From guitars to choirs, Georgia celebrates its musical heritage with diverse music festivals.
The state of Georgia has a colorful and complex musical history. For lovers of Classical music, the Atlantic Symphony and Youth Orchestras are renowned. Country is popular and some Nashville greats call Georgia home. Trisha Yearwood, Alan Jackson, and Travis Tritt were born there. African American folk music and gospel have rich Georgian traditions; and the current hip-hop, rhythm and blues, and rock scene are very active, even spawning uniquely-Georgian college rock.
Frogtown Hollow Bluegrass Jam
Each April, fiddlers, base players, guitarists, and other musicians gather along the Chattahoochee River in Columbus for a two-day celebration of everything Bluegrass. At least 15 bands play, but it's not just a music event, there's food, drink, and hot air balloon rides daily.
Frogtown Hollow Bluegrass Jam
Skybar Entertainment LLC
83 Lee Road 552
Smiths, AL 36877
706-905-2614
frogtownhollowbluegrassjam.com
Atlanta Fest
Annually in June, folks gather at destinations, such as Stone Mountain Park, for three days of Christian contemporary and rock music. The event includes 15 or more music groups, food and gift vendors, Christian lifestyle programs, prayer and bible study sessions, and Christian Karaoke competitions.
Atlanta Fest
2703 Ayrshire Reach
Williamsburg, VA 23199
800-965-9324
atlantafest.com
Hoopee Jam
This four-day festival is a modern-day southern Woodstock featuring funk, blues, soul, jam, and even some rock and country. The event takes place in May on a private 100-acre farm in Norristown, and allows a limited number of food and drink vendors, primitive camping (outhouses but no shower facilities), and has a green event policy (pack out whatever was packed in).
Hoopee Jam
Music Matters Entertainment
J. M. Spearman Road
Norristown, GA 30447
478-237-2400
hoopeejam.com
Gram Parsons Guitar Pull and Tribute Festival
Each September this three-day alternative music event features guitar heroes in country, rock, gospel, and folk music. The Okefenokee Fairgrounds in Waycross is the event venue, and RV and tent camping is available on site. Food, beverage and novelty vendors round out the festivities.
Gram Parsons Guitar Pull and Tribute Festival
Okefenokee Fairgrounds
2451 Knight Ave.
Waycross, GA 31501
912-288-3712
gramparsonsguitarpull.com
Atlanta Jazz Festival
In its 33rd year in 2010, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is a two-day event in Atlanta's Piedmont Park. Four or more jazz groups perform, and food and drinks are available on-site and nearby. A craft and artist vendor area are also featured.
Atlanta Jazz Festival
City of Atlanta, Bureau of Cultural Affairs
675 Ponce de Leon Ave., 5th Floor
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-817-681
atlantafestivals.com
Music Festival Lake Oconee
Each October the Madison/Greensboro area hosts a multi-day, multi-venue Festival of Music. In 2010 BeatleMania Live, Dan McGuinnes and Del Suggs provided the musical portion of the event which also included an Artoberfest art gallery show and auction, restaurant tour referred to as a "dinearound," and various other exhibits.
Music Festival Lake Oconee
P.O. Box 126
Madison, GA 30650
706-342-4751
lakeoconeefestivals.com
