Shoal Creek Country Music Park: A Forgotten History

Long before Country music became a fad of designer-ripped jeans & cowboy hats, the Shoal Creek Country Music Park in Lavonia, Ga offered folks of the surrounding areas, a front-row glimpse at what would become arguably the biggest Country music stars of all time.

It was indeed, the place to be every Saturday night.

Founded in 1961 by husband & wife, Alton & Bertha Mae Walters, the Shoal Creek Music Park continues today to host the origins of many a Country music legend & tales, such as Johnny Cash rolling out Folsom Prison Blues, Dolly Parton shaving her legs on the banks of Shoal Creek, (allegedly with Porter Wagoner’s razor), Conway Twitty performing to a crowd of 6,000 fans or Jerry Lee Lewis pushing a loaner piano off of the stage.

One alleged event was Tammy Wynette leaving George Jones, for the final time, drunk on his tour bus at the music park.

Two days later, George woke up and wondered where everyone was.

Shoal Creek poster

GF Happenings / MAY

Matt the People Pleasure

4/29 – Koko Beware + more / GO Bar / Athens, GA
4/29 – Parkertown Pickers / SWAMP Bar / Hartwell, GA
5/6 – JKF Art Opening / Flicker Theatre / Athens, GA
5/7 – Midnight Stranglers / Derby Party / Decatur, GA
5/13 – The Darnell Boys + more / 40 watt / Athens, GA
5/14 – Midnight Stranglers / Superica / Atlanta, GA
5/21 – Athens FACE/OFF / 40 watt / Athens, GA
5/21 – Midnight Stranglers / The Optimist / Atlanta, GA
5/22  – Shoal Creek Stranglers / Depot / Lavonia, GA
5/28 – FNCF+ more / Uptown Lounge / Anderson, SC 
5/29 / Nicholas Mallis + more / Athens, GA

 

 

 

Happenins for OCTOBER

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T.S. Woodward and friends (pictured above) earlier this month sinking in an attempt to capture what will eventually become the cover of his upcoming release, planned for 2016.  Photo courtesy of Woodward’s facespook – Many thanks to Dominar productions.

Below are the GF happenins for OCTOBER

Oct 1st / Caledonia Lounge – Launch into the month as Atlanta’s own Gringo Star revisits the classic city with our pals Slow Parade and Tedo Stone – Visit the official event page for more details – Show starts at 9:30pm – Athens, GA 

Oct 2nd, 3rd and 4th / BRWA Music Fest  – Elf Power, Athens Cowboy Choir, Shoal Creek Stranglers, Scott Spillane, Sea of Dogs, Shade and so many more! Tent Camping and other activities.  Visit official Event Page for details   – this happening is at Camp Kiwanis in  Danielsville, GA

Oct 10th / Lavonia Gazebo – Celebrated poet and local resident John W. Williams will host an autograph session for his latest book “A Cup of Warm Words” as Zeke Sayer provides musical entertainment from 10am-11am at the Gazebo in downtown Lavonia, GA 

Oct 16th and 17th / Mountain Hitchin – The Shoal Creek Stranglers are off to the South-East end of Appalachia this weekend to croon a lovely couple into holy matrimony for all eternity. Our highest congratulations to Ashlie and Andrew! – Asheville, NC 

Oct 22nd / Salem Community Center – Sponsored by the Salem Branch/Oconee County Library presents The Drovers Old Time Medicine Show performing at 7pm in Salem, SC 

Oct 23rd / The Optimist – It’s the infamous return of the Midnight Stranglers performing various renditions of rock and roll treasures from 7-10pm while you sample some of the towns finest seafood cuisine. We wholeheartedly recommend the lobster roll – Atlanta, GA

Oct 30th / Flicker Theatre – Join us for a fabulous evening of music from Old Smokey, Pine Tar Rage (from the upstate of South Carolina), The Shoal Creek Stranglers special electrified set and a solo performance by Garett Hatch.  For more details visit the official event page – Show starts at 10pm / $5 – Athens, GA 

Oct 31st / Flicker Theatre – Prepare for a night of ghoulish delight summoned forth by our ole friends LOS MEESFITS along with ANTLERED AUNT LORD and JOWE HEAD (of Swell Maps – all the way from England!) Visit the official event page for more details – Show starts at 10pm – Athens, GA

HAPPENINS for MAY

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May 1stShoal Creek Stranglers Square in  Hartwell, GA    (RSVP)
May 2nd – SCS at COBB’s Annual Derby Social in Atlanta, GA (Private)
May 2ndThe Subsonics at Hi-Lo Lounge – Athens, GA (RSVP)
May 2ndJacob Morris at Flicker Theatre and Bar – Athens, GA (RVSP)
May 9thThe Cryptides at Creature Comforts – Athens, GA (RSVP)
May 10thNeutral Milk Hotel  at Orange Twin – Athens, GA (RSVP)
May 16th – Parkertown Pickers at PUMC – Lavonia, GA (Directions)
May 17th – SCS at Burgess Historic Cemetery in Lavonia GA (RSVP)
May 23rd – SCS at Nick’s Tavern in Clemson, SC  (RSVP)
May 27thMTC on the Roof-Top at Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA (RSVP)
May 30th – Shoal Creek Stranglers at The Den – Anderson, SC (RSVP)

*SCS = Shoal Creek Stranglers – Swamp String Country Jazz
*MTC = Mother The Car – Guitar based blues granite

Happy Hallows EVE

We here at GF would like to extend our evening invitation to all lovely folks who DARE come out to enter thee Ole Haunted SCHOOL HOUSE and Community Center (via Sandy Cross, GA) for “HALLOWEEN SWAGGER: Pt. 2” which is once again being presented TONIGHT by our friend  Josh Harper.

Performing guests will include Megan Jean and the KFB – all the way from Charleston SC and Harper’s own Rabies Scythe Fight which should get this party started promptly at 7pm (SHARP).  There is even word (all-be-it most likely a dirty rumor) that Georgia Native stand-up guy / comedian REXX HOWARD will be hosting a private set from the woodshed located directly behind the school house which will include complimentary face-painting.

Rexx Howard at Motel 8 by WJAY
Rexx Howard appearance at Motel 8

Official statement from the promoter :    “Better than prom?? Yes!  Better than life? You bet!! (Did you just feel that destiny in the air?)  Come on out this ain’t no breakfast club, it’s Halloween Swagger part 2”

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All bodies are suggested to appear in costume and donations are hauntingly accepted to help with costs / bands.   Please act responsible or we’ll be forced to cast the rains of hell fire down upon you in a timely fashion.  The event is located at 2980 Sandy Cross Road, Royston, Ga 30662 and you are encouraged to RSVP here

GFR PHOTO ARCHIVE

Hartwell Dam

We’ve cast a new space on thee Gypsy Net, particularly to showcase our ever-growing photo archive of noise, night and nonsense.  Shots include scenes from Bands, Athens, Road, Studio, etc…and The Blog Deevison here at Gypsy Farm is aiming to update this page as needed. Most scenes are by our own field snappers, but some unknowns have made their way into the Archive, if you recognize your shot, GET IN TOUCH and we’ll gladly credit you.

OPEN SAYS ME 
OPEN SAYS ME 
OPEN SAYS ME 

Visit Thee Gypsy Farm Photo Archive TODAY!

LEMONLAND

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