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- By Trevor Stokes
- Jun 10, 2007
Muscle Shoals Sound Studio: Renowned recording studio, national historical site and, on Saturday, a wedding chapel.
The Sheffield studio hosted a wedding Saturday afternoon for groom Nate Elrod, whose family comes from Ohio, and bride Sherry Lee, whose family is from Hamilton. Its the studios fourth wedding, according to studio owner Noel Webster.
A bit of history seems necessary. On their way to Lees sisters wedding in Hamilton, the couple visited Muscle Shoals Sound Studio because of their interest in its musical heritage.
I didnt know if it was still in existence, Elrod said. In fact, Webster was out mowing the lawn and gave them a tour of the studio that in its heyday, from 1969 to 1978, recorded such artists as Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Rod Stewart and the Rolling Stones, one of the wedding couples favorite bands.
When we walked in, we couldnt quit smiling; it was an awesome vibe, said the bride, who added that the Rolling Stones Wild Horses was their song. Wild Horses was one of three songs the Rolling Stones recorded in secret at the studio for their album Sticky Fingers in 1969.
Flash forward 38 years to Saturday. After being together eight years and after six months of planning, in the last moments before the wedding, the nervous bride downstairs fixed her dress, a strapless white with black trim below the knee, as the groom upstairs waited in his gray pin-striped suit with open-collar shirt.
It was time to get married.
Webster cued Wild Horses on the CD player as the bride walked upstairs into the main studio where her groom, guests and preacher awaited.
Bishop E.H. Peterson, of the Church of God of Prophesy in Vina, officiated.
Sound equipment surrounded the entire bridal party: a B3 organ donated by guitar aficionado Eric Clapton, a Marshal half-stack amplifier donated by rock guitarist Ted Nugent and a Gretsch drumkit donated by Mark Herndon from the band Alabama.
About 30 people lined the studio wall and sat in seats during the 20-minute ceremony as Peterson prayed, read from Genesis and three times asked if there was any opposition to the marriage.
Mid-ceremony, Lee couldnt contain herself.
Im ready, lets go, she said.
Is it all right if I linger a little longer? Peterson responded.
Youre fine, Lee said.
The preacher continued. Some say when he made woman he done a better job, he said, A wife is a good thing.
After the groom said I will to his vows, Lee leaned into her soon-to-be husband and said, Oh God.
You want me to rest a while? Peterson responded.
After the couple completed their vows and kissed, Wild Horses played lightly as the couple exchanged rings and the preacher said, Lord, we join these two together in holy matrimony: husband and wife.
He brought the church here, said studio owner Webster afterward of Peterson.
Once it was over, the new Mrs. Elrod high-fived the maid of honor, Lindsay Cordin, and several members of her party.
Cindy Lee, stepmother of the bride, said she was apprehensive at first, not just because of the novelty of the wedding spot, but its tight six-month schedule. We expected more chaos, she said, I thought it was charming.
The couple have planned a wedding reception in Ohio next weekend, which will include a pig roast.
As for Muscle Shoals Sound Studio? When were not giving tours, were recording; now were having weddings, Webster said. I dont know if well get in the wedding business.
Staff Writer Trevor Stokes can be reached at 740-5728 or trevor.stokes@timesdaily.com.
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