About Grateful Fred, the namesake for the tent stage

“Grateful Fred” Hill was a fun-loving, music-loving, electrician by trade but music enthusiast and archivist by heart and desire, whose body succumbed to cancer back in early November of 2012.  I camped with Grateful Fred many times at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park for MagFest and SpringFest, he attended each HarvestFest, and for many years he was ever present on the Atlanta music scene.  Always great to see him, laugh with him, have a beer or otherwise with him.  There is a large group of folks who knew Fred – I’m thankful I could call him my friend.  His energy certainly shines bright on the Hootenanny, and I couldn’t think of a better way to honor Grateful Fred and his pure love of life, music, and happiness than to name a tent stage after him that provides such amazing and spontaneous musical energy.

Cheers Grateful Fred!