TDawg Presents brings you the finest in music that heals the soul and brings life to your life. You KNOW that a TDawg show will always be a solid show!
~ NO DOGS ALLOWED / BYOB / CAMPING INCLUDED in 2-DAY PASSES, FULL SAT ONLY PASSES
=========================================
Well folks, we are gearing up for what promises to be an incredible weekend of reunions with friends, family & musicians both on the stage and off! The Harvest Family Hoot is truly a celebration of the journey that has transpired over the course of the last 20 years in my life and many of the musicians involved. This journey includes not only the evolution of HarvestFest to a nationally known 3-day roots and Americana extravaganza known as Blue Ridge HarvestFest in partnership with High Sierra Music and more than 20 smaller festivals that included 19 editions of TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny, two Keel Family Functions and a Cherokee Farms FiddleFest, but also all the concerts that have happened in venues around the metro Atlanta area and various points of the Southeast that are too numerous to recall right now. We’ve all been blessed with such an amazing array of music legends, future legends, and all-around phenomenal musicians over the years! The music never stops my friends.
The countdown is ON, with just eight days remaining to pure musical ecstasy supporting a wonderful cause and dedicated to a musician so revered by so many. Y’all this edition has been a seven month process on several levels of comprehension, and those who are fortunate to attend will certainly feel that energy. Songs are being exchanged amongst the musicians, potential set lists are forming, and yes, there will be some surprises!
Please welcome the talented saxophone player Bryan Lopes and trumpet extraordinaire Joey “Papa J” Sommerville to the lineup. I first saw Bryan perform over 20 years ago with Jeff Sipe, Count M’Butu and Ricky Keller at Smith’s Olde Bar, performing in an avant-garde sort of way. Both Papa J and Madrid Express trombonist Daniel Wytanis participated in the Hampton70 Concert at the Fox Theatre in May, and rest assured this trio of horn players will tear it up with Jim Lauderdale and within the Zambi Jam Finale in addition to wherever else it makes sense! Needless to say we’re looking forward to what promises to be an incredibly special night of music!
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(Live Auction begins)
11:15 PM – 12:30 AM ~ Zambi Jam Finale, featuring Jeff Mosier, Count M’Butu, Johnny Knapp, The Madrid Express, Zambi Horns & special guests!
I can’t implore upon you enough what it means to have your support of the Holiday Hootenanny, Atlanta Habitat, and a love for great music. Get a sitter, drop what you’re doing, and just come on! You will be thankful that you made that decision. Below is Jim Lauderdale from last year’s edition performing Headed For The Hills – enjoy!
We are living in a very tumultuous environment these days, regardless of which side of the fence folks are on. One thing that binds us together is music, and the Holiday Hootenanny is providing such a remedy for you! Forget your worries for an evening and come on out to support a great cause in Atlanta Habitat for Humanity and witness a concert unique to that night only that pays tribute to one of the great influences in many a musician’s and fan’s life, Col. Bruce Hampton! Go ahead and get your tickets now to ensure that you are a part! PLEASE do your part and share the event with your friends and plan on making this a time for friends & family to gather for some mighty fine jams and celebration!
The schedule has been updated to the following:
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 & Steve “Big Daddy” McMurry
11:15 PM – 12:30 AM ~ Zambi Jam Finale, featuring Jeff Mosier, Count M’Butu, Johnny Knapp, The Madrid Express & special guests!
========================================
We are thrilled to welcome aboard Springer Mountain Farms, provider of 100% All Natural, vegetarian fed chickens that are recognized as American Humane Certified by the American Humane Association! We are grateful for their support and look forward to growing our relationship!
========================================
Enjoy this video from two years ago featuring Col. Bruce with the amazing horn section, performing his classic “Yield Not To Temptation” – Enjoy!
Well we had quite a HUGE time this past weekend – friends gathered that span the entire era of HarvestFest (and before!) and the Back Porch Hootenanny movement, creating for me an emotional and joyous occasion that everyone from loyal Hootenannigans to the musicians, staff, volunteers, and Smokey & Debbie simply couldn’t get enough of! I know that I shed many a tear over the course of the weekend, as it did mark the end of an era that involved a great investment of heart & soul, not just by me but by everyone who has been along for the journey. The Hootenanny instills a family energy that will sustain and serve as a springboard for the next chapter at Cherokee Farms involving the Frank Hamilton School. I ask that you please continue to follow and support FHS, as it will serve as a catalyst for continuing to bring great music to the community through concerts and public events music education.
Ralph Roddenbery Band
I know I say it every time but the music was REALLY off the charts, knocking the bar way off already high expectations! Every set was extremely special, and they all featured sit ins by fellow musicans, which made for very spontaneous moments of musical ecstasy. There were so many highlights it’s hard to single out even a couple of them – Blackberry Possum kicked it off right on Friday night under the stars and the largest Friday night attendance yet. From the first notes on Saturday with Smokey’s Farmland Band and through the entire day’s performances from the MOMS All-Stars, The Rickety Crickets, The Ain’t Sisters, Ralph Roddenbery Band,
Donna Hopkins & Friends
Brian Ashley Jones, Caroline Aiken, Donna Hopkins, Rev. Jeff Mosier and finally Strung Like A Horse to close it out, the energy one felt throughout Cherokee Farms was unlike anything I’ve experienced before. THANK YOU from the bottom and top of my heart for the music, friendship & LOVESTORM that transpired.
I was particularly caught off guard by a little ceremony that occurred prior to introducing Strung Like A Horse and featured the dedicated Hootenanny staff, volunteers & people who have been a part since 1998. If you have a few minutes, I recommend you watch the video below courtesy of my friend Jessi 😉 :
Two big THANK YOU’s right now – the first to Beth & Randy Judy, life friends and creators of Suwannee SpringFest and MagnoliaFest down at The Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. Without their inspiration in the mid/late 90’s with the inaugural Sunshine Daydream Weekend (became MagnoliaFest), I don’t know if I would have ever meandered down the crazy path that is the music business and festival industry. Their vision is my vision, as music farmers growing fresh sounds for the ear with amazingly talented musicians. I love y’all to the moon and back, as do many many others!
The second THANK YOU goes to Roy, Rebecca & Dave, who are the masterminds behind High Sierra Music Festival in Quincy, CA and DelFest in Cumberland, MD. They joined forces with TDawg Presents in 2001, and we were able to continue the magic that was Blue Ridge HarvestFest, taking the festival from a popular regional festival to one of national stature. Unfortunately the hurricanes from 2001-2005 won the battle, but the magic produced despite the setbacks was unrivaled, and it was a fantastic experience to host Bob Weir & Ratdog and John Prine, among many, many others. I love what High Sierra has continued to do through the years and hope our paths will cross once again!
On that note, I hope you can make it out Thursday night for the third installment of the Frank Hamilton School Concert Series featuring Dangermuffin at the Red Light Cafe! Showtime is 10PM, and trust me when I tell you that these fine fellas from Folly Beach, SC will simply blow your mind with their of level of talent and amazing instrumentation.
The forecast for Friday and Saturday is a beautiful one! We can’t wait for the music to start up on Friday night! We hope you can come on Friday, as we have Wildman Steve’s band, Blackberry Possum, kicking off the weekend high energy jamgrass and some special guests throughout. These fellas are highly skilled and will blow your mind. They’ll do two long sets so get ready! Bring your hammocks, too, as we’ll have some edge domes set up for your enjoyment, not to mention the jungle gym effect 😉 This is really going to be a fun weekend with friends and family, and the music is going to be off the chains!
The primary goal of a TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny has never been about bringing in the headliner that draws the big crowd – it’s about the extremely high quality of musicians and those in attendance joining forces for a incredible experience that leaves you happily decompressed from the rigors of your daily lives. You always leave with a new band in your head and memories of unique combinations of the participating musicians.
Below is the schedule for the weekend.
================================================
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
================================================
Below is the video (filmed at Cherokee Farms no less!) for Gypsy Jane by Strung Like A Horse. Enjoy!
Y’all we’re going to have a fantastic time of it in just TWO weekends! There is some great energy in the air around this last edition of TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny; I am so very thankful for having the opportunity to be an enabler of such amazing music with soooo many amazing musicians and like-minded individuals, as both groups have continued to support these wonderful small festies over the years and that is what has kept the spirit alive. Small festivals are becoming a thing of the past, I feel, so come experience why they’re so special! The journey will certainly continue in the new position as Director for Concerts, Community Outreach & Development for the Frank Hamilton School!
Scroll down for a great raw clip from Hootenannies past of Ralph Roddenbery on stage backed by the grooves of the Atlanta’s own Moontower.
Advance tickets are on sale NOW for both FRI-SAT and SAT ONLY (both include camping) – SAT day passes can be purchased on site only, and there will be NO FRIDAY ONLY passes available. As usual, NO DOGS ALLOWED, BYOB (& food if you’d like), and LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR!
We are only about THREE WEEKS OUT (April 1-2) from the biggest little blow out you’ve ever witnessed, should you be there. I’ve had a few contemplative moments over the last few weeks as I begin a new journey that is currently overlapping with my passion of the past 18 years. Come the time of the Back Porch Hoot Wrap Party, I feel only celebration and not sadness as I move forward with a life’s worth of experiences in only the first half of my time here. The musicians assembled for TDawg’s Back Porch Hootenanny #19 represent the beginning of HarvestFest, my time being involved with the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, and the Back Porch Hootenanny era. We are all excited to go down the road one more time as a Hoot, and you can rest assured the midnight Hootenanny Battlecry on Saturday night will be a true Howlin’ At The Moon experience!
Every note will reciprocate the appreciation from the audience, regardless of whether they’re listening from the front of the stage, out in the field with your family in warm sunlight, under the tent where the shade is nice, or from your campsite. The jams continuing into the night will be energetic and soothing to the soul as they always are. The large bonfire burns to what seems like an eternity, creating a mesmerizing and meandering flow of yellow and orange flames, while smaller and equally inviting fires sprout up in the darkness, often accompanied by the sound of music being made. I, for one, am really looking forward to celebrating what first HarvestFest and then the Hootenannies have done to bring together so many family and friends.
ADVANCE TICKETS ($25 Adv/$35 Door) – Remember you’ll receive a FREE DVD of the incredible reunion performance of one of the more enjoyable bands to come out of Atlanta in a long time, BLUEGROUND UNDERGRASS, from last year’s 4th Annual edition!
SCHEDULE
5:30PM > Doors open, Silent Auction begins
6:30PM – 7:30PM > Set 1 featuring Ralph Roddenbery & Donna Hopkins
8PM – 9PM > Set 2 featuring Michael Tolcher
9:30PM – 10:30PM > Set 3 featuring Jim Lauderdale & Tim Carbone
11PM – Midnight > Set 4 featuring Johnny Knapp, Joe Gransden & Col. Bruce Hampton
Come on out and enjoy some of the finest talent Atlanta has to offer, check out the silent auction, and feel good about supporting Atlanta Habitat for Humanity!
ADVANCE TICKETS ($25 Adv/$35 Door) – Remember you’ll receive a FREE DVD of the incredible reunion performance of one of the more enjoyable bands to come out of Atlanta in a long time, BLUEGROUND UNDERGRASS, from last year’s 4th Annual edition!
SCHEDULE
5:30PM > Doors open, Silent Auction begins
6:30PM – 7:30PM > Set 1 featuring Ralph Roddenbery & Donna Hopkins
8PM – 9PM > Set 2 featuring Michael Tolcher
9:30PM – 10:30PM > Set 3 featuring Jim Lauderdale & Tim Carbone
11PM – Midnight > Set 4 featuring Johnny Knapp, Joe Gransden & Col. Bruce Hampton