MSM 90s: Are You Gonna Go My Way, Rob Aldridge
9/8/26
By Monica Collier
Have I mentioned I love my hometown? Have I mentioned I love music? Have I mentioned I love to write?
You know what? The Muscle Shoals Meets concerts bring me lots of joy, friends. They make me feel really proud to call this remarkable tiny speck of the universe home, too. The truth is, I'm so very proud to contribute in just a small way to the Muscle Shoals Meets charitable mission.
Yes, please never doubt that it’s true: MSM is truly something to behold. The annual Fiddleworms-led Muscle Shoals Meets event, whether it's a concert or two or an entire week of shows, is something very special. It makes me sad that every last one of my Shoals friends and neighbors couldn't be there with us that August night at the Renaissance Shoals.
Just the past few days, I’ve realized I feel super protective of Muscle Shoals Meets – kind of like a big sister. If you've never been to a Muscle Shoals Meets concert, take an afternoon and binge the four-part docuseries on PBS/APT. It’s Muscle Shoals Meets the 70s presented as an expanded highlight reel that includes some great behind-the-scenes footage and really insightful interviews, too. If you think MSM is just a concert of covers, please watch the docuseries. Knowledge is power. Don't knock it ’til you try it, friends.
Of all the teaser/rehearsal posts that Russell Mefford made in the weeks before MSM 90s, Rob Aldridge putting his spin on Lenny Kravitz' "Are You Gonna Go My Way" had me most excited to see in person. Rob is one of my favorite MSM artists to watch. Sure, I love to hear him -- regardless of the genre or the decade, he always sounds great, y'all -- but Rob's stage presence is stunning. Just like Lenny Kravitz, he was born a rockstar.
So, now is a good time to admit, short girl problems plagued me during the MSM 90s main show. My sightline that Saturday night at the Renaissance Shoals was trash. That’s on me. Sorry about that, friends. I struggled to see the stage but there wasn’t a dang thing wrong with my ears. When Rob took the stage, here’s the first thing I wrote in my notebook: That sounds fire!!!
Then I wrote this: DRUMS!!!!!! MIKE DILLON!!!!!
Holy losing my mind, Batman. I seriously had forgotten how hard “Are You Gonna Go My Way” hit. And, of course, I’ve never seen it performed live. Rob, the Fiddleworms, Eddie Martin, Malcolm Singleton tore it up. This performance was a yummy yummy yummy treat from start to finish.
Good grief, friends. Rob did right by us that Saturday night and I’m realizing right about now how Lenny did right by us in the 1990s. He had hit after hit after hit. Good stuff on both fronts, y’all.
Boy! Rob has THE gift, doesn't he, friends? Well, Rob has lots of gifts but the one I’m most struck by right now is his gift of being able to walk that proverbial line. Right? He balances respect for the original version of a song with adding just the right amount of his own je ne sais quoi. Never doubt that there’s an art to “covering” great songs, y’all. Man, at his stank face, too. That boy can sang.
I’m a huge fan of singer/songwriters. I love that we have local bands and artists creating and even touring on original music. But, there's something very honest about celebrating the music that made us. When we honor the artists who mean so much to us, it connects with our souls and with our hearts in a humbling way.
Not just that but I actually believe Muscle Shoals Meets is a profound experience that summons the lost innocence of our youth, too. Maybe? Maybe not? Regardless, MSM is a good time for a good cause. That's good enough for me.
Never forget: Your favorite artist has a favorite artist. We’re all fans at heart, friends.
Stay tuned. More to come.
Dig Worms.
Photo by Devona Hawkins
