FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Karen Beasley, Vice President of Marketing & Communications
Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 | 800.648.5381
EMAIL: karen@northalabama.org
SkyDog: The Shoals Experience Makes Its Debut in August
Three-day event celebrates the birthplace of Southern rock with music, food, film and storytelling.
Decatur, Ala. (June 17, 2026) – Music fans from across the country are invited to experience the rich musical heritage of The Shoals during the inaugural SkyDog: The Shoals Experience, taking place August 28-30, 2026, at the Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa and Shoals Convention Center in Florence, Ala.
Inspired by the nickname given to legendary guitarist Duane Allman by Rick Hall and Wilson Pickett, SkyDog celebrates the people, places and music that helped establish The Shoals as one of America’s most storied recording communities. The three-day event will feature live performances, storytelling, culinary experiences, film screenings and opportunities to explore the region's unparalleled music history.
The inaugural lineup includes Jackson Dean, Wet Willie featuring Jimmy Hall, Maggie Rose, Music Director Scott Sharrard, The FAME Gang, Spooner Oldham, Peter Levin of the Gregg Allman Band, Shoals Sisters, Gary Nichols, Mike Farris and more.
“This is the fruition of a dream I’ve talked about for a long time,” Rodney Hall, co-owner and president, FAME Publishing and FAME Studios, said. “I’ve always wanted to create something that shines a light on this region as the birthplace of Southern rock and as a place where music history still lives. My father, Rick Hall, was part of building that foundation, and Duane Allman earned the name SkyDog within that story. When Duane talked Wilson Pickett and Rick Hall into laying down those legendary tracks on ‘Hey Jude’ at FAME, it marked one of those moments that changed music. This event is about honoring that legacy and giving people an elevated way to experience The Shoals.”
Beyond the music, SkyDog Shoals will feature regional food, film, storytelling and other cultural programming across the property. VIP offerings will include experiences tied to the new Caution! Stones Ahead Rolling Stones Museum and an intimate Sunday brunch. CAUTION! Stones Ahead is home to the largest public exhibition of Rolling Stones memorabilia, offering fans a rare opportunity to experience an extraordinary collection of artifacts that capture the spirit, history and cultural impact of The Rolling Stones.
The event is anchored at the Renaissance Shoals Resort & Spa and Shoals Convention Center, located at 10 Hightower Place, Florence, AL 35630. Ticket packages, VIP experiences and hotel bundles are available here. Additional artists and programming details will be released through official event channels all summer leading up to the festival weekend.
For more information, visit SkyDogShoals.com.
###
About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
The official destination marketing organization for Visit North Alabama, AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the $4.9 billion North Alabama travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of attractions, campgrounds, festivals, chambers of commerce, convention & visitors bureaus, communities, golf courses, restaurants, accommodations, local retailers and vendors. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381, visiting www.NorthAlabama.org and following us on social media @VisitNorthAL.
