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.