Asked about prior experience putting on fundraising concerts, Russell Mefford raises his right-hand and makes his fingers into the shape of a zero.

What Mefford did have was The Fiddleworms, the ‘90s founded regionally popular Muscle Shoals rock band he sings and plays guitar for. He had tons of other talented friends too.

In the late ‘90s, Mefford had just reopened his family business Mefford Jewelers in downtown Florence. He recalls, “And I had two charities come in within a day or so of each other wanting to hire the Fiddleworms to play a benefit for them. And I was like, this would be great for me in my hometown because I don’t have any money, but I can give you my time.”

The idea simmered for more than a year. Mefford’s afterwork watering hole at the time was the bar inside an Outb

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