Skip to content

Montgomery, Alabama

Everything Montgomery is known for

RoadyGoat plays music like this when you drive through Montgomery. It's free on iPhone, and full songs play through Apple Music.

Montgomery, Alabama, the state capital, boasts a rich musical heritage that resonates throughout the Deep South. Many notable artists have called Montgomery home, contributing to diverse genres. Jazz legend Nat King Cole, known for his smooth vocals, was born in Montgomery. Blues powerhouse Big Mama Thornton, famous for "Hound Dog," also hailed from the city.

The city's musical connections extend to numerous songs that mention Montgomery. Alan Jackson's "Midnight in Montgomery" and Bonnie Raitt's rendition of "Angel from Montgomery" are just two examples of the 156 songs in our collection that reference this historic Alabama city.

Music in Montgomery

Songs About Montgomery

Always Loving You
Hank Williams, Jr.
97%
"Down by the old Montgomery station in the rain"
If The Good Lord’s Willin’ (And The Creeks Don’t Rise)
Hank Williams, Jr.
92%
"We're gon' have a reception at the Almeria"
angel from montgomery
kristin kelly
90%
Angel from Montgomery
Bonnie Raitt
83%
"Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery"
South Montgomery Blues
Joey Allcorn
83%
"South Montgomery Blues"
This Ain't Montgomery (w/ Hank III)
Joey Allcorn
83%
"This Ain't Montgomery"
angel from montgomery
payton taylor
82%
Montgomery in the Rain
Steve Young
82%
"Well, here I am again down in Montgomery, Alabam"
Montgomery Behind Me
India Ramey
82%
"I’m gonna put Montgomery behind me"
Montgomery to Memphis
Lee Ann Womack
81%
"It's a million miles from Montgomery to Memphis"
Montgomery
Muscadine Bloodline
80%
"Song about Montgomery"
Angel From Montgomery
Susan Tedeschi
79%
"Make me an angel, that flies from Montgomery"
Graveyard In Montgomery
Billy Don Burns
79%
"Graveyard In Montgomery"
Midnight in Montgomery
Alan Jackson
77%
"Midnight in Montgomery"
Angel from Montgomery
Kristen Kelly
77%
"Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery"
All My Heroes Have Halos
C J Garton
70%
"Now there's an angel up there from Montgomery"
Stars Fell on Alabama
Jimmy Buffett
66%
"Montgomery"
Seven Bridges Road
Eagles
62%
"Down the Seven Bridges Road"
Where You Left It
Ella Langley
62%
"next thing I know, I'm turnin' off on that Montgomery exit"
Angel from Montgomery
John Prine
62%
"Make me an angel that flies from Montgomery"

Showing top 20 of 196 songs · Hear more in the free iPhone app

Rivers & Roads in Song near Montgomery

Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Montgomery.

History of Montgomery

Montgomery, AL RoadyGoat

Montgomery, Alabama, a city draped in Southern charm and steeped in history, owes its name to a Revolutionary War hero. Incorporated in 1819, the city was christened in honor of General Richard Montgomery, who lost his life in the 1775 Battle of Quebec. It's a name that speaks of courage and sacrifice, a nod to the ideals upon which the young nation was founded. Perched at approximately 220 feet above sea level, the city overlooks the Alabama River, which marks its southern boundary. The name "Montgomery" carries a certain weight, a reminder of the past that resonates even today. Though the general never set foot in Alabama, his name helped to shape the city's identity. In 1846, Montgomery became the capital of Alabama, solidifying its position as a center of power and influence. Even the Alabama red-bellied turtle, native to the surrounding waterways, feels like another piece of the tapestry, another voice whispering stories of the past.

Montgomery, AL RoadyGoat

Montgomery’s story is etched in its landscape, a blend of cultures shaped by the Alabama River and the fertile Black Belt soil. Originally Creek territory, the area transformed with the arrival of European settlers, primarily of English and Scots-Irish descent, who brought their language and customs. The echoes of their influence can still be found in the stately architecture around the Alabama State Capitol, completed in 1851, which overlooks downtown from Goat Hill. But the most profound cultural impact came with the forced migration of enslaved Africans, whose labor built the city's economy and whose traditions subtly infused its character. Though the Gullah language never took hold as it did along the coasts, African traditions found expression in foodways, music, and religious practices. Red-eye gravy and collard greens, staples of Southern cuisine, speak to this heritage. While the demographics of the city have shifted over time, and the accents have blended into a broader Southern vernacular, the spirit of resilience and cultural innovation born from this history continues to resonate.

Montgomery, AL RoadyGoat

Montgomery, Alabama, owes much of its identity to its role as the state capital. Nestled on the banks of the Alabama River, and chosen as the capital in 1846, the city’s political importance quickly took root. The Alabama State Capitol, perched atop Goat Hill, became a symbol of power, and still defines the city's skyline. The location, high enough to avoid the flooding that plagues some other Southern cities, provided a sense of stability and permanence, encouraging further development. This choice solidified Montgomery as a center for state government, which, along with the expanding healthcare industry, continues to be a major employer. While the river provided early transportation routes for agricultural goods and cotton, it's the steady presence of state institutions that has shaped the city's economic and cultural landscape.

Rosa Parks Bus Stop

1955

Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat near this corner on December 1, 1955, sparking the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church

1954

Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor of this church from 1954 to 1960, organizing the Montgomery Bus Boycott from its basement.

Hank Williams Museum

1923

Montgomery was Hank Williams' adopted hometown, where he played on WSFA radio and launched his career before dying at twenty-nine.

Civil Rights Memorial

1989

Designed by Maya Lin, the memorial honors forty people killed in the civil rights movement with water flowing over a black granite table.

Everything Near Montgomery

18 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.

  • Montgomery, AL

    Montgomery, Alabama, a city draped in Southern charm and steeped in history, owes its name to a Revolutionary War hero. Incorporated in 1819, the city was christened in honor of General Richard Montgomery, who lost his…

  • Grove Court Apartments · 0.5 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Take a look at those overgrown ruins. They're all that's left of the Grove Court Apartments, a once-celebrated housing complex. Built in 1947, Grove Court was lauded for its innovative design, offering modern living…

  • Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church · 0.7 mi · Historical Marker

    Martin Luther King Jr. served as pastor of this church from 1954 to 1960, organizing the Montgomery Bus Boycott from its basement.

  • The Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum · 0.7 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Imagine being a fly on the wall in a house where two literary legends were battling their demons and creating masterpieces! This is the Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald Museum, the only surviving home where they lived…

  • Alabama State Capitol · 0.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Right here, at the Alabama State Capitol, American history took a sharp turn. In 1861, this building served as the First Confederate Capitol. Delegates from seceding states gathered here to form the Confederate States…

  • William Lowndes Yancey Law Office · 0.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    This unassuming office belonged to one of the South's most vocal advocates for secession leading up to the Civil War. William Lowndes Yancey used this building as his law office from 1846 until his death. He partnered…

  • Rosa Parks Bus Stop · 0.9 mi · Historical Marker

    Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat near this corner on December 1, 1955, sparking the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott.

  • Civil Rights Memorial · 0.9 mi · Historical Marker

    Designed by Maya Lin, the memorial honors forty people killed in the civil rights movement with water flowing over a black granite table.

  • Court Square Fountain · 0.9 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Imagine this: you're standing where Native Americans once drew water from a natural spring. That's right beneath the Court Square Fountain! This spot matters because it connects us to centuries of history. Back in 1885,…

  • Hank Williams Museum · 1.0 mi · Historical Marker

    Montgomery was Hank Williams' adopted hometown, where he played on WSFA radio and launched his career before dying at twenty-nine.

  • Lower Commerce Street Historic District · 1.1 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Ever wonder what Montgomery looked like in its early boomtown days? Lower Commerce Street is a great place to imagine it. Back in the mid-1800s, this area transformed from riverfront warehouses into a bustling…

  • Hope Hull, AL · 7.5 mi

    Hope Hull, Alabama, a small community south of Montgomery, might seem like just another dot on the Alabama map. But look closer, and you’ll find it has connections to some truly significant figures in American history.

Show all 18 nearby places
  • Fort Toulouse and Fort Jackson · 9.8 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Pull over here; this is where history happened, twice! Right here at the fork of the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers, you'll find the site of both Fort Toulouse and Fort Jackson, crucial locations in the early American…

  • Prattville, AL · 11.5 mi

    Prattville, Alabama, carries the echoes of industry and artistry. The town owes its existence to Daniel Pratt, whose cotton mill on Autauga Creek set the stage for its industrial character. His legacy is woven into the…

  • Hickory Ground · 12.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    Imagine a bustling town center, not of settlers, but of the Muscogee Creek people. This is Hickory Ground, or Otciapofa, a place that was once the heart of the Creek Nation. Here, the National Council of the Creek…

  • Pike Road, AL · 12.8 mi · Local history

    Pike Road, Alabama, a town carved out of Montgomery County's eastern sprawl, has been wrestling with its identity for years, a tension made visible in the ongoing debate over school zoning. Once a collection of farms…

  • Wetumpka State Penitentiary · 14.2 mi · Scraped Hmdb

    These old walls whisper tales of Alabama's past, as you're passing the site of the Wetumpka State Penitentiary, the state's very first prison. Construction began in the mid-1840s, and for decades, this imposing…

  • Slapout, AL · 18.7 mi

    Slapout, Alabama, is the kind of place you might drive right through without noticing. It’s nestled in Elmore County, part of the greater Montgomery metropolitan area, and known more for its unassuming rural character…

Sign up for the free newsletter

Longer stories, research notes, photos, videos, and where the road goes next. Free, and no iPhone needed.

Subscribe free