Fame Recording Studios — Attraction in Muscle Shoals

As a huge fan of American Soul I was really looking forward to visiting the studio where so much great music had been produced. Before travelling to the States I checked out their website to find the details for visiting. It stated that tours took place at 10 am and needed to be pre-booked (this has since been changed). The contact details were a phone number and an on-line form, but no e-mail address. I filled in the form asking how I could book a tour but was disappointed to receive no response whatsoever. In the middle of February I had arrived in America and sought to book a place on the tour. I rang the given number and was told no booking was necessary so I duly arrived at 10am the following day. The tour was conducted by a young man who told us he was a producer at the studio before showing us the building. The tour was not bad, but it was not good either. I got the impression that showing tourists round was an irritating distraction from what he really wanted to be doing. Much of the presentation was off the cuff with little evidence of preparation. It compared badly to Sun Studios which we had visited the previous week with its slick presentation, interesting anecdotes and samples of records which were clearly planned. It also compared badly in terms of welcome against their near neighbours The Muscle Shoals Sound Studio who seemed to appreciate the fans who had travelled great distances to visit their venue. None the less I decided to mark the fulfilment of my ambition by buying myself a souvenir. Despite the fact it was double the price I could pick it up for on Amazon I purchased a CD. On leaving the studio I drove to Nashville some 300 miles away and it was only there that I discovered I had been given an empty case and there was no disc within it. I used their messaging system again I informed them of the problem and asked them to forward the CD to my home. Once again I received no response. I lived in hope that when I finally got home the disc might have been posted, but I was again disappointed. I used their messaging system for a third time to question the situation but again I received no reply. I firmly believe that if a company has taken money for a product it is their responsibility to ensure the product is delivered. Clearly Fame Studios see it differently. I do not regret visiting the studio because of its iconic status un the world of R&B and by going there I fulfilled a long held ambition, but this does not disguise the fact that the communication was appalling, its customer care non existent, its presentation amateurish and its ethics questionable. They offer little in the way of experience but exploit the sentimentality of its fans. Shame on this organisation.

Visited...

This place is awesome. I visited because I saw the documentary on Netflix. I've always known the studio was a big deal, but didn't know the story until the documentary. If you haven't seen it, watch before you visit. The tour guides are people who've worked there for a lifetime, but don't really spend a lot of time storytelling. You'll have to ask questions. Photos were allowed and encouraged, but no photos of photos. I got to meet the artist recording that day, which was cool. The experience is made better if you know about the music produced there before you go inside. Even if it's not really your thing, if you know who sang/played there, then it feels pretty cool when you stroll into Studio A. Everything is exactly as it was when the place was built. If you're not prepared for that, you might be thrown by the 60s/70s everything when you walk in. Both studios are in the top 5 most interesting rooms I've ever seen (I'm a Millennial). Bottom line, if you go as a person with no knowledge of the place, and you don't ask questions, you'll be underwhelmed. If you know a bit and ask a question or two to get stories started, it'll be a memorable experience. I recommend it. When I return, I will take guests there with me. 10/10,...

A group of 6 of us made the trek to Alabama last week for a much anticipated visit to FAME studios. I was awestruck speechless, elated and will be forever amazed by the experience of visiting and touring FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals Alabama. I was prepared for a tour of the studio, hearing of its history and viewing memorabilia. However it touched my soul and evoked so much emotion that it brought a few if us to tears. Jackson Hall, Rick Hall’s grandson was the guide for our backstage tour. Jackson has most likely done this tour hundreds of times but you would never know that. He provided information, shared stories about his grandfather, his family and the artist with such enthusiasm that he was able to pull you into the experience that is FAME studios. The entire tour was amazing but the last stop in studio A (which has not changed since they opened in 1960) where we had the privilege of actually listening to recordings made in the studio was like nothing I have ever heard or experienced. If you are thinking about going do it no mater how far you have to travel it will be well worth it....