10/24/26
By Monica Collier
Thank you, Muscle Shoals Meets, for keeping me connected to my favorite Shoals (and Shoals adjacent) artists. The MSM 90s concert back in August at Renaissance Shoals really made me appreciate the rockstars who walk amongst us, friends. I love my hometown.
Thank you, Muscle Shoals Meets, for introducing me to my next (new to me) favorite rising Shoals superstars, too. Raise your hand if Bryson Bishop blew you away during Muscle Shoals Meets the 90s Mixtape Week. Me! Bryson blew me away. See me raising my hand?
How cool was it seeing Bryson take on one of our most beloved early 1990s anthems? This guy is lousy with rockstar energy and natural talent. Watching Bryson perform Blind Melon's "No Rain" made me feel all warm and fuzzy. With rising artists like Bryson on the scene, the future of Shoals music is bright, y'all.
Oh yeah, and what about that not so subtle nod to the iconic Blind Melon "Bee Girl" from the "No Rain" video? MSM Bee Girl was a hoot. MSM can always depend on Wade Baker to go the extra mile to ensure MSM success. Absolute commitment to the cause, dear friends. Doing the good work and making us smile in the process. No one -- and I mean NO ONE -- does a better job of bringing the fun than Wade, y'all.
I'm not gonna lie, the thought of putting MSM 90s in the rearview makes me a little sad. Sure, we're wrapping up our play-by-play rewind -- it was bound to eventually happen, friends -- but just like 1990s music, this round of our Muscle Shoals Meets made a lasting impression.
Hey! Listen up, you fabulous Fiddleworms: Russell Mefford, Mitch Mann, Scott Todd, Clint Bailey, Steve Vickery, Mike Dillon, David MacKay ... I'm talking to you. You guys are truly a rare breed ... you're rockstars with sincere hearts. The MSM stage is always jam-packed with talent and "friends" because you surround yourselves with like-minded souls who want to contribute to the good work. You've noticed it, right MSM friends? The cause begins with the music but it's successful because of all of us. All of us, I say. Listen, playgrounds have been built, y'all. The good work speaks for itself.
Stay tuned. One more to go.
Dig Worms.
Fabulous photos of Bryson Bishop and the MSM Bee Girl, Wade Baker, by the one and only, Devona Hawkins.
