Baldwin County is the largest county in Alabama by land area, stretching from the eastern shore of Mobile Bay to the Perdido River and the Florida state line.
Ten years after a chance encounter with a European jazz band set them on a new musical path, Fairhope-raised brothers Noah and Josh Thompson are marking a decade of Roman Street with the release of their sixth studio album, “Balcony of the World.” The duo will celebrate the milestone with a hometown release show Friday, March 13 at 5 p.m. at the Halstead Amphitheater on the campus of Coastal Alabama Community College, 450 Fairhope Ave., with admission by a suggested $10 donation.
The county’s population has grown dramatically in recent decades, more than doubling since 2000 to about 250,000 residents.
Roman Street’s story began a decade ago when Noah and Josh discovered Tonic Strings, an acoustic European jazz outfit whose blend of flamenco and gypsy jazz textures captivated the brothers and inspired them to start writing and performing together. What started as a pastime shared between siblings, played privately at home and on weekends at local cafes, grew into a full-time career neither of them had planned on.
Baldwin County’s economy is anchored by tourism along the Gulf Coast, with Gulf Shores and Orange Beach drawing millions of visitors each year.
“It was something Josh and I liked to do together, privately in our homes, and on the weekends at different cafes,” Noah said of the band’s early days. “I don’t think any of us, especially myself, anticipated doing this 10 years later.
The Eastern Shore communities of Fairhope, Daphne and Spanish Fort have become popular destinations for families.
We all had different plans and aspirations. That’s one of the cool things about music.
Baldwin County Public Schools has been joined by a handful of municipal school districts in recent years.
Background and Context
It takes you on different turns in your life that you wouldn’t have taken.” “Balcony of the World” was recorded across three locations, reflecting the band’s evolving process. Much of the album took shape at Day 6 Entertainment with longtime engineer Matt Damico of Mattymix Productions, who has worked with Roman Street on several previous albums.
The county’s road network includes U.S. Highway 31, U.S. Highway 59, State Route 181 and the Foley Beach Express.
For the first time, Noah and Josh also recorded portions of the album from home before completing the final tracking sessions at Dauphin Street Sound. “We recorded at that location years ago when it was Jada,” Josh said of the Dauphin Street Sound sessions.
Baldwin County’s coastline includes the Gulf State Park, the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge and the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
“We had been there once before, but just wanted to see what they had done. We had such a great experience recording there.
The county’s economy also includes significant agriculture, with row crops, cattle and, more recently, hemp farming supporting rural communities.
We liked all the sounds that we got, and it was easy to work there.” The album’s title track has a backstory rooted in a Roman Street performance in Delray Beach, Florida, where the band had not yet settled on a name for one of its new songs. Before playing it, the brothers asked the crowd for suggestions, and an audience member proposed “Balcón Del Mundo,” or “Balcony of the World.” Josh said the phrase did not initially fit the song it was suggested for, but stuck with him and Noah until they realized it was the perfect fit for another track, and eventually gave the whole record its name.
Baldwin County’s growth has created challenges for local governments, which have had to expand services, schools and infrastructure.
Local Reaction
“I didn’t like the name for that particular song, but there was another song of mine that it was perfect for,” Josh said. “The more Noah and I said the name, we grew to like it more and more.
Real estate development along the Gulf Coast and on the Eastern Shore has been particularly active.
We decided to name the whole album that. We need to track down that guy and thank him.” Noah described the title track, which runs nearly eight minutes, as one of the album’s most ambitious pieces, built around a sweeping cello and string arrangement alongside guitar parts written by Josh.
Baldwin County’s coastal location makes it vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms.
“A lot of the music on the album has the driving Latin flair,” Noah said. “Others are modern jazz.
The Intracoastal Waterway runs through Baldwin County, providing a navigable channel for commercial and recreational boating.
However, there’s a couple of them with this really big sense of space that the name fits.” Beyond the title track, “Balcony of the World” showcases Roman Street’s range, pairing the band’s signature European-infused acoustic sound with modern jazz arrangements on tracks like “Rosemary Beach” and “Two Step,” along with a jazz-inflected cover of The Spinners’ classic “I’ll Be Around.” The album also marks a first for the band: the introduction of vocals into what has largely been an instrumental catalog. “Island Time” features vocalist Denise Small, a friend of longtime Roman Street collaborators Bryan Morris on drums and Joseph Morris Jr.
Baldwin County’s cultural life includes the Eastern Shore Art Center and a variety of community events held throughout the year.
The Bigger Picture
on bass. “That song has the first lyrics that I ever tried writing,” Noah said.
The county is home to several historic sites, including the Fort Morgan peninsula.
“I’ve been a professional musician for 15 years, and we’ve been doing instrumental music the whole time. When that song came around, I always had some lyrics in mind, but my singing is absolutely horrible.
Baldwin County’s natural assets, including its white-sand beaches, make it a major destination for both day-trippers and seasonal residents.
Denise had worked with us on some private and corporate gigs. We liked her voice a lot.
Real estate prices in Baldwin County have climbed significantly over the past decade, with the resort area commanding premium prices compared to inland communities.
So, we wanted to get her in the studio.” Noah said the band’s music continues to be shaped by the places its members have traveled, describing his songwriting as inspired by the sights and sensations of the far-flung locales Roman Street has performed in over the years, filtered through the lens of two brothers who grew up on the Alabama Gulf Coast. “I have this eternal muse going on that gets kick-started while we’re traveling,” Noah said.
Local government in unincorporated Baldwin County is overseen by the Baldwin County Commission, which has worked to balance growth with conservation in recent years.
What Comes Next
“There’s also the people that you meet. We’ve met some extraordinary people in different parts of the world.
Local officials have stressed the importance of community engagement as the situation continues to develop.
It gets your imagination going trying to capture those memories and moods. We’re inspired by these exotic locations and trying to merge that through the lens of two boys who grew up here on the Alabama Gulf Coast.” Noah said “Balcony of the World” was written without sheet music, favoring spontaneous creation in the studio alongside Josh, Morris and Morris Jr., and that he hopes that creative chemistry comes through for listeners.
Residents with questions or concerns have been encouraged to reach out to their elected representatives.
Even after ten years and six albums, Noah said the band’s approach hasn’t strayed far from where it started. “Roman Street is still going strong,” Noah said.
The story is one of several similar situations playing out across the region in recent months.
“We’re older now than the kids sitting on the sidewalk in Fairhope. For me, the approach is still the same.
Anyone following local news will recognize many of the names and places involved.
I’m just jamming with my brother and playing what moves us.” Friday’s release show at the Halstead Amphitheater gives Baldwin County audiences a chance to hear the new album performed live in the band’s hometown before Roman Street takes “Balcony of the World” on the road.
Local civic organizations have begun organizing meetings to discuss the implications.
Business owners and residents alike say they will be watching closely.
The situation underscores how decisions made at the local level can have far-reaching consequences.
Community leaders have called for patience and for a commitment to working through the issues in a transparent manner.
Several local churches and faith groups have offered to host discussions about the topic in the coming weeks.
Public comments at recent meetings have reflected a wide range of opinions.
Local reporters will continue to follow the story and to update readers.
Anyone interested in learning more is encouraged to attend upcoming public meetings.
The outcome of the situation could shape similar discussions in other communities for years to come.
Local historians note that similar issues have surfaced in the past.
Area nonprofits and volunteer groups have stepped up to help residents navigate the changes.
Local businesses have begun adjusting their operations in anticipation of what may come next.
Looking Ahead
The story continues to develop, and residents across the region will be watching for additional updates in the coming weeks. Local reporters and community organizations will continue to track the situation as it unfolds, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available. Anyone with a direct stake in the outcome is encouraged to stay engaged with the public conversation through meetings, news coverage and direct outreach to local officials.