Music

What if you could capture the warmth and grit of a classic 1970s record in the middle of a small Alabama town? This week on Quick-Fire Quips, we’re heading to the Red Room Sound Studio in Robertsdale to chat with Mick Connolly! He and his wife, Lucinda Rowe, co-own and operate this unique, 100% analog recording space. We’re diving into the art of tape-to-tape editing and their work as the husband-and-wife musical duo, The Heat.

Go behind the scenes of the "coolest government job in the world" with Huntsville Music Officer Matt Mandrella! We’re diving into the Rocket City’s booming music scene just in time for international Make Music Day. From coordinating porch jams to Matt’s secret fear of heights and his mom’s candy rules still spooking him to this day—join APR host Baillee Majors for a fun, fast-paced look at the music heartbeat of Alabama.

65 years, 400 million records sold and FAME Recording Studios & Publishing Co. is still going strong! President Rodney Hall talks about the legacy of hit songs with Quick-Fire Quips host Baillee Majors and answers which is actually better: vinyl, cassettes or CDs. Plus, why Swampers Bar & Grille is the place to be in The Shoals and the three essential albums for an alien invasion. You'll have to listen to find out which specific albums made the cosmic cut!

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.