Stars Fell On Alabama - featuring Stars from Alabama

[john9944]

Of course the song is legendary, Jimmy's version with the geography lesson included as well as the verse (Moonlight and magnolias) which is usually not sung on other recordings is the best ever. However, the alphabetical listing of the 'Bama stars sets this apart. Thanks for all the work. Evcellent job.

[WilliamPierce38]

almost thought you forgot Tammy Wynette. thanks for including her

[bongojava21]

This is awesome. Thanks so much for showcasing some of the many wonderful things about our home state of Alabama.

[Bamaboompa]

Johnny Shines - Robert Johnson's wingman - was living in Tuscaloosa for about 20 years when he died. Also, Chuck Leavell - Allman Brothers, Sea Level, and "the other Rolling Stone" grew up in Tuscaloosa.

[goldenhawk57]

If you do part 2, don't forget the Maddox Brothers and Rose from Dekalb County.

[NickRatnieks]

The Leonid Meteor Shower- probably 1833-stars really did fall on Alabama that night all those years ago and this song- here sung by Jimmy Buffet celebrates that memorable night. Great version- from a fine album (Coconut Telegraph) that I ran into about 20 years ago and still play- especially this track.  It's OK to like all those good old songs nowadays- and rightly so.

[bongojava21]

Thanks so much for posting from a homesick 'Bama girl!

[AlabamaSoldier]

Hank Williams and Johnny Horton!

[alliecat1941]

Elvis never sang this did he?..i think he would have sounded great if he had.

[nmybriefs]

And now, we have Ashton Shephard from Leroy. Shelby Lynn is from St. Stephens. South Alabama really shines!

[FloormanofAlabama]

I met an angel on here last night, she knows who she is too!

[tomthefunky]

Greetings from NYC. The Swampers rule!

[kperk014]

If you count all the music people who moved to the Shoals and decided to stay, your list would get much longer.

[jimBoRare]

W.C. Handy "Father of the Blues" Needs to be on the top of your list !!!!

5*'s, Thanks, JBR.

[SouthernBelleSmiles]

Great idea to showcase the talent that comes from that lil ol state! So glad you included Decatur's Charlie Hodge who was Elvils' sidekick and friend. Now you can add Reuben, Bo, and Taylor! bt

[jontheundertaker]

Awesome video.

[lennymo36]

maybe not born here in bama but hank jr still owns a house and land in georgiana and stays there some. i know he hunts and fishes alot in alabama. used to live in bama year round.

[BitterCycle]

I didn't know Dr. Hook was from Alabama

[128marks]

Great video and music! Thanks for including so many of the southern gospel greats with Alabama ties. On your 2nd version, please don't forget the Thrasher Brothers who were from Birmingham or Tim Riley and Gold City from Gadsden. Both were/are southern gospel icons during their respective heyday.

[eatthebook]

The stars really did fall on Alabama November 13, 1833.

And Jesus said it would happen 100's of years before it did.

This alone should prove the authenticity of the Holy Bible. In Matthew 24 Jesus was asked by His disciples what would be the sign of His return and of the end of the world? in verse 29 He speaks about "The Great Dark Day" He also prophesied that the stars shall fall from heaven

These things would happen before His return...and they did.

[MemphoTenn]

CONTACT ME FOR MORE INFO on a Ft. Payne music festival planned wk of Sept. 18: "BOOM DAYS" ft. GREAT ACTS! Sept. 13 - Alligator Records Blues/Rock guitar virtuoso Tinsley Ellis; Sept. 14 - Joe Underwood Gospel; Sept. 18 - MEMPHIS LEGENDS, THE BOX TOPS!; Sept. 20 - Fastest Guitar Player in the South, TRAVIS WAMMACK, Chris Roberts, Brother Tree, Trial By Jury, TOMMY PATTERSON BAND (Muscle Shoals) & Britt Meacham Band, Flint River Boys, SACRED HARP SINGERS... & DAN PENN & KEYBOARDIST BOBBY EMMONS

[MemphoTenn]

Sept. 20th: 1st Federal Songwriters Showcase - Memphis/Nashville music giants Dan Penn & Bobby Emmons will perform many of the great tunes they've written, played or produced. Vernon, AL native Penn is nationally renowned as an R&B writer whose tunes have been recorded by Percy Sledge, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, The Box Tops & MANY others.

[MemphoTenn]

BOBBY EMMONS played w/ the legendary Bill Black Combo in 1960 (Black was Elvis' bass player w/ the original Blue Moon Boys). Emmons played keyboards on recordings at every major studio in Memphis & Nashville as a member of "The Memphis Boys." His work stands out in Elvis' 1969 Memphis American Studios sessions. He's worked w/ Chips Moman, George Strait, B.J. Thomas, Willie & Waylon, Johnny Cash & Kris Kristofferson & many more. Boom Days is a RARE chance to see these 2 legends perform together!

[MemphoTenn]

Final BOOM DAYS '08 musical event will be at The DeKalb Theatre the 20th @ 8:30 p.m. - featuring Greenhill, ALs JASON ISBELL & his band THE 400 UNIT. Isbell is a former member of Athens, GA's "Drive By Truckers" & is one of Bama's most prominent musicians. Since leaving the Truckers in '07, he's been traveling U.S. & Europe supporting his 1st solo album "Sirens of the Ditch," recorded for New West Records @ THE LEGENDARY FAME STUDIOS IN MUSCLE SHOALS.

[mjw0047]

Love that song and Mempho Tenn you did a Great Job!! Take it from a girl from Alabama. We have the best singers and singer-songwriters here in Alabama. 5++++++ Keep up the good work!!

[MemphoTenn]

You ever heard of Greenville singer/songwriter Rock Killough? He's playing in Ft. Payne next week.

[AuburnGradAuburnMom]

He's a dear friend of mine.

[MemphoTenn]

REALLY! WOW! "Sept. 20: The Alabama Park Stage will be the scene of performances by Bob Corley (Montgomery), The Hill City String Band (Chattanooga), Black Skillet (Mentone), Mike Cooley (Wilmore, Kansas), Mike Cullison (Nashville), Sasha & Ritischka (Huntsville), & Greenville, Alabama singer/songwriter Rock Killough." COOL! I can't wait to hear him! Does he have a MySpace or website?

[TBosnyak2]

This song is a true joy to me a JEW from Aliceville Alabama... Mr. Parish was in Alabama, but maybe not in your limited view...

I will pray for you.

[MemphoTenn]

Well, first of all, thanks for the prayers. I'll take all the prayer I can get. But I'm puzzled at your emphasis on the word "JEW" - as if that has relevance - whether positive or otherwise. It's a bit humorous that you make a loosely veiled accusation that I have a "limited view" based on where I live (since you don't know me, it must be because of where I'm from). So what you falsely accuse me of doing is exactly what you're guilty of yourself. Did you mean to be ironic? And WHO is Mr. Parish?

[MemphoTenn]

Oh, by the way... your scary ass is BLOCKED! Go away.... and take your narrow, creepy, radical, freaky, ultra-sensitive, paranoid extremist delusions elsewhere.

[AuburnGradAuburnMom]

TB is referring to the fact that the lyrics to Stars Fell On Alabama was written in 1934by Mitchell PARISH, a Jewish man from New York City. The tune was written by Frank S. Perkins born in Salem, Mass. Our state senate tried to vote it in as our state song but was not been successful.'Alabama' by Julia Tutwiler (a lovely song) remains our state song. But have on our car tags the phrase: stars fell on Alabama!

Thanks to Jimmy Buffett for bringing this wonderful song into popularity once more.

[MemphoTenn]

Gotcha. Well, perhaps I'm a neophyte, but I still don't grasp the intention of the reference to the guy's religion, as if that was the reason I "omitted" him. The photo montage is of people who are from Alabama who have had pretty successful musical careers. Yes, I guess the state is clinging to the history of Tutwiler, but... maybe they can adopt "Stars" in some other official way besides the reference on our tags! I've known this song for many, many years, even before Jimmy did it.

[MemphoTenn]

Oh, I wanted to add... if there's any Southern state who loves & respects Jewish people, I'd say it's Alabama. If not for Mr. Jerry Wexler, the Muscle Shoals music phenomena most likely wouldn't have been as successful as it was. Soul/R&B/Funk/Pop/Rock owes him, Arif Mardin & the Ertegun brothers (Ahmet & Nesuhi) a big debt. "Wonder Woman" Linda Carter is now a Birminghamian, and frequents the Jewish community center. Jasper, Alabama was built by the Jewish community, which still thrives today.

[dwbrcdub]

@MemphoTenn florida loves and respects old jewish people

[cvte2]

I commented but didn't see it show up so I will repeat.

THANK YOU for posting this! It is amazing and something to be proud of that we from Alabama have so many great singers, musicians as well as writers from our sweet home Alabama. The only one I can see you missed is Shelby Lynn, who just this year released a hit CD.

Thanks again!

[MemphoTenn]

I also went to school with Eric Dover (Sextus) who is an amazing guitar player as well as Michael Patilla, also an ace guitar player of a different genre. Dover worked w/ Slash from Guns 'n' Roses (Slash's Snakepit) & Mike has studied with several Spanish masters. He's now a music professor at a college in Mississippi. Also the drummer from Little Big Town is from Dora. Donna Jean Thatcher Godchaux from Haleyville is in the R&R HOF w/ The Grateful Dead. One of the Honkettes is from Cullman.

[MemphoTenn]

I can't recall if I even included Hank Jr. Don't think I did. Earl Green from Jasper co-wrote several songs including "Six Days On The Road." Ronnie Milsap now lives on Smith Lake so we can count him now as an Alabamian (he sang backup for Elvis w/ Sandy Posey during the American Studios sessions in early '69 which produced Kentucky Rain, Don't Cry Daddy, Suspicious Minds, etc.). Spooner Oldham & Dan Penn are legends from Muscle Shoals music - great writers & musicians (also worked in Memphis).

[MemphoTenn]

You know, another thought: George Jones lived in Florence for almost 20 years (he never talked about it; everyone just assumed he lived near Nashville). Now he lives in Enterprise w/ his wife - I believe her name is Nancy. He claims himself to be an Alabamian. My mom ADORES HIM and is reading his book. We didn't know he lived in NW Alabama at all! He is into real estate investments. Moved to Enterprise about 2 years ago. I need to include him on the Part II video!

[charliebradley1979]

I know he lived there for a while after his divorce from Tammy...after the divorce, he used to drive the 250-mile drive from Florence to their last house in Nashville (which she got in the settlement) and back in the span of a day.. She asked him why he did it, and he said "to see if I was really gone" t inspired Tammy to write a song called "I just drove by to see if I was really gone"

[MemphoTenn]

My first msg didn't show up for some reason, but it said that I'd have liked to have included the Sacred Harp singers whose work was featured in the Nicole Kidman movie "Cold Mountain." I have family who live nextdoor to one of the ladies whose voice can be heard on the movie soundtrack.

[MemphoTenn]

If I am not mistaken, the Sacred Harp singers have been quite celebrated since being featured in the movie. They've been quite sought out and even had a documentary filmed about them. I mentioned earlier they're going to be in Ft. Payne at the BOOM DAYS FESTIVAL Sept. 20. These are singers who are from Sand Mountain, Mentone & surrounding areas in northeast Alabama & in far northwest AL near Natural Bridge/Delmar/Haleyville. They do quite a few concerts - a recent one in B'ham this summer.

[cvte2]

thanks for posting this! Makes us from Alabama proud! There are so many good singers and musicians from sweet home Alabama.

The only thing I would say is that you forgot Shelby Lynn, who just released a hit CD this year. She is from Mobile I believe.

[MemphoTenn]

Yeah, you know, the song is only about 4 min. long, & I tried to include as many as I could. I mostly listed folks with a longer history, & had to cut a few out that I'd originally intended to include. I've gotten some nasty responses that I "forgot this one" or "excluded that one." Not intentional - just an unfortunate circumstance of limited time & space. Not meant to leave anyone out - just trying to draw attention to the immense talent here. Maybe I can do a Part II soon.

[AuburnGradAuburnMom]

Please let us embed this video !

[MemphoTenn]

OK... I'll fix it. :-) I have sent this to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, but they haven't responded. I've also gotten some NASTY messages from some folks because I did not include some folks. I tried to tell them the song is only about 4 min. long & I only had so much time. There are many, many other very talented people from our state. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame website was recently updated & has great information. Wish I could've included EVERYBODY!

[cvte2]

HI! I hope you don't think I was being too harsh by saying you forgot somebody. That was not my intention. In fact, I am very grateful to you for making this video! Keep up the good works and yes, I believe a part 2 is in order since we have an abundance of talent from Alabama, which some from other parts of the states can't seem to understand or accept.

[MemphoTenn]

Oh, no, not at all. It was like "Sophie's Choice" when I had to trim it down & omit a few. There were several I couldn't get good pictures for; too grainy, low res; wouldn't have shown up well. I did the vid to show several friends from different states across the U.S. just a sampling of the great artists from Bama & I said, "And THAT'S just getting warmed up!" I keep remembering more people; one's a Walker Co. guy who won a Dove Award for a song he wrote last year - "Top of My Lungs."

[MemphoTenn]

Oh, I wanted to include Country Boy Eddie, whose show I woke up to every morning for many, many years. We watched his show while we were getting ready for school. "That deserves a cowbell ring, friends & neighbors!" His set is on display at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. How many people know that Tammy Wynette got her start on The Country Boy Eddie (Burns) show? And, he sold flower seeds to raise enough money to buy his first fiddle. He was ADORED in this area! A legend... He & Happy Hal.

[glyptl]

@MemphoTenn

Sun Ra comes to mind.

[AuburnGradAuburnMom]

What a wonderful tribute to our state where so many incredible musicians call home. We are proud of each and every one of them!

Alabama the Beautiful.

[bloctontodd]

LOVED this video, tears fell when Dinah Washington came up, and especially Hank Williams! Thank you for posting this!

[alagumbo]

Nice video. thanks for psoting.:)

[alagumbo]

Hey I love this song.Thanks for posting.

[keetonplace]

Well, Mempho, I liked this. I was born where Sam Phillps is from.

[Cliffbrock]

Awesome ! I love Alabama and many of my past and persent family are from there. Alabama is the roots of my writing and playing music.

Oh yes ---5 stars

[MemphoTenn]

Cool! North or South Alabama?

[Cliffbrock]

Sunny Holmes about 100 miles ro so west of Birmingham.

[MemphoTenn]

Black Belt? BEAUTIFUL AREA!

[MemphoTenn]

I have folks from Sulligent/Lamar Co./Marion Co. Ever heard of Rube Barrow? He was known as the "Robin Hood of Alabama." He was killed in Linden, AL.

[punkingale]

Wasn't it Rube Burrow? There used to be a restaurant in Birmingham (Five Points South) by that name.

[MemphoTenn]

I misspelled it.

[MemphoTenn]

Some of my family recently visited distant relatives in "Crews" near Sulligent/Lamar County & they were talking about the legends of the area, & Rube Burrow's name came up. You know, Mississippi fought Alabama for years to "claim" him as their own! Just like MS claims Tammy Wynette (Wynette Byrd Pugh) from Red Bay & the ol' Singing Brakeman, Jimmie Rodgers who was born in Geiger, AL. Tammy always said the MS/AL state line ran through her house! She was at Elvis' Sept. 1956 Tupelo concert!

[charliebradley1979]

LOL yeah Tammy actually used to say that her Top half came from Alabama and her bottom half came from MS...if you didn't like her top or bottom half just turn her around :)

But technically it was Wynette Pugh Byrd (Byrd being her first husband's last name. He lived around Birmingham for most of his life I believe and died in a car accident on his way back from a flea market

[stlhrt111]

MMmm! Birmingham!!

[MemphoTenn]

I dunno; that might have been a groan of pain!

[pasco3]

Any one who shows this much passion for his Country and the State of Alabama is a "SIR " to me !

it was meant with freindliness and respect -- i wasnt being critical - it was sort of fun as i know that Jerry Grammer will come here shortly ( he did says its great !! )

thank again Mempho

Dave

[MemphoTenn]

Being a "ma'am" isn't exactly a derogatory thing. :-) I did look up info on Jerry Grammer & the other fellows you mentioned. Turns out they're from my neck of the woods - near the Walker County area. I briefly went to JC Raynor's church several years back. I know exactly where the old Allstate Cafe is... The site of the Old Sawmill and The Blue Too! Mention those places to Mr. Grammer and I bet it'll evoke a response! I should have known about him! I'm a little ashamed. I'd LOVE to talk to him.

[pasco3]

Sir you forgot all about Jerry Grammer - Hoyt Johnson and Jerry Woodard but its great never the less

A Limey

[mattmitchell8]

It's a shame it can't be shared; I was going to post it on my blog. Great video though.

[AlabamaSoldier]

A video featuring music stars from Alabama... to the tune "Stars Fell on Alabama." How ingeniously clever!

I will certainly favorite it and give it five stars to boot!

[MemphoTenn]

Aw, thanks Alabama Soldier! Glad you enjoyed it... and thanks for the stars. What part of AL do you hail from?

[AlabamaSoldier]

I hail from the cozy community of Bakerhill. Population: about 200. Southeast Alabama.

[MemphoTenn]

I'm from northwest AL.

[AlabamaSoldier]

I have family up that way. Ever hear of a small town called Cherokee, Alabama? I gots a grandfather, cousins, aunts, and uncles that live there. In fact, my Dad's entire family is there. He married my Mom though, whose entire family is down here. Consequently, they settled here, lol.

[MemphoTenn]

I sure have heard of it.

[ambulancerookie]

I live in Cherokee, whats the name i might know them

[Azznbad]

Cool Video. I had no idea Alabama had such a diverse musical heritage. Outside of Tommy Shaw, Hank and Randy Owen I had never given it a lot of thought. Lionel Richie, Nat King Cole, Percy Sledge, the O'Jays, and The Temptations were definitely surprises.

[MemphoTenn]

Oh, absolutely! Toni Tenille of Captain & Tenille, Little Big Town, Shenandoah, songwriters Spooner Oldham & Dan Penn, Big Mama Thornton (Original Hound Dog), Sun Studios founder & Rock & Roll visionary Sam Phillips, Drive By Truckers, so, so many contemporary songwriters and composers - not to mention performers who have some interesting hits gracing the charts.... It's worth checking into. Go to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame website & check the B'ham News Entertainment pages for more info.

[MemphoTenn]

Other entertainers from Jasper.... Eric and Chris Dover... Very gifted musicians. Eric played with Slash from Guns & Roses. Check out info on Eric on Wikipedia and on his website. He's had a very interesting career. We knew he was a super-talented guy back in high school. He just had that air about him. He was going to be special. Phenomenal talent. Won every talent show at high school!

[MemphoTenn]

Eric's stage name by the way is "SEXTUS" - and he's worth looking up. Google "Sextus" and you can find his MySpace page. He is gorgeous... and 15 years ago, I had a chance to go out with him but turned him down! He is friends with my ex-brother-in-law. Darn!

[TACANDAN]

Fantastic!!

[luvintayinBham]

This was great! i got to see many of these wonderful greats sing at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame awards on Friday night. What a night to remember. They had the place on its feet dancing. :-)

[MemphoTenn]

Yeah, too bad Taylor lost his record deal.