Narmore, Lawson added to music walk of fame

TUSCUMBIA - Mark Narmore said he considers himself and fellow Shoals singer/songwriter Billy Lawson ambassadors of Muscle Shoals music.

They're so proud of it, he said, that some people might be tired of hearing them talk about it.

Narmore's love of the music and the people that make up the Muscle Shoals music scene is what makes the honor Narmore received Wednesday at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame so special, he said.

Narmore and Lawson were honored for their achievements with stars on the walk of fame in the foyer of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame museum in Tuscumbia.

"It's definitely an honor because I've always been a student of the Muscle Shoals music industry," Narmore said. "If there was a college degree for that, I think I would have it. To be honored in Muscle Shoals, at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, it's a career topper. It's a very huge thing for a songwriter, a singer, anybody's career."

Dixie Connell, education director at the hall of fame, said receiving a star is one of three ways Alabamians are recognized by the hall of fame. The highest honor is being inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Connell said. Music achievers can also be honored by having personal items or memorabilia displayed in the museum.

"These are two great guys and they're both doing well in their careers," Connell said. "We definitely want to honor them."

Narmore grew up in the Center Star area of Lauderdale County and was attracted to the music business because of the success of his first cousin, Lyndon "Spooner" Oldham, a songwriter, keyboard player and member of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"He started having hits when I was a kid," Narmore said.

Narmore said when he was a kid, he tried to sneak into Shoals recording studios such as Broadway, Wishbone and Muscle Shoals Sound.

At 20 years old, Narmore signed a song writing contract with FAME Recording Studios owner Rick Hall.

"I had a hit not long after that with 'Moon Over Georgia,' " Narmore said.

In 2005, Narmore's "That's What I Love About Sunday" became a hit for country artist Craig Morgan and spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard country charts. Billboard recognized the track as the most played song of 2005, he said.

Narmore and Walt Aldridge, a former Shoals songwriter now living in Nashville, penned the Black Hawk hit "Like There Ain't No Yesterday."

Country artist Josh Turner has featured Narmore's songs on each of his albums, including his upcoming 2010 release.

Narmore jokes that his hits seem to come every five years.

"Some people have one a year; some people have never had one," Narmore said. "I wish there was a scientific study."

For the years between hits, Narmore said you learn to manage your money. He also began working with the Shoals Radio Group, writing and performing in commercials.

"I did some radio in college," Narmore said. "It's what turned me on to country song writing with the clever twists and word play."

Lawson grew up in Zip City in Lauderdale County and, like Narmore, had ties with a famous Shoals musician: studio guitarist Junior Lowe, who let the younger artist sit in with his band at the old Ponderosa Club.

Lawson has enjoyed two No. 1 hits, "Learning As You Go," by Rick Trevino, and "I Left Something Turned On At Home," by Trace Adkins.

He's also had more than 80 songs recorded by a variety of artists including T.G. Sheppard, the Shoals based country band Shenandoah, Confederate Railroad, Tim McGraw, Lonestar and George Strait.

He had his first hit when he was 18, a track called "A Great Work of Art," co-written with Wayne Counts and Bob Garfrerick.

"I'm really proud and honored that they have given me this star," Lawson said. "I'm excited about it and honored."

Lawson has been involved in the Shoals music industry for about 30 years.

Lawson said he was pleased with where his bronze star is located. He's between the Louvin Brothers, who were harmonizing in popular music before the Everly Brothers, and Athens songwriter Roger Murrah, who happens to be one of Lawson's song-writing mentors.

Lawson has also worked in movies and television, most recently on the Country Music Television show "Gone Country 2," where country songwriters are placed with non-country artists.

Lawson said he and another writer were paired with former Jackson Five member Jermaine Jackson.

"I've been really blessed to be able to do what I love for a living," he said.

The only downside to the evening was that the unveiling of the stars came on the same night as the County Music Association Awards.

"This is the first time in a long time I've missed the CMAs, but this is for a good reason," he said.

Several of his friends in the music business were unable to attend the ceremony because of the CMA awards, Lawson said.

"Honoring Alabama music achievers is an important mission of the Hall of Fame," Alabama Music Hall of Fame Executive Director David Johnson said. "We are always amazed by the accomplishments of the younger and newer talents rising to prominence in the field."

Russ Corey can be reached at 740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.