This year’s senior classes have donned their caps and gowns, and the porches, patios and decks at the Boro’s many outdoor eating places are packed with patrons enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. It must be summertime in Southeast Georgia.
With the sun setting a little later, it seems like a great time to hit up your favorite local venue for great food and fantastic music. To kick off the season, I wanted to feature a few acts we haven’t talked about before so you can check them out while you’re out there making the most of the longer days.
We’ll start things off with our only solo act. I’m a fan of any musician who knows how to work a looper, and Brandon Sellers is a multi-instrumentalist who does just that: acoustic, electric and banjo plus a looper? What’s not to love? As a solo act, he plays a wide variety of genres from pop, classic rock, southern rock, blues, folk, country, soul, and hip hop.
If that’s not enough, Brandon also has a full band called “Banjo Brandon and the Critters. This unique band takes classic rock and folk songs and throws in a banjo just to mess with you. Seriously, made up of Brandon, Jacob McCooey and Erik Kollars, they are something to see. When he’s not busy with that, Brandon can be found making music with Bryce Leatherwood. Needless to say, he stays busy.
Next on the docket: a duo that are long-time members of the Statesboro music scene. Wes Roger and Scotti Tuhotti have been playing this area for decades. The dynamic duo puts on shows from Statesboro to Savannah and beyond. Around town, you can catch them at Dolan’s, Locos and Gnats. If you want to find out more about them, follow their Facebook page or, better yet, go see them in person!
The next act you should be sure to check out is not a local boy, but he may as well be. Aaron Tanner is from just down the road in Kibbee, Georgia. He’s been playing new songs with an old sound for a while now. I first met him at the Rising Creek Music Series at the Averitt Center, and I’m glad I did. He’s incredibly talented with a deep soulful, southern voice, and his songs strike at the heart of what it means to be a God-fearing man from the south. He’s releasing new music all the time and has recently started booking shows here in Bulloch County. If you see his name no the sign for live music, make sure to go in. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Our last featured act for the month is one like no other in the area. James Pittman is a Statesboro resident who, along with his friend Joe Nelson, plays old-time country music. The duo is also two-thirds of the Contra and Square Dance band called the Glow in the Dark String Band. Now, I don’t know about you, but if you’re like me and love some good old-fashioned country music, these folks fill the bill. They’re also looking for more opportunities to play here in town, so be sure to reach out to them. James is on Facebook, and now that things are almost back to normal, he and Joe are hoping to be playing all around Southeast Georgia.
That’s only four of the dozens of excellent musicians in our area. It’s true Statesboro has a lot to be proud of, but I think one of our biggest bragging rights is the level of talent living within our area. We have no shortage of exceptional acts to enjoy. So, make that your goal this summer. Make this “Live Music Summer” and make a plan to go check out a new act each week. I can promise — you won’t regret it.