MUSCLE SHOALS, Alabama (WAFF) – Imagine, you are driving down Avalon Avenue in Muscle Shoals and spot a woman who looks like Jennifer Hudson coming out of FAME recording studios. Double take, it’s Jennifer Hudson.

The Grammy-winning musician traveled south to visit the iconic recording studio just before her new movie, “Respect.” Hudson stars as Soul Queen Aretha Franklin in the biopic set to hit theaters in August 2021.

FAME Music was established in 1959 and a few years later founder Rick Hall opened the studio which still stands on the corner of East Avalon Avenue. This is where Franklin recorded hits like “I Never Loved A Man” and “Do Right Woman”.

Artists like Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Wilson Pickett, Etta James, Otis Redding, the Osmonds, Jerry Reed and Alabama are among those who have recorded in the Sacred Studio with the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section.

The rhythm section, also known as The Swampers, can even be heard on the hit song the film is named after, “Respect”. The film depicts some of the times Franklin was in the studio, working with small town musicians.

Of course, Hudson must have visited the place where Franklin recorded some of his most notable works. Before leaving the hit recording capital of the world, she took a photo in front of the classic FAME billboard. Social media followers have gone wild, including us.

Catch the musician in the movie when it hits theaters in August.

You can also visit the very place where the queen of soul recorded so many classics that make us get up and dance by visiting FAME and taking a tour on your own.

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