Georgia is on the minds of music lovers as the list of performers continues to grow with the announcement today that John Berry, Kristian Bush of Sugarland, Jamey Johnson, and Randy Houser, as well as Trea Landon have been added to the impressive lineup. The “Gretsch Presents the Fifth Annual Georgia On My Mind” benefit concert will be hosted for the first time by SiriusXM’s Storme Warren and held Tuesday, June 26 (7:30 PM/CDT) at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
The celebration of the Peach State’s musical mavericks and chart-topping songwriters is hosted by the Peach Pickers – Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, and Ben Hayslip – and benefits the Georgia Music Foundation, which supports music education and cultural enrichment programs in the state. Previously announced performers this year include Lauren Alaina, Travis Denning, Chris Janson, Michael Ray, and songwriters Pat Alger and Tony Arata, who are the recipients of the Georgia Music Foundation Flamekeeper Award, which is presented to individuals whose tireless work preserves and promotes Georgia’s musical roots and traditions.
Tickets are available now for $54.50 and $44.50 via Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, ryman.com,or by calling (800) 745-3000.
Tickets often sell out prior to the concert, which has gained a reputation over the past four years for surprise appearances by unannounced guests. Friends joining the Peach Pickers have included Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Big Boi of Outkast, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Kip Moore, T. Graham Brown, Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls, Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie, Lee Brice, Craig Campbell, Tyler Farr, Otis Redding III, Dexter Redding, Billy Currington, Drivin’ N Cryin’, Brent Cobb, Jon Langston, Cole Taylor, and many more.
“This is as close to a Georgia homecoming as you are going to get in Tennessee,” explained Davidson, who also chairs the Georgia Music Foundation Board of Directors. “The popularity and success of this event is so rewarding because it celebrates our homegrown talent and allows us to give back to deserving music education programs.”
This year, the Peach Pickers welcome Gretsch, the fourth-generation musical instruments company headquartered in Pooler, GA, as presenting sponsor. In celebration of its 135th anniversary this year, Gretsch has generously donated one of its USA Custom drum kits valued at more than $5,000 to be auctioned off online by Your Roctioneer via the GiveSmart platform. The auction, which is live now, will end during intermission at the June 26 concert at the Ryman. The drum kit will be played by the house band during the concert, then delivered or shipped to the auction winner. To register and bid online, visit https://gamusic.auction-bid.org/microsite/.
The Georgia Music Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 1994, has distributed nearly $300,000 in grants to deserving music education, preservation and outreach programs since the first “Georgia On My Mind” concert was held in 2014. Proceeds from the 2017 concert benefitted 17 schools and non-profit organizations. Among the recipients were Nuçi’s Space in Athens for its annual Camp Amped summer camp; the Allman Brothers Band Museum at the Big House in Macon for its 2018 outreach programs; and the Georgia School for Innovation and the Classics in Hephzibah for the purchase of Orff instruments. Info on the grant program is available at www.georgiamusicfoundation.org.
About thePeach Pickers: All Georgia natives, the Peach Pickers have accumulated more than 70 No. 1 songs collectively and individually since 2010 and earned numerous awards and accolades. Their respective catalogs include hit songs “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” “All About Tonight,” “Gimmie That Girl,” “Just A Kiss,” “When She Says Baby,” “Boys Round Here,” “It Goes Like This,” “We Owned The Night,” “I Don’t Dance,” “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” “Point At You,” “That’s My Kind Of Night,” “Rain Is A Good Thing,” “Small Town Throwdown,” “Huntin’, Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day,” “Star of the Show,” and many more.
Platinum sponsor Georgia Tourism is proud to feature native Jason Aldean on the cover of the 2018 Georgia Travel Guide. Free copies are available at www.exploregeorgia.org.
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