By Jessie Johnson
MSNHA graduate assistant
The Shoals has several recording studios. Some of them are more famous than others but all have contributed to the area’s international reputation. One studio’s impact can still be felt at the University of North Alabama: Wishbone Productions & co-founder Terry Woodford pioneered UNA’s Commercial Music Program, which evolved into today’s Department of Entertainment Industry.
In 1972 Woodford left his engineering work at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio to establish the independent production company Wishbone with former FAME session pianist Clayton Ivey. They started out working with major studios producing Motown records but in 1976 built their own studio to produce their own records. Woodford was adamant that the Wishbone studio produce the company’s own records instead of leasing like other local studios. He had extensive experience from working at FAME and Muscle Shoals Sound & drew on that background when creating his own studio.
The UNA Department of Entertainment Industry started in the fall of 1975 as the four-year Commercial Music Program — the first of its kind in the country. More than 50 students enrolled for the first semester, many of them having transferred to UNA from other colleges & universities. Woodford helped craft the new program by preparing the curriculum. He also taught the first course offered: music publishing. The new program’s goal was to equip the next generation of music professionals to run studios & function in the publishing world. Subsequent course offerings provided the knowledge to do that not only in a classroom but also via hands-on experience with an internship in one of the many Shoals studios. The program offers a focus on business or technology across music, theater, cinematic arts and communications. It further solidifies the Shoals music scene & offers a new path for Alabama musicians. ###
Note: This is the final in our three-part look at the Shoals’ music-recording history. For more information, visit our Roots of American Music Trail website. Check back next week for a new blog post highlighting a fascinating story from northwest Alabama.
