MSM 90s: Goodbye, Dolly
8/26/26
By Monica Collier
Good morning, MSM family.
Dolly Parton has left this world for the next and everything feels so very wrong. I know all seasons must pass but Dolly being gone is unsettling, to say the least -- the news is still almost unbelievable, friends.
I am feeling very thankful, though, that Dolly added so much good into the world. I find it comforting knowing Dolly’s legacy is one of music and good work that transcends place and time. Dolly’s life set the bar high when it comes to using talent (and fame) to help others, friends. There will never be another Dolly, but we can all do our best to be more Dolly-like.
Speaking of Dolly and her limitless talent and limitless philanthropy … y’all, I think it's safe to say Dolly would have loved Muscle Shoals Meets. Listen, I’m just going to say what we’re all thinking: Russell Mefford is the Shoals’ (beloved) version of Dolly. Yep. You heard me. Fight me on it.
Muscle Shoals Meets is a decade-long annual philanthropic endeavor spearheaded by Russell and our world-famous Fiddleworms. Just about 10 days ago, we were all blessed with another sold out Muscle Shoals Meets concert, friends. This time, we celebrated the 1990s. The venue was different and the format was expanded, but the goals and the ultimate charitable purpose were absolutely the same as they've been for all nine previous MSM concerts.
Hey. Let’s take just a minute to marvel at some of this year’s Muscle Shoals Meets the 90s Mixtape Week stats. MSM 90s By the Numbers: Nine days, 10 events, two sold-out ticketed events, 45 plus sponsors, 193 songs, 145 musicians and such, two special needs playgrounds funded, and $20,000 donated to The Healing Place. One new website, too -- muscleshoalsmeets.com. Oh, and a little bird told me another APT MSM docuseries is in the works. Yes sir!
Speaking of 193 songs from the 1990s, the Fiddleworms (and friends) curated the main show’s setlist to include 31 of our favorite songs, y’all. It was a great night of music that started with a bang. My heart melted the minute Russell took the stage and the opening riff to “Interstate Love Song” filled the room at Renaissance Shoals Conference Center.
Just like that, we were transported back in time to the 1990s. Like many of you, I’m sure, Stone Temple Pilots are one of the bands that held my hand in the early 1990s. I'll never forget the first time I heard "Core." Wow. What a great album jam packed with certified bangers. I had it on cassette back then -- my brother gave it to me for Christmas that year. By the time "Purple" came out a few years later, I was forever an STP fan.
To me, STP sounds like being 21 years old. Mercy, 21! I was sure I knew it all, friends. Turns out, I didn’t have a clue about anything and mostly still don’t.
Boy! Russell sure did “Interstate Love Song” justice, y’all. So much so, that just one song into the night, I already had tears in my eyes. Wow, I wasn’t prepared for the onslaught of memories that overwhelmed me that Saturday night, MSM friends. I was totally buggin’ – were you?
Stay tuned. More to come.
Dig Worms.
*PS: OMG!!! at this photo of Russell by Devona Hawkins!
