Remembering Billy Joe Royal on the Anniversary of his Birth.

On April 13, 1942, Billy Joe Royal was born in Valdosta, GA.  He is most known for his hit "Down in the Boondocks" 

The (IN)Famous UGA Iron Horse - Greene County

 

The Iron Horse was created in 1954 by the artist Abbott Pattison. The 12 foot sculpture was placed in front of Reed Hall at the University of Georgia. Unfortunately, the students did not understand nor did they appreciate the sculpture and proceeded to deface and try to damage the structure. Eventually the sculpture was moved to its current location on Hwy 15 between Watkinsville and Greensboro. The statue is visible from the road and there is parking available. 

Gibbs Garden - Ball Ground, Cherokee County

 

Gibbs Garden is a magical place. It is closed for the winter but will be opening back up on March 1st.   

These photos are from last May, They had an incredible poppy field in bloom, 

Moonshine Kate: Rosa Lee Carson Johnson (1909-1992) - Fulton County

Moonshine Kate (Rosa Lee Carson) was one of the earliest recorded women in country music.  She was born on October 10, 1909 in Atlanta. An accomplished guitarist and banjo player, she started performing as a child with her father, Fiddlin' John Carson.  In 1928 she adopted the name Moonshine Kate.  In 1983 she was inducted,  along with her father, into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame. Rosa died in 1992 in Bainbridge, GA.   

 Moonshine Kate's Guitar is currently housed in the Hargrett Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Here is a fun tune written by Rosa Carson and recorded in 1931.  It is entitled My Man's a Jolly Railroad Man.  Enjoy.

Steadman Vincent Sanford (1871 - 1945) - Cobb and Clarke County

 S.V. Sanford was driving force both in Education and Athletics in the State of Georgia. His early career consisted of teaching public school in Cobb County. He joined the faculty at the University of Georgia in Athens in 1903 as an English instructor.  1n 1907 he became the faulty chairman of Athletics.  During his time as faculty chairman of Athletics UGA built the Baseball field, Sanford Field (1911), the football stadium, Sanford Stadium (1929) and the basketball arena, Woodruff Hall (1924).

Sanford later became President of the University of Georgia (1932 - 1935) and later the Chancellor of the University System of Georgia (1935 - 1945). Sanford suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at a meeting of the Georgia Board of Regents in 1945 and died. He is buried in the Marietta City Cemetery.

If you are interested in learning more about S. V. Sandford 

The Personal Equation: A Biography of Steadman Vincent Sanford by Charles Stephen Gurr.  Full disclosure I do not get any commission if you click on the link and/or if you purchase the book. I just like supporting the publisher, The Georgia Press.

Camp Gordon - World War I - DeKalb County

 Camp Gordon was established in July 1917 as a WWI training camp. It was home to the 82nd Division which became knows as the 82nd Airborne Division in WWII.  Among those who trained at Fort Gordon are future Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Alvin York and my grandfather, Harold C. Hutchens. That's my grandfather seated in the middle!

The camp was officially abandoned in September 1921. 

Statesboro Blues - Blind Willie McTell - The Allman Brothers Band = Bulloch County

One of my favorite songs is Statesboro Blues performed by the Allman Brothers Band.  The Allman Brothers recorded it in 1971.  Rolling Stone rated it number nine on their list of the"100 Greatest Guitar Songs of All Time"

However, the song was originally recorded in 1928 by its author, Blind Willie McTell.  Born in Thomson, Georgia Mr. McTell once called Statesboro his real home.

 

Here is the rendition by the Allman Brothers in 1971 at Fillmore East.

 

Randall Bramblett - Wayne County

Randall Bramblett is one of my all time favorite singer/songwriters. He was born in Jesup, GA.  This is probably his best known song recorded by Bonnie Raitt. It is entitled Rule the World.

The next one is called Driving to Montgomery.  It is my all time favorite!!

Enjoy!! 

Chatham County - Savannah - Johnny Mercer

Johnny Mercer was one of the most prolific songwriters of the 20th century.  He was born in Savannah GA on November 18th, 1909. 

Some of my favorites include:

Jeepers Creepers

Hooray for Hollywood

Moon River

On the Atchison, Topeka, and the  Santa Fe

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive

That Old Black Magic

Here is a clip from the Perry Como Kraft Music Hall with Johnny Mercer and Carol Lawrence

To learn more about Johnny Mercer check out the book:

Johnny Mercer: Southern Songwriter For the World by Glenn T. Eskew

Published by The Georgia Press.  Just so you know, I do not receive any compensation, monetarily or otherwise, from The Georgia Press if you decide to purchase the book.

Bartow County Hedy West - Singer Songwriter

Hedy West was a folksinger and songwriter born in Cartersville, GA.  She is most known for her songs "500 Miles" and "Cotton Mill Girl"

500 Miles

Cotton Mil Girl

Baldwin County - A Literary Guide to Flannery O'Connor's Georgia

I highly recommend you check out the book, A Literary Guide to Flannery O'Connor's Georgia by Sarah Gordon.  It is available from the University of Georgia Press.  The historic and contemporary photographs are brilliant. Whether you are a Flannery O'Connor fan or simply a fan of Georgia history this book is for you.

Full disclosure:   I do not receive any compensation for the recommendation of this book.  I just really like it.

https://ugapress.org/book/9780820327631/a-literary-guide-to-flannery-oconnors-georgia/

Walton Couhty - James Gideon Tanner

James Gideon Tanner (Gid) was an influential old-time fiddler and was one of the first stars of what would later be called counry music. Gid and his band, The Skillet Lickers, recorded between 1926 and 1934.  This song, Down Yonder, was one of the last recorded by the band in 1934.

Mr. Tanner was born in Walton County.  Most of the sites I find say he was born in or near Thomas Bridge.  I have not been able to find where Thomas Bridge is located.  So if anyone knows I would love to hear from you.   When he was not performing Mr. Tanner spent time on his farm in Gwinnett County. He died in Dacula, GA in 1960. 

Between 1913 and 1935 Mr. Tanner a regular at the Georgia Old-Time Fiddlers' Conventions held in Atlanta. His main rival during these years was Fiddlin' John Carson. it is said that it was usually either Carson or Tanner who won these competitions. Although he stopped recording in 1934, Mr. Tanner continued performing well into his 70's. 

I hope you enjoy the song. It is a treat from the early days of recorded music in Georgia.
 

Stephens County - Toccoa

Stephens County was created in 1905 from parts of Franklin and Habersham Counties. It was named for Alexander Stephens who was a US Representative, VP of the Confederacy, and the 53rd Governor of Georgia.

 

On Nov. 6th, 1977 the Kelly Barnes Dam collapsed after a period of heavy rainfall.  39 people died that day including many at Toccoa Falls Bible College.

 

Morgan County (33) - Jason Aldean "1994"

 

This week's song is from Jason Aldean. Mr. Aldean was born in Macon, GA.  This video is from his concert at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA on April 13, 2013. On the bill with him that night was Thomas Rhett, who was born in Valdosta and Luke Bryan who was born in Leesburg.  Also performing that night was Florida native Jake Owen. It was a very special night in the Classic City.

Walton County (46) - Good Hope - Moina Michael Veterans Memorial Dedication - August 17, 2019

Unveiling of the Moina Michael Veterans Memorial

 Love the reflection of the flag in the memorial

Former Mayor Randy Garrett, Trey Thompson, Mayor Jimmy Guthrie, and Dennis Walters

Baldwin County (27) - Georgia Military College

Georgia Military College is located in Milledgeville, Baldwin County, GA.  Their motto is Start Here...Go Anywhere.

Mascot is the Bulldog.

Sibley Cone Library

Georgia's Old Capital (1805-1868)

Madison County (38) - Dr. Crawford W. Long (1815 - 1878)

Courthouse Sq. Danielsville, GA

Dr. Crawford W. Long was a surgeon and pharmacist. He is remember as the first physician to use ether as an anesthetic in surgery on March 30, 1842.

Born in Danielsville, GA (Madison County) on November 1, 1815, Long was the son of James and Elizabeth Long. His father was a state senator. It is said that Dr. Long was named after  Georgia statesman William H. Crawford.

Long attended the University of Georgia and roomed with Alexander H. Stephens who would go on to become the vice-President of the Confederate States of America. There is a plaque on the building at the University of Georgia commemorating the roommates. 

Old College, University of Georgia. The plaque is located on the second floor between the last two windows.

A monument to Dr. Long was erected by The Woman's Club of Danielsville on March 30, 1926.

Clarke County (25) - Moina Michael's First Poppy

Moina Michael, the Poppy Lady is the originator of the idea of using the poppy as a symbol of remembrance for our fallen servicemen in World War II.  In November 1918 Ms. Michael was inspired by John McCrae's poem, In Flanders Field to her poem, We Shall Keep the Faith. She also went to Wanamaker's Department store and purchases several poppies. She also vowed to wear a poppy in remembrance. She campaigned not only to have the poppy adopted as the symbol of remembrance but also for the sale of poppies to support returning disabled veterans. as a result of Ms. Moina's efforts the American Legion adopted the poppy as a symbol of remembrance in 1921.

This is one of the original poppies. It is now on exhibit at the University of Georgia Special Collections Library in Athens, Georgia. 

To learn more about Moina Michael check out the Moina Michael Poppy Project.

We Shall Keep the Faith

Oh! you who sleep in Flanders Fields,

Sleep sweet - to rise anew!

We caught the torch you threw

And holding high, we keep the Faith

With All who died.

We cherish, too, the poppy red

That grows on fields where valor led;

It seems to signal to the skies

That blood of heroes never dies,

But lends a lustre to the red

Of the flower that blooms above the dead

In Flanders Fields.

And now the Torch and Poppy Red

We wear in honor of our dead.

Fear not that ye have died for naught;

We'll teach the lesson that ye wrought

In Flanders Fields

                                                                                                                     

Clarke County (25) - REM Trestle

This iconic trestle known as the Murmur Trestle was made famous in 1983 by the rock band REM.  They featured the trestle on their album Murmur.

Built in 1883 by the Georgia Railroad this trestle was part of an extension into downtown Athens, GA.  It was slated for demolition in 2000. REM fans convinced the county to purchase trestle and this is how it stands to this day.

You can get a great view of the trestle by visiting Dudley Park. There is a parking lot on Poplar Street located behind Mama's Boys restaurant (197 Oak St, Athens, GA 30601)

Clarke County (25) - Elijah Clarke Monument

Located on Broad Street across from the University of Georgia, this monument to Elijah Clarke was unveiled on November 4th, 1904. The 30-foot monument was one of the first projects of the Elijah Clark Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Elijah Clarke was an officer during the Revolutionary War most known for his victory at the Battle of Kettle Creek in nearby Wilkes County.  He led a group from Wilkes County who fought from Augusta to the Tennessee border earing Clarke a reputation as a great partisan leader. After the war the state gave Clarke a plantation formerly owned by a Tory Loyalists by the name of Thomas Waters.  

After the way Clarke settled into anything but a peaceful life. In 1787 he served as General of the Militia and fought the Creeks at Jack's Creek in Walton County. In 1794, he tried to form an independent state called the Trans-Oconee Republic. 

Elijah Clarke died in Augusta on December 5th, 1799.  In 1801, Clarke County was formed and named for the former Revolutionary War Hero.