Copperhead Six Project revives the spirit of Muscle Shoals on new album
There’s a certain magic that lingers in the walls of Cypress Moon Studios. The ghosts of Muscle Shoals past—Aretha Franklin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger—still hum through the wood grain, their spirits woven into every note recorded there. Last May, six songwriter friends who met at Steve Earle’s Camp Copperhead set out to capture that magic, and the result is “Muscle Shoals Record Shop,” a rich, soulful, and undeniably heartfelt album that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern.
Calling themselves the Copperhead Six Project, the group—Tom Ciurczak (Los Angeles), Elliott Clifton (Mobile), Lee McCormack (Toronto), Stephen Grillos (Nashville), Nate Frazer (Minneapolis), and Sidney Whelen (New York City)—crafted a collection of songs that pay homage to classic rock, Southern soul, and Americana, while still maintaining an edge that keeps it fresh.
One of the standout elements of “Muscle Shoals Record Shop” is its Traveling Wilbury-esque camaraderie—the way the musicians seamlessly trade off instruments and vocals, giving the record a deeply personal, handcrafted feel. Each of the six songwriters contributed an original track, and the two group co-writes feel like lightning captured in a bottle—spontaneous yet meticulously crafted.
The album is a melting pot of influences, pulling from Tom Petty’s highway anthems, The Band’s rootsy warmth, and the gritty storytelling of Steve Earle. But rather than feeling like an exercise in nostalgia, Copperhead Six Project infuses their sound with modern rock sensibilities, crisp production, and a love for the timeless craft of songwriting.
One of the most emotionally resonant moments comes in “It Ain’t Easy Being Easy,” a song written by their late Camp Copperhead friend, Adam Yount. The track is a stunningly beautiful and bittersweet tribute, as each member takes a turn singing a verse before Adam’s own acoustic version closes out the song. The result is haunting, powerful, and deeply moving, a testament to the bond these musicians share.
From start to finish, the album is a masterclass in musicianship. Every note, every riff, every harmony is executed with the precision and soul of artists who truly love the craft. Brad Timko’s engineering and Jeff McMurrie’s mixing and mastering make sure every detail shines, while Lee McCormack’s production oversight ensures that the album flows effortlessly from track to track.
Despite being recorded in a place steeped in history, “Muscle Shoals Record Shop” is no museum piece—it breathes, grooves, and rocks with the swagger of classic rock’s golden era and the raw authenticity of modern indie Americana.
At its core, “Muscle Shoals Record Shop” is a love letter to rock ‘n’ roll, to the friendships formed through music, and to the enduring legacy of a studio that has shaped some of the greatest records of all time. The Copperhead Six Project isn’t just reviving the Muscle Shoals sound—they’re redefining it for a new generation.
They’ve given us a timeless album that stands proudly alongside the legends who came before them. It’s one of those records that oozes originality, perfect for blasting on a long drive and beyond. Go ahead and click those links below to listen for yourselves and of course to follow along for more.
Listen to “Muscle Shoals Record Shop”
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