Music

142 years young! Grab your black cap and necktie— we're talking all about Mobile's legendary Excelsior Band. The country's oldest marching jazz band is led by Hosea London. He chats with Quick-Fire Quips host Baillee Majors about preserving that beautiful, traditional jazz sound! Plus, the big beach debate (Gulf Shores vs Orange Beach), what's an acceptable dish for a potluck in the Port City and how the Yellowhammer State can make some progress.

Birmingham native Cash Langdon is taking his unique Alabama sound across the country. Following the release of his acclaimed new album, Dogs, the musician is set to play at Seasick Records in the Magic City on Nov. 6, as part of his national 2025 tour. APR Digital Content Reporter Aisha Smith recently sat down with Langdon to detail his journey from "jazz band kid" to a touring artist.

The Kentuck Festival of the Arts is being welcomed back to Tuscaloosa's Snow Hinton Park for the second year. With all of the festivities, a front man who's found a profound new meaning and unexpected power in the historic hymns and hollers stands ready to share music with the Druid City. Walter Parks & The Unlawful Assembly remake the songs and connect them directly to the roots of rock and roll.

APR Digital Content Reporter Aisha Smith interviews the founder and executive director of The Firehouse Community Arts Center, Eric Wallace, about his unconventional teaching space. Wallace also explains how the Firehouse is fostering a subversive movement in the local music scene.

Two children of R&B singer Angie Stone are suing a trucking company, truck manufacturer and others, seeking damages for an Alabama interstate crash that killed Stone.

Tom Lehrer, the popular song satirist who lampooned marriage, politics, racism and the Cold War, then largely abandoned his music career to return to teaching math at Harvard and other universities, has died. He was 97. Among his compositions was one that mused about Alabama getting the atomic bomb, during its days of segregation.

Dan Drinkard is the owner of Seasick Records, an independent record store in Birmingham. Ever wonder what aliens would think of Earth's music? He tells Quick-Fire Quips host Baillee Majors about his extraterrestrial recommendations. Plus, the annual phenomenon that has customers camping outside of his store— and the legend of Alabama Shakes.

The Alabama legislature is working to make Hollywood feel more at home in our state. A bill is making its way through the Senate in Montgomery to add incentives for people who make movies or commercials here in Alabama. APR student reporter Barry Carmichael spoke to one Mobile resident whose movie making experience including meeting the actor who played Luke Skywalker.

The 24th annual Auburn CityFest returns to Kiesel Park on Saturday, April 26. The free, family-friendly festival is Auburn’s largest outdoor event. This years celebration will feature circus performers, acrobatics and balancing acts.

The Camellia Music & Arts Festival, three day music festival celebrating music, art and Southern culture, is coming to the Rocket City for its inaugural year in late April. The festival will be held at the Orion Amphitheater and feature artists like Gucci Mane and Kehlani.