Artists will have the opportunity to win prizes throughout the competition. Each round, our panel of judges will choose an artist who they think performed best for the specified category, and they will receive a prize. Our finalists for the overall competition will be awarded with prize packages that will help grow their brand and support their journey.
PRIZES
1st Place
3 Days of studio time @ the Studio of their choice
12 weeks of Heavy Rotation on appropriate SRMG Station(s)
$3,000 advertising package on SRMG Stations
Instrument set up from Muscle Shoals Vintage (3 Instruments)
Brand Consultation with The Collective
Digital Merch Design by Lily Martin
$2,000 Cash sponsored by Alvis Law
Hotel Accommodations During Studio Time
2nd Place
2 Days of studio time @ the Studio of their choice (cannot be where 1st place chooses)
8 weeks of Heavy Rotation on appropriate SRMG Station(s)
$2,000 advertising package on SRMG Stations
Instrument set up from the Sound Shoppe (2 Instruments)
$1,000 Cash sponsored by Alvis Law
Hotel Accommodations During Studio Time
3rd Place
One day of studio time @ the studio of their choice (cannot be where 1st or 2nd place chooses)
4 weeks of Heavy Rotation on appropriate SRMG Station(s)
$1,000 advertising package on SRMG Stations
Instrument set up from the Sound Shoppe (2 Instruments)
$500 Cash sponsored by Alvis Law
Hotel Accommodations During Studio Time
Local Studios
7 prestigious studios in the Shoals have all generously agreed to donate studio time to the winners of the Shoals City Showdown. 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place will all win time at the studio of their choice.
FAME Music was established in 1959 in Florence, Alabama and has gone on to be the heartbeat of the Muscle Shoals Sound FAME moved to Muscle Shoals in 1961. FAME has worked in the studio with some of the Greatest artists in Rock music history. Artists such as Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Lou Rawls, Otis Redding, and many others. In the last 60 plus years, FAME has been involved in recording or publishing records that have sold over 400 million copies world wide.
FAME Recording Studios
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio was founded by the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section also known as The Swampers. They began working together at Rick Hall’s FAME Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama where they became well-renowned in the recording industry for playing a unique style of R&B. The musicians decided to leave their positions at FAME in 1969 and open up their own studio in Sheffield, Alabama. Muscle Shoals Sound Studio is now owned and operated by the Muscle Shoals Music Foundation who are dedicated to keeping the legendary legacy of the studio alive.
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio
The Nutthouse is an award-winning recording studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama offering a state-of-the-art facility for all your recording, mixing, and mastering needs. The Nutthouse Recording Studio was opened in 2008 by Grammy award-winning engineer, Jimmy Nutt. Originally from Louisiana, Nutt moved to Muscle Shoals in 2000 and spent 3 years at FAME Recording Studios before finally opening The Nutthouse.
The Nutthouse
East Avalon Recorders is a recording studio located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Known for its high-quality recording facilities and rich musical heritage, East Avalon has become a sought-after destination for artists seeking to capture the unique Muscle Shoals sound. The studio has hosted a variety of musicians, from GASHI to Louise Goffin, contributing to the legacy of Muscle Shoals as a significant hub for music production.
East Avalon Recorders
Ivy Manor Studio is a residential destination studio in the heart of Muscle Shoals, AL. Situated on two acres directly above the Tennessee river, Ivy manor studios creates an all inclusive experience where artists can work, stay and play on the grounds. Featuring a nearly 100 year old decorative plaster ceiling and original oak strip flooring, Ivy manor’s Studio A is home to the first SSL console installed in Muscle Shoals. The Studio B control room is a homage to the studios of yesteryear but plays host to a completely modern workflow.
Ivy Manor Studio
Portside Sound is a full-service recording studio blending the worlds of analog and modern recording technology. Located in Studio B of the historic Cypress Moon Studios complex along the Tennessee River bank, this legendary space was home to Muscle Shoals Sound Studios from 1978 to 2005. With a wide assortment of gear, instruments, microphones, and amps spanning decades of recording history, passionate engineers interested in all kinds of music, and a community of talented session musicians. This is a space to be loud, get creative, and leave with something you’re proud of.
Portside Sound
Sundrop Studios is the recording home of Single Lock Records, an independent record label based in Florence, Alabama. The studio prides itself on fostering a community-oriented approach, often collaborating with local artists and venues to create a supportive environment for musical creativity and growth. By blending modern musical sensibilities with the rich legacy of the Muscle Shoals region, Single Lock Records continues to contribute significantly to the area's vibrant music scene.