Mid-day MSM Mindset: Carla Russell

8/5/26

By Monica Collier

Just putting this out there but when Carla Russell asks, “Are you ready for me?” The resounding answer is always, “YES!”

After Gary Baker kicked off the Muscle Shoals Meets the 90s rehearsal with the Shoals Strings this past Sunday at The Nutthouse, it was actually super cool to see Carla chomping at the bit. I’m not saying there was an unspoken “one-up” gauntlet thrown down but there was definitely an electric excitement in the air fueling a sort of “watch this” camaraderie.

Russell Mefford said, “We’ve got Carla Russell singing this one.”

Carla said, “Good to be here,” and y’all, she meant it with all her heart.

It struck me how Russell was playing host alongside Jimmy Nutt. I laughed a little to myself because seriously friends, don’t let Russell fool you – he is the absolute ringleader of this Muscle Shoals Meets magic.

Carla started warming up her vocals, Mike Dillon had a little beat toying with the room, Steve Vickery was on bass, and Lord help me, one of the guitar worms was flirting with “Little Wing” as a warm up. Yep. I just love these guys.

I looked over to my left at the door and caught a glimpse of the “Welcome to The Nutthouse” mat out of the corner of my eye. I thought, “Welcome, indeed.”

Then, Carla said, “Hi everybody – group hugs.”

Mike Dillon counted her in, and I froze in stunned anticipation.

God as my witness, these were the words that came forth from Carla’s glorious soul: “When you were here before. Couldn’t look you in the eye. You’re just like an angel. Your skin makes me cry.”

Yes, friends. OMG, Carla is singing Radiohead’s “Creep” in the main Muscle Shoals Meets the 90s show Saturday, Aug. 15 at Renaissance Conference Center.

I don’t want to spoil it for everyone so that’s all I’m gonna say about that. Well, maybe I’ll say just one more thing: I had chills all over my body, y’all, and dude, I cried. Yep.

It was awesome and I was so sad when it was over.

Carla asked, “Am I done?”

Russell replied with, “You killed it.”

Then he asked the room, “Is everybody good?”

Yeah. No surprise, everyone was so very good.

Carla said, “All that worrying …”

Russell was quick to say, “Not me.”

Nope. No need to worry about Carla digging deep and bearing her soul even if it is just rehearsal.

Stay tuned. More to come tomorrow at noon.

Dig Worms.