MSM 90s: Just A Girl, Angela Hacker

9/6/26

By Monica Collier

Hello, Muscle Shoals Meets friends. For this Gen X old lady, the MSM 90s concert a few weeks back at Renaissance Shoals served up a heaping helping of nostalgia. As per usual, the level of talent was out of this world and a good time was had by all.

Some of the MSM concert songs triggered warm and fuzzy feelings of being a youthful twenty something. Others triggered intense feelings of the overwhelming responsibility of young adulthood. Still others, like No Doubt's "Just a Girl," triggered feelings of independence and freedom.

This 10th performance of the night was super powerful, y'all. I found it to be completely invigorating. By the way, friends, have I mentioned how I am so completely enamored by Angela Hacker?

You know, I remember where I was and what I was doing the first time I ever heard "Just a Girl." I'm sure more than a few of you will be able to relate to this: The year was 1995 and I was working in the mall. Our closing routine included ditching the Muzak cassettes and opting for WKDF out of Nashville. That's when it happened. My friend Christie and I stood still in amazement. Mind blown.

Going forward, I will forever remember Angela's rendition of "Just a Girl" more than 30 years later at MSM 90s. Just like that first encounter with "Just A Girl" back in 1995, I was once again frozen in amazement. I couldn't help but think of my friend Christie. Man, I wish Christie was still with us so I could tell her about Angela owning this song.

If anyone amongst us is "just" a girl, it is NOT Angela Hacker. But, there's another side to that coin: If anyone amongst IS "Just a girl," it's absolutely Angela Hacker, too. Seriously, Angela isn't "just" anything (except maybe "just" phenomenal), but she is also every girl ... every woman.

You know that being "just" a girl isn't really a thing. You get that, right? That's what Gwen is singing about in "Just a Girl." That's what Angela was singing about that night in August. Pretty. Petite. Ready to take on the world.

Yeah. I look upon Angela and I'm reminded how I'm OK with being the mocking, somewhat satirical but also entirely true version of "just" a girl Gwen sings about. You know? Angela is actually the most perfect example of "just" a girl and I nominate her to be our "just" a girl representative.

I see Angela and I see commitment. I see strength. Whether from the stage or in her daily walk, Angela gives mentor vibes. Not just that, she gives leadership vibes. Mercy at her voice, y'all, but what's even more stunning is how she uses her voice. There's no comparison.

Thank you Angela, Fiddleworms, and friends for reminding me how it feels to be “just” a girl FR.

Stay tuned. More to come.

Dig Worms.

Photo by Devona Hawkins