Tag Archives: Folk Music

Ralph Roddenbery, Donna Hopkins & Steve “Big Daddy” McMurry@ Red Light Café FEB 4!

26 Jan

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$10 ADV/$15 Door ~ Advance Tickets available

9 PM Showtime/8 PM Doors

The Frank Hamilton School is thrilled to present this incredibly dynamic trio of singer/songwriters/performers and we REALLY hope you can make it on out. Each musician is unique, and they blend together for a wonderful symmetry of sounds. Ralph Roddenbery, Donna Hopkins, and Big Daddy are going to bring it, and we hope you’re there to receive it! Below is a great video of Donna Hopkins and Ralph Roddenbery at Suwannee Roots Revival at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park last fall with a full band backing them – enjoy! A special thanks goes out to Richard Baumgarten for recording this set!

The next video is Big Daddy with his absolutely amazing band Acoustic Syndicate (one of my absolute favorites!) and it’s a five video playlist. Enjoy!

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Upcoming Frank Hamilton School Concerts

20 Jan

fhs_frankchompThe Frank Hamilton School is excited to bring you a stellar group of concerts that are diverse musically and equally engaging.  We are fortunate to be able to bring you such amazing regional talent representing different genres of Americana and roots music. As the year moves forward, you can expect more activity with workshops and performances at our home, Oakhurst Baptist Church, and within the community at festivals and a variety of local events. Please visit the Frank Hamilton School website for information about how you can be involved, from taking a class to volunteering to becoming a member.

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$10 Adv/$15 Door, ADVANCE TICKETS

Showtime 9 PM, Doors 8 PM

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$10 Adv/$15 Door, ADVANCE TICKETS

Showtime 8:30 PM, Doors 7:30 PM

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$10 ADV/$12 Door, ADVANCE TICKETS

Showtime 9 PM, Doors 8 PM

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Feeling Grateful

29 Dec

THANK YOU from the bottom of the collective heart that includes Atlanta Habitat forjim-lauderdale_papa-mali Humanity, the Frank Hamilton School, and me, for being a part of the holiday music season. Both The Hamilton Hoopla and the 6th Annual Atlanta Holiday Hootenanny were stellar events, and the musicians who gave of their time and energy for great causes really deserve a loud shout out for participating! Despite all the craziness going on in the world, I am so grateful to be a part of a whole that is so much greater than political/religious/racial beliefs & controversies and provides an outlet for everyone through music and community. Music is a unifying force for all of us. TDawg Presents will return in 2017 with Jerry Day ATL in either late July or early August, perhaps a random event thrown in there somewhere, and of course, the 7th Annual Atlanta Holiday Hootenanny next December!

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Exciting times are to come in 2017 for The Frank Hamilton School, as we add additional days for classes, more workshops, and of course more shows as part of the ongoing Frank Hamilton School Concert Series. We will be expanding our reach to venues around the greater Atlanta area, and look for us to be involved again in community events! We are already on board for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in April and look forward to returning to other festivals while creating some new paths as well.

 

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Upcoming concerts in January! The Frank Hamilton School presents two distinctly different shows in the month of January to get you started in the new year, SAT January 7 and SAT January 14.

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$10 ADV/$12 Door

Saturday, January 7 ~ Frank Hamilton School Presents Dusty Roads and CJ Jones & The Spirit Bones, 9 PM Showtime, Advance Tickets $10

Dusty Roads is a high-energy Georgia-grown Americana band with influences spanning the legends of country and bluegrass music, such as Merle Haggard, Flatt & Scruggs, Willie Nelson, Buck Owens, and Bill Monroe. You can also expect sprinklings of songs and sounds of the great writers and musicians from across the globe and halls of time, like Django Reinhardt, Duke Ellington, and Irving Berlin. “Come take a trip, down that long, dusty road!”

CJ Jones & The Spirit Bones is an eclectic outfit out of the Commander Cody textbook of music. You’ll be rockin’ and hoppin’ to their infectious Americana sound that tells the story of the Odyssey of Cledus Jeremiah Jones!
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$15 Adv/

Saturday, January 14 ~ Frank Hamilton School Presents Barry Waldrep  & Kelli Johnson

Barry Waldrep is a Georgia based Bluegrass, Jam Band, Americana instrumentalist, songwriter and composer extraordinaire. Waldrep and another music partner formed the very successful bluegrass/jam band Rollin’ in the Hay in July 1993, touring the Jam Band circuit of festivals and college campuses across the country until May 2009. Rollin’ in the Hay produced 7 CDs and performed over 300 dates per year for 16 years.

His partner, Kelli Johnson, leans on musical influences such as Allison Krauss, Dolly Parton and Rhonda Vincent and has always been inspired by the pure melodies and lyrics found in classic artistry. There’s no question that Kelli commands authority in her writing. Smart and charming, she captivates her audience with raw honesty and talent. Deeply rooted in Bluegrass, Country, and Americana music, Kelli has an innate ability to produce fresh music that defies genre boundaries.

 

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Upcoming Frank Hamilton School Concerts & Community Appearances

1 Nov

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The Frank Hamilton School has an exciting week coming up and hope you can join for either event!  Thursday, November 3 features a Frank Hamilton School Concert featuring a co-bill of The Pussywillows (Hannah Zale & Carly Gibson) and Gibson Wilbanks (Carly Gibson & BJ Wilbanks).  Saturday, November 5, we will be at Chomp & Stomp, so come on by for some chili, music, and fun!  Scroll on down for more info on these events as well as our Holiday Half-Term!

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Special Holiday Half-Term starts November 29th!

Our Sept/Oct/Nov Term is in session, but you can register now for our Special Holiday Half-Term which starts on Tuesday, November 29th.  Register Now!  Click below find out all about our classes and teachers, and most importantly how you can join in on the fun of learning to play music with other folks!

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Frank Hamilton will be performing twice during this mighty fine annual gathering chili lovers and Americana music!  Come on out for the chili early, and at 2 PM Frank will make a special appearance on the Park Stage (main stage) followed by a JAM in the Ester Peachey Lefevre Park from 3:30-4:15 PM.  Bring an instrument, sing along, or just come enjoy this incredibly family friendly park.  http://chompandstomp.com for complete information!

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Exciting Frank Hamilton School Events Next Week!

26 Aug

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Next week at the Red Light Cafe, the Frank Hamilton School is proud to bring two stellar concerts to you featuring some of the finest, most soulful songwriters and musicians you’ll come across.  Expect the real deal blues – raw, genuine passion combined with amazing guitar play and a special guest or two is just the right formula!

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Bill Fleming_RLC8/30 – Geoff Achison w/ Bill Fleming, ADVANCE TICKETS $17/$20 Door

Showtime 8PM, Doors 7PM

On August 30, Australian blues guitar virtuoso and gifted songwriter Geoff Achison will be joined on stage by pedal steel guru Bill Fleming (pictured here at TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny in April 2015) for an incredible evening of interplay with perhaps a sit-in.  This will be Geoff’s final performance in the Atlanta area until next spring, so come see for yourself why he is one our adopted “hometown” gems.

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9/1 – Donna Hopkins & Daniel Hutchens, ADVANCE TICKETS $12/$15 DoorFHS_DonnaHopkinsDanielHutchens(2) 

Showtime 8PM, Doors 7PM

The beginning of September starts up with a concert featuring two of the most gifted southern songwriters in Donna Hopkins and Daniel Hutchens.  Donna digs deep into her Alabama/Georgia roots for an incredibly soulful performance.  While being the frontman for critically acclaimed Athens, GA-based Bloodkin, Hutchens also has penned many songs for Widespread Panic over the years and has co-written with the likes of Jerry Joseph.  His latest release (Feb 2016) titled “The Beautiful Vicious Cycle of Life” was produced by Widepsread Panic bassist Dave Schools and features all originals.  It is his first solo-release in 10 years.  This show truly combines two amazing musicians in a wonderfully intimate environment.  Nights like this don’t happen too often!

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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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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!

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$17 ADV/$20 Door ADVANCE TICKETS

8 PM Showtime, Doors 7 PM

 

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$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 😉

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Frank Hamilton School/TDawg Presents News!

3 May

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We are well underway with classes at the new location at Oakhurst Baptist Church in Decatur and are thrilled about future opportunities that we create and are invited to participate!  Our May/early June schedule is quite busy beginning with next week!   Please

read on to see all the exciting events we are part of, as well as some mighty fine concerts as part of the Frank Hamilton School Concert Series.

Frank will be interviewed this evening before classes begin by the Georgia News Network, which is working on the Year In Georgia Music project in conjunction with the Georgia Economic Development.  The interview will be heard soon over the airwaves on stations around the state.  Stay tuned for more details!  Below is a complete list of FHS band appearances and FHS Concert Series dates through mid-June!

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May 12 ~ Frank Hamilton Concert Series Presents Grant Green Jr., Red Light Cafe, 8 PM, $12 ADV/$15 Door

May 14 ~ Kirkwood Springfling, 3 X 20 minute sets at Noon, 1 PM, 2 PM with Frank Hamilton, Two more sets between 3 & 5 PM, FREE

May 14 ~ Tucker Day, 3:30 PM, FREE

May 15 ~ TDawg Presents Martha Scanlan (Reeltime Travelers), Backyard Concert at 466 Ridgecrest Rd., Atlanta, 5PM, $15 ADV/$20 DOOR.

May 21 ~ Fire in the 4th Festival, Old Fourth Ward, 6:15-6:45 PM, FREE

May 28 ~ Decatur Arts Festival, Acoustic Palette Tent, 11:00 AM, FREE

June 4 ~ Virginia Highland Summer Fest, Noon-1 PM, FREE

June 16 ~ Frank Hamilton Concert Series Presents Grayson Capps, 8 PM, $12 ADV/$20 DOOR

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Below is a very cool video of Grant Green Jr. doing what he does best, at the Inman Park Festival in 2012.  Ike Stubblefield on the keys.  Enjoy!

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Finally, it’s not too early to mark your calendars, especially as fast as this year has flown by!  Sunday, December 18 at Terminal West is the date and location for the 6th Annual Atlanta’s Holiday Hootenanny & Silent Auction!  TDawg Presents is thrilled to have Atlanta Habitat for Humanity  involved once again.  Y’all, this show keeps getting better and better as we go along!  Here is a clip from last year’s monumental show that closed out with one of the greatest sets by Col. Bruce Hampton that I have ever witnessed, and I’ve seen many!  Also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the Colonel!

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Frank Hamilton School Concert Series Kicks Off 2/18!

15 Feb

Frank Hamilton Folk School Concert Series Kickoff Party Featuring The Georgia Crackers &Rev. Jeff MosierFeb 18th at 8_30Red Light Café

We are very excited about the beginning of something special, and that is the concert side of the Frank Hamilton School!  Thursday, February 18, is just the start of a process that will continue to bring quality roots music of all sorts to the Atlanta area.  A portion of the proceeds from each show will go directly into operation costs for FHS, so please come out and support!  A special side note here ~ there will be a couple of TDawg specials on the menu that night.  Both my deeelicious red beans’n’rice and my extremely popular spinach queso dip will be available for order that night.  Please let me know what you think!

hoot_OTSAt this point in time, shows are booked for one Thursday each month through the end of the year, and they are all stellar performances by some of our favorite local musicians as well as some highly touted regional and even national performers!  You can click here to see the full schedule through December!  Stay tuned for a few additional dates to be added the second half of the year.

It is going to be really fun watching the Frank Hamilton School integrate into the metro Atlanta area through concerts and community gatherings.  As we move into spring look for announcements about participating in some prominent spring-time arts festivals and traditional hootenannies!  While TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny gracefully retires to pasture (with a bang!), the word “Hootenanny” will be put to the true definition, providing a great reason to gather, jam, and enjoy each other’s company!

I found this great video the other day from an attic concert I produced in December 2010 at my good friends MollyO’s house.  It was a packed attic for a memorable night of music by Rev. Jeff Mosier & Joe Craven.  I hope you enjoy watching this as much as I did!  Cheers, y’all, and we at the Frank Hamilton School hope you can make it out!

 

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