Ever since talk about the Swampers died out, people have wondered when the Muscle Shoals music scene would make a comeback.  Local artists are anticipating and embracing resurgence in the sound of the Shoals.

The “Open Mic Night” approach that Flo-Bama takes on Wednesday nights gives local artists the opportunity to showcase their talents in front of a live audience.  

Since its starting last semester there has been a growth in the downtown scene, according to local artists.

“I’ve been waiting on this for a long time,” said Justin Holder of Drumb and Drumber and also the Local Saints. “I moved away because the music wasn’t here, but I’m glad to see it coming back around.”

UNA has begun using outlets for showcasing the talent at the university. Last fall’s MEISA Showcase consisted of the top 13 acts on campus.

Showcase winner Rachel Wammack won free studio time at Noiseblock, a local recording studio.

Local venues such as the end. theater and Pegasus Records are helping local artists be heard.

Audiences are looking for sounds outside the bar scene, and these venues give musicians the opportunity for their expressions of originality.

“We’re open for any style of genre to play our venue,” said Cameron Kelly-Johnson, employee at the end. theater. “We have anything from metal to spoken word poetry, but we just want people to have a chance to play.”

The growth of the music scene expands past the blues, rock and roll, and soul influences and runs over into the electronic area.

Since the closing of The Sandbar, the Shoals’ only nightclub, local DJs are finding and booking new venues to display their music style.

“As far as resurgence of the music scene goes, seeing the DJs book their own venues speaks for itself,” said Hunter Jackson, KISS FM personality. “The DJs are influencing the crowd to bring the energy.”

Since the recording of the Black Keys album “Brothers” in 2009, there has been more and more talk about the sound of Muscle Shoals. Artist such as Tim McGraw, Gary Allen, John Paul White, Jason Isbell and Alicia Keys have recorded in the Shoals in the past two years.

Earlier this year, Greg Camalier submitted his documentary “Muscle Shoals” at Sundance Film Festival. The film displays the musical history that the shoals possessed.

The documentary has commentary and interviews from artist such as Bono, the Rolling Stones, Gregg Allman and Alicia Keys. The documentary is to be released in its entirety later this year.