The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association has created a new podcast all about North Alabama. The Unexpected Adventures in North Alabama podcast spotlights everything that makes the Mountain Lakes region so special. From the well known to the unknown, it’s all there, just a listen away.
Host Melea Hames takes the listener through the towns in North Alabama that are rich in culture, history and natural beauty. Guests on each episode weigh in on their favorite activities, cuisine and fun facts about the must-see areas of the region. Adventure awaits!
If you’re considering a trip to the Shoals, or you just want to learn more about the area – which is the northwest corner of Alabama and is made up of Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Florence – listen to episode eight of the podcast. Lifelong Muscle Shoals resident and marketing expert Tiffany Butler guests on the episode and shares about the cultural and historical contributions the Shoals offers.
Rich with musical history and influence, Muscle Shoals is home to three famous recording studios. The Fame Recording Studios began in the late 50s. Iconic artists Aretha Franklin, Cher, the Osmonds, Zac Brown Band and Jason Isbell (a Shoals native) among many, many others have all recorded at Fame over the years. Keith Richards famously wrote the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses” while in the bathroom at Fame.
Additionally, well known musicians drop by on a regular basis. In recent years, Aerosmith’s lead singer Steven Tyler recorded at Fame. It is said he was moved to tears when visiting Ivy Green, Helen Keller’s birthplace in Tuscumbia (another can’t miss Shoals experience), while he was in town to record.
The Swampers, the band made famous in Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” built Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, which was refurbished to it’s 1960s glory with a grant from Dr. Dre and Jimmy lovine in 2017. From that, Cypress Moon was created as a third recording studio. Each studio is tourable, as well as The Alabama Music Hall of Fame, which includes exhibits from musicians all over Alabama.
Similarly, in episode six, listeners learn what they should know about taking a trip to Mentone from North Alabama Ambassador Ethan Ford and Marketing Manager for Dekalb County tourism Kayla Worthy (a Mentone native). Truly unique, Mentone is a small mountain town located atop Lookout Mountain in the northeast corner of Alabama. Small, yes, but with so much to offer.
Between the many gorgeous hiking trails and the incredible waterfall at nearby DeSoto State Park, outdoor activities abound in Mentone. There is also plenty to do indoors, particularly since the town is a thriving artist community. You can visit the Mentone Art Center to view amazing local artwork or head to Orbix Hot Glass to blow your own glassware. For the best meals in Mentone, the popular Wildflower Cafe tops the list. Don’t sleep on the Mentone Market, though, which was an old service station converted into a market and BBQ restaurant. It’s the perfect hole-in-the-wall experience to round out a memorable Mentone trip.
The podcast has so much more to offer, each episode a valuable resource for anyone wanting to know more about the hidden (and even not-so-hidden) gems of North Alabama. Listen and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, CastBox, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Listen Notes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Radio Public, and stay tuned for more unexpected adventures!
