<P> Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers . </P> <P> And they've been known to pick a song or two . Lord, they get me off so much, </P> <P> Affectionately called The Swampers, The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section was a local group of first - call studio musicians (initially working at FAME and then at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios) who were available for back - up . They were given the nickname The Swampers by music producer Denny Cordell during the Leon Russell sessions because of their "funky, soulful Southern "swamp" sound ". </P> <P> When Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios once early in their career, they saw the various gold and platinum records on the walls bearing the words "To The Swampers", and later included it in the song as a tribute . </P>

What did the rhythm section in muscle shoals become known as