The Selma Boys Remember Selma

We are fortunate along the Scenic 98 Coastal area to have so many fine local musicians to see and hear at great venues! It’s something that makes the Gulf Coast special. A couple of weeks ago, Linda and I ventured to Avenue Pub in Orange Beach to hear our good friend, Mike Estep, play with his old high school buddies, The Selma Boys. The weather was a bit dreary that afternoon, but the music and food were outstanding.

The Selma Boys attended high school together in Selma, the class of 1972. It all started in 1970 when Rick Carter and Richard Tabor formed a band called Truffle. After graduation, Rick attended South Alabama, Mike headed to school in Tuscaloosa and became an oil and gas attorney, and Richard launched a successful home-building business in central Alabama, remaining in his hometown. Rick put The Selma Boys band together 40 years after leaving high school, playing 30-35 shows a year.

Rick Carter has been a full-time musician since the mid-70s and formed Telluride, one of B’ham’s most beloved rock bands, in 1977 with Roger Bailey, Jim Liner, Robert Churchill, and Moose Harrell. Forty-five years later, the band is still a huge draw whenever they get together. The main event on Saturday of Memorial weekend (May 27) at the FloraBama Telluride. Mike Estep hung around with Telluride while he was in school, and they played music whenever possible. 

Rick is also a founding member of Rollin’ in the Hay, an American alternative bluegrass band listed in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame as “Music Achiever.” Between the various groups, including the Selma Boys, and solo/duo/trio gigs, Rick plays 275 to 300 shows a year.

Stan Foster is the band’s bassist and contributes wonderful vocals, both lead, and harmony. He also plays with “Hay” and is the only member not from Selma, having graduated from high school in Camden (Arkansas). He’s a wonderful addition with a keen sense of humor and a colorful personality. 

Mike and Stan play a lot of gigs around the Scenic 98 Coastal area from Mobile to Pensacola and all points in between (sometimes with each other). The band draws on old friendships that lend a special harmony and closeness.  If you are of a certain age, their song selection will take you back and have you singing familiar tunes from high school or college.

As we all know, on January 12 of this year, Selma was devastated by EF3 tornadoes that rolled through the town, leaving a  path of destruction in its wake. Fortunately, no one was killed by the storm, but many friends and family of The Selma Boys were left to deal with an unbelievable rebuilding project.

“It’s uncanny how many wonderful people are from Selma,” said Rick. “These are people whose families' lives have been uprooted by the storm. It hit all of us hard, and we wanted to do something that would help draw attention to Selma’s plight and help them recover.”

Within two weeks, The Selma Boys and their longtime friend, Don Tinsley, had written and recorded a song, Selma’s Still Here, a heartfelt tribute to the folks decimated by the event and desperate to put their lives back together. The song is available to download for a minimum donation of $4 to help the recovery effort through the Black Belt Benefits Group, which is part of the United Way disaster relief fund. 

So far, the song has raised over $3200. “We wanted to give back,” says Rick. There is a link with complete bios of everyone that played on that song. You can download the song through Rick’s Bandcamp webpage. It’s a heartfelt appeal to say that Selma is still here and needs your help.

As The Selma Boys, Rick, Richard, Mike, and Stan play around the state and do a few shows in Mississippi throughout the year. Mike and Rick put the schedule together, often six to eight months ahead of their shows. This year, they will play in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, along Alabama’s coast, and for a class reunion in Selma. “It’s a great opportunity to play with friends doing something we love,” says Rick.

It’s a close-knit group that enjoys playing and entertaining and is worth seeking out when they’re in the Scenic 98 Coastal area. Check The Selma Boy's Facebook page to find where they are playing next. Please consider downloading Selma’s Still Here and making a relief effort donation to help Selma put her life back together.

Thanks to The Selma Boys for keeping Selma top of mind.