Tag Archives: bluegrass

Holiday Hootenanny Artist Profile ~ Count M’Butu

5 Dec

Count M'Butu

Wednesday, December 20 at Terminal West

Showtime: 6:45 PM, Doors open 6 PM, Silent Auction 6-11:15 PM

Advance tickets $25 ADV/$35 Day of Show

We are just two weeks out from what promises to be one of the finest concerts of the year, celebrating life, music, family, friendship, and charity. One artist whose talent, friendship and love of family is undeniable is Grammy-winning percussionist Count M’Butu. His return to the Holiday Hootenanny has been four years in the making. We in the Atlanta music community and the Col. Bruce army of fans, musicians, writers, promoters, and friends are overjoyed to have him back in our mix and a part of the Holiday Hoot! Part of legendary Col. Bruce Hampton & the Aquarium Rescue Unit in the early ’90s – in my eyes one of the greatest bands of all-time – as well as the Derek Trucks Band for many years after that, Count’s presence in the Atlanta music scene has a special place, and as a long-time friend of mine, I personally cannot WAIT to see him back on the Holiday Hootenanny stage! The video below is from the 2nd Annual edition of the Holiday Hoot, and features Count M’Butu SINGING Willie Nelson’s classic “Always On My Mind” with the help of some friends, about as real and genuine as it gets. Enjoy!

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The schedule is as follows:

6:00 PM ~ Doors Open, Silent Auction open until 11:15 PM

6:45 PM – 7:45 PM ~ Ralph Roddenbery & Friends

8:15 PM – 9:15 PM ~ Jim Lauderdale

9:45 PM – 10:45 PM ~ ZambiGrass Jam, featuring Jeff Mosier, Larry Keel, Nick DiSebastian, Bobby Miller, Jared Womack 

11:15 PM – 12:30 AM ~ Zambi Jam Finale, featuring Jeff Mosier, Count M’Butu, Johnny Knapp, The Madrid Express & special guests!

Lineup: Jim Lauderdale,Larry Keel, Jeff Mosier, Count M’Butu, Johnny Knapp, Ralph Roddenbery, Matthew Williams (Pickled Holler), Nick DiSebastian, Bill Fleming, Donna Hopkins, Kevin Thomas (keyboards), Richie Jones (drums & percussion), Gaurav Malhotra (drums & percussion), Bobby Miller (mandolin), Zebulon Bowles (Hot Buttered Rum String Band), Jared Womack (Grass is Dead/RockyGrass Dobro competition winner)

Jim Lauderdale, Rev. Jeff Mosier added to Holiday Hootenanny!

30 Sep
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Photo by Laura Simon

Well folks, the announced lineup is complete now for the 6th Annual Atlanta’s Holiday Hootenanny, and I have to say it’s a good’un!  TDawg Presents is once again thrilled to bring Grammy winner and recent Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Jim Lauderdale to the Holiday Hootenanny stage as well as the revered Rev. Jeff Mosier and 2014 Rockygrass Dobro Competition Winner Jared Womack!  Needless to say, we’re in for a treat!

Here is a list of the absolutely amazing performers who will be taking the stage at Terminal West on Sunday, December 18.  We are truly blessed with amazing talent in the ATL, something not taken for granted but greatly appreciated and loved!

Kevn KinneyJim LauderdalePapa Mali, Rev. Jeff MosierThe Pussywillows feat. Carly Gibson & ZaleYonrico Scott (drums), Benji Shanks (guitarist for Kristian Bush), Kevin Scott (bass), Gaurav Malhotra (percussion), Richie Jones (percussion), Kevin Thomas (Hammond B-3), Bill Fleming (pedal steel), Bobby Miller (mandolin), Jared Womack (2014 Rockygrass dobro competition winner), groove funk trio Dyn-O-Mite!

Stay tuned for more exciting news to come regarding this year’s edition of Atlanta’s Holiday Hootenanny.  Meanwhile, PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!!!

HOOOOOOOOOOOOTENANNY!

 

 

Remembering Whit Connah & The Importance of Music in the Community

6 Sep

whitThis past Saturday I attended the memorial service for Whit Connah.  It was a true celebration of the life of an amazing person, one who touched the lives of so many.  His impact in the community will be felt for our lifetime and hopefully beyond.  The service consisted of some of the rawest, most heartfelt performances I’ve ever witnessed, and the individuals who spoke about Whit – daughters, friends, brother, granddaughter among them – painted a vivid portrait of someone who had a passion for living and was very good at passing that passion along to those who interacted with him.  He was labeled an introvert by several folks, but I certainly never saw that side.  One can credit wife Barbara for bringing him out of his shell.  Whit was an artist and a musician.  He taught art at Georgia Tech in their architecture department for 30 years and created many masterpieces of his own over the years as well.  He also was a mainstay in the Atlanta Cajun band Hair of the Dog, which rocked around Atlanta and the Southeast for over 30 years, their last show being a performance in early March as part of the Frank Hamilton School Concert Series.  I was fortunate to be able to see them many times over the years and include them in several of my projects.  Like many folks and especially his family and close friends, I will miss Whit and the energy he exuded onto others and within the Atlanta music community.  However, I have no doubt that his spirit will live on.  Below is a video I shot in the WREK studio where Hair of the Dog did a promotional appearance for the FHS show.

Whit’s passing has brought me full circle in my current career path for the Frank Hamilton School, of which Barbara has been a fiddle instructor.  It is our mission to provide an opportunity to people to learn and enjoy playing an intstrument, by yourself or in a group regardless of skill level.  I had a personal epiphany along that line of thought on Saturday after the memorial service.  Those who know me know my continued love of roots music and all its different sounds.  However, and for whatever reason, I have never really picked up an instrument to jam, noodle, or much of anything.  A bit of harmonica here and there, a couple of bass lessons.  Someone has to present the shows, too, right?  On Saturday, inspired by what I had witnessed at the memorial service, I passed on my much anticipated day & night of college football and brought out a mandolin that has found a home in our house.  I have never played the mandolin before, but I learned a couple of chords and away I went, offering mainly “ambience” notes but they fit in with the more experienced notes of my friends.  For about five hours I did my best and certainly felt a release of emotion that was much needed, and I look forward to continuing the learning process!

I am sending lots of love to Whit’s immediate family and his friends who so dearly loved him and will do my part to ensure his spirit lives on continuously.

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Frank Hamilton School Events & Concerts through Labor Day Weekend

9 Aug

I attended the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association meeting yesterday evening and really enjoyed both introducing myself and delivering the message that is the commitment of Frank Hamilton School to some individuals who truly care about community.  Attendees were encouraged to come by and check out the School on a Tuesday evening and experience a lesson and the bonding Second Half.  I encourage y’all to do the same!  7 PM group lessons, 8 PM Second Half at Oakhurst Baptist Church.  Visit the Frank Hamilton School website for complete information about classes, volunteering, and news!

The Frank Hamilton School will be participating in the following events from mid-August through Labor Day Weekend, beginning with this weekend.  Stay tuned for more   We are thrilled that everyone has been so receptive and welcoming towards us, and we’re only just beginning to plant our roots!

DecaturBBQFriday, August 12 ~ Frank Hamilton & Friends performing as part of the Pre-Fest Jam at Mojo Pizza N’ Pub, 657 East Lake Dr., from 5-7 PM.  There’s a nice little stage in there, the food and beverages are outstanding, and it’s an extremely family friendly environment, so come on out and enjoy some music from Frank and a few of his fellow teachers in addition to some delicious food and drink!

DecaturBookFestSunday, September 4 ~ The Frank Hamilton School will perform a special set on the Community Bandstand Stage at the Decatur Book Festival from Noon-12:45 PM.  The Book Festival is a Labor Day tradition here in Decatur and is one of the largest of its kind in the nation.  Spread the word, come on out, and bring your instrument, too!

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The Frank Hamilton School Concert Series continues with two evenings showcasing the blues and soulful Southern songwriting  at the Red Light Cafe.  You don’t want to miss either one!

FHS_Geoff Achison

$17 ADV/$20 Door ADVANCE TICKETS

8 PM Showtime, Doors 7 PM

 

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FHS_DonnaHopkinsDanielHutchens(2)

$12 Adv/$15 Door ADVANCE TICKETS

Showtime 8 PM, Doors 7 PM

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Here’s a wonderful video of Smokey’s Farmland Band closing out their incredible show the other night with some lightning fast pickin’!  Enjoy 😉

A Tribute to David Grisman, July 12 @ Eddie’s Attic!

11 Jul

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Advance Tickets (Reserve a table for front and center viewing!)

Core Musicians include (counter clockwise from top left)Casey Cook – guitar, Keith Morris – bass, Michael Smith – mandolin, Andy Carlson – fiddle

The Frank Hamilton School Presents an outstanding night of music that pays tribute to legendary mandolinist/composer/producer/collaborator David Grisman.  Join us as members of Atlanta’s top bluegrass band, The Dappled Grays, and a multi-state fiddle champion perform music from the different styles of the David Grisman Quintet as well as various projects over the years.  These sessions include (among many) his legendary Garcia/Grisman recordings, Tone Poems – a duet between Grisman and Tony Rice, the jazz and Latin infused acoustic music known by many as Dawg Music, and the bluegrass side of David Grisman, highlighted famously by his collaboration with both Doc Watson and Del McCoury and his participation in the legendary bluegrass group Old & In the Way that also included Jerry Garcia, Peter Rowan, Vassar Clements & John Kahn.

Our goal at the Frank Hamilton School is to create a sense of community around music, and this show is no different.  We are thrilled to be a part of the Decatur and Atlanta communities, contributing to the teaching of playing music together in addition to exposing you to the finest in real music, music that touches the soul and inspires.  Please visit http://frankhamiltonschool.org for complete information about how you can become a part of the new folk movement, which is as diverse as ever!  Come play with us!

Get your Advanced Tickets now – reserve a table or do general admission!  This is truly going to be a memorable night featuring some top notch Atlanta area musicians and some special guests.  A portion of the proceeds benefit The Frank Hamilton School.

 

TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny Next Weekend (4/1-2)

23 Mar

Hoot_Late afternoon shot

Advance Tickets

SAT ONLY – $45 Adv/$55 Gate 

FRI-SAT ONLY – $50 Adv/$65 Gate

We’re just over a week out from the final Back Porch Hootenanny, and it is going to be an amazing time had by all, from the musicians to staff & volunteers to the patrons who have supported the Hootenannies all these years and HarvestFest before that!  We all WANT to be there.  The music will be continuous, first from the stage and carrying over to the late night acoustic jams!  We will celebrate all that has been, that has brought an amazing group of individuals together to form an extra special potpourri of family and friends for so many years already and for the unforeseeable future.  The message of bringing together community through music via TDawg Presents events doesn’t end; there is simply a change of venue in the Frank Hamilton School that will continue the trend of outstanding performances and on a more regular basis!  Meanwhile, HOOOOOOOOOOTENANNY y’all!!!

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SCHEDULE

SHED STAGE, FRI APRIL 1

8:30PM – 11:30PM > Blackberry Possum

SHED STAGE, SAT APRIL 2

Noon – 1:20PM > Smokey’s Farmland Band

2:10PM – 3:40PM > The Rickety Crickets

4:35PM – 6:05PM > Ralph Roddenbery Band

7:00PM – 8:30PM > Caroline Aiken

9:25PM – 10:55PM > Rev. Jeff Mosier & Friends

11:25PM – 1:00AM > Strung Like A Horse

MOMS/GRATEFUL FRED STAGE, SAT APRIL 2

1:25PM – 2:10PM > MOMS Jam

3:45PM – 4:30PM > The Ain’t Sisters

6:10PM – 6:55PM > Brian Ashley Jones

8:35PM – 9:20PM > Donna Hopkins & Friends

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Here’s a fun video from the spring Hoot in 2012 featuring a nice little jam from led by Donna Hopkins and featuring The Bibb City Ramblers.  Enjoy!

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2016 Hoot

 

TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny Schedule

24 Feb

2016 Hoot

SAT ONLY – $45 Adv/$55 Gate 

FRI-SAT ONLY – $50 Adv/$65 Gate

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SCHEDULE

SHED STAGE, FRI APRIL 1

8:30PM – 11:30PM > Blackberry Possum

SHED STAGE, SAT APRIL 2

Noon – 1:20PM > Smokey’s Farmland Band

2:10PM – 3:40PM > The Rickety Crickets

4:35PM – 6:05PM > Ralph Roddenbery Band

7:00PM – 8:30PM > Caroline Aiken

9:25PM – 10:55PM > Rev. Jeff Mosier & Friends

11:25PM – 1:00AM > Strung Like A Horse

MOMS/GRATEFUL FRED STAGE, SAT APRIL 2

1:25PM – 2:10PM > MOMS Jam

3:45PM – 4:30PM > The Ain’t Sisters

6:10PM – 6:55PM > Brian Ashley Jones

8:35PM – 9:20PM > Donna Hopkins & Friends

HOOOOOOOOOOOTENANNY!!!

 

 

Frank Hamilton School Concert Series Off & Running!

22 Feb

FHS_Hair of the Dog

We had a great week last week at the Frank Hamilton School!  Check out this great article that James Kelly wrote in the Atlanta Creative Loafing edition out now!  Many thanks for the push as we move forward in our journey to become an integral part of the musical DNA of the greater Atlanta area.

Please consider coming out Tuesday evening to Epworth United Methodist Church (across from Candler Park) for the start of our next term (6 sessions for $100) – you’ll be glad you did!  We will be featuring Guitar I & II, Banjo, Mandolin, Ukulele, Fiddle & Vocals…there’s something for everyone!  It really doesn’t matter what level you are, and if you’re shy about playing with others then this is your ticket.  Please visit http://frankhamiltonschool.org for more information, and we hope to see you on Tuesday, February 23!

The opening concert of the Frank Hamilton Concert Series on Thursday night with Jeff IMG_0461Mosier starting the festivities followed by The Georgia Crackers was an amazing experience that was fitting for a kick-off celebration, and we had a great crowd for the festivities!  Below are some videos that highlight how wonderful the evening really was.  The first video features Jeff Mosier performing the classic John Hartford tune made famous by Glenn Campbell, “Gentle On My Mind”.  The next song is performed by The Georgia Crackers, and the last couple of videos feature Jeff joining on stage with the spoons.  Great stuff!  Hope you enjoy!

We hope to see y’all out on March 3 for our next concert at the Red Light Cafe, featuring Atlanta’s own Hair of the Dog!  Great Cajun music with a twist of pedal steel thrown in for good measure.  You’re sure to leave a fan!  Advance tickets are available for purchase, $10 Adv/$12 door.  Please let your friends know, show starts at 8pm!

Frank Hamilton Folk School Concert Series Announcements!

22 Jan

frank-hamilton-folk-school-concert-series-kick-off-party-the-georgia-crackers-rev-jeff-mosier-at-red-light-cafe-atlanta-ga-feb-18-2016-squareThe Frank Hamilton Folk School Concert Series at the Red Light Cafe is heating up, and we’ve got some great shows coming your way – it would be incredible to see you at any & all of the shows!  Stay tuned for more announcements coming soon to the FHFS Concert Series ~ we are moving forward y’all, and the ride is going to be a fun one, full of music opportunities along the way, so stay tuned.  If you would like to learn more about the classes at the Frank Hamilton Folk School, please visit the website for complete information.

On February 18, we are thrilled to have to bring you two Georgia originals in The Georgia Crackers and Rev. Jeff Mosier for the Kick-off celebration!   Come early, get your seat, do some pickin’ and then sit back for an incredible journey through American music!  Expect a bit of history behind the music, as the Georgia Crackers’ Mick Kinney (fiddle) is a scholar on old-time country music.

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March 3 ~ To keep the momentum building for the series, FHFS is excited to present one of the longest-standing bands in Atlanta, Cajun band Hair of the Dog!  These folks bring a Hair of the Dog_FHFShigh energy mix of Cajun, blues, and honky tonk to get folks into a fine boogie groove.  With fiery fiddling (Barbara Panter-Connah), soulful blues harp and accordion (Whit Connah), driving guitar (John Ferguson), bass (Chris Tinsley) and drums (Doug Landsburg), pedal steel (Bill Fleming), and traditional Cajun triangle – or ‘tit fer – and rubboard (Audrey Ferguson).  They have played at festivals and venues around the southeast and beyond, including tours of Europe and the British Isles.

Hair of the Dog are strong supporters of the local music scene and bringing music to the community, and I hope y’all can make it out to this one – it’s gonna be high energy! More info to come…

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April 7 ~ The Frank Hamilton Folk School Concert Series is excited to welcome the dynamic trio and national touring act Dangermuffin to the Frank Hamilton Folk School Concert Series! Their Friday night showcase performance at last April’s TDawg’s

dangermuffin_FHFS

April 7 @ Red Light Cafe, 8PM

Back Porch Hootenanny was off the charts musically, a defining two-set gem that displayed true respect to the traditional roots music while creating a progressive acoustic folk-rock sound all their own. They have developed quite a nice grass-roots following in the Atlanta area, so you can expect a very enthusiastic crowd that appreciates fine musicianship. This incredibly dynamic trio brings out a sound that captures you in their groove almost instantly, and we couldn’t be happier to bring them to you via the FHFS! From Folly Beach, SC just outside of Charleston, their melodic sound represents three musicians bringing you something unique. Expect an acoustic set and an electric set and perhaps some special sit-ins.

Dangermuffin is: Dan Lotti (vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar), Mike Sivilli (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals), Steven Sandifer (percussion, drums, upright bass, vocals)

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May 12 ~ The Frank Hamilton Folk School Concert Series brings jazz guitarist Grant Green Jr. to the Red Light Cafe stage!  Grant Green Jr. is a member of the legendary group Masters

Grant Green_Holiday Hoot

May 12 @ Red Light Cafe, 8PM

of Groove, along with drummer Bernard Purdie and B3 Organ player Reuben Wilson.  Son of the great jazz guitarist Grant Green, Green Jr. has continued the family tradition just fine.  Growing up in Detroit, his neighbors included Stevie Wonder’s parents, Marvin Gaye lived a few blocks away, and many more Motown artists were in the area.  Needless to say, Grant certainly had the influences growing up, most notably his father and Stevie Wonder. 

Grant’s performances are extremely soulful and uplifting, his skills on the guitar are second to none.  Expect an incredible evening of music by a music gem we are fortunate chose to make Atlanta his home (by way of New York).
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Coming soon: Lineup announcements for the FINAL EDITION (#19) of TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny, April 1-2 at beautiful Cherokee Farms!  Tickets on sale next week for what promises to be quite a celebration.    

 

Awesome Holiday Hootenanny!

30 Dec
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Col. Bruce Hampton, johnny Knapp & Joe Gransden with the Anywhere But Here Horns!

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Jim Lauderdale, Tim Carbone, Rev. Jeff Mosier with one of the finest bands around!

What an AMAZING experience we all had at the 5th Annual Atlanta’s Holiday  Hootenanny!  Terminal West is the PERFECT venue for a large stage with an intimate vibe flowing through the entire place!  And to top it all off, I delivered a $2,000 check to Atlanta Habitat for Humanity yesterday!  Treating people with kindness and love and a sense of community should be a priority in our lives, and it sure felt good to do my part.  My part wouldn’t have been possible without  y’all, Atlanta Habitat, THE INSANELY TALENTED MUSICIANS, my wife Stephanie for her patience and support, Linda, Ben & Jessie helping with the merch and silent auction, Terminal West, and the Big House Museum, represented by John Griffin & Brenda Stepp.  I also want to take this moment to thank our sponsors – Delta Airlines, Sweetwater Brewing Co., Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Tree Leaf Music & Tree Sound Studios, and Wildman Steve Radio!  THANK YOU!

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Ralph Roddenbery, Samantha Jones, Jim Lauderdale, Tim Carbone with Donna Hopkins, Kevin Thomas, Richie Jones, Kevin Scott

We have a very special gathering that has become a premier event in the month of December here in Atlanta, and it’s only going to become more prominent for all the right reasons!  I could tell during the sound check that this was going to be a phenomenal night of music – it certainly set the tone for the rest of the night – and Ralph Roddenbery & Donna Hopkins did nothing to disprove that thought!  The opening set was on fire from the get go, and both Jim Lauderdale and Tim Carbone jumped up on stage to help set the tone for the evening.

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Michael Tolcher with Brian Ashley Jones & Critter on guitar, Brad Bauman on harmonica.

Michael Tolcher was next, and he was absolutely captivating, starting acoustic and bringing out “the band” as his set progressed.  We had some friends pop in for this set, namely Nashville multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter Brian Ashley Jones and Critter, guitarist for Copious Jones, to add their own little spice to the music.  I’m still singing “What’s Going On” in my head!   Tolcher had everyone joining in the chorus numerous times throughout his set, and it was great to have him as part of this musical journey.  He is a true gem of a songwriter (as are so many of our friends who participated this year!) and I’m thankful he could bring his mojo to the Holiday Hootenanny stage.

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Jim Lauderdale, Rev. Jeff Mosier, Kevin Scott, Michael Smith, Tim Carbone

The night rounded out with two of the hottest sets, as if we could get any hotter, I’ve seen in a long, long time.  Grammy winner Jim Lauderdale showed why he is in such high demand, leading a no-rehearsal set of some of his new material along with some full band staples to a frenetic climax that had me shaking!  Last year, Papa Mali did that to me, this year Jim Lauderdale 😉 It was certainly one for the books, and I can’t wait to hear the set through again.  Featuring Railroad Earth’s Tim Carbone on fiddle, Rev. Jeff Mosier on banjo, Mark van Allen on pedal steel, Matt Williams on electric guitar, Kevin Thomas on the Hammond, The Whiskey Gentry’s Michael Smith on mandolin, and the rhythm section of Mark Raudabaugh (drums), Richie Jones (percussion) & Kevin Scott (bass), that set was so on fire from the get go!  The finale brought out Donna Hopkins & Brad Bauman, and well, the rest is history!

Col. Bruce Hampton brought the night to a close as only he can, one that we all hated to see the end in sight, but all good things come to an end, right?  It was a one-time only set featuring the Anywhere But Here Horns, Joe Gransden, Johnny Knapp, and Bruce’s regular band to anchor it down.  All in all, 18 people were on stage, I believe, for the finale “I’m So Glad”.  I think we all were so glad to have been a part of such a masterpiece.  I really am excited about the future of the Holiday Hootenanny, and stay tuned as we move through 2016 for details about the 6th annual edition next December!

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 Meanwhile, I am going to shift my focus to growing the Frank Hamilton Folk School, and the kick-off to the concert series will happen on Thursday, February 18, at the Red Light Cafe, featuring popular old-time group The Georgia Crackers and good friend Rev. Jeff Mosier.  Frank Hamilton will also perform a couple of songs.  I am excited about this new opportunity and a bit melancholy about the end of TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny.  The last camping Hoot, the end of an era, is going to be April 1-2  at beautiful Cherokee Farms in LaFayette, GA.  I will have more details about both FHFS and the final Back Porch Hoot coming soon!  Have a wonderful, safe & Happy New Year y’all!

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