| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |
WILEY WALKER - Andalusia, Alabama
-Member of Wiley & Gene, one of Country music's most successful duets of the late 1930's & 40's
-Co-wrote "Live and Let Live" and "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again"
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
JERRY L. WALLACE - Muscle Shoals, Alabama
-Co-Wrote "Even the Nights Are Better" for Air Supply and "Touch Me When We're Dancing" for Alabama
-Produced The Forester Sisters with partner Terry Skinner
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
GREELY WALTON - Mobile, Alabama
-Saxophone, clarinet or flute with bands led by Louis Russell, Louis Armstrong, Cootie Williams, Cab Calloway, and others
-Conductor for the Ink Spots Show 1945-47
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
TRAVIS WAMMACK - Muscle Shoals, Alabama
-First to develop and use the fuzz tone for an electric guitar
-His instrumental "Scratchy" was million seller when released in 1963
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
FRANK WARNER - Selma, Alabama
-Traveled throughout the rural U.S. collecting folk songs which were later published in "Frank Warner Sings American Folk Songs & Ballads"
-He discovered "Tom Dooley" and "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands"
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
MERVYN WARREN - Huntsville, Alabama
-Former member of Take 6
-Conductor, Record Producer, Arranger, Film Composer, Pianist, Songwriter and Vocalist
-Five Grammy Awards, six Dove Awards, and two Gospel Music Workshop of America Awards
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
CARL "BAMA" WARWICK - Brookside, Alabama
-Trumpet with Lucky Millinder, Teddy Hill, Woody Herman, Buddy Rich, & Dizzy Gillespie
-In 1966 appointed musical director of the New York Correctional Institution
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
DINAH WASHINGTON-- Tuscaloosa, Alabama
-Known as the "Queen of the Blues"
-Began singing in church choirs then moved into popular music as a member of Lionel Hampton's band
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
FRED WESLEY - Mobile, Alabama
-Innovative trombone arrangements for artists James Brown, Curtis Mayfield, Dr. John and Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, etc
-His JBs band of the 1970's found success with hard-funk single "Doin' It To Death"
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
WET WILLIE - Mobile, Alabama
-One of the best exponents of the Southern Rock sound of the 1970's
-Hits were "Keep On Smilin," "Street Corner Serenade," and "Weekend"
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
JERRY WEXLER-- New York, New York
-Played a pivotal role in developing Muscle Shoals into one of the major recording centers in the nation
-Brought Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett to Muscle Shoals to record
-Other artists recorded by Wexler in Muscle Shoals include Willie Nelson, Cher, Dire Straits, and Bob Dylan
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
JOHN T. "FESS" WHATLEY-- Tuscaloosa, Alabama
-Music teacher at Birmingham Industrial High School
-In his 45 year teaching career, over 300 of his students became professional musicians
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
AARON WILBURN - Ardmore, Alabama
-Hired by Curly Putman at Green Grass
Music.
-Traveled with the Happy Goodman Family.
-Wrote "What A
Beautiful Day For The Lord To Come Again!"
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
AUDREY WILLIAMS - Banks, Alabama
-Wife of Hank Williams and vocalist with the Drifting Cowboys band
-She continued to perform and record after Hank's death
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
CHARLES "COOTIE" WILLIAMS - Mobile, Alabama
-Top trumpeter during the 1940's
-Played with Chick Webb, Fletcher Henderson, Lionel Hampton, Teddy Wilson, and Billie Holiday, being showcased in Duke Ellington's band.
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
HANK WILLIAMS-- Georgiana, Alabama
-Singer/songwriter who composed such songs as "I Saw The Light," "Cold, Cold Heart" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
HANK WILLIAMS JR.-- Shreveport, Louisiana
-Singer/songwriter who currently holds the record for having nine albums on Billboards charts at one time
-Hits songs include "All My Rowdy Friends," "Family Tradition" and "There's A Tear In My Beer"
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
LINDA WILLIAMS - Anniston, Alabama
-Member of Robin and Linda Williams & Their Fine Group which formed in 1973
-Debuted on American Public Radio's Prairie Home Companion
-Co-writer on songs for Emmylou Harris and Tom T. Hall
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
NELSON WILLIAMS - Birmingham, Alabama
-Played with Cow Cow Davenport, Billy Ekstine, and later with Duke Ellington's band
-Lead his own band touring Europe throughout the 1950's & 60's
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
RANSOM WILSON - Tuscaloosa, Alabama
-One of the great flutists of the 20th century
-Two Grammy Awards for his playing
-Began conducting in the 1980's
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
"TEDDY" WILSON - Tuskegee, Alabama
-Member of the Benny Goodman Trio, the first interracial group to perform in the U.S.
-Led various studio bands 1930's through the 50's recording Billie Holliday and others
-Taught piano at the Juilliard School of music from 1945-52
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
TERRY WOODFORD - Sheffield, Alabama
-Signed exclusive production agreement with Motown Records producing the Commodores, Temptations, Supremes and others
-With partner Clayton Ivey, built Wishbone Studio and publishing company
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
MARION WORTH - Birmingham, Alabama
-Favorite on the Grand Ole Opry as well as the music rooms of Las Vegas during the 1960's
-One of the first Country performers to play New York's Carnegie Hall
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
TAMMY WYNETTE-- Red Bay, Alabama
-Known as the "First Lady of Country Music"
-Her classic, "Stand By Your Man" stood for 15 years as the largest selling single in country music
For a more complete listing of achievers: W
Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date Of Birth Date Of Death Place Of Birth Home WLAY Radio Radio Station Muscle Shoals, AL Wachter, Tony Songwriter, Vocals, Eng. Feb.
1, 1955 Cullman, AL Wade, Glen Country, Rock Vocals Sheffield, AL Wagnon Sisters Pop, Gospel Vocals, Piano Ann & Becky Tuscumbia, AL Walbert, James D. Gospel, Pop, Jazz Piano Vaughan Quartet 1917 Lawrenceburg, TN Birmingham, AL Waldrep, Gary Bluegrass Banjo Sand Mountain Boys 1963 Sand Mountain, AL Waldroup, Jason Gospel Tenor Vocals Greater Vision Dec.
31, 1976 Opelika, AL Walker, Cindy Country, Pop, R&B Background Vocals aka Cindy Richardson TN Florence, AL Walker, David Rock, R&B Guitar May
12, 1943 Montgomery, AL Walker, Debra Country Vocals Gulf Coast Opry 1956 April
1, 2002 Mobile, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Walker, Shawn R&B Studio Owner Image Entertainment Studios Huntsville, AL Walker, Wiley Country Vocals, Fiddle Wiley & Gene Nov.
17, 1911 May 17, 1966 Laurel Hill, FL Andalusia, AL Walker, William Jazz Sept.
20, 1947 Mobile, AL Wallace, Billy Country Songwriter, Vocals Oklahoma City, OK Athens, AL Wallace, Evelyn Jenkins Jazz, Gospel Piano AL Jazz Hall of Fame Birmingham, AL Wallace, Jerry L. Country Songwriter Terry Skinner Muscle Shoals, AL Wallace, Lisa Taylor Vocals Jasper, AL Walters, Lizanne Country, Pop Vocals Gordon Mote Dec.
9, 1974 Foley, AL Walton, Greely Jazz Tenor Sax,
Clarinet, Flute Benny Carter, Louis Armstrong Oct.
4, 1905 Mobile, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Walton, Wilbur Jr. Rock James Gang Wamble, Luther Blues Guitar Clarence Gatemouth Brown Mobile, AL Wammack, Travis Rock, R&B, Country Guitar Little Richard 1946 Walnut, MS Muscle Shoals, AL Wammack, Travis Jr. Monkey Rock Drums Little Richard Muscle Shoals, AL Warner, Frank Folk Banjo, Vocals Frank Proffitt April
5. 1903 Selma, AL Warren, J.W. Blues Guitar June
22, 1921 Aug. 5, 2003 Ariton, AL Warren, Mervyn Pop, R&B, Gospel Producer, Writer, Arranger Barbara Streisand, Quincy Jones Huntsville, AL Warrior River Boys Bluegrass Group Cullman, AL Warwick, William Carl "Bama" Jazz Trumpet Teddy Hill, Dizzy Gillespie Oct.
27, 1917 Brookside, AL Washboard Willie Blues Washboard, Drums, Vocals aka William Paden Hensley July
24, 1909 Aug. 24, 1991 Phenix City, AL Washington, Dinah Jazz, Blues Vocals aka Ruth Jones Aug.
29, 1924 Dec. 14, 1963 Tuscaloosa, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Washington, Laura Jazz Vocals Erskine Hawkins 1926 Aug.
30, 1990 Birmingham, AL Watkins, Allen Bluegrass Banjo Clair Lynch Battleground, AL Watson, Anthony Vocals, Songwriter Mobile, AL Watson, Dale Country Vocals, Songwriter Oct.
7, 1963 Birmingham, AL Watson, Johnny Daddy "Stovepipe" Blues Guitar, Harmonica Mississippi Sarah his wife April
12, 1867 Nov. 1, 1963 Mobile, AL Watson, Ona Jazz Vocals Birmingham, AL Watson, Tim Country Vocals, Fiddle Tammy Wynette, Randy Travis Gadsden, AL Watters, Bessie Atley Gospel Vocals Gadsden, AL Watters, Harry Jazz Trombone Al Hirt, Pete Fountain Huntsville, AL Watters, Ken Jazz Trumpet Frank Sinatra, Ramsey Lewis July
6, 1964 Huntsville, AL Watts, Nicole Gospel Vocals The Perrys,
The Seekers June 27, 1972 Alexander City, AL Weaver, Bob Country Vocals Travis & Bob July
26, 1938 Jackson, AL Weaver, Jerry R&B Songwriter Frederick Knight Florence, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Weaver, Phil Classical Guitar AL State Council on the Arts Huntsville, AL Weejuns Rock Group 1962 Sheffield, AL Weeks, Terry R&B Vocals Temptations Birmingham, AL Welch, G. Truman Marching Band Conductor Band Masters Hall of Fame 1979 June
15, 1919 Claud, AL Wetumpka, AL Wells, Jolly Little Whitt R&B, Blues Guitar, Vocals, Songwriter Little Whitt & Big Bo 1934 Ralph, AL Welsh, Stan Blues, Pop Guitar, Engineer Santa Fe Symphony 1948 Sheffield, AL Wesley, Fred Jazz, R&B Trombone James Brown July
4, 1943 Mobile, AL West, Charlie Blues Piano Bill Broonzy & Carey Bell Sept.
27, 1914 April 16, 1976 Andalusia, AL West, Robert Record label owner Lupine Records Montgomery, AL Westbrook, Jimi Country Vocals Little Big Town Sumiton, AL Wet Willie Rock Group 1970 Mobile, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Wexler, Jerry R&B, Rock Producer Muscle Shoals Studios Jan.
10, 1917 New York, NY Whatley, Edward Jazz Reeds Fess Whatley's brother Tuscaloosa, AL Whatley, John T. Fess Jazz Band Leader, Trumpet Birmingham Industrial HS Tuscaloosa, AL Wheaton, Karen Gospel Vocals Hamilton, AL Decatur, AL Wheeler, Bryan Rock, Country, R&B Drums Charlie Hayward, Mike Duke Mobile, AL Whitaker, Peggy Country Administrative Country Music Association Birmingham, AL Whitcomb, Dale Country, Bluegrass Banjo, Fiddle, Vocals Red, White & Blue(Grass) Birmingham, AL White Family Bluegrass, Gospel Group Moulton, AL White, Andrew Broadus Classical , Opera Vocals Ft. Deposit, AL White, Debbie Country, Gospel Vocals Top Country Gospel Artist 1999 Huntsville, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home White, Deborah Jo Rock, Gospel Vocals Lynard Skynyrd Memphis, TN Vinemont, AL White, Evelyn Darby Lynn R&B, Gospel Vocals Aug.
6, 1953 Mobile, AL White, Jack Country Songwriter Sept.
27, 1953 Columbia, TN Livingston, AL White, Perry Country Vocals, Producer Memories of Elvis Show April
29, 1954 Gadsden, AL Gadsden,
AL White, Phillip Country Songwriter Roger Murrah Nashville, TN Rogersville, AL Whited, Ralph Country Fiddle 1919 1994 Oneonta, AL Whitefield, Clarence Jazz Bass Fess Whatley Birmingham, AL Whitley, Ray Country Vocals, Songwriter Gene Autry Dec.
5, 1901 Feb. 21, 1979 Atlanta, GA Clay Co., AL Whitlock, Bobby Rock Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar Eric Clapton, George Harrison 1949 AR Tuscumbia, AL Whitt, Eugene Horton Gospel Vocals, Songwriter Stamps-Baxter Music Boaz, AL Widget Studio R&B, Rock Studio Ron Ballew Mar.
1970 Sheffield, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Wigginton, Hershel Country Vocals Hee-Haw Jan.
28, 1938 Hamilton, AL Wilbourn, Bill Country Aliceville, AL Wilburn, Aaron Gospel Vocals, Songwriter Happy Goodman Family July
9, 1950 Ardmore, AL Hendersonville,
TN Wilburn, Jonathan Gospel Vocals Gold City, Wilburns Oct.
2, 1967 Carthage, TN Gadsen, AL Wilcox Exit Bluegrass Group Baldwin Co., AL Will and the Bushmen Rock Group Mobile, AL Williams, Audrey Country Vocals Hank's 1st wife Feb.
28, 1923 Nov. 4, 1975 Banks, AL Williams, Charles "Chas" Country Slide Guitar, Dobro Nanci Griffith, Wynonna Judd 1955 Birmingham, AL Williams, Charles Cootie Jazz Trumpet Chick Webb, Benny Goodman July
10, 1908 Sept. 15, 1985 Mobile, AL Williams, Curly Country Vocals, Songwriter June
3, 1913 Sept. 5, 1970 GA Montgomery, AL Williams, Dewey P. Sacred Harp Vocals Wiregrass Singers Mar.
5, 1898 Nov. 11, 1995 Ozark, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Williams, E.W. Jazz Trumpet Birmingham, AL Williams, Elbert Skippy R&B, Jazz Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet Count Basie, Duke Ellington July
27, 1916 Tuscaloosa, AL Williams, Ernest Pinky R&B, Jazz Saxophone Millinder, Freddie Mitchell Oct.
6, 1914 Tuscaloosa, AL Williams, Hank III Country Vocals, Songwriter Williams, Hank Jr. Country Vocals, Songwriter May
26, 1949 Shreveport, LA Gadsden, AL Williams, Hiram King Hank Country Vocals, Songwriter Drifting Cowboys Sept.
17, 1923 Jan. 1, 1953 Mount Olive, AL Williams, Iva Jazz Bass Birmingham, AL Williams, Ivory Pops Jazz Bass, Bandleader Fess Whatley 1879 Northport, AL Williams, Jabo Blues, Jazz Piano Pratt City, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Williams, Jett Country Vocals Hank's daughter Jan.
6, 1953 Montgomery, AL Williams, Johnny Jazz, R&B Vocals Jan.
15, 1942 Tyler, AL Williams, Johnny Lee R&B Tenor Vocals Drifters Mobile, AL Williams, Joseph Leon R&B, Blues Guitar, Vocals, Songwriter Bo Diddley, Howlin' Wolf Feb.
3, 1935 Mobile, AL Williams, Linda Country Vocals, Guitar, Banjo Robin & Linda Williams Fine Group July
7, 1949 Anniston, AL Williams, Melody Gospel Soprano Vocals The Givens,
The Nelsons Northport, AL Williams, Nelson Cadillac Jazz Trumpet, Vocals Cow Cow Davenport, Billy
Ekstine Sept. 26, 1917 Nov.
1973 Birmingham, AL Williams, Paul R&B Baritone Vocals The Temptations July
2, 1939 Aug. 17, 1973 Birmingham, AL Williams, Ralph Jazz Saxophonist Bill Cosby Ensley, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Williams, Rufus Jazz Trumpet, Drums Birmingham, AL Williams, Sabrina Country Fiddle Oakman, AL Willis, Aaron Blues Harmonica Detroit Blues artists Oct.
6, 1932 Greensboro, AL Willis, John D. Country, Gospel, Rock Guitar Willis, Ralph Bama Blues Vocals, Guitar Brownie McGhee 1910 1957 AL Wilson, Eugene B. "Happy" Country Administrative Marion Worth June
29, 1919 Aug. 24, 1977 Winston Co., AL Birmingham, AL Wilson, Jay Rock Anniston, AL Wilson, Krystye Rock Vocals 1975 Phil Campbell, AL Wilson, Ola Belle Brown Gospel Vocals, Songwriter, Educator Stamps-Baxter Dec.
3, 1907 May 18, 2000 Boaz, AL Wilson, Perry Country Guitar, Vocals Lefty Frizzell, Wyn Stewart 1940 Milltown, AL Wilson, Ransom Classical Flute, Conductor Oct.
25, 1951 Tuscaloosa, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Wilson, Teddy Jazz Piano, Conductor Benny Goodman, Art Tatum Nov.
24, 1912 July 31, 1986 Austin, TX Tuskegee, AL Wilson, Tony Lewis Jazz Trumpet Harrison Cooper Orchestra Nov.
12, 1945 Memphis, TN Birmingham, AL Wilson, Wilbur W. Gospel Vocals, Songwriter, Educator Stamps-Baxter Sept.
11, 1905 Nov. 24, 1974 Franklin, GA Boaz, AL Windham, Greg Country Vocals 1966 Andalusia, AL Winston, Shirley Classical, Opera NY City Opera Company Montgomery, AL Winter, George Rock, Pop Keyboards George Winter Band Oct.
1939 Bloomfield, NJ Tuscaloosa, AL Wire Grass Singers Sacred Harp Group Ozark, AL Wishbone Studios R&B, Country, Pop Studio 1972 Muscle Shoals, AL Witcher Rock Group Florence, AL Wohlford, Eddie Pop Vocals, Piano Tommy Shaw Montgomery, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Wolfe, Tom Jazz Guitar U of A Jazz Director Tuscaloosa, AL Wood, Mitchell Booty Jazz Trombone Basie, Ellington, Hampton Dec.
27, 1919 Wedowee, AL Woodard, Jerry Rock Vocals Talladega, AL Woodford, Terry R&B, Pop, Country Studio, Producer, Writer Clayton Ivey Oct.
9, 1942 Princeton, IN Sheffield, AL Woodson, Ali-Ollie R&B Vocals The Temptations Detroit, MI Town Creek, AL Wooldridge, Milton Country Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter Ernie Ashworth, Gordon Terry Oct.
31, 1940 Athens, AL Wooten, Willard L. Gospel Bass Vocals, Promoter Sacred Tones Worth, Billy Country Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter aka Ernie Ashworth Dec.
15, 1928 Huntsville, AL Worth, Marion Country Vocals Grand Ole Opry July
4, 1930 Dec. 19, 1999 Birmingham, AL Wray, Bob Country, R&B, Pop Bass Muscle Shoals & Nashville Studios Sept.
26, 1947 Stevens Point, WI Sheffield, AL Achiever Style Instrument Worked With Date of Birth Date of Death Place of Birth Home Wright, Andrew R&B Songwriter Percy Sledge Sheffield, AL Wyker, John Rock Vocals, Songwriter Sailcat Mar.
14, 1945 Florence, AL Decatur, AL Wynette, Tammy Country Vocals George Jones, Billy Sherrill May.
2, 1942 April 6, 1998 Itawamba Co., MS Red Bay, AL
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