The biggest names in Alabama and Huntsville music lore stand out – “Father of the Blues” W.C. Handy and “Architect of Rock and Roll” Little Richard among them. But what about the many fine musicians who’ve dropped below the popular radar?
Discover these talents and more when The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) brings local historian William Hampton and Huntsville Music Board member Codie Gopher to campus for “Black History Month 2025: A history of music in Alabama and Huntsville” on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at 6 p.m. in Charger Union Theater. Held in partnership with the City of Huntsville’s Music Office and Downtown Huntsville, Inc., the event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested in advance.
Hampton and Gopher will explore our area’s rich music history, focusing on contributions of the black community. The program will also feature performances by the UAH Chamber Choir and piano student Avery St. Julian. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System.
“It is an absolute pleasure and privilege to share this history alongside my friend Codie Gopher, a young man I admire and respect,” Hampton said. “Our audience will be amazed by some of the stories we share during this presentation.”
Hampton, founder of the Huntsville Revisited Museum, is well known for collecting, preserving and sharing Huntsville’s past. His history museum is home to a wide range of unique artifacts, photos and stories of the places and families that make up the fabric of our history. One of the most talked about cultural attractions in the area, the museum is located at the H.C. Blake Art & History Center, 2007 N. Memorial Parkway, Suite O.
Gopher, an independent researcher of modern culture, has spent more than 20 years in the music creative zone. Among his notable projects, he helped to curate the first hip-hop exhibit at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia. The exhibit opened in August 2018 and documented the body of work, plus the influence Alabama hip-hop has had on the world of music and pop culture.
“I love the opportunity to share the stage with my mentor, William Hampton,” Gopher said. “Sharing the history of our community is something we both choose to do. I personally love to see the faces of people when they hear all the success stories connected to our hometown.”
