The Shoals Visitor Guide

WI LSON DA M

MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND STUDIO VISITOR GU IDE

O S ENB AUM HO USE US E R OSEN BAU

BY F RANK L LOY D W RIGH T

T OM ’S WA LL

Alabama Music H AL L O F FAM E

THESHOALSAL.COM

INTRODUCING OUR NEW TOUR BUS,

MAVIS!

GET AN UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL VIEW OF THE HISTORY AND MUSIC THAT DEFINES THE SHOALS!

BOOK A TOUR ON MAVIS TODAY TheShoalsAL.com

Welcome to The Shoals!

W E A R E S O G L A D YO U A R E H E R E !

e Shoals is made up of four cities, including Florence, Sheffield, Tuscumbia and Muscle Shoals. Each community offers something unique and different—from history and culture to great food and outdoor adventures!

Florence is home to the University of North Alabama, a Division I college with over 10,000 students. e campus borders the downtown with pristine landscapes over several city blocks.

You are visiting what has been coined the “Hit Recording Capital of the World.” Some of the greatest hits of all time were created in our legendary studios, and well-known artists still make the journey here to produce their music.

Here’s a playlist of music that was made in e Shoals— you’ll recognize quite a few songs!

SCAN TO LISTEN TO O U R P L AY L I S T ! ere is so much to do here—some of our unique attractions and landmarks include the birthplaces of W.C. Handy and Helen Keller. Right here in Florence, you can see Alabama’s only Frank Lloyd Wright home, too.

We also have great eateries, shopping, golfing, fishing, hiking and antiquing. Internationally known clothiers, Billy Reid and Natalie Chanin, call Florence home—along with other Alabama makers.

Come by and visit us at the Florence-Lauderdale Visitor Center located in McFarland Park right on the Tennessee River—and most importantly, have fun in e Shoals!

LET’S BE FRIENDS! VISITTHESHOALSAL VISITTHESHOALSAL VISITTHESHOALSAL NEWSLETTER: Sign up for our weekly newsletter highlighting the hits and happenings in e Shoals by scanning the QR Code.

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Table of Contents 6

T R AV E L I N G I N F O

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A N N UA L E V E N T S

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VISITING INFO

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T H E S H OA L S M A P

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VISITORS CENTER

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MUSEUMS

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D O W N T O W N F LO R E N C E

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DOWNTOWN TUSCUMBIA

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C I T Y O F M U S C L E S H OA L S

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DOWNTOWN SHEFFIELD

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FISHING

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O U T D O O R R E C R E AT I O N

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A RT S A N D C U LT U R E

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V I S UA L A RT S

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W H E R E T O S TAY

Rentals

Scan to learn more visitflorenceal.com/ebikes

T R AV E L I N G T O

The Shoals If you’re traveling by car, Lauderdale County and

e Shoals are served by

major four-lane highways in each direction. From Memphis and the west, Highway 72 comes into the southern part of

e Shoals; from

Huntsville and the east, Highway 72 and Alternate Highway 72 both offer quick and easy access.

From Nashville and the north, travel south on I-65 to Athens, Alabama, and come west on Highway 72, or take a more scenic route on Highway 43 to see some beautiful rolling hills and interesting small towns. And if you’re coming from Birmingham, travel north on I-65 to Exit 310 in Cullman and take Highway 157 into e Shoals. Our region is right in the center of everything, between Nashville, Birmingham, Memphis and Huntsville.

It’s also possible to visit here by boat. e It’s It’s

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It’s also possible to visit here by boat. e Tennessee River winds through the area—a picture perfect scene as you sail into e Shoals. Spectacular homes and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Course are also built on its banks. Be prepared to lock through the Tennessee Valley Authority’s series of hydroelectric power producing dams. For dinner with a view, dock at Florence Harbor and Marina for a meal at the River Bottom Grille.

e Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (MSL) is conveniently located in the center of everything— prices are affordable and parking is free!

For flight schedules and more information, visit flytheshoals.com. If you’re flying a private plane, this is a friendly and accommodating airport for you, too.

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Annual Events MARCH

GEORGE LINDSEY UNA FILM FESTIVAL e festival started in 1998 by University of North Alabama Alumnus George Lindsey. e competitive film festival welcomes local, national and international entries and features a variety of movie screenings and panel discussions led by film industry professionals. lindseyfilmfest.com

APRIL

HISTORIC WALKING TOURS OF FLORENCE e Florence-Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau hosts a series of free walking tours each April. Each tour is guided by a local historian and features a different historic location each Saturday. theshoalsal.com

M AY

FIRST FRIDAYS On the first Friday evening of each May - December, Historic Downtown Florence is bustling as the sidewalks of Court Street are filled with homemade wares such as photography, paintings, ceramics, jewelry and folk art. Restaurants, cafes and gi¬ shops stay open late while live music can be heard from every corner. downtownflorencealliance.com ARTS ALIVE Wilson Park, in Historic Downtown Florence, is where Arts Alive is held the third weekend of May. Enjoy a juried art show featuring artists from around the United States, and peruse artists’ booths displaying their works including paintings, sculptures, jewelry and handcra¬ed furniture. alabamaartsalive.com

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SHOALS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL is event promotes the art of storytelling and provides entertainment, education and inspiration at various locations in Historic Downtown Florence. Attendees will be entertained as they listen to nationally-renowned storytellers. shoalsstorytelling.com

JUNE

HELEN KELLER FESTIVAL & THE MIRACLE WORKER PLAY Celebrating the legacy of Tuscumbia born Helen Keller, this festival includes arts and cra¬s vendors and live music held in Spring Park. Performances of “ e Miracle Worker” are held weekends in June and July on the grounds of the Helen Keller Birthplace, Ivy Green. helenkellerfestival.com

J U LY

SHOALS SPIRIT OF FREEDOM CELEBRATION e City of Florence hosts the July 4th event in McFarland Park to celebrate Independence Day. e Tennessee River is the perfect backdrop to enjoy picnics, live music and a spectacular firework show.

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Annual Events J U LY

W.C. HANDY MUSIC FESTIVAL e last full week of July hosts an impressive 10-day festival honoring “the Father of the Blues” and Florence native, W.C. Handy. World class jazz and blues music can be heard at over 300 events taking place across the Shoals. wchandymusicfestival.org

SEPTEMBER

OKA KAPASSA: RETURN TO COLD WATER is Native American Festival is held the second Saturday of September in Tuscumbia and features Native Americans demonstrating authentic dance, instruments, art, cra¬s, storytelling and life skills. eShoalsAL.com TRAIL OF TEARS COMMEMORATIVE MOTORCYCLE RIDE Motorcycle enthusiasts from near and far gather in e Shoals to honor the legacy of Native Americans and the Trail of Tears the third weekend in September. e ride begins in Bridgeport, Alabama, and ends in Waterloo, Alabama, with a Native American powwow, vendors and live music. al-tn-trailo ears.net

OCTOBER

ST. FLORIAN OKTOBERFEST e town of St. Florian celebrates its German heritage the first Saturday of October. e community located north of Florence has an antique car show, vintage tractor parade, arts and cra¬s vendors, live music and a wide selection of domestic and German beer.

ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE Florence is known as the “Renaissance City” and appropriately hosts the Alabama Renaissance Faire the fourth weekend of October. e Faire, held in Wilson Park, features authentic Renaissance food, costumes and music. thealrenfaire.org

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N OV E M B E R

D EC E M B E R

A L L F E S T I VA L S A N D E V E N T S A R E S U B J EC T TO C H A N G E O R C A N C E L L AT I O N . P L E A S E C H EC K T H E E V E N T W E B S I T E F O R U P DAT E S .

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VISITING

The Shoals ere’s always something going on around here. From outdoor adventures to music history and more, we can’t wait to share this place with you! Check out some of our favorite things to do in e Shoals.

TA K E A M U S I C T O U R O F T H E S H OA L S !

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Scan the QR code for a digital copy of this map with lodging and attractions.

Or visit us at eShoalsAL.com

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A N DA ONTDHOE TRHPEORI NP OT SI NOTFS IONFT EI NR TE ES RT E S T

W.C. HANDY HOME, MUSEUM & LIBRARY William Christopher Handy, “the Father of Blues,” was born in Florence in 1873 in a small log cabin that today houses a large collection of his personal papers and artifacts. e 10-day W.C. Handy Music Festival is held each July in his honor.

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT ROSENBAUM HOUSE e Rosenbaum House has been called one of the purest examples of Wright’s Usonian design. e house was deeded to the City of Florence in 1999 and restored to its original condition. It contains the original Wright designed furnishings. It’s the only Wright building that is open to the public in the Southeast and the only Frank Lloyd Wright home in Alabama.

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Pope’s Tavern is one of the oldest buildings in Florence and was used as a hospital during the Civil War. Narratives from slaveholders, enslaved people, yeoman farmers, freedmen, and Native Americans invite visitors to understand the past from multiple viewpoints, using historical artifacts and interpretation.

Walkable from both the University of North Alabama and downtown Florence, the Museum is a must for history-lovers. Home to an active archaeology program, the Museum hosts an annual Archaeology Day the first Saturday in June.

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Museums

AND OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST

HELEN KELLER BIRTHPLACE: IVY GREEN Helen Keller was born in 1880 in Tuscumbia, Alabama, and at a young age was le¬ blind and deaf by an illness.

Her silence was broken, and she went on to dedicate her life to improving the conditions of people with disabilities around the world. Ivy Green has become a shrine to “America’s First Lady of Courage.”

ALABAMA MUSIC HALL OF FAME Sounds of the southern soul come alive at this museum.

Exhibits feature costumes, instruments, recordings and personal effects from music legends including Tommy Shaw of Styx, Lionel Richie, Emmylou Harris and many more. Climb aboard a tour bus used by the super group “Alabama” or make your own kind of music in an actual recording booth.

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FAME RECORDING STUDIOS is was the first successful professional recording studio in Alabama. Recording artists include Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Duane Allman, Otis Redding, the Osmonds, Paul Anka and many others.

MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND STUDIO: 3614 JACKSON HWY e Rolling Stones, Rod Stewart, Paul Simon, Cher and others recorded some of their biggest hits at 3614 Jackson Highway in Sheffield. Recently renovated by Apple/Beats, the facility has been restored to an active recording studio, as well as being open for tours. is is the place the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, also known as the “Swampers,” created the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio.

BELLE MONT MANSION Located in Colbert County just outside Tuscumbia, Belle Mont Mansion serves as a prime example of the Palladian style architecture that swept the nation under the influence of omas Jefferson. Donated in the 1980s to the Alabama Historical Commission, the mansion has been undergoing phased restorations to preserve its historical significance.

SEE MORE AT T R AC T I O N S

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D OW N TOW N

Florence

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If you’re a foodie or a shopper, downtown Florence is the place to be! While you stroll down Court Street or Tennessee Street, check out the architecture as much of it dates back to the mid-1800s. If you happen to visit on the first Friday of the month between May and December, check out First Fridays, where artists and musicians line the street. Two spectacular May events are Arts Alive in Wilson Park and e Shoals Storytelling Festival happening at e Shoals eatre and at other locations in e Shoals. Each October, Vikings, Pirates, and Buccaneers lay siege around Wilson Park during e Alabama Renaissance Faire. e Kennedy Douglass Center for the Arts faces the park where you can browse the latest collections. Downtown is surrounded by historic districts and beautiful homes where you could easily spend a day (or more) exploring. For a directory of shopping, restaurants and attractions in Florence, please visit our site at eShoalsAL.com.

D OW N TOW N

Tuscumbia e oldest of all of e Shoals cities, Tuscumbia has a thriving downtown retail district and beautiful, large Victorian homes. e restored railroad station is now a community gathering place, and during warmer months the town holds events at Spring Park. Native American culture has a strong influence on Tuscumbia, and Spring Park is host to the Oka Kapassa Festival each September.

Helen Keller was born in this town, and her birthplace, Ivy Green, hosts performances of “ e Miracle Worker” during summer months. Each year, the town celebrates the Helen Keller Festival, featuring live music, an art show, a parade and more. Check out the Tennessee Valley Art Museum and see the petroglyph, with carvings made before history was even recorded. For a directory of shopping, restaurants and attractions in Tuscumbia, please visit our site at eShoalsAL.com.

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CITY OF

Muscle Shoals Muscle Shoals is the youngest of the four cities. Born in the 1920s when Wilson Dam was under construction, the city boomed when Henry Ford decided to make this area “Detroit South” by offering to purchase Wilson Dam to power an automotive industry. at didn’t happen, but what did was the birth of this city! Muscle Shoals is legendary for the music that has come from this area.

Be sure to check out FAME Recording Studios, one of the many recording studios that created the legend of the Muscle Shoals Sound. For a directory of shopping, restaurants and attractions in Muscle Shoals, please visit our site at eShoalsAL.com.

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D OW N TOW N

Sheffield

Sheffield bills itself as the Center of e Shoals, and it’s one of the oldest of the four towns, second only to Tuscumbia. Sheffield’s main street downtown, Montgomery Avenue, offers many treasures for shoppers of all interests. North Montgomery Avenue is home to beautiful old homes, many being restored, and the wide avenue ends at the beautiful Tennessee River overlook and the StandPipe, a Sheffield landmark.

Take some time to explore this part of e Shoals; if you like river views and beautiful homes, this is the city that has them! For a directory of shopping, restaurants and attractions in Sheffield, please visit our site at eShoalsAL.com.

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Fishing

e Shoals, known as the “Smallmouth Bass Capital of the World,” is one of the best freshwater fishing destinations anywhere. With three of the best stocked lakes surrounding e Shoals area, fishing enthusiasts won’t be disappointed. e Shoals area hosts fishing tournaments throughout the year and these lakes reel in more line class records certified by the International Game Fish Association than anywhere else in the USA.

GOOD FISHING YEAR-ROUND SPRING

(MARCH—JUNE) Concentrate on deep ledges, gravel points and bluffs.

As water temperatures increase in April, head for weed beds and shallow stumps. Fill your tackle box with plastic worms, jigs, spinnerbaits and big crankbaits.

SUMMER

(JUNE—SEPTEMBER) Now is the time for blue and channel catfish. For all your fish, your best luck is to follow the shell mounds and underwater humps. Keep an eye out for large schools of largemouth and smallmouth on ledges. Local fishermen say to use a jig, big crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Carolina Rig Lizard and live shiners to lure in the big ones.

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FA L L

(SEPTEMBER—DECEMBER) Trophy fish are abundant along the riverbanks, wood structures, rocks and anywhere baitfish can be found.

Smallmouth bass congregate in the tail waters of Wilson and Wheeler Dams. Many anglers have success dri¬ing live threadfin shad in the swi¬ current for trophy smallmouth bass.

W I N T E R (DECEMBER—MARCH) Tail waters of Wilson and Wheeler Dams provide excellent opportunities to catch sauger (we call them jack salmon) when they migrate upstream to spawn.

Winter also is an excellent time for smallmouth bass fishing on the Tennessee River. Use small jigs, worms and willow leaf spinnerbaits in white or white/ chartreuse. For your best chance at reeling in the catch of your life, hire a local fishing guide to take you to the best spots. Alabama Freshwater Fishing Licenses can be purchased online at outdooralabama.com.

LO C K I N G T H R O U G H Let the Lock Operator know that you wish to lock through by: 1. USING MARINE RADIO CHANNEL 16 TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF AND YOUR INTENTIONS. 2. USING YOUR CELL PHONE TO CALL THE LOCK OPERATOR: WHEELER LOCK: (256)-247-3311 WILSON LOCK: (256)-764-5223 For more information on Locking through the Dams, visit tva.gov/environment/recreation. From there, type in “locking” in the search box.

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Outdoor Recreation

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Cane Creek Nature Preserve in Tuscumbia has over 400 acres of privately protected land. e Preserve was opened as a sanctuary for local wildlife and plants and the Preserve is open to the public yearround at no charge. ere are also access roads to most areas of the Preserve so elderly or those with disabilities can enjoy the area. Located at 251 Loop Road, Tuscumbia, Alabama.

If you’re into sports, get ready for a good time! e Shoals has several disc golf courses for people of all skill levels. Veterans Memorial Park, McFarland Park, Brush Creek Park, e Club on Cypress, Joe Wheeler State Park, and Heritage Christian University are all home to courses. Fans of pickleball can find courts at the Broadway Recreation Center—and a new complex coming soon to Veterans Park.

Located on Wheeler Lake, Joe Wheeler State Park offers guests many different types of lodging, activities and dining. Try one of the lake cottages or rent a good old fashioned campsite under the stars. e park also offers boat rentals including fishing boats, pontoon boats and paddleboats. e park has hiking and biking trails as well.

FIVE AREA GOLF COURSES THE ROBERT TRENT JONES GOLF TRAIL AT THE SHOALS 900 Sunbelt Parkway, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 BLACKBERRY TRAIL GOLF COURSE 112 Clubhouse Drive, Florence, AL 35630 JOE WHEELER STATE PARK 2670 Joe Wheeler State Park Road, Rogersville, AL 35652 CYPRESS LAKES GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB 1311 East Sixth Street, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661 SPRING CREEK GOLF COURSE 800 Woodmont Drive, Tuscumbia, AL 35674

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Arts and Culture SHOALS THEATRE Located in the heart of downtown Florence, this recently restored movie theater now serves as home to several of Florence’s community theatre groups.

123 N. Seminary Street Florence, AL 35630 256-764-1700 theshoalstheatre.org NORTON AUDITORIUM Located on the University of North Alabama’s campus, Norton Auditorium hosts a plethora of events open to the community. Norton frequently has classical symphonic concerts, as well as theatre productions by the university.

500 N. Pine Street Florence, AL 35630 256-765-4649 una.edu THE RITZ THEATRE e Ritz eatre was built in 1927 and originally played all the silent picture shows that were popular “back in the day.” In 1985, the theatre was restored and is now used for a variety of cultural events. Located in Sheffield, the theatre offers a variety of plays, concerts, seminars and lectures throughout the year.

111 W 3rd Street Sheffield, AL 35660 256-383-0533 tennesseevalleyarts.org SHOALS SYMPHONY AT UNA You’ll be amazed that a community this size can have a symphony this good! e Shoals Symphony has regular performances throughout the year. shoalssymphony.org

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Visual Arts THE KENNEDY-DOUGLASS CENTER FOR THE ARTS Located in downtown Florence, the Kennedy-Douglass Center resides in three different historic houses, which are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. ey host ever-changing exhibits, frequent juried art shows and learning programs.

217 E Tuscaloosa Street Florence, AL 35630 256-760-6379 florencealmuseums.com TENNESSEE VALLEY ART CENTER e art museum features rotating exhibits of national and regionally recognized artists and offers workshops for all ages. One of its notable exhibitions is the Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama, which takes place throughout the month of June. is exhibition showcases works created by visually impaired, blind, and/or deaf students from Alabama. Additionally, visitors can explore e Martin Petroglyph, a permanent installation featuring a pre-Columbian rock carving found in Colbert County. is installation displays symbols carved by northwest Alabama natives between 800 and 1500 years ago. Every December, the museum hosts e Trees of Christmas, an annual display of live Christmas trees decorated by various community groups, families, and local artists. roughout the year, the museum offers numerous other fine arts exhibitions, providing a diverse range of artistic experiences for visitors.

511 N Water Street Tuscumbia, AL 35674 256-383-0533 tennesseevalleyarts.org

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Florence/Muscle Florence/Muscle Shoals Shoals xxx xxx Multi-Attraction Multi-Attraction Pass Pass

1 DAY1 DAY TICKET TICKET2 DAY 2 DAY TICKET TICKET5 DAY 5 DAY TICKET TICKET Child:Child: $24 $21 Adult: Adult: $40 $32

Child:Child: $28 $28 Adult: Adult: $50 $43

Child:Child: $43 $37 Adult: Adult: $74 $66

*Ticket prices *Ticketand prices attractions and attractions are subject are to subject change to change

• Alabama • Alabama Music Music Hall Hall of Fame of Fame • Belle • Belle Mont Mont Mansion Mansion • FAME • FAME Recording Recording Studios Studios • Florence • Florence Indian Indian Mound Mound & Museum & Museum • Frank • Frank Lloyd Lloyd Wright Wright - Rosenbaum - Rosenbaum House House • Helen • Helen Keller Keller Birthplace/Ivy Birthplace/Ivy Green Green • Muscle • Muscle Shoals Shoals Sound Sound Studio Studio • Pope’s • Pope’s Tavern Tavern Museum Museum • Tennessee • Tennessee Valley Valley Museum Museum of Art of Art • W.C. • W.C. Handy Handy Home Home & Museum & Museum

SPEND SPEND LESS LESS AND AND DO DO MORE MORE

The Alabama The Alabama All-in-One All-in-One TicketTicket allows allows a single a single admission admission to all to attractions all attractions listedlisted on each on each ticket. ticket

G O N OW. G O NAOW. L A BAALMA BA A.TMR AAV.TERLAV E L Muscle Shoals MuscleSound ShoalsStudio Sound-Studio Art Meripol - Art Meripol

SCAN SCAN HERE HERE

Where WheretotoStay Stay renshoals.com

V I E WV IDEIWN IDNIGN IGNUGI DGEU! I D E !

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