If Opelika had a playlist

In Opelika, live music is easy to find. On any given evening, you might hear an acoustic set on the patio at Resting Pulse Brewing Company or catch a band playing late into the night at Botanic. Beyond the venues, music is also at the heart of the city’s biggest events, from Summer Swing and Food Truck Friday to the annual Opelika Songwriters Festival.

There is no denying that the music scene is thriving in Opelika, but we wanted to take it a step further. We set out to answer the question: “What does Opelika sound like?” And who better to ask than the musicians who play here.

The Secret Sounds

For Britt and Brennen Reece of The Secret Sounds, Opelika’s music scene stands out on a larger scale. The band made its debut in late 2022 at open mic nights at The Jailhouse, and in just a few years has grown into a regional presence, with performances across the Southeast and beyond.

Despite that broader reach, Opelika remains central to their story. “Opelika is like the Austin, TX of Alabama. There’s a huge, supportive community of local musicians and songwriters working in pretty much every genre you’d want to listen to, and it’s been that way for as long as I can remember. The faces may change, but the community has remained strong and continues to grow.”

When asked what songs belong on a “Sounds of Opelika” playlist, they pointed to “I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash, partly because Opelika is mentioned, and “San Diego Serenade” by Tom Waits, which carries a more personal meaning tied to time spent away from home.

Truck Dog

Truck Dog approaches Opelika’s music scene from a different angle, but lands in a similar place. The band has been playing together for the past three years, though their connection to Opelika goes back much further. Growing up, lead singer Joel Alvarado recalls idolizing local musicians like Adam Hood, Dallas Dorsey and Kevin Flanagan, artists who did not need much more than a guitar and a crowd to have a good time.

“It’s not self-absorbed. It’s not ‘come look at me,’” he explains. “Around here, whether you’re a cover artist or an original artist, most people are playing for the crowd, not at the crowd. We want to give something back to the folks who came to hear us.”

When it comes to the playlist, they added crowd favorites like “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd and “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers.

Electric Rangers

The local band Electric Rangers references the wide range of music happening across the city. With decades of experience performing across the country before settling in Opelika in 2014, they have seen how broad the local scene has become. They describe it as spanning genres from country and jazz to bluegrass, Irish and big band.

According to them, Opelika’s music is not confined to one stage or one style. It happens in clubs, at outdoor venues, during songwriter events and at festivals that bring both local and visiting talent together. Their song choices include “Sioux City Sue” by Bob Wills, Gene Autry and Willie Nelson, “Why Don’t You Love Me Like You Used to Do” by Hank Williams, “Here in the Real World” by Alan Jackson and “Till I Gain Control Again” by Rodney Crowell.

Heydin McDaniel

For musicians like Heydin McDaniel, Opelika’s music scene is rooted in a strong sense of community. Having played locally for the past two years, he describes it as a place that feels like home.

“Everyone involved, both musicians and listeners alike, are so supportive, enthusiastic, and serious about experiencing good music,” he said. “In many ways, Opelika is a true music town.”

His additions include Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” and Childish Gambino’s “Sober.”

Strawberry Whine

For some artists, the connection to Opelika’s music scene spans generations. Father-daughter duo Mark Wilson and Jessica Walters of Strawberry Whine have been performing in Opelika since 2007. They describe Opelika’s music scene as vibrant and wide-ranging, spanning everything from rock and country to original compositions.

More than anything, it is the easygoing, friendly atmosphere that keeps them coming back, where audiences make every performance feel special. Their picks include “Small Town” by John Mellencamp, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” by Bon Jovi and “Famous in a Small Town” by Miranda Lambert.

Opelika Chamber playlist picks

The Opelika Chamber team also added a few personal favorites to the mix with songs that capture the spirit of the community, including “Train, Train” by Blackfoot, “Sister Golden Hair” by America, “Who Let the Dogs Out” by Baha Men and “Azalea Blooms” by Muscadine Bloodline.

The sounds of Opelika

Taken together, these voices paint a picture of a city that is as musically diverse as it is connected. The “Sounds of Opelika” playlist blends classic rock, country, Americana and modern influences into something that feels both familiar and fresh. It is a soundtrack built for back porch evenings and windows-down drives through town.