Macon Dispatch Archives
...Anticipation for Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight...
...Anticipation for Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight... I just re-watched Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained. It's been three years since Tarantino released a movie. I needed a break from revising stories, and decided to delve into his last read more...
View the BBC's Southern Rock Documentary on Swampland
Swampland has added the BBC's new Southern Rock Documentary to it front page. Go here to view it - Swampland Front Page
Colonel Bruce Hampton on Widespread Panic: In The Beginning
Colonel Bruce Hampton on Widespread Panic: In The Beginning This week I interviewed Mr. Colonel Bruce Hampton. We discussed everything from his Atlanta roots, music, football, literature, read more...
A Georgia Son Shining In The Big Apple: Upcoming Interview with Actor Brit Whittle
A Georgia Son Shining In The Big Apple: Upcoming Interview with Actor Brit Whittle Georgia native Brit Whittle is making a name for himself in New York City. In November, Whittle appeared in an episode of Law & Order: SVU. Whittle read more...
Duane Allman: 40 Years Later
Duane Allman: 40 Years Later 40 years ago today Duane Allman was killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 24 in Macon, Georgia. One of the greatest slide players to ever touch a guitar, Allman played with Aretha Franklin,
Upcoming Interview: Preston Lauterbach's Chitlin' Circuit: And The Road To Rock 'N' Roll
The Chitlin' Circut: And The Road To Rock 'N' Roll Memphis writer Preston Lauterbach's first book--The Chitlin Circut: And The Road To Rock 'N' Roll--arrived in the mail on Monday. An upcoming interview with Lauterbach is on the way, but I wanted to write a quick read more...
The Photography of Adam Smith
The Photography of Adam Smith Today I'd like to shine a light on the photography of Adam Smith. Born in Macon, Georgia, Smith ranks as one of the country's finest music photographers. He attended college in Mississippi, lived in Atlanta for a while and now resides in his read more...
RIP Philip Walden Jr. (November 15, 1962--June 7, 2011)
Philip Walden JR. RIP "But I'm not gonna let 'em catch me, no
Frankie Toler RIP
With great sadness we pass on the news that drummer David "Frankie" Toler died on Saturday in Bradenton, FL after a long illness stemming from his liver transplant that he received two years ago. Toler was 59.
Official Duane Allman website debuts
Galadrielle Allman, the daughter of late Duane Allman, has helped create a website in tribute to her father - duaneallman.com. Clearly a labor of love, the website provides a home for Duane's legacy as it contains discographies, stories about Duane's life, and a forum for read more...
A Memorial Day Tribute: An Early Salute
A Salute To All The Veterans An early salute for the upcoming weekend... In honor of Memorial Day, and all the read more...
Gregg Allman Signs Book Deal
Greg Allman Memoir Due Out Spring 2012 This week Gregg Allman signed a book deal to write his life story. The memoir will be published by William Morrow in the spring of read more...
Never A Pal Like Mother
Happy Mother's Day 2011 Happy Mother's Day to Everyone! Since it's Mother's Day weekend, I thought I write a dispatch around the great Atlanta label
The Never Ending Soul Food Tour: H & H Restaurant Macon, GA
H & H Restaurant 807 Forsyth Avenue Macon, GA 31201 478-742-9810 www.mamalouise.com James Calemine’s “Never Ending Soul Food Tour” includes documented visits to barbecue joints, read more...
Eddie Kirkland RIP
Eddie Kirkland RIP Blues guitarist Eddie Kirkland died on Sunday in Florida. Kirkland, born in Jamaica and raised in Dothan, Alabama, served as Otis Redding’s read more...
RIP Joseph "Red Dog" Campbell (1942-2011)
Joseph "Red Dog" Campbell RIP Longtime Allman Brothers Band roadie and writer Joseph “Red Dog” Campbell passed away on February 21, 2011. Campbell operated as one of the original read more...
Gregg Allman's Low Country Blues
Gregg Allman’s Low Country Blues On January 18, Gregg Allman’s latest studio recording—Low Country Blues—hits the streets. Produced by T-Bone Burnett, Low Country Blues read more...
Rolling Stones Cover Bob Dylan For Ian Stewart Tribute Album
Rolling Stones Cover Bob Dylan For Ian Stewart Tribute Album British piano player Ben Waters recorded a tribute album for the Rolling Stones’ read more...
Merry Christmas From Swampland
Merry Christmas From Swampland Ho, Ho, Ho…I’d like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas from Swampland. Thanks for all the support. A Happy New Year to you all! Don’t let the Devil get you down. I’ve included a couple of read more...
Widespread Panic’s Porch Songs Vol. 6 & Archive Series #5
Widespread Panic’s Porch Songs Vol. 6 & Archive Series #5 May 31, 1996, counted as Widespread Panic’s first headlining performance at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. Since then, Panic has sold out the majestic venue 35 consecutive times. read more...
Happy Birthday Duane
Brother Duane Allman's birthday is Saturday, November 20th. Had he lived, he would have turned 64 years old tomorrow. We at GRITZ remember one of Southern Rock's finest this weekend. We miss you Skydog. The link below will lead you to a high-def performace of
Georgia's Rock & Roll Halloween Weekend
Georgia’s Rock & Roll Halloween Weekend ...Written from the eye of the tempest near the Georgia-Florida line during Halloween weekend for the UGA versus UF football game... Folks are rushing around here with football, rock & roll and a read more...
Dylan, Petty & Drive By Truckers Participate In ‘Back To Black Friday’
Dylan, Petty & Drive By Truckers Participate In ‘Back To Black Friday’ In support of independent record stores, November 26 stands as ‘Back To Black Friday’. Artists such as Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, The Drive By Truckers, Iron & Wine, U2, read more...
Gone, But Not Forgotten: T. Lavitz
Gone, But Not Forgotten: T. Lavitz April 16, 1956-October 7, 2010 “Midnight on a carousel ride Reaching for the gold ring down inside Never could reach It just slips away but I try…” “Crazy read more...
The Unchained Tour of Georgia Documentary
The Unchained Tour of Georgia Documentary On Monday, before the evening performance of The Unchained Tour of Georgia, I spoke with author
St. Simons Island: First Stop On The Unchained Tour of Georgia
The UnchainedTour: St. Simons Island I wanted to have the entire article written about last night’s first stop on The Unchained Tour, but there’s too much material. Right now, a brief dispatch will have to suffice. The Unchained Tour of Georgia, spearheaded by read more...
Patterson Hood's Benefit for U.S. Congress Candidate Russell Edwards
Patterson Hood’s Benefit For Russell Edwards Patterson Hood and
A Call From George Dawes Green: Prelude to the Unchained Tour
A Call From George Dawes Green The Unchained Georgia Tour: A Prelude To Opening Night This afternoon esteemed author and The Moth creator
The Ray Charles Memorial Library Opens in Los Angeles
The Ray Charles Library Opens in Los Angeles The Ray Charles Memorial Library opened last Thursday in Los Angeles, California, on what would have been his 80th birthday. Ray Charles built the RPM International Building in 1964 to serve as his recording read more...
This Weekend In Georgia: Drivin N Cryin's Equipment Stolen & The Black Crowes Inducted Into GMHOF
Drivin N Cryin Ripped Off & Black Crowes Rock & Roll Induction After a Friday night gig in Macon, Georgia, Drivin N Cryin’s gear trailer was stolen. The band stayed at a hotel and went out for something to eat after the show, and when they returned their read more...
Widespread Panic's Michael Houser: Eight Years Gone
Michael Houser: The Quiet Genius: Eight Years Gone By James Calemine Eight years ago Widespread Panic’s founding guitarist died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 40. It doesn’t seem like eight years since he’s been gone…
The Dog Days Descend
Dog Day Afternoon In the Peach State A quick note as the Dog Days descend here in Georgia…I briefly visited Stanley Booth and Diann Blakely today to talk shop, so to speak. Look read more...
Gregg Allman Undergoes Succesful Liver Transplant
Gregg Allman underwent a successful liver transplant operation at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL yesterday morning, Wednesday, June 23, according to our friends Lana and Rowland at the official read more...
Past Interviews & Upcoming Artists of Note
Greetings Folks, I hope all is well, and everyone enjoyed Father’s Day… Change is afoot, and we’ve got a lot on the horizon, but for the past week much of the work has gone on behind the scenes. On the immediate agenda, the work of
Wet Willie Backup Singer Ella Brown Avery Dead at 62
Ella Brown Avery, 62 died on Friday, June 11, 2010 in Warner Robins, Georgia after a long illness. Ella sang backup for Jimmy Hall as one half of "The Williettes" in the band Wet Willie, performing read more...
The Black Crowes Set For Induction Into 32nd Annual Georgia Music Hall of Fame
Black Crowes To Be Inducted Into Georgia Music Hall of Fame The Atlanta Rockers The Black Crowes announced on their official website they will be inducted into The Georgia Music Hall of Fame on September read more...
I Ain't In It For My Health: A Film About Levon Helm
I Ain’t In It For My Health A review of I Ain’t In It For My read more...
Basically Frightened: The Musical Madness of Colonel Bruce Hampton
Basically Frightened The long-awaited documentary about Colonel Bruce Hampton—Basically Frightened: The Musical Madness of Col. Bruce Hampton—is now in the editing phase. This project proves to be a definitive film on one of the South’s most read more...
Celebrate Record Store Day 2010!
Record Store Day 2010 is read more...
Photographer Jim Marshall Passes Away
Our good friend John Lyndon has allowed Swampland to post a remembrance of Jim Marshall who passed away on Wednesday March 24. For those unfamiliar with Jim Marshall the man, most will know his work. This is from
How Duane Allman and Sam The Sham Gave Clapton His "Key To The Highway"
Athens, GA attorney John Lyndon, brother of the late ABB road manager Twiggs Lyndon, passed on a remembrance right before the Allmans started their run of NYC shows last night. He was generous enough to allow us to share it with everyone: I saw Eric read more...
Allman Brothers NYC Run Begins Tonight!
We were hoping that Michael Buffalo would be ready to go tonight, but his eyes still aren't cooperating. He wanted to assure everyone that he will review all of the Allman Brothers Band shows via Moogis once he is able. In the meantime, we know everyone is read more...
The North Carolina Crop Mob
North Carolina Crop Mobs...Georgia Tree Farmer...Mother Nature Network... A quick organic note this morning… I came across an interesting read more...
Paul Hornsby Among Inductees to Alabama Music Hall of Fame 2010
Former Capricorn Records producer and musician Paul Hornsby is among those chosen for induction into The Alabama Music Hall read more...
Interview Spotlight: Tommy Talton
One of the finest guitarists of the Southern Rock era is Tommy Talton. Along with Scott Boyer, Talton headed up the seventies band Cowboy, one of the many great acts on the Capricorn read more...
Prelude To Interview with Dust To Digital's Lance Ledbetter
Prelude To Interview with Dust To Digital President Lance Ledbetter This evening I finished transcribing my interview with the President of read more...
Allman News: Gregg's New Album, Change of Venue for Annual Beacon Run
Lots of Allman Brothers news is rolling in. I am happy to report that Gregg Allman is finishing up his first read more...
Capricorn Records Tribute Page Updated
Just a heads up for all you Capricorn Records era fans. We have updated our Capricorn page with many more new links to archived features, interviews and photos.
Let's Get Frank Fenter into The Hall of Fame
Freank Fenter is a true "unsung hero" of Southern Rock. Read more about the Capricorn Records executive and the drive to see him inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame
Sunday Sounds: The Week of Christmas
Sunday Sounds: The Week of Christmas Sunday Sounds counts as a soulful glance on days at read more...
The GRITZ Top Ten for Friday, December 18, 2009
In light of Dickey Betts’ announcement that he is retiring from the road, I decided that this week’s Top Ten should be Dickey's ten best tracks outside the Allman brothers Band. Let me know what you think. 1. Bougainvillaea
Dickey Betts Retires From The Road
In New York City, a place where Dickey Betts had had many great achievements, he played what will possibly become his last touring date on read more...
Allman Brothers Band Museum Opens in Macon
Last weekend saw the initial opening of the new Allman Brothers Band Museum in Macon, Georgia. GRITZ writer John Charles Griffin was there and tells us all about it.
Widespread Panic's New Porch Songs
Panic's New Porch Song Series Greetings Folks, Today
Allman Brothers Museum Opens This Weekend in Macon
Kirk West and the rest of the gang open the doors to the Big House Museum on Vineville Avenue in Macon, Georgia this weekend. Read all about it here, and check back for photos and more here in GRITZ next read more...
A Glance Back on Widespread Panic (with Musical Guest Marc Ford)
Widespread Panic & Marc Ford at The Orpheum in L.A. Last Month With several
A Conversation with The Georgia Music Hall of Fame's Director Lisa Love
The Latest From The Georgia Music Hall of Fame's Director My latest conversation with The Georgia Music Hall of Fame's Director, Lisa Love, read more...
The Drive By Truckers Contribute To Eddie Hinton Tribute
Very Extremely Dangerous Singles Shake It Records has released a series of limited-edition 45-rpm vinyl singles, and
Spotlight On Duane Allman On His Birthday Friday
Tomorrow is the 63rd birthday of Duane Allman. I can think of no better tribute than the following piece, written by GRITZ reader and Facebook friend Brian Ringo. He really summed up my own feelings on Skydog as well. Thanks Brian. Keep it Real. Keep it read more...
Videos of the Week: Capricorn Records Magic
Winter 2009 Interview with Kirk West On The Way
Kirk West In The Big House In the next two weeks I will interview Kirk West for the second volume of our interview series. Kirk oversees
November 9, 2009 Interview with Chuck Leavell
2009 Interview with Rolling Stones Keyboardist Chuck Leavell Greetings folks, I'm pleased to present today's interview with The Rolling read more...
Excerpt Two From Fall 08 Chuck Leavell Interview: The Rolling Stones
Fall 08 Interview with Chuck Leavell Excerpt Two In Part Two from my Fall 08 Interview with
Rare Video: Ahmet Ertegun Talks About Capricorn Records
In this video, the late Atlantic Records executive Ahmet Ertegun recalls the late Phil Walden and Frank Fenter, and discusses
Georgia On Our Mind
Georgia On Our Mind In this upcoming week, Swampland/Mystery And Manners will cover various topics relating to Athens, read more...
Capricorn Studios Building Received No Bids
UPDATE: The auction for the old Capricorn Studios building in Macon was held today at Bibb County Courthouse. According to reports, there were no bids. The bank that holds the deed paid $360,000.00 for it, and are putting it up for sale. - Buffalo
The Top Ten Instrumentals of The Southern Rock Era
This list might be very different if one were to count the instrumental jams at the end of “Free Bird,” “Green Grass and High Tides” and “Highway Song.” But alas, we are listing only full instrumental tracks. Also note that their are
Capricorn Studios Building To Be Auctioned Off Tomorrow
The old Capricorn Studios building in Macon goes up on the auction block tomorrow. The building that once housed the recording studio used by the Allman Brothers, read more...
At The Intersection of Bell, Williams, Parsons & Redding
A Brief Note At An Intersection of Country Soul The second volume of
Dickey Betts & Great Southern Rip It Up in Greenville
Dickey Betts and Great Southern brought it all back home to Greenville's Handlebar on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 with a show that had a read more...
Chuck Leavell Fall 08 Interview (Part One) Dispatch
A Note of Introduction This lost interview with Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell was conducted last fall. That week Chuck would read more...
Jerry Wexler Memorial Celebration October 30
Tribute To Jerry Wexler In New York City on October 30 a memorial will be held for the great
An Evening of Respect To Otis Redding
November 5 Atlanta Tribute To Otis Redding On November 5, 2009, at the Atlanta Woodruff Arts Center an All-Star musical tribute to
Chuck Leavell on Mother Nature Network (Part One)
Chuck Leavell Talks About Mother Nature Network (Part One) Last fall when I wrote
Widespread Panic Archivist Horace Moore Begins To Document Panic-Allman Brothers Tour
Panic Archivist Documents Widespread Panic-Allmans Current Tour On Saturday and Sunday, The Allman Brothers and
A New Blind Willie McTell Book
Hand Me My Travelin' Shoes: In Search of Blind Willie McTell I came across this interesting blog regarding a read more...
Widespread Panic's Todd Nance Calls From Chicago
Widespread Panic’s Todd Nance Courtesy Call With all the current and upcoming excitement regarding this
Today's Conversation with Widespread Panic Bassist Dave Schools Regarding Current Tour with The Allman Brothers Band
Widespread Panic Bassist Discusses Tour with Allman Brothers Band An hour or so ago I just got off the phone with
Rare Photos of Skynyrd & Rossington Collins Band Added to Scrapbook
Hi there sports fans. I am very excited about the latest page of photos added to the Legends of Southern Rock Photo Scrapbook, There are some pics of the original
Widespread Panic-Allman Brothers Tour: Double Dose of Potent Music
Brothers Panic On The Road If the first two nights of the run is any indication, it looks like the
A Virtual Gravesite Tour of Skynyrd, The Allmans and Marshall Tucker
The past few years have held quite a bit of sadness for lovers of Southern Rock. There have been so many deaths in our extended family. But one fact remains. We will always remember our late brothers and sisters. Always. In keeping with that thought, we are pleased read more...
Widespread Panic & The Allman Brothers Prepare For Historic Tour
Widespread Panic & Allmans Embark On Historic Tour This Weekend This weekend the
Bobby Whitlock Rocked My Socks Off in '76
The other day I bought a few vintage issues of Crawdaddy magazine at Horizon Records for a buck each. Mr. Nostalgia they call me. Anyway, in a 1976 issue they grouped new releases by Bobby Whitlock,
Big House Documentary Is A Great Tribute To The Allman Brothers Band
A few years back I paid a visit to the famous “Big House” on Vineville Avenue in Macon, Georgia. Kirk and Kirsten West made me feel at home in this beautiful place, and I enjoyed every single moment I spent visiting. Even then, the house was beginning to become a museum. read more...
Bragg Jam Returning to Macon
What started as an impromptu jam session of local musicians in honor of Macon, Georgia’s Brax and Tate Bragg was expanded into a city-wide music festival in 2003. Today, Bragg Jam has evolved into a full-scale arts festival and Macon’s premier music event, operating as a read more...
Classic Allman, Skynyrd and More Added To Legends Scrapbook
Greetings from South Carolina! Today I am happy to present yet another page of historic Southern Rock photographs in our ongoing Legends of Southern Rock Photo Scrapbook. Great old pictures of Gregg and Duane Allman, Toy and Tommy Caldwell, Ronnie Van Zant, Bonnie Bramlett read more...
Time Flies Like An Arrow
“Time read more...
A Dispatch From The Coast
A Dispatch From The Coast After business in Atlanta, I’m on the homeland fandango this weekend to
Wet Willie Rocked GABBA FEST Over The Weekend
The annual GABBA FEST took place this past weekend in Macon, and our buddy John Charles Griffin was there to capture a little of the magic on film for us to see. Looks like a mighty fine time was had by all. Check out John's
The Long Awaited Dave Schools Interview
Interview with Widespread Panic's Thunderous Bassist Tonight I just completed my recent Q & A with Dave Schools a couple of read more...
New Scrapbook Photos of Winters Brothers, Charlie Daniels, Toy & Tommy Caldwell
Page Ten of our Legend of Southern Rock Photo Scrapbook is now posted, and it's a doozey. Good ol' photos of The Charlie Daniels Band, The Winters Brothers Band and The read more...
Skynyrd On Stage 1974 Added To Legends Scrapbook
The Scrapbook just keeps getting bigger! Check out page nine, with some never before seen Lynyrd Skynyrd concert shots from 1974. Here's the read more...
Back Into The Fenter Archives, More Rare Photos From Capricorn Records
Howdy Sports Fans. Well, from the tons of e-mail, text messages, Facebook posts, Myspace posts, Twitters, and old school phone messages, a lot of you are digging the Scrapbook photos as much as I am. I really have to thank Capricorn executive Frank Fenter's son Robin for read more...
More Classic Capricorn Records Era Photos Posted
And the pics just keep on comin!' Hi y'all. Today, we add another page of photos to our Legends of Southern Rock Scrapbook. These are more pictures from the read more...
Great New Capricorn Days Photos Posted, Allmans, Tucker, EQT and more
Our Legends of Southern Rock Scrapbook has been given a real treat, courtesy of Robin Duner-Fenter, son of the late
Butch Trucks Reflects On 2009 Beacon Run
There's no doubt in my mind that The Allman Brothers Band's 2009
This Evening's Interview with Dave Schools
This Evening’s Interview with Dave Schools I just got off the phone with
Rare Photos from The Capricorn Days; Allman Brothers, Cowboy and More
Time for page five of the Legends of Southern Rock Photo Scrapbook.
Our Conversation with Cowboy's Pete Kowalke Concludes
Rather than have our Pete Kowalke interview divided in two segments, I today added the second half right onto the first half's page. Check it out here. Pete is a great guy and a read more...
Crosstown Allstars Get New Bassist, and He's a Southern Rock Star
I just got an exciting piece of news from Terry Reeves at Music Matters Entertainment. Tommy Crain & The Crosstown Allstars, who suffered the passing of their bass player and friend
Cowboy are Our Latest "Legends of Southern Rock"
Tommy Talton is really blazing a comeback trail and sounding great, and many of us who have been fans for years couldn't be happier. Today we pay tribute to his "old band" Cowboy, a group that just happens to be one of my all time favorites. Today they enter the GRITZ
A Call From Bruce Burch
A Call From The University of Georgia's Bruce Burch My amigo
Beacon Wrap Up: Guest Artists Remember The Allman Brothers Band 2009 Beacon Run
The 40th Anniversary Celebration of The Allman Brothers Band continues, but sadly, their phenomenal 20th year Beacon run has come to an end. (Of course, those who read more...
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 28, 2009
The powers that be were playing some mighty fine music through the p.a. prior to the show, Edgar Winter’s White Trash, Robbie Robertson, Buffalo Springfield... It really set the mood for a great night. That ,and seeing
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 27, 2009
The Duane slide show never gets old, and you never know what song The Allman Brothers will play while it is being projected. Tonight it all began with a rousing read more...
The Allman Brothers Band: A Different Point of View from Swampland's James Calemine
James Calemine, a long time contributor to GRITZ, as well as many other publications, including Hittin' The Note, is the man behind the
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 26, 2009
"We'll reach the end well all be singin And well all be friends Back where it all begins..." Tonight was forty years to the day that the band played their first gig in Jacksonville, Florida, so we all knew it would be something read more...
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 24, 2009
The curtain came up, the brother Duane slide show started up, and the Allmans kicked off tonight’s show with “Hot ‘Lanta,” one of my old favorites, read more...
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 23, 2009
The rumors were flying once again. Some thought that Dickey Betts would join the band tonight, while others were speculating on everyone from
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 21, 2009
Saturday night in New York City at 74th and Broadway. Everyone seemed to still be trying to get over the two back to back Eric Clapton jams. No small wonder. Both were just off the charts good. But then came the question, who’s next?
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 20, 2009
Friday night’s Beacon extravaganza began with the Duane slide show backed by “Little Martha,” this time played by Oteil Burbridge solo, on bass. It was pretty awesome. Beautiful read more...
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 19, 2009
The rumors were raging again. Lots of talk about Eric Clapton. Lots of anticipation. No doubt. The curtain came up, the Duane Allman slide show paid tribute to Skydog while Derek Trucks and
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 17, 2009
Excitement was in the air tonight, especially for me. I had known for some time that Tommy Talton and
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 16, 2009
I was speaking to a friend (I can’t say who right now, it’s a surprise) late this afternoon and he told me he had run into Bonnie Bramlett and Bekka Bramlett on the street read more...
The Allman Brothers Beacon Run: Ready for Round Two
Well, The Allman Brothers Band moved read more...
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 13, 2009
There was nothing but “good luck” flying around New York’s famed Beacon Theatre tonight, even if it was Friday the 13th. Jason was no where to be found. The usual
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 12, 2009
I heard from a few people that they thought Monday’s show was amazing but that Tuesday’s was weak. I disagree. I thought both were great. That being said, I honestly feel that tonight’s show was the best so far in the run, and read more...
All New Butch Trucks Interview Posted, Six Degrees of Swampland features Allman Brothers Band
Greetings. Well, the Beacon run continues tonight, and we'll be watching and listening. If the first two shows are any indication, we are in for even more southern fried goodness tonight. Allman Brothers month continues at GRITZ with our brand new interview with Allman read more...
The Allman Brothers Band at The Beacon, March 9, 2009
It was truly one hot Spring night at the newly refurbished Beacon Theatre in New York City last night as The Allman Brothers Band kicked off their 40th Anniversary spectacle, read more...
Big Medicine Come Soon
"Beyond the horizon, in the Springtime or Fall Love waits forever for one and for all." --Bob Dylan Greetings read more...
Beacon Run WIll Be a Tribute to Duane Allman, Guest Rumors Abound
As the excitement of The Allman Brothers Band’s return to The Beacon Theatre continues to build, the rumors are raging across the internet regarding the many special read more...
Ultra Cool Allman Brothers Videos for Your Tuesday
We Celebrate The Allman Brothers Band During The Month of March
I am extremely happy to announce that March is Allman Brothers Band month here at GRITZ. In celebration of The Brothers' 40th Anniversary and their upcoming Beacon run,
German Southern Rocker Georg Bayer Has Died
The Southern Rock world lost a true friend this past Saturday, February 21, 2009, when Georg Bayer died of a heart attack. Georg was the ophenominal lead singer of one of Germany's finest Southern Rock bands, Lizard. He was 54.
Great Elvin Bishop Capricorn Records Reissues Hit The Swampland
Man, oh man, am I ever enjoying the CD I got in the mail today, all the way from Australia. It's a compilation that includes both of the albums Elvin Bishop recorded at Capricorn Studios in read more...
SEC vs ACC: Clemson and South Carolina Try to Make the Palmetto State Relevant
In continuing our look at the states with both ACC and SEC teams, we move to the Palmetto State, where a ton of changes occurred in the offseason.
SEC vs ACC: Georgia and Georgia Tech Battle for Peach State Supremacy
With recruiting classes signed and spring practices approaching, it’s a good time to look at states in the Swampland Footprint that share SEC and ACC teams. We’re going to start in the Peach State, where a long time
The Allman Brothers On Moogis
As the March 9th beginning of the Allman Brothers Band's 40th Anniversary Beacon run approaches, excitement is building. Rumors are flying through cyberspace about special read more...
Xmas in February for Southern College Football Fans (SEC, Big 12, ACC, Big East)
It’s finally here! National Signing Day is upon us, and this is the time where quality programs establish themselves for the upcoming years. The welcoming of a new recruiting class energizes fans and provides coaches with the opportunity to show that their school will be-or read more...
Mack Brown and the Longhorns Must Judiciously Draw Talent from their Texas Base
Water is wet, the sky is blue, and the University of Texas is working on another top-notch recruiting class. The Longhorns Mine Their State's Natural Talent Base Most BCS schools try to comb their region (if not the read more...
To Stewart Mandel, We Say, "SEC Coaching Dollars Make Sense"
Chalk SI.com's Stewart Mandel as the latest member of the national media that just doesn’t understand the culture of the SEC football landscape. Mandel's latest involves
Chris Robinson-The Jackdaw of Perception: From The Black Crowes to California Folk
Chris Robinson-The Jackdaw of Perception: From The Black Crowes To California Folk "Windswept stars blink and smile Another read more...
Lane Kiffin is Already Making an Impact on the SEC (and Paul Finebaum)
A few weeks ago, I wrote how I thought Tennessee and Lane Kiffin were going to be a great fit for each other. There was quite a bit of criticism for a major power in the SEC choosing a read more...
From The GRITZ Vaults: Paul Hornsby On Capricorn Records
Among the truly legendary Southern Rock producers you will find the name Paul Hornsby. Paul started out as a musician, as a member of The Hour Glass, a pre-
Eric Quincy Tate, "Drinking Man's Friend," a Look Back to '72
It’s really sad that Eric Quincy Tate never really received the acclaim they so richly deserved. From their stellar albums to their smoking concerts and gigs in Piedmont Park with
From The GRITZ Vaults: Life as a Roadie with Red Dog Campbell and Moon Mullins
I am happy to say that GRITZ is now into our eleventh year online, and over the course of the years we have managed to accumulate a vast data base of in depth interviews from all of the biggest names in Southern Rock and more. WIth our new “From The read more...
Flannery O'Connor's Divine Grace
Flannery O’Connor’s Divine Grace “Necessity is the mother of several other things besides invention.”
Donnie McCormick of Eric Quincy Tate Succumbs to Cancer
The Southern Rock world has lost yet another pioneer. Eric Quincy Tate founding member Donnie McCormick has lost his ongoing battle with read more...
Ole Miss and LSU Cruise; Alabama and South Carolina Snooze
Overall it’s been a pretty good bowl season for the SEC, going 5-2 with Florida left to play in the National Title Game. The highlights include Mississippi and Houston Nutt getting a
Lane Kiffin fits the Vols and the SEC
Tribal Fever did a great job of presenting the challenge that is coaching in the 21st century SEC. I wanted to focus on the Tennessee job where Phil read more...
Bluesman Robert Ward Dead at 70
Bluesman Robert Ward RIP 12/28/08 Blues guitarist Robert Ward died on Christmas Day at his home near Macon, Georgia. Ward played with the read more...
A Glimpse Into Mystery & Manners' Chuck Leavell Interview
Leavell Reveals New Website & Christmas Plans 12/10/08 Recently I interviewed Georgia tree farmer and Rolling Stones keyboardist
SEC and Big 12 Championship Game Reax
The college football regular season ended by giving us the matchup that made the most sense--the SEC Champion vs. the Big 12 Champion. The BCS title game should be a high-scoring, exciting affair and one that all of the fans in our Swampland footprint will appreciate. Florida will read more...
Excerpt #4 From Stanley Booth Interview Series Volume 1: Otis Redding
Excerpt #4 From Stanley Booth Interview Series Volume 1: Otis Redding 12/08/08 In Excerpt #4 Booth discusses his career after learning the read more...
Swampland Footprint National Title: Big 12 vs. SEC
So it’s Oklahoma that gets the chance to represent the Big 12 South in Kansas City, and they will probably get a shot at the National title with a victory. Of read more...
In Memory of Bear Sauls, Eric Quincy Tate
Our old friend Wayne "Bear" Sauls, guitarist for Eric Quincy Tate, passed away at 12:04 am, November 26, 2008 due to existing health complications. Bear was 60.
Excerpt 2 From Stanley Booth Interview Series Vol 1: Otis Redding
Excerpt 2 From Vol 1 of Mystery And Manners' Stanley Booth Interview Series 11/23/08 In continuation of
Excerpt From Stanley Booth Interview Series Vol. 1: Otis Redding
Excerpt From Mystery And Manners' Stanley Booth Interview Series Volume 1 11/22/08 Tonight I thought I'd include a small excerpt from read more...
Remembering Berry Oakley
"Oakley and I were both young adults when we met, and we were both still searching for our style of playing. He had so much insight and vision. I was playing night clubs, and I was making what would be the equivalent now of about $3000 a week. Back then it was about $600 a read more...
Classic Photos: Mark Emerick and BHLT
Once upon a time there was an absolutely killer Southern Rock band called BHLT, made up of Dickey Betts, Jimmy Hall, Chuck Leavell and Butch Trucks, along with "Rook" Goldflies on bass and Danny Parks on fiddle. I have heard several boots of these guys, as well as read more...
Australia Rocks Classic Bonnie Bramlett Collection
I am such a lucky cat. Seriously. I have been loving Delaney and Bonnie ever since Junior High, and I still find it hard to believe just how nice both of them are. I met
Snowman's Six-Pack of Reax from Saturday
1. After all of the Nick Saban drama last week in Baton Rouge, we finally got a close game from a SEC marquee matchup. Alabama and LSU staged a very hard-fought battle, but as we’ve written about so much this season in the SEC, the quarterback play was the difference. Alabama read more...
Snowman's Six-Pack of Reax from Saturday
1. Wow – what an instant classic in the Lonestar State. Texas Tech pulled off an amazing upset of #1 Texas with one second to go and sent their raucous fans read more...
Saturday's Slate: Top Games in Each Conference Will Decide Champions
Georgia and Florida in Jacksonville The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party has more at stake than ever – read more...
Snowman's Six-Pack of Reax from Saturday
1) The biggest difference between teams in the SEC this season is simply quarterback play. Alabama, Georgia, and Florida came into the season with experienced/quality signal callers, and they have been the class of the league. Lack of experience or just poor play at quarterback has read more...
A Nice Weekend of Hate in the SEC
One of the most hate-filled rivalries in college football will see another chapter written on Saturday when the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide invade Knoxville to take on the Volunteers. The “Third read more...
This Evening's Stanley Booth Call
The Latest News From Writer Stanley Booth 10/13/08 This evening I received a call from my old friend
Touching Base with Johnny Sandlin
I had a nice phone conversation with Johnny Sandlin read more...
A Conversation with Chuck Leavell
Upcoming Interview with Chuck Leavell 9/9/08 A couple of hours ago, I conducted an interview with the legendary
Marc Ford and the Neptune Blues Club
Another Transmission From The Great Marc Ford 9/3/08 We've missed each other's messages for the past couple of days, but I finally spoke with read more...
Southern Music's Best Friend, Jerry Wexler Has Died at 91
Jerry Wexler was rock and roll. He was also rhythm and blues. Oh, and Southern rock. Oh, yeah, Wex was a huge fan of Southern music of all sorts, and of the key architects in the history of music over the past 50 years. He was instrumental in helping Phil Walden read more...
Check Out Chuck Leavell in Mystery & Manners
Just a note to anyone who has not yet discovered to full scope of SWAMPLAND.COM. James Calemine writes some mighty groovy articles in his Mystery & Manners section of the Swamp, and I just had to point you all to a great new piece on our buddy Chuck Leavell. read more...
Widespread Induction & Where The Buffalo Roam
Mystery And Manners’ Newsworthy Stories of The Day 8/6/08 …Widespread Induction & Where The Buffalo Roam…
Dave Muse Leaves Marshall Tucker, New Horn Man Hired
I spoke to Doug Gray of The Marshall Tucker Band today (and in a true "Two-fer Tuesday, I also spoke with
Steve Cropper Remembers First Meeting with Otis Redding
Steve Cropper Remembers His First Meeting with Soul Legend Otis Redding 7/11/08 From coastal Georgia, near the Florida line, I'm enjoying the read more...
...Southbound...
Altered Plans...Poets...Old Friends...And A Southbound Road... 7/8/08 “I can’t worry about it Yesterday’s read more...
Col. Bruce Hampton is in Macon to Gig, Talk About "Slingblade"
Col. Bruce Hampton is in Macon, Georgia all weekend long, headlining a show on Saturday at Cox Capitol Theatre. On Sunday, Bruce will return to the theatre for a question and answer session about the read more...
The Cities That Gave Us Southern Rock
I find it interesting just how many of our greatest Southern Rockers come from the same cities. Especially our number one city for Southern Rock, Jacksonville, Florida. Check out our list of the Top Ten read more...
Phil Walden to Be Honored in Macon Thursday
Senator Robert Brown of Georgia has announced thet Phil Walden will be honored this Thursday, June 5th at 12 Noon in Macon, Georgia. A ceremony will name the I-16 / Martin
New Allman Brothers Documentary Premiere May 16
New Allman Brothers Documentary Premieres May 16 5/7/08 This afternoon Allman Brothers Tour Mystic
Remembering Phil Walden
It was two years ago today that the Southern Rock world lost one of our true pioneers. Phil Walden, who was born in my home town of Greenville, SC, was the co-founder of
Development in Macon Will Include a Capricorn Records Museum
Wow. Looks like great minds do indeed run along the same track. According to this news story, the new development in downtown Macon will indeed house a Capricorn Records read more...
Why I Love Bonnie Bramlett
I remember reading about Delaney and Bonnie a lot back in high school, during those days when I was constantly read more...
Capricorn Controversy in Downtown Macon
Interesting news story I found regarding the old Capricorn Records Studio building in downtown Macon, Georgia. Be sureto watch the video of the news story with footage of the old studios.
Up Close and Personal with Chris Hicks
We are pleased as punch to present our brand spanking new interview with the great Chris Hicks. Read Chris' comments on playing with The Marshall Tucker Band, The Outlaws, Deep South and his own band, as read more...
Chris Hicks CD Winners Announced
Congratulations to the following five winners. All of the entries were great, and we really enjoyed reading them. Please continue to enter our various contests. Everyone will most likely win eventually. Dewayne Fields, La Grange, NC Chris Horn, read more...
Chris Hicks is Red Hot & Smokin', Win His New CD for Free
Chris Hicks was chosen as the pic of the week by Zig Zag Live, The well known company rewarded Hicks with cases of cigarette rolling papers, rolling machines, a Zig Zag t-shirt, and an awesome Zig Zag Les Paul guitar, read more...
Chris Hicks Rocks
I spoke to Doug Gray this afternoon. He was in the airport in Cinncinatti, flying back to Carolina from last night’s show in San Diego, California. We were talking about
38 Years Ago Tonight: The Allman Brothers Band
The Allman Brothers Band played at Mercer University on this dare, February 27, back in 1970. That’s thirty-eight years ago for those of you keeping score at home. One of my read more...
Latest Releases From James McMurtry & Otis Redding
Latest Releases From James McMurtry and Otis Redding 2/27/08
Little Richard Gets Standing Ovation at Ryman
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- It's a standing ovation for rock 'n' roll pioneer Little Richard -- and he didn't even perform. He was seated at the rear of the Ryman Auditorium Sunday night attending a concert by 1960s Motown stalwarts The read more...
Chris Hicks to Host CD Release Party in Macon
The Cox Theater in Macon, Georgia is gonna rock on Wednesday, February 27 when The Chris Hicks Band and Special Guests will be performing in a CD release party, celebrating Hicks' new Sony release, Dog Eat Dog.
Video: Jimmy Johnson and Alan Walden from Lynyrd Skynyrd Documentary
I have been aware of the Lynyrd Skynyrd documentary being filmed by Rick Broyles and Tony Beazley for a few years now, and by all accounts it looks like it will be just the documentary we have all read more...
Adventures In The (Pig) Skin Trade On Super Bowl Sunday
Roving Notes On Super Bowl Sunday 2/3/08 "There is some kind of back-door connection in my head between Super Bowls and The Allman read more...
Second Annual Big House Benefit Coming January 19th
The Second Annual Big House Museum Benefit will be held in Macon, Georgia on January 19th, 2008. Perfomers will include Tommy Talton, Jimmy Hall,
Picture of the Day: Grinderswitch
A classic photo of Capricorn Records recording artists, Grinderswitch, Dedicated to the memories of Dru Lombar, Joe Dan Petty and Stephen Miller.
Mama Hill of H&H in Macon Passes Away at 94
Mama Inez Hill, the co-owner of Macon's H&H Restaurant has passed away at 94. Inez Hill, 94, died early this morning (Tuesday, December 18th) of natural causes at The Medical Center of Central Georgia. Hill, and her sister "Mama Louise" read more...
Southern Greats Play Post Led Zeppelin London Gig
Sam Moore, Ben E. King, Percy Sledge and Solomon Burke Perform Post Led Zep Gig 12/11/07 Ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman's band, the
Video: "Painting Her Toenails," Michael Buffalo Smith
One of my songs that seems to be going over well these days is called "Painting Her Toenails." It's just a simple tune inspired by seeing my wife doing her nails one night. The following performance features my pal Donnie Winters from The Winters Brothers Band. We played read more...
TF Rivalry Week Preview
Rivalry games define college football. More than bowl games or even conference championships, a win against your rival means bragging rights for a year. That is why this weekend's game can often be the hardest to call. A team with a losing record can suddenly make read more...
The Cowboy Diaries: Part One
by Michael Buffalo Smith GRITZ went into the studio with Cowboy for the recording of their all new album, their first in 36 years. In part one of our journal, we meet all of the original members of Cowboy, and hear music that is sure to turn the Southern music world on it's read more...
In The Studio for the Cowboy Reunion Album
Well, here I am in Decatur, Alabama, a stone's throw away from Muscle Shoals. I only have a minute to report that recording on the new Cowboy reunion album is going great. The new songs are top drawer, and it has been very cool meeting the guys who recorded such classic Capricorn read more...
Former Allman Brothers Band Employee Scooter Herring Has Died
MACON, GA - John C. "Scooter" Herring, 67, of Macon, died Saturday, November 10, 2007. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 2:00PM at Harvest Cathedral, 2254 Rocky Creek Road, with Larry Howard officiating. The family may be contacted at read more...
Cowboy Take Me Away: The Scott Boyer Interview
GRITZ is happy to present an exclusive interview with one of the South's finest musicians and human beings, Scott Boyer. From his early bands in Florida with members of The Allman Brothers Band, to his highly successful Capricorn Records band with Tommy Talton, Cowboy, Scott gives read more...
Mystery & Manners Dispatch From San Francisco
Dispatch From San Francisco 11/3/07 Notes written on a back porch facing Mt. Tamalpais, known to locals as "Mt. Tam". I arrived read more...
Rockin' On The Top of The Mountain
Our primary goal of the trip, besides handing out the videos, was to shoot the camel on top of the mountain. Carl Weaver’s pet camel, Akbar, that is. Carl wanted Dave Peck to shoot video of the camel for a new logo he is working on. Since we read more...
Dick, a Duck and a Decoy : Part One
Shootin’ The Camel on the Top of the Mountain Part One The primary goal for the weekend was to shoot the camel on the top of the mountain. Well, that, and to hand deliver finished read more...
Otis Redding Film Premier October 8
Dreams To Remember Premier October 8 10/1/07 The new Otis Redding documentary, Dreams To Remember: The Legacy of Otis read more...
Picture of the Day: Otis Redding Family
Here's a great shot of Otis Redding's family: Zelma Redding, Rodgers Redding, Karla Redding Andrews, Dexter Redding, and other family members in a photo taken at The Douglass Theatre Walk of Fame dedication during the recent Otis Redding Tribute ceremonies in read more...
Picture of the Day: Devon Allman at 550 Blues
Devon Allman and Honeytribe rocked the walls of 550 Blues in Macon, Georgia on Saturday, September 22nd. (Photo by John Charles Griffin)
New Issue of Hittin' The Note is Packed with Good Reading
I have been a subscriber to Hittin’ The Note magazine for several years, and at one point I even went back and purchased the past issues all the way back to #1. As a fan of
Chris Hicks and Friends Rocked The Hummingbird, Acoustic Style
On a whim I set sail for Macon, Georgia last Tuesday to catch an acoustic performance by Chris Hicks of The Marshall Tucker read more...
Macon's Tribute To Otis Redding
Macon's Tribute To Otis Redding 9/16/07 At the Georgia Music Hall of Fame read more...
Picture of the Day: Carter Runs for President
Today's photo was taken back when Georgia's Jimmy Carter was running for President of the United States. He is shown here with Capricorn Records founder
New "Legends" Feature: The Allman Brothers Band
Dear Y'all, Swampland and Gritz are proud to present the latest in our series of Legends of Southern Rock. The one, the only Allman Brothers Band. I hope you'll check out the feature article and click on all of the links to re-visit our classic ABB related interviews and read more...
Lynyrd Skynyrd To Be Inducted Into Georgia Music Hall of Fame
It was announced today that The Georgia Music Hall of Fame will induct Lynyrd Skynyrd into the Hall this September. The Southern rock legends are being inducted on the heels of last year's induction into The Rock and Roll Hall of read more...
Benefit for a Brother Brings Out the Stars in Macon
I returned to Macon, Georgia again this week for the Benefit for Sid Yochim (aka: Benefit for a Brother) on Saturday night (August 4th) at The Grand Opera House in Macon, Georgia. Sid was a long time bus driver for both The Allman Brothers Band and
All Star Southern Rock Benefit in Macon This Weekend
A Benefit for a Brother, Sid Yochim, will take place in Macon, Georgia this Saturday, August 4th. Tickets are on sale now. Many of you know Sid Yochim, a member of the Charlie Daniels Band family for many years driving the trucks and buses. Sid’s father read more...
Back to Macon with The Tommy Talton Band
I’ve been down to Macon, Georgia several times over the past few months, and every time I visit I feel the spirit of Duane Allman wash over me like a spiritual cleansing. This time, I felt it stronger than ever as I watched from the front row while Tommy Talton played his read more...
Makin' it Back to Macon
The original plan was to go down to Macon a couple of days early and hang out with my friends Dave and Peggy Peck, prior to the Saturday benefit concert for Sid Yoakim. Halfway to Macon on Thursday I received a call informing me that the benefit show had been rescheduled for August. read more...
Benefit for a Brother Rescheduled for August 4th
The benefit concert scheduled for June 23rd has been changed to August 4th. Tickets are on sale now. Many of you know Sid Yochim, a member of the Charlie Daniels read more...
Benefit for a Brother, Sid Yochim, Coming to Macon
Many of you know Sid Yochim, a member of the Charlie Daniels Band family for many years driving the trucks and buses. Sid’s father was the late great Pappy Yochim. Sid has had some very read more...
The True Adventures of Stanley Booth
6/10/07 THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF STANLEY BOOTH As I wrote in the intro to my Charlie Louvin
Tipping My Hat To Kirk West
What a day. It was a beautiful day for a drive from my home in Greenville, SC to the big city of Birmingham, Alabama. About five and a half hours on the road brought me to the Best Western Hotel in Leeds near Birmingham, where I would later meet with some of the performers in town for read more...
Kirk West's Photographic Memories
With great pride Swampland.com presents this in-depth interview with Kirk West. West plays an integral role in the Allman Brothers Band organization. West began taking photographs in his youth. In the 70s and read more...
Two Benefit Concerts Scheduled For Scott Boyer
SHOALS & BIRMINGHAM BENEFIT CONCERTS SET FOR FORMER CAPRICORN ARTIST SCOTT BOYER FLORENCE, Ala. - Dates have been set in April for two benefit concerts for former Capricorn Records artist Scott Boyer who has had surgery for an read more...
Southern Rock Album of the Week: The Capricorn Rhythm Section
It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of the old Capricorn Records catalog. Everything from The Allman Brothers Band to Marshall Tucker, Wet Willie, Bonnie Bramlett, Cowboy, Eddie Hinton, Dickey Betts and all the rest. No small wonder I became excited when I first got read more...
Townes Van Zandt & Eddie Hinton on Film
12/11/06 The work of the Late, Great Townes Van Zandt is now available on DVD. Be Here To Love Me can be found at www.townesthemovie.com. A new book about Van Zandt is due on March 7, 2007. John Kruth's book is titled read more...
Leon Russell Rolls On, Lucinda's Latest, and Robinson & Dickinson Collaborate
12/10/06 Leon Russell plays in Athens, Georgia, on December 14 amid a run through the south. The Oklahoma legend's touring schedule rolls on through 2007. Russell's new CD, Angel In Disguise, features 11 new compositions. The Master of Space & Time still read more...