From Gospel Radio to the Grammys: Candi Staton Talks Muscle Shoals with Tiera Kennedy

Alabama natives Candi Staton and Tiera Kennedy reflect on their musical upbringings as they explore the exhibition Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The exhibit tells the story of how an Alabama community developed a distinctive sound, became a global recording epicenter in the 1960s and 1970s, and continues to inspire music today.

A five-time Grammy nominee, Canzetta Maria “Candi” Staton was born in Hanceville, Alabama, in 1940. Staton came to FAME Studios in 1968, after songwriter and soul star Clarence Carter brought her to Muscle Shoals. At FAME, she cut a string of country covers—including Tammy Wynette’s “Stand by Your Man” and Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”—that had the power to inspire important conversations about Black voices and country music.

Twenty-seven-year-old singer-songwriter Tiera Kennedy was born in Gardendale, Alabama, where she grew up listening to artists ranging from Aaliyah to Loretta Lynn. Kennedy released her debut album ROOTED in October of 2024. She is also a featured vocalist on Beyoncé's album Cowboy Carter, which won both Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising is supported by OneLouder.

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