the Top 5 hit song "Poison Love" that elevated them from entertainers to stars.
APPOINTED-- - Cullman, Alabama
- The members are, Mike Foust (tenor vocal) formerly with the Singing Ambassadors, Michael Moore (lead vocal) winner of the 1996 National Quartet Convention talent contest in the individual category, and Tommy Swindle (baritone vocal) songwriter for the group.
- Swindle has written such songs as "Master Physician," "Hold Back the Sea," and the top 40 hit, "I Go to the Mountain." He also wrote "Childlike Faith," which was recorded by both the Freemans and the Pfeifers, and "A Strong Hand," which was recorded by Gold City.
ARCADIAN SERENADERS-- - Mobile, Alabama
- Originally known as the Original Cresent City Jazzers the group changed their name after moving to St. Louis in 1925.
- Trumpet player Sterling Bose went on to have a very successful career in Jazz up until the 1940s.
THEODORE ARTHUR-- - Mobile, Alabama
- Accompanied Bobby Blue Bland and Johnny Taylor during the 1960's. He also played with Aretha Franklin.
- Arthur played tenor sax for 20 years but is now accompanying himself with a computer that mixes various instruments. Since 1980, he handles his own bookings and controls his own record label, Castanet Records. He also has his own publishing company, Prichard Music Co.
DONALD ASHWANDER-- - Birmingham, Alabama
- For 28 years he was Musical Director, composer and performer with The Paper Bag Players, considered by many to be America's foremost children's theater.
- He composed a wealth of music: southern ragtime, cabaret songs, ranging from giddy musical story-stomps to torchy ballads straight out of 1940's film noir, Civil War-inspired operettas, southern gospel-flavored popular songs, and imaginative, skillfully crafted contemporary rags.
ERNIE ASHWORTH--- Huntsville, Alabama
- In 1963 and 1964 Ernie was voted the "Most Promising Male Artist" by Cashbox, Billboard and Record World.
- From 1960 to 1970 every record Ernie released made the national charts. Of these, 12 were Top 10 Hits.
- His signature song was the 1963 #1 hit "Talk Back Trembling Lips"
- Wrote songs for country stars such as: Little Jimmy Dickens, Carl Smith, Johnny Horton, Wilma Lee Cooper and Paul Anka
- Joined Grand Ole Opry in 1964
RANDALL ATCHESON-- - Clanton, Alabama
- The only student in the history of The Julliard School ever allowed to pursue, and receive, simultaneous degrees in piano and organ performance.
- Gave the premiere performance on the new pipe organ at Lincoln Center.
- Has recorded 12 albums featuring classical music as well as his unique arrangements of sacred and popular music.
JAMES ATHERTON --- Montgomery, Alabama
- He made his debut with the San Francisco Opera in 1971 as Goro in Madame Butterfly, and with the Metropolitan Opera in 1977 as the Simpleton in Boris Godunov.
- Since 1977 Atherton has been gaining experience as a director of opera.
- His flexible vocal technique and dramatic abilities have made him highly respected in operas from all stylistic periods.
CHOLLY ATKINS --- Pratt City, Alabama
- He played drums in an Army band and co-wrote songs with Sy Oliver, including "Baby, Are You Kidding?" and "She's My Buddy's Chick," the latter recorded by Nat "King" Cole
- He took jazz tap to new heights
- Atkins devised the routines that became concert trademarks for Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, the Marvelettes, the Supremes, the Temptations, Martha & the Vandellas, and Marvin Gaye.
LEON ATKINS a.k.a. LITTLE JIMMY REED --- Enterprise, Alabama
- Self-taught musician who learned to play the guitar and harmonica around the age of 16.
- Recipient of the1995 Alabama Blues Treasure Award.
- Plays many festivals around the south including the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festival.
VICTOR "RED" ATKINS-- - Selma, Alabama
- Atkins has appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Good Morning America" and Black Entertainment Television's "Jazz Notes."
- When he is not touring, he is an adjunct professor for Ellis Marsalis at the University of New Orleans.
- He was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1998.
- J.R. Cobb (Birmingham, Al.), guitar; Dean Daughtry (Samson, Al.), keyboards; Buddy Buie (Dothan, Al.), producer / manager.
- Former sessionmen, the band smoothed out Southern rock's rough edges with studio sophistication.
- J.R. Cobb, Dean Daughtry and Buddy Buie had been members of the Classics IV.
- Their hit singles included "So In To You" (#7, 1977), "Imaginary Lover" (#7, 1978), and "I'm Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight" (#14, 1978).
TOMMY ATWOOD-- - Mobile, Alabama
- In 1999 inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame
- In 1971 he was named the Singing News' favorite tenor and in 1996 was designated a "Living Legend."
- The Florida boys recorded 11 of his songs; Atwood or others have recorded 43 of his compositions.
HERMAN AUTREY--- Evergreen, Alabama
- Trumpet player with Fats Waller 1930's
- Toured Europe with Saints & Sinners during the 1960's
| Achiever | Style | Instrument | Worked With | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Birth | Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abner, Buford | Country, Gospel | Bass, Tenor Vocals | Swanee River Boys | Nov. 10, 1917 | Lineville, AL | Mt. Pleasant, AL | |
| Abner, Merle | Country, Gospel | Bass Vocals | Swanee River Boys | 1913 | Wedowee, AL | ||
| Abrams, Hooper T. | Jazz, R&B | Trumpet | Isaac Hayes | Birmingham, AL | |||
| Adair Family | Bluegrass | Group | Haleyville, AL | ||||
| Adams House Cat | Rock | Group | Patterson Hood | Florence, AL | |||
| Adams, Frank E. | Jazz | Saxophone, Clarinet | Duke Ellington | Birmingham, AL | |||
| Adams, Frank Jr. | Jazz | Clarinet | Alabama School of Fine Arts | Birmingham, AL | |||
| Adams, Jo Jo Dr. | Blues | ||||||
| Adams, Peter | Folk | Guitar, Piano, Banjo | eastmountainsouth band | 1970 | Birmingham, AL | ||
| Adkins, John Rainey | Rock | Guitar | Roy Orbison, B.J. Thomas | Dec. 31, 1941 | 1989 | Dothan, AL | |
| Aeolians | A Cappella | Group | Oakwood College | Huntsville, AL | |||
| Achiever | Style | Instrument | Worked With | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Birth | Home |
| Agee, Baron | R&B, Rap | Producer | B Rock & The Bizz | Mobile, AL | |||
| Agee, Ray | R&B | Vocals | aka Raymond Clinton | April 10, 1930 | 1990 | Dixons Mill, AL | |
| Aikens, Cornelius | Jazz | Saxophone | |||||
| Alabama | Country, Pop, Rock | Group | 1977 | Fort Payne, AL | |||
| Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame | Jazz | Museum | Birmingham, AL | ||||
| Alabama Symphony Orchestra | Classical | Group | |||||
| Alabamians | Jazz | Group | Alabama Theater in Birmingham | 1920's | Birmingham, AL | ||
| Alan, Buddy | Country | Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter | May 23, 1948 | Phoenix City, AL | |||
| Aldridge, Ava | Pop, Rock Country, | Background Vocals, Songwriter | MSS Studio, Fame Studio | Feb. 21, 1946 | Aug. 12, 2003 | AZ | Sheffield, AL |
| Aldridge, Roy | Country Swing | Songwriter | Narvel Felts, Jim Reeves | Nov. 20, 1928 | Oil City, LA | Sheffield, AL | |
| Aldridge, Walt | Country, Pop, Rock | Guitar, Producer, Songwriter | Ronnie Milsap, Bill Haley | Nov.12, 1955 | Florence, AL | Florence, AL | |
| Achiever | Style | Instrument | Worked With | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Birth | Home |
| Alexander, A.T. | Country, Bluegrass, Gospel | Bass Guitar | Rhythmaires, The Inbetweens, Dixie Land Play Boys | Sulphur Springs, AL | |||
| Alexander, Arthur | Rock, Soul, R&B | Vocals, Songwriter | May 10, 1940 | Junes 9, 1993 | Florence, AL | Sheffield, AL | |
| Alexander, Joseph "Big Joe" | Jazz | Tenor Saxophone | Erskine Hawkins, Count Basie | Birmingham, AL | |||
| Alexander, Sir Nature | R&B | Vocals | aka Everett Kimbrough, Prince | Citronelle, AL | |||
| Alford, Eddie "Spanky" | R&B | Guitar | Baby Face, Boyz II Men | March 24, 2008 | Huntsville, AL | ||
| Allen, Chester | Country | Guitar, Fiddle, Harmonica | Skyline Farms Band | April 7, 1913 | Jackson Co., AL | Skyline, AL | |
| Allen, James | Gospel | Tenor Vocals | Golden Stars Quartet | 1901 | Mobile, AL | ||
| Allen, Leonard | R&B | US Records Owner | Mar. 21, 1900 | Montgomery, AL | |||
| Allen, Leroy | Jazz | Piano | Birmingham, AL | ||||
| Allman, Duane | R&B, Blues, Rock | Guitar | Allman Brothers Band | Nov. 20, 1946 | Oct. 29, 1971 | Muscle Shoals, AL | |
| Alsbrooks, Billy | Country, R&B, Pop, Rock | Guitar | Dan Penn, MSS & Fame Studio | July 20, 1944 | Russellville, AL | ||
| Amerson, Rich | Blues | Vocals, Harmonica | John Lomax | 1893 | Sumterville, AL | ||
| Anderson, Chris | Classical, Opera | Piano, Vocals | Boston Lyric Opera Company | Sheffield, AL | |||
| Achiever | Style | Instrument | Worked With | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Birth | Home |
| Anderson, Dave | Rock | Guitar, Bass | Brother Cane | Sept. 18, 1967 | Orlando, FL | Huntsville, AL | |
| Anderson, Donna | Pop, Rock | Background Vocals | Wet Willie | Mobile, AL | |||
| Anderson, John H. | Jazz, Blues | Trumpet | Nat King Cole, Count Basie | Jan. 31, 1921 | Aug.18, 1974 | Birmingham, AL | |
| Anderson, Wilson Stutz | Jazz | Piano | Louis Armstrong | 1881 | Tuscumbia, AL | ||
| Andrews, Andy | Country | Comedian | May 22, 1959 | Birmingham, AL | |||
| Andrews, Henry Herz | Composer | ||||||
| Andrews, Inez | Gospel | Vocals | Caravans | 1928 | Birmingham, AL | ||
| Anglin Brothers | Country | Group | Red, Jim, Jack Anglin | 1933 | Athens, AL | ||
| Anglin, Jack | Country | Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter | Anglin Brothers | May 13, 1916 | Mar. 8, 1963 | Franklin, TN | Athens, AL |
| Anglin, Jim | Country | Vocals, Bass, Songwriter | Anglin Brothers | Mar. 23, 1913 | Jan. 21, 1987 | Franklin, TN | Athens, AL |
| Achiever | Style | Instrument | Worked With | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Birth | Home |
| Anglin, Van Buren "Red" | Country | Vocals | Anglin Brothers | April 20, 1910 | 1975 | Franklin, TN | Athens, AL |
| Anthony, John David | Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country | Keyboards, Producer | Member of Wet Willie | May 18, 1951 | Mobile, AL | Whistler, AL | |
| Apathy | Rock | Group | Ike Sherlock, Chris Wier | Dothan, AL | |||
| Appointed | Gospel | Group | M. Moore, M. Foust, T. Swindle | Cullman, AL | |||
| Arcadian Serenaders | Jazz | Group | Stirling Bose, Avery Loposer | 1920's | Mobile, AL | ||
| Ard, Charlie | Jazz | Composer, Arranger | SuperJazz | 1930 | May 16, 2002 | Birmingham, AL | |
| Armstrong, Francis "Tippy | Rock, Blues, Country | Guitar, Songwriter | Bobby Womack, The Magnificent Seven | 1947 | June 9, 1979 | Tuscaloosa, AL | Muscle Shoals, AL |
| Armstrong, Gary | Jazz, Pop, Country | Trumpet | Muscle Shoals Horns | 1951 | Sheffield, AL | ||
| Armstrong, William | R&B | Keyboards, Songwriter | Clarence Carter, Slip Away | Mar. 26, 1943 | Evergreen, AL | Montgomery, AL | |
| Arrington, Hardy | Jazz | Trombonist | Fess Whatley | Birmingham, AL | |||
| Arrington, Richard | Jazz | Fess Whatley | Birmingham, AL | ||||
| Achiever | Style | Instrument | Worked With | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Birth | Home |
| Arthur, Theodore | R&B, Blues | Saxophone | Bobby Bland, Johnnie Taylor | 1946 | Mobile, AL | ||
| Ashwander, Donald | Jazz, Ragtime | Keyboards, Composer | The Paper Bag Players | 1929 | Nov. 26, 1994 | Birmingham, AL | New York City, NY |
| Ashworth, Ernie | Country, Honky Tonk | Guitar, Vocals, Songwriter | Grand Ole Opry | Dec. 15, 1928 | Huntsville, AL | ||
| Atcheson, Randall | Classical | Piano, Arranger | Carnegie Hall | 1951 | Selma, AL | ||
| Athens Mass Choir | Gospel | Group | Dorothy Norwood | Athens, AL | |||
| Atherton, James, Jr. | Opera | Vocals | Metropolitan Opera | April 27, 1943 | Montgomery, AL | ||
| Atkins, Ben | Rock, Country | Vocals | Toured with BJ Thomas | Sept. 23, 1943 | Vernon, AL | Madison, AL | |
| Atkins, Charles "Cholly" | R&B | Choreographer | Motown | Sept. 30, 1913 | April 19, 2003 | Pratt City, AL | |
| Atkins, Victor "Red" | Jazz | Piano | AL Jazz Hall of Fame - 1998 | Selma, AL | |||
| Atlanta Rhythm Section | Rock, Pop | Group | 1970 | ||||
| Achiever | Style | Instrument | Worked With | Date of Birth | Date of Death | Place of Birth | Home |
| Atwood, Tommy | Gospel | Tenor Vocals, Songwriter | Florida Boys | 1938 | Whynot, MS | Satsuma, AL | |
| Auburn Knights | Jazz | Group | Toni Tennille | 1930 | Auburn, AL | ||
| Ausman | Sonny | Trombone | Los Angeles Philarmonic | Bessemer, AL | |||
| Austin, Brad | Country | Vocals, Guitar | aka Brad Viall | Aug. 29, 1969 | Colbert Heights, AL | Shoals Area, AL | |
| Austin, C.P. | Black Folk | Vocals | |||||
| Autrey, Herman | Jazz | Trumpet | Fats Waller | Dec. 4, 1904 | June 14, 1980 | Evergreen, AL | |
| Avant, Mart | Jazz, Pop, Rock | Trumpet, Fluglehorn, Piano, Drums | Temptations, Martha Reeves, Tuscaloosa Horns | April 16, 1955 | Birmingham, AL | Tuscaloosa, AL | |
| Averytt, Fred | Jazz | Saxophone, Bandleader | Fred Averytt & His Dream Band | Birmingham, AL |