Widget Sound Studio
WIDGET SOUND STUDIO
3804 Jackson Hwy., Sheffield, AL
Widget was opened in 1968 by Ron Ballew as a music studio, publishing firm and production facility. It is best known today for the 1972 hit “Motorcycle Mama” by Sailcat. The Decatur-based band, led by singer-songwriters Johnny Wyker and Court Pickett, were supported by a who’s-who of Muscle Shoals musicians during the recording of the single and album of the same name, including Pete Carr, Chuck Leavell, Bob Wray, Scott Boyer, Charles Chalmers, and Wishbone's Terry Woodford and Clayton Ivey.
Widget was opened in 1968 by Ron Ballew as a music studio, publishing firm and production facility. It is best known today for the 1972 hit “Motorcycle Mama” by Sailcat. The Decatur-based band, led by singer-songwriters Johnny Wyker and Court Pickett, were supported by a who’s-who of Muscle Shoals musicians during the recording of the single and album of the same name, including Pete Carr, Chuck Leavell, Bob Wray, Scott Boyer, Charles Chalmers, and Wishbone's Terry Woodford and Clayton Ivey.
Another noteworthy Widget client was actor-musician Billy Bob Thornton, who recorded there as the drummer of a three-piece band when he was 17 years old. Decades later, when Thornton’s friend Donnie Fritts asked why they didn't record at nearby Muscle Shoals Sound instead, Thornton replied, “We couldn’t afford it.”
By the early 1980s, the studio was specializing in gospel music, while continuing to produce rock ‘n roll, country, and R&B. Ballew remained a beloved figure on the local music scene until his death on July 19, 2016.
“We’re doing everything here now… We have R&B, soul, heavy hard rock, country, and we’re going to do gospel.”
—Ron Ballew
Widget was frequently utilized as a tracking facility by Woodford and Ivey prior to the construction of Wishbone Recording Studio. Most notably, the pair produced material for several Motown artists at Widget, including the Commodores and the Supremes.
Another noteworthy Widget client was actor-musician Billy Bob Thornton, who recorded there as the drummer of a three-piece band when he was 17 years old. Decades later, when Thornton’s friend Donnie Fritts asked why they didn't record at nearby Muscle Shoals Sound instead, Thornton replied, “We couldn’t afford it.”
By the early 1980s, the studio was specializing in gospel music, while continuing to produce rock ‘n roll, country, and R&B. Ballew remained a beloved figure on the local music scene until his death on July 19, 2016.
Personnel
Owner:
• Ron Ballew
Producers:
• Ron Ballew
• Terry Skinner
• Jay Wallace
• Terry Woodford
• Clayton Ivey
• Pete Carr
• George Soulé
Writers:
• Cindy Richardson
• Stephanie Brown
Discography
1972:
• Sailcat, Motorcycle Mama
• Sailcat, "Baby Ruth"
• Fantasy, Rock 'N Roller at Heart
• Dee Dee Sommers and Sherry Runyon, Moving on Together
1973:
• Mary Gresham, "I'll Never Let You Walk Alone"
1974:
• Larry Griffin, "Windchimes"
• Jay Wallace, "This Thing Called Love"
1975:
• Debbi Shirley, "One Night Stand"
• J.D. Lindsey, "I'd Give Anything to See You Change Your Mind"
• Bobby Hood, "Special Kind of Loving"
• Ralph Graham, Differently*
1976:
• Ole Limousine, "To Be in the Movies"
• The Wunderfuls, "We Gotta Go Home"
• Carolyn Sparks, "Dallas"
• Ole Limousine, "I Can Feel the Fire"
• Vern Pratt, You Don't Miss Your Water
• Joan Carol Butler, Joan Carol Butler
1977:
• The Wunderfuls, "Beer Drankin' Music"
• J.D. Lindsey, "The Return of Lucille"
• Ruben Romero, Ruben Romero Guitar Album*
Sources:
Christopher S. Fuqua, Music Fell on Alabama (Huntsville: Honeysuckle Imprint, 1991).
Dick Cooper, Times Daily, c. 1972-1974.
Russ Corey, Times Daily, February 23, 2018.
Bill Williams, Billboard, December 5, 1970.
Alabama Music Hall of Fame.