Which Alabama city made ‘The South’s Best Music Towns’ list?

Florence may have a population that is only a fraction of a massive Taylor Swift stadium show, but the city's massive influence on music history has officially landed it on Garden & Gun’s latest “The South’s Best Music Towns” list.

Featured in the magazine's June/July issue, the list recognizes a variety of regional hotspots, including St. Augustine, Florida; Macon, Georgia; Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia; Clarksdale, Mississippi; Lafayette, Louisiana; Kerrville, Texas; Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee; and Greensboro, North Carolina.

The Sound of the South

Mississippi-based journalist Jim Beaugez penned the feature on Florence. He spotlighted the city’s thriving creative ecosystem, specifically pointing to Sun Drop Studio, an outfit co-owned by Grammy winner John Paul White and Alabama Shakes keyboardist Ben Tanner.

Beyond the recording booths, the feature highlights local favorites where live music thrives, including Lava Room, Swampers Bar & Grille, and FloBama. Beaugez captures the local vibe perfectly, noting that at FloBama, one is likely to catch an active studio musician performing while enjoying hickory-smoked barbecue and overstuffed spuds.

A Storied Legacy

The feature emphasizes that Florence is the heart of the Shoals area, which includes Muscle Shoals and Sheffield. It traces the indelible mark left by FAME Studios and Muscle Shoals Sound. This history is anchored by the 2013 documentary “Muscle Shoals,” a film that Tanner notes helped the world realize the gravity of the region’s musical contributions.

Legends like Wilson Pickett, Etta James, and Percy Sledge helped put the area on the map. Today, that legacy continues with the W.C. Handy Birthplace, Museum and Library and the new Rolling Stones exhibit at the Renaissance Shoals Resort.

The magazine also showcases the modern scene, including the annual Shoals Fest, established by Jason Isbell and Traci Thomas, alongside dining staples like Odette, Bunyan’s Bar-B-Q, and Trowbridge’s Ice Cream & Sandwich Shop. Visitors are encouraged to stay at the GunRunner hotel, where rooms pay homage to local legends.

Beyond the List

While Florence takes the spotlight, the magazine also features an oral history of Athens, Georgia, a city known for icons like R.E.M., Widespread Panic, and Drive-By Truckers. Major hubs like Atlanta, Nashville, and New Orleans are covered in “A Bigger Beat” sidebars.

This recent recognition continues a trend of national acclaim for Florence. In 2025, the city was named one of “The Best-Kept Secrets in Every State” by MSN/Reader’s Digest and was lauded by USA Today as one of the “10 Best Small College Towns in the United States.”