Tickets: Gen Adm $35 ADV / $45 Door, Reserved $45 ADV / $55 Door. Available online through Variety Playhouse and at their Box Office (M-F Noon-6 PM and on show nights)
Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Where: Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
When: Showtime 7PM, Doors @ 6PM
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Things you should know about the 9th Annual Holiday Hootenanny
1. Every Holiday Hootenanny is different yet offers that same insane musical energy that has defined many of us here in the ATL. We continue to embody the spirit of the late Col. Bruce Hampton, who inspired so many of us to “let it ride, let it roll, let it flow!” I find it impossible not to live life with that as a premise at the top of the list. The Bruce banner will be hung!
2. The Johnny Knapp Tribute will be a two-part segment. The first will feature jazz the way that Johnny played it. This is going to be an incredibly special time. That portion will lead into the second half of the set featuring music that Col. Bruce and Johnny loved playing together. Those two gentlemen meant so much to each other and anyone around them or felt the magic created by these two masters of Zambi.
3. Expect the unexpected. For any of y’all who have been to all of the Holiday Hoots, a handful, or if last year was your first one, you know that is trademark. The final jam is going to be one for the books! I’ll leave it at that.
4. Jim Lauderdale will be performing a full set broken down into solo acoustic > bluegrass > full electric with horns. All of the songs featured he co-wrote with the late Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter. This will truly be a remarkable experience to witness.
5. Jeff Sipe and the State Birds featuring Ike Stubblefield, Bryan Lopes, Neal Fountain, Mike Seal, and special guests is about as amazing a way to get the show going. Jeff is one of the finest drummers in the world, and we’re fortunate to have him on board fairly regularly with the Holiday Hootenanny! Check out this fine video of the State Birds minus Ike in an intimate setting. They have a vast knowledge of music so who knows (except for them) what they’re going to do! Soooo much talent.
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Holiday Hootenanny Schedule (subject to change)
6 PM: Doors open
7-7:55 PM: Jeff Sipe & The State Birds feat. Ike Stubblefield, Bryan Lopes, Neal Fountain & Mike Seal and some friends
8:10-9:25 PM: Jim Lauderdale (acoustic, bluegrass & electric), feat. the Zambi Horns and performing music co-written with the late Robert Hunter
9:55-10:55 PM: A Tribute to Johnny Knapp by Jez Graham + quite a few special guests
11:15 PM-12:30 AM: THE JAM feat. Drew Emmitt, Vince Herman, Larry Keel, Steve ‘Big Daddy’ McMurry, Rev. Jeff Mosier, Jason Carter, Jeff Sipe & more!
It was beyond cold with the strong wind blowing Saturday. Heavy rain Friday. Some sleet on Saturday mixed with sunshine. Finally clearing by Saturday evening. Wow! And through it all, the show went on! The musicians played their hearts out, the crowd, around 400 total, was dialed in and having a blast, plenty of kids running around with their faces painted, and the music stayed on schedule! All this despite some crazy weather conditions. THANK YOU to the staff and sound crews from 
Blackberry Possum got the ball rolling Friday night with some fantastic energy that had everyone moving and shaking under the extended cover in front of the stage. If you have a chance to catch them, don’t miss that opportunity. Saturday morning was when the high for the day occurred, and the temperature dropped from then on. That didn’t stop the music from keeping everyone warm and fuzzy inside on both stages all day and into the late night. Pickled Holler, featuring former members of Blueground Undergrass – Rev. Jeff Mosier, Matthew Williams & Edward Hunter – and beautiful vocals and bass playing of Jessica Williams, was the ideal way to ease into the day. How lucky are we to have such caliber of talent to start the day?! Our friends in Spackle provided a nice rock 
edge. Dead Affect provided just the right set of Grateful Dead music to boogie through the afternoon. Honeywood continued that boogie with some high energy jamgrass. Rev. Jeff Mosier & Biscuit Tragedy laid down an absolutely beautiful set that really left me missing my good friend Col. Bruce, who would have certainly been performing at this one. The GMOs provided us with one of the best sets of the day; if you have an opportunity to catch this fresh outfit, don’t miss out! The return of Snake Oil Medicine Show to the stage was extremely special, and they laid out some incredible gypsy and reggae rhythms mixed in with their signature hypnotic sound. One can never underestimate a set when it’s led by the amazing singer/songwriter Ralph Roddenbery, and the wow factor was in full effect after his memorable set. Deep Blue Sun followed that with 90 minutes of purely hypnotic jams that was easy listening from the bonfire, and Strung Like A Horse made sure everyone was strung by the end of the night. There were sit-ins abound all day and night Saturday and for the Friday night set, which made for a ultra-special experience. Enjoy the snippet from Friday night below featuring Bobby Miller sitting in with Blackberry Possum for some fine bluegrass jams!
As we get closer to THE weekend of The Harvest Family Hoot, I’ve been pondering what this event represents beyond a celebration of 20 years & going strong. We are gathering for what promises to be an absolutely amazing collaboration of musicians Friday night, all day Saturday and into the late night, yet I have come to the realization that this event is as much a segue way to another 20 years of reinvention and ways to bring music to the community, be it through the Frank Hamilton School or creating fresh community events that impact my immediate surroundings in the greater Atlanta area. I’m not sure what the future brings as far as camping events are concerned; I am certain that TDawg Presents will continue to provide a reason for folks with different ideals and beliefs – religious, political & otherwise – to enjoy the music together, as music is a strong common bond. It’s important to be reminded in such a polarizing world in which we live that there is more opportunity to unite than divide. I intend to do my part with the former rather than the latter.
TDawg Presents 