The Muscle Shoals All Star Band

Jimmy Johnson, Guitar

Jimmy Johnson was the rhythm guitar player of FAME recording studio in Muscle Shoals and later a founding member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section which started the Muscle Shoals Sound recording studio. He is also a studio owner, record producer and engineer. He has performed with Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, Levon Helm and many, many more and engineered the songs The Rolling Stones recorded in Muscle Shoals for the “Sticky Fingers” album.

Will McFarlane, Guitar

Will McFarlane got his start as Bonnie Raitt’s guitar player in the 1970s. Collaborations with The Pointer Sisters and Jackson Browne followed before he became the lead guitar player for the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. He then appeared on recordings by many artists including Joss Stone, Candi Staton, Little Milton, Bobby “Blue” Bland and Etta James. Will is also a recording artist in his own right, releasing a handful of soulful Christian albums.

David Hood, Bass

David Hood was the bass player of FAME recording studio in Muscle Shoals and later a founding member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section which started the Muscle Shoals Sound recording studio. He has performed with Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, Traffic, Levon Helm and many, many more. He’s also a member of The Decoys and often performs with his son, the Drive-By Truckers’ Patterson Hood.

NC Thurman, Keyboards

NC Thurman is a keyboard player, singer and songwriter from Muscle Shoals AL, a member of the Decoys and half of a duo with Scott Boyer. He sometimes performs with The Fiddleworms, Gary Nichols and more. He has recorded or performed with many artists including Bettye Swann, The Forrester Sisters, Percy Sledge, Donnie Fritts, Billy Swan, Christine Ohlman and Tony Joe White. NC has written songs recorded by Gregg Allman, Jimmy Hall, Johnny Jenkins, Neal McCoy, Chuck Leavell and others, often in collaboration with Scott Boyer. Most recently, NC's keyboard playing can be heard on Tony Joe White‘s 2013 album “Hoodoo”.

Kevin McKendree, Keyboards

Recommended by The Rolling Stones' keyboardist, Chuck Leavell, he backed Arista recording artist Lee Roy Parnell. Still in his twenties, Kevin co-wrote and co- produced the Grammy nominated piano driven instrumental, "Mama, Screw Your Wig On Tight." In 1997, Kevin joined Delbert McClinton as his band leader, playing on the Grammy winning albums, "Nothing Personal" and "Cost Of Living," and the Grammy nominated album, "Room To Breathe." He played keyboards with Little Richard, Lee Roy Parnell, Seven Mary Three, Buddy Guy, John Oates, Anson Funderburgh, Vince Gill, Brian Setzer, Wynnona, Kix Brooks, Tom Dowd, Donald "Duck" Dunn, Earl King, Tinsley Ellis, Bonnie Bramlett, Randy Houser, Johnny Sandlin, Mike Henderson, Don Was, Kentucky Headhunters, David Hood, Johnny Adams, Jim James, Pam Tillis, Zigaboo Modeliste, Larry Graham, Hal Ketchum, T. Graham Brown, George Thorogood, Etta James.....and many, many more!

Lynn Williams, Drums

Lynn Williams is a drummer and percussionist. He interprets every song with empathy and incredible musicianship. His sense of time and rhythm is impeccable and he enhances every song with his performance. He’s best known for his work with Delbert McClinton, John Hiatt, Lee Roy Parnell and Marcia Ball but he also shines on recordings that range from jazz (Dennis Taylor) to experimental rock (Ned Evett) and his recent work filling in for the great Roger Hawkins, playing with members of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and Muscle Shoals Horns. He’s also a member of Dick50 and Whitey Johnson’s band. Lynn plays Paiste cymbals, Remo heads, Vic Firth sticks and Pearl drums.

Mickey Buckins, Percussion

As an artist, Mickey Buckins fronted the New Breed, playing venues throughout the Southeast during the mid 1960’s. In 1967 he joined FAME studios, where he worked as an engineer, producer and songwriter. Produced the Porretta’s hero James Govan and the Memphis band “Brothers Unlimited”. In the early 1970’s, Buckins moved to Atlanta, Georgia to work with Bill Lowery. Buckins has written 5 BMI award winning songs including Janie Fricke’s “Tell Me A Lie” which climbed to the top of the charts and earned a BMI Millionaire award. His “Double Lovin’” was a Top 10 Pop hit for the Osmonds; “The Feeling is Right” a TOP 10 R&B hit for Clarence Carter. He wrote and produced Josh Stone’s hit “Victim of a Foolish Heart” for Atlantic Records. As a percussionist, Buckins has played on nany sessions, including Bob Dylan’s platinum album “Slow Train Coming”. During the 1990’s Buckins joined Jerry McGee to create the weekly Songwriter’s Showcase, and has been credited with keeping the local music industry viable through a slow period.

The Muscle Shoals Horns, arrangements by Charles Rose

Kenny Anderson, Tenor Sax Kenny Anderson has played all around the world with Tower Of Power, Gloria Estefan, Larry Carlton, Arturo Sandoval, Tom Jones and the Nashville Jazz Orchestra as well as teaching saxophone at High School and University levels.

Doug Moffet, Baritone Sax

Doug Moffet has enjoyed the experience of recording and playing live with hundreds of artists that cover a wide variety of musical genres that include Gospel, R&B, Country, Rock, and Jazz with Sam Moore, Larry Carlton, Tony Bennett, Johnny Lang, Bobby Blue Bland, Little Milton, Robert Randolph, Michael McDonald and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Steve Herrman, Trumpet Steve Herrman is an in demand trumpet player. His session credits include Delbert McClinton, Waylon Jennings, The Mavericks, Buddy Guy. Lyle Lovett and many sessions as a member of the Muscle Shoals Horns. He also toured with Delbert McClinton, Waylon Jennings, Wynonna Judd and Kenny Chesney and has written an instrucional book called “Amazing Phrasing for Trumpet: 50 Ways to Improve Your Improvisational Skills” (Hal Leonard) with Dennis Taylor.

Billy Huber, Trombone

Billy Huber has recorded with or backed-up a variety of recording artists such as Henry Mancini, Natalie Cole, James Brown, The Temptations, O'Jays, Four Tops and Lou Rawls. He is also an instructor of trombone and euphonium at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee.

Carla Russell, Bkg Vocals

Carla Russell is a powerhouse vocalist. Influenced by Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples and Etta James, Carla has performed and recorded with Alicia Keys, Gregg Hall, Jimmy Hall, Gregg Allman and many others. She's the singer of Kozmic Mama and a featured performer with the Muscle Shoals All Star Band.

Marie Lewey, Bkg Vocals

Marie Lewey sang on many of the great recordings out of Muscle Shoals as well as live performances with Amy Grant, Ronnie Milsap, Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill and many others.

Jonathan Ellison, Guitar (Musical Director on Denise LaSalle set)

Born in the humble town of Brownsville, Tennessee, Jonathan grew up around music. His parents formed, the gospel group The Ellison Family two years before he was born. The Ellison Family would go on to record 8 gospel albums. Guitarist/Band Leader for BB King's Blues Club house band “The BB King All-stars” and also band leader for the Queen of the Blues & Southern Soul, Ms. Denise LaSalle. This experience has been rewarding. Enjoy and keep the “Blues” alive!