FAME Girls Ranch will be the site of a major fundraiser and musical gathering beginning at noon today.

The Alabama Sheriff’s Association acquired the house built by FAME Recording Studios owner Rick Hall about four years ago. Girls who have been removed from their homes because of the actions of their parents or guardians are housed in the sprawling home near Littleville.

The music will include a rare performance on mandolin by Rick Hall.

Linda Hall, Rick Hall’s wife, said they could no longer keep up the property the way they wanted, and their sons did not want to live in the house, so working out an arrangement with the Sheriff’s Association was ideal for both parties.

“Early on, after we built the house (in 1977), we had a dream of it being a children’s home if the time came when we didn’t want to live here any more,” she said. “But we never dreamed it would happen.”

FAME Girls Ranch can house eight girls, and a planned expansion will allow another eight girls to live there, officials said.

The Giddy Up for the Girls event begins at noon today. It includes trail rides at $35 per horse. Music begins at 7 p.m. Admission for music-only is $5 tonight and $10 Saturday. Children 12 and younger may attend free with an adult.

Primitive camping is available to riders, and a hamburger concession stand featuring beef raised on the ranch will open at 6 p.m. today.

The ranch is at 445 Ligon Springs Road, between Littleville and Russellville. Signs on U.S. 43 will direct visitors to the ranch.

Hall is expected to perform with the Kerry Gilbert Band at 7 p.m. today. Though best known as a soul and pop producer, Hall has deep roots in country music and plays fiddle as well as mandolin.

Other musical acts include Bottle Tree, which features local artists James LeBlanc, Angela Hacker, Scott Boyer III, Byron Green, Jon Davis and Zach Thomas, Cowboy Church band Stampede, and Wade Hayes. An auction Saturday also is part of the event.

Robert Palmer can be reached at 256-740-5720 or robert.palmer@TimesDaily.com.