MSM 90s: Friends in Low Places, Austin Bohannon
10/3/26
By Monica Collier
Hey, MSM fam. In case I haven't been crystal clear: I love my hometown and I love Muscle Shoals Meets.
I love how Muscle Shoals Meets brings us all together and turns us into a force of goodwill that builds up our community. Did you see where Russell Mefford posted photos from ribbon cuttings at both new special needs playgrounds? You did that, friends. We did big.
Ahhh. I love having friends in Shoals places. Yep, had to be done. Sorry, not sorry. I've had that one in my pocket for going on two months now. Seriously, I'm not big on social graces and I'll happily blame it on my blessed Shoals roots.
I'll be completely honest with y'all: I feel a little "get off my lawn" when it comes to Garth Brooks' timeless classic, "Friends in Low Places." You know what I mean, right? It's a super special song that I gatekeep a little.
You know what, though? Austin Bohannon is a chip off the old block. He may have not been there with us in the 1990s but he's got a Garth sort of vibe about him. You noticed it, too, right? I'm just going to say it: Austin possesses that magical quality called "mass appeal." I promise you, Austin's talent is the kind that wins over people who claim to not like country. He's so very Garth-worthy.
But listen, not just that, just like Garth, Austin's talent transcends genres. He doesn't live in a neat little box labeled "country." He obviously chooses that lane because country is his heart. The journey Austin led us on during the MSM 90s country show and then with his authentic, easygoing performance of this Garth anthem, proves he's an artist going places ... low and/or otherwise.
Austin's performance transported me right back to the 1990s, y'all. Dude, this guy knows how to work a room. Donny Carpenter was on fiddle for this one, Chad Gamble was on drums and backing vocals were provided by Eddie Martin and Malcolm Singleton. I was lost in all the whiskey drowning and beer chasing magic. There were no blues to be found.
Thank you, Muscle Shoals Meets the 90s Mixtape Week for introducing me to Austin. Big fan.
Stay tuned. More to come.
Dig Worms.
Photo by Devona Hawkins
