Birmingham, AL

Music connected to Birmingham

Ready to dig into some Southern sounds? Head to Birmingham, Alabama, a city that's been name-dropped in over 70 songs and referenced by artists from Chuck Berry to Blake Shelton. You might recognize it from Randy Newman's "Birmingham" or Emmylou Harris's haunting "Boulder to Birmingham." It's a place that clearly inspires musical creativity.

Beyond the music, Birmingham is a city with a story etched in iron. Founded in 1871 and named after its English counterpart, it rose as an industrial giant thanks to the rich iron ore deposits of Red Mountain. Though the Great Depression slowed its steel industry, Birmingham has reinvented itself while holding onto its Southern charm. With more green space per capita than any other U.S. city and nestled in the Appalachian foothills, it's a place where resilient urban energy meets natural beauty. So, crank up some Muscadine Bloodline's "Teenage Dixie" and plan your visit!

About Birmingham

• Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State, was raised in Birmingham.
• The Vulcan statue, a symbol of the city, was cast at Birmingham's own Birmingham Iron Works.
• Rich in iron ore and coal, Birmingham was established as an industrial hub.
• Birmingham has more green space per capita than any other city in the U.S.
• The Great Depression drastically slowed Birmingham's booming iron and steel industry.
• Named after Birmingham, England, it was officially founded in 1871.
• With over 200,000 residents, it is Alabama's most populous city.
• Sitting at 673 feet, Birmingham offers views of the Appalachian foothills.
• Healthcare, banking, and research are now primary industries in Birmingham.
• Being there feels like a blend of Southern charm and resilient urban energy.
• Red Mountain's iron ore deposits, formed during the Silurian period, fueled the city's industrial growth.
• Ruffner Mountain, a large urban nature preserve, features diverse habitats and scenic overlooks.
• The Black Warrior River watershed drains the Birmingham area, flowing southwest towards the Gulf of Mexico.
• The Red Hills salamander, a threatened species, inhabits moist, forested areas near Birmingham.
• Oak-hickory-pine forests dominate the upland landscapes surrounding the city.
• The Mississippian culture occupied Moundville Archaeological Park, near Birmingham, from 1000 to 1450 AD.
• In 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing killed four young African American girls.
• The Alabama Theatre, a grand movie palace, opened in 1927 and still hosts performances.
• The original Bankhead Highway, one of America's first transcontinental highways, passed through Birmingham.
• Red Mountain's iron ore deposits, formed during the Silurian period, fueled Birmingham's industrial growth.
• Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve offers trails and overlooks with views of the surrounding valley.
• The Cahaba River, known for its biodiversity, flows southwest of the city.
• The Red Hills salamander, a threatened species, is found in the surrounding forests.
• Oak-hickory forests dominate the upland areas around the city.
• The Mississippian culture inhabited the Black Warrior River Valley prior to European contact.
• In 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing killed four African American girls.
• The Alabama Theatre, a movie palace built in 1927, hosts films and performances.
• The I-59/20 bridge interchange downtown is locally nicknamed 'Malfunction Junction'.

Artists From Birmingham

13ghosts A Lower Deep Abigail Barlow Accelera Deck Act of Congress Adolphus Bell Al Killian Alexi Lalas Alice Chalifoux Allison Pierce alsotheband Angela Davis Anthony Crawford Arthur Doyle Arthur S. Whitcomb Attitude Audio Wishe Audiophile Avery Parrish B.J. Baker Baak Gwai Baker Knight Barry Beckett Bayvell Benny Benjamin Big Joe Duskin Bill Justis Billy Valentine Birmingham Community Choir Birmingham J Black Hole Deity Bloated Carcass Blood Howl Bo Weavil Jackson Bob Horton Bobby Horton Brad Armstrong Braille mdxx Brasswell BrokenRail Brother Cane Buck Johnson C.L. Blast Caleb Elliott Carl Pruitt Carl Warwick Castor McCord Cedric LeMoyne Charles McCallon Alexander Charlie Baty Chris Jeely Chuck Leavell Clarence Lewis Cleopatra Kennedy Coot Grant Cosmonaut on Vacation Courteney Cox Dale Watson Dan Milner David Spade Dead Sea Flowers Dean McKinney Dee Edwards Delta Hate Dennis Irwin Devil Dez Dottin Diana DeGarmo Domesticatrix Dr. Burt Duquette Johnson Eddie Levert Edward O. Wilson Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Mavis Staples, Shawn Colvin, The Milk Carton Kids, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, Holly Williams, Chris Coleman, Trampled By Turtles, Lucinda Williams, Rodney Crowell, Lee Ann Womack, John Starling, Daniel Lanois, Iron & Wine, Empire Springs Eric Essix Erica Oyama ERRA Erskine Hawkins Ezra Sims Fannie Flagg François Clemmons Frederic Earl ‘Shorty’ Long G Tom Mac Gene "Mighty Flea" Conners Gus Jenkins Gwenmars Ham Bagby Hank Green Hank Penny Hardrock Gunter Harry Dial Haste Haysop Haywood Henry Hillard Brown Hotel Hugh Martin Hutch Davie Ian Cuthbertson iiye Inez Andrews Intense Regret Irene Jordan Irrumator Ivan “Boogaloo Joe” Jones J. R. Cobb Jabo Williams Jacob Bunton James Redfield Janet Croninger Janet Simpson Janet Simpson and Will Stewart Jean Kittrell Jerry Jones Jerry Yester Jimmy Bryant Jimmy Cheatham Joe Alexander John Neff John Vincent Johnny Smith jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights Jordan Fisher Josh Gilbert Kate Jackson Katie Crutchfield KD Keri Leigh Kim Scott Kiss Me at the Gate Lama Doodle Lasers Lasers Birmingham Lee Bains and the Glory Fires Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires Leola B. Wilson Leola P. Pettigrew Little Raine Band Little Red Rocket Livingston Matthews Lonnie Holley Louise Quick Love Rat Lykwid Margaret Walker Maria Taylor Mars Electric Matt Bryant Matthew Edwards Matthew Mayfield Maylene and the Sons of Disaster Mel Allen Meyo Mick Kenney Mickey Rooney, Jr. Mitty Collier Monarchs Monte Montgomery Moses Mayfield Mountain Grass Unit Neil Thrasher Nell Carter New Hope Baptist Church Mass Choir Nic Harcourt Nine Lashes No Cure Noveller Nowhere Squares Odetta P.S. Eliot Pastor Mike Pat Powdrill Paul Bascomb Penny & Sparrow Penny and Sparrow Pete Clark Peter Bradley Adams Pink Siifu Ray Reach Rebecca Luker Refuse to Thrive Regia Remove the Veil Remy Zero Richard Evans Rick Rock Roadside Robert Strassburg Roy Wood, Jr. Ruben Studdard Rush of Fools Saint 13 Sam Dees Sam Lay Sammy Lowe Sammy Salvo Sanders Bohlke Sarah Simmons September Plateau Setesh Shapeless Being Sister Ray Davies Skeptic? SLAMABAMA Smart Patrol Smithwick Machine Sonia Sanchez St. Paul & The Broken Bones St. Paul and the Broken Bones Star Witness Stephen Siegel Steve Lunt Stewart Harris Stoned Cobra Stormfolk Subhymnal Suedehead Sugarplums Sun Ra Susan Patterson Susanna Phillips T-Minus Band Tamisha Iman Taurica Davis Taylor Hicks Taylor Hollingsworth Ted McCord Teddy Hill Terkoiz The 4 of Us The Bear The Blips The Brook and the Bluff The Distortions The Famous Blue Jay Singers of Birmingham, Alabama The Great American Breakdown The Illusions The Judges The Lost Child The Official Bard of Baldwin County The Oxford Five The Ramrods The Rites of Spring The Torquay’s thisyearsmodel Through the Sparks Tobias Wolff Tom Wright Tommy Jackson Tony Fennell Trinity the Tuck Trust Company TTO K.T. Venture Boi Verbena Vet Boswell Walker Burroughs Walton Goggins Wandaband Waxahatchee Way Bandy Wayne Perkins Wilbur "Dud" Bascomb Wilbur Harden Wild Sweet Orange Will Stewart Within Reason Wray xNo Curex YBN Nahmir Zena Zena McNally

Songs About Birmingham

Birmingham by

Big Fat Bitch by

This Ain’t Nothin’ by

She Tried by

Whiskey & Whitley by

Teenage Dixie by

Busy Man by

Boulder to Birmingham by

The Baby by

Zach Meadows by

She Tried by

The American Way by

Bettin’ Man by

Play Her Tonight by

Why We Drink by

Almost by

Late Bloomer by

I Wish Grandpas Never Died by

Alabama at Night by

forgott my name by

nashville blues by

hurricanes and hand grenades by

same old you by

People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul by

Walking Back to Birmingham by

I Wish Grandpas Never Died (Live) by

Blues For Dixie by

Birmingham Jail (feat. Vince Gill) by

Train to Birmingham (Live) by

Birmingham Break Down (Live at the Big T Roadhouse) by

Birmingham Tonight by

Boulder to Birmingham by

Birmingham by

Birmingham (2024 Mix) by

Boulder to Birmingham (Live) by

Birmingham Bounce (feat. Red Foley) by

Someday Soon (feat. Jennifer Birmingham) by

Outside Birmingham by

Birmingham by

The Birmingham Turnaround by

Bessemer to Birmingham by

Birmingham by

South of Birmingham by

Train to Birmingham by

Breakfast In Birmingham (feat. Brandi Carlile) by

Birmingham by

Paint Me a Birmingham by

Back to Birmingham by

Birmingham by

Highway to Birmingham by

To Kill a Mockingbird - Chapter 12 by

Long Line Of Losers by

Sweet Home Alabama by

Birmingham by

Gary, Indiana 1959 by

Swordfishtrombone by

Thirteen Days by

Pop It 4 Pimp by

Promised Land by

Country Classic by

Area Codes by

Alabama Woman by

L.A. Freeway by

if it hadn't been for love by

Running out of Hope, Arkansas by

SMUCKERS by

Ronnie and Neil by

TVA by

Thirteen Days by

Birmingham by

Nearby Places

13ghosts A Lower Deep Abigail Barlow Accelera Deck Act of Congress Adolphus Bell Al Killian Alexi Lalas Alice Chalifoux Allison Pierce Angela Davis Anthony Crawford Arthur Doyle Arthur S. Whitcomb Attitude Audio Wishe Audiophile Avery Parrish B.J. Baker Baak Gwai Baker Knight Barry Beckett Bayvell Benny Benjamin Big Joe Duskin Bill Justis Billy Allen & the Pollies Billy Valentine Birmingham Community Choir Birmingham J Black Hole Deity Bloated Carcass Blood Howl Bo Weavil Jackson Bob Horton Bobby Horton Brad Armstrong Braille mdxx Brasswell BrokenRail Brother Cane Buck Johnson C.L. Blast Caleb Elliott Carl Pruitt Carl Warwick Castor McCord Cedric LeMoyne Charles McCallon Alexander Charlie Baty Chris Jeely Chuck Leavell Clarence Lewis Cleopatra Kennedy Coot Grant Cosmonaut on Vacation Courteney Cox Dale Watson Dan Milner David Spade Dead Sea Flowers Dean McKinney Dee Edwards Delta Hate Dennis Irwin Devil Dez Dottin Diana DeGarmo Domesticatrix Dr. Burt Duquette Johnson ERRA Eddie Levert Edward O. Wilson Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Mavis Staples, Shawn Colvin, The Milk Carton Kids, Chris Hillman, Herb Pedersen, Holly Williams, Chris Coleman, Trampled By Turtles, Lucinda Williams, Rodney Crowell, Lee Ann Womack, John Starling, Daniel Lanois, Iron & Wine, Empire Springs Eric Essix Erica Oyama Erskine Hawkins Ezra Sims Fannie Flagg François Clemmons Frederic Earl ‘Shorty’ Long G Tom Mac Gene "Mighty Flea" Conners Gus Jenkins Gwenmars Ham Bagby Hank Green Hank Penny Hardrock Gunter Harry Dial Haste Haysop Haywood Henry Hillard Brown Hotel Hugh Martin Hutch Davie Ian Cuthbertson Inez Andrews Intense Regret Irene Jordan Irrumator Ivan “Boogaloo Joe” Jones J. R. Cobb Jabo Williams Jacob Bunton James Redfield Janet Croninger Janet Simpson Janet Simpson and Will Stewart Jean Kittrell Jerry Jones Jerry Yester Jimmy Bryant Jimmy Cheatham Joe Alexander John Neff John Vincent Johnny Smith Jordan Fisher Josh Gilbert KD Kate Jackson Katie Crutchfield Keri Leigh Kim Scott Kiss Me at the Gate Lama Doodle Lasers Lasers Birmingham Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires Lee Bains and the Glory Fires Leola B. Wilson Leola P. Pettigrew Little Raine Band Little Red Rocket Livingston Matthews Lonnie Holley Louise Quick Love Rat Lykwid Margaret Walker Maria Taylor Mars Electric Matt Bryant Matthew Edwards Matthew Mayfield Maylene and the Sons of Disaster Mel Allen Meyo Mick Kenney Mickey Rooney, Jr. Mitty Collier Monarchs Monte Montgomery Moses Mayfield Mountain Grass Unit Neil Thrasher Nell Carter New Hope Baptist Church Mass Choir Nic Harcourt Nine Lashes No Cure Noveller Nowhere Squares Odetta P.S. Eliot Pastor Mike Pat Powdrill Paul Bascomb Penny & Sparrow Penny and Sparrow Pete Clark Peter Bradley Adams Pink Siifu Ray Reach Rebecca Luker Refuse to Thrive Regia Remove the Veil Remy Zero Richard Evans Rick Rock Roadside Robert Strassburg Roy Wood, Jr. Ruben Studdard Rush of Fools SLAMABAMA Saint 13 Sam Dees Sam Lay Sammy Lowe Sammy Salvo Sanders Bohlke Sarah Simmons September Plateau Setesh Shapeless Being Sister Ray Davies Skeptic? Smart Patrol Smithwick Machine Sonia Sanchez St. Paul & The Broken Bones St. Paul and the Broken Bones Star Witness Stephen Siegel Steve Lunt Stewart Harris Stoned Cobra Stormfolk Subhymnal Suedehead Sugarplums Sun Ra Susan Patterson Susanna Phillips T-Minus Band TTO K.T. Tamisha Iman Taurica Davis Taylor Hicks Taylor Hollingsworth Ted McCord Teddy Hill Terkoiz The 4 of Us The Bear The Blips The Brook and the Bluff The Distortions The Famous Blue Jay Singers of Birmingham, Alabama The Great American Breakdown The Illusions The Judges The Lost Child The Official Bard of Baldwin County The Oxford Five The Ramrods The Rites of Spring The Torquay’s Through the Sparks Tobias Wolff Tom Wright Tommy Jackson Tony Fennell Trinity the Tuck Trust Company Venture Boi Verbena Vet Boswell Walker Burroughs Walton Goggins Wandaband Waxahatchee Way Bandy Wayne Perkins Wilbur "Dud" Bascomb Wilbur Harden Wild Sweet Orange Will Stewart Within Reason Wray YBN Nahmir Zena Zena McNally alsotheband iiye jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights thisyearsmodel xNo Curex Albany, KY Ardmore, AL Athens, AL Augusta, KY Beaudry, AR Benton, AR Berea, KY Big Sandy, TN Billstown, AR Blue Lick, KY