By Associated Press
Muscle Shoals, AL – Alabama's music city, Muscle Shoals, is canceling its CityFest music festival for this year due to the economy's blues.
Mayor David Bradford cited a lack of corporate sponsorships as the reason for calling off the October event, which had been held for six years. Bradford said the city hated to ask companies for funding at the same time they were laying off employees.
CityFest was created to celebrate Muscle Shoals' music history. This year's event would have coincided with the 50th anniversary of FAME Recording Studios, where Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and Percy Sledge recorded hits.
Bradford said the city hopes to bring back the festival when the economy improves.