Music that even a godless heathen could love
To kick off tonight’s festivities, we feature another submission from one of blog regulars, in this case the iconoclast known hereabouts as Godless Heathen. I confess, reading his introduction the first time through put a smile on my face. I think you’ll enjoy it just as much as you’ll enjoy his musical selection, which is saying something.
So with no further adieu, ladies and gentlemen, Godless Heathen:
I can’t claim deep ancestral roots in Georgia, being the first member of my family born in this state. And although my hometown would eventually become part of the metropolitan Atlanta area, it was much more rural than suburban when I was a child.
Men in Liberty overalls would still sit around a pot-belly stove talking about the weather and the crops while they sipped Cokes. From time to time, they would quietly spike those Cokes from a pint nestled in the front pocket, right next to a short-barrel .38 Smith.
It wasn’t a time of innocence, but rather a time when the old-timers cussed the change barreling down on them. I was in the first school classes to be desegregated, and we watched the space race from our wooden desks. It’s almost as though Georgia moved from the 19th to the 21st centuries during my life.
I left Georgia for a while after college, but she drew me back and I won’t mind if I never leave her again. My vocation and avocations have taken me to every nook and cranny of this state, from the hills of Habersham to the marshes of Glynn. I can document visiting all 159 counties of Georgia and not many can say that. I’ve been 70 stories above Peachtree Street and a hundred feet below it.
I’ve been surrounded by head-high Seminole County cotton when the temperature was over 100 degrees and the gnats were as thick as the air. I’ve taken a plunge into Chattooga River whitewater when it was so cold that ice formed on our boats and clothes. I’ve been into her bowels in a Walker County cave and madly in love on St Simon’s island. I’ve stood atop Brasstown Bald and staggered through Underground.
I tasted all her delicious foods, from fine Atlanta restaurant cuisine to Americus pool-hall chili, though I still can’t stomach collards. I watched Hank Aaron belt ‘em out of Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium and stood alongside the first black mayor of Atlanta to watch that landmark implode into a pile of rubble.
And I’ve laid far too many friends and loved ones to rest in her red dirt.
So my Friday Night Music dedication is to the great state of Georgia. She ain’t perfect, but I’m her son and I love her like a son loves his mother. They say this song is about a woman and not the state, but we’ve adopted it as ours, and it’s the official state song. So many great artists have performed it, but I like the Red-headed Stranger’s version the best. I hope it will inspire a theme of music about Georgia and by Georgia artists.
– Jay Bookman
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680 comments Add your comment
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 17th, 2012
3:43 pm
Beautifully put, GH.
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 17th, 2012
3:48 pm
I hope it will inspire a theme of music about Georgia and by Georgia artists.
I know REM probably gets overplayed here, but this is one from an (I think) under-appreciated lp.
its last track, and the last album with the original line-up–
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LewYq40Svw
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 17th, 2012
3:49 pm
um, Jay, the slanties? can you do somethin’ about that before you pack up and leave, maybe?
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
3:49 pm
How about the first time it was recorded lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVMYxdL00YY
liberal hack
August 17th, 2012
3:49 pm
good job GH,
now to another great song to glorify a great part of this state!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DE-UgY3PqA
josef
August 17th, 2012
3:50 pm
HEATHEN
Well said, my man, well said…and while Georgia may not be my mother, she’s my step-mother and has been good to me…
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
3:50 pm
Take the italics off jay. You forgot a somewhere
liberal hack
August 17th, 2012
3:50 pm
stands for decibels, if I’m using the terminology right, I responded to you downstairs. but if I’m wrong, on page 8 of the previous blog….
stands for decibels (SfBA)
August 17th, 2012
3:52 pm
LH, I see your reply, thanks. I’ll have a quick reply myself and be on my way.
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
3:52 pm
godless
Way cool man……… way cool.
That was pretty damn good.
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
3:53 pm
Yo Godless Heathen? Have you ever seen the Blue Ridge Mountains Boy? Or the Chattahoochee? Or the Honey Suckle Blue?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_3CvrKWQe0
Georgia is a beautiful state...
August 17th, 2012
3:54 pm
…but look at California…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx5qke8XzS4
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
3:55 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxOdKAoc0co
liberal hack
August 17th, 2012
3:55 pm
Fred, I love that song! Great choice!
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
4:02 pm
There are so MANY good tunes about Georgia. Where do you start? Well Where GH did obviously but after that?
How about an early Christmas song?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj8d7p4PTPI
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
4:05 pm
Liberal Hack: I loved that song from the moment I first heard it, to me the best one Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ did. Same with this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjiBLo-qKZw
josef
August 17th, 2012
4:06 pm
Where to begin…we could be here for months and still not scratch the surface, but well, I kinda like this Georgia Belle…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fizLgmUHmw
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:06 pm
Fred
Great call on the ARS. Those dudes could flat out play
TaxPayer
August 17th, 2012
4:07 pm
Well, I guess we can put up with one more immigrant here as long as you sweet talk our state like that. I remember racing our cars around I-285 right after it opened. There were a few pink slips that swapped hands that night and fortunately mine wasn’t one of them. Salute!
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 17th, 2012
4:07 pm
Well I was neither born nor raised here….but I do remember one of the first songs I heard about Georgia from a movie with Bert Reynolds. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA61zycbLSI&feature=related
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:10 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynfk7izWNE8
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
4:11 pm
LOL Keep. Did you see Redneck Convert’s dance in that video/ It was right after he pumped the gas……..
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 17th, 2012
4:12 pm
He’s got the moves then Fred…… Wonder where the little missus was.
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:12 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aC7_LAklaHo
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
4:13 pm
How about a cry in your beer Country song from a Newnan Native?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Qaf7yXLZE
Gladys Knight
August 17th, 2012
4:13 pm
Time to catch that train…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2gKR422nOQ
Matti
August 17th, 2012
4:15 pm
WOW! (**wiping away tears**)
Yep. I grew up here with my Granny & Papa and all my aunts & uncles & cousins. Early memories: the pink pig at Christmas, and singing this along with the radio:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v78-ftcqpNw
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:16 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTD-fIiSrh8
FrankLeeDarling
August 17th, 2012
4:16 pm
their shows at the Clermont lounge were always memorable
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTCBc58qizc&feature=relmfu
Matti
August 17th, 2012
4:16 pm
BOTH,
Ohhhhhhhh, yeah. Early in the morning, baby.
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
4:16 pm
Keep: If you watch real careful you’ll see through the window at about 6:24 in the video you posted….. she has a blanket on her head like a scarf.
moonbat betty
August 17th, 2012
4:16 pm
Fred, love that Drivin’ and Cryin’ – Great summertime song!
Here’s another one from a GA boy about growing up in GA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW5UEW2kYvc
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
4:17 pm
She HER Keep lol.
moonbat betty
August 17th, 2012
4:17 pm
Oh, and awesome story and song choice, Heathen!
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 17th, 2012
4:19 pm
Well here is another GA boy…. but you might have to explain this to the kids what with all the cell phones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29ebiwO4O70
moonbat betty
August 17th, 2012
4:20 pm
Ahhhhh, summer nights in GA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4ujS1er1r0
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:21 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qte7CB1SfHI
moonbat betty
August 17th, 2012
4:22 pm
Keep, this is a good one to start the day off with:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHEkgpQ9kgY
godless heathen
August 17th, 2012
4:23 pm
Thank you all. We won’t have trouble finding theme music.
Both: We booked Mother’s for a high school dance. Loved ‘em.
Tax: What’d you have to drive?
Here’s one that’s kinda new. About my new “hometown”
http://youtu.be/DflqLIUL2d4
Bernie
August 17th, 2012
4:24 pm
Jay, If this idea of this regular diatribe to reduce readership and internet traffic on Friday’s! Congratulations! I hope management is Happy!
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:24 pm
Oh baby you know who you are
Let’s cry for this bad man
I wrote a song for the bad man way down in Georgia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k5ETMt2nkE
TURN IT UP
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:25 pm
godless
How was the show in Athens?
TaxPayer
August 17th, 2012
4:29 pm
What’d you have to drive?
‘65 Mustang.
JamVet
August 17th, 2012
4:30 pm
heathen, u da man!
Syrupy sweet goodness from Boz…
Gorgeous
Enough to make an angels heart run wild
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jnowrxj_cbQ
skydog
August 17th, 2012
4:31 pm
Y`all need to come on down to Fat Matts Rib Shack tonite and hear our band Sly Dog. http://www.reverbnation.com/theslydogband
(Please excuse the sound quality. We are just getting things together)
Georgia boys playing mostly Georgia music. Blues & Blues Rock
Got slide? We have.
FrankLeeDarling
August 17th, 2012
4:31 pm
these local youngsters are doing quit well
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJojRf6Kf8o&feature=relmfu
getalife
August 17th, 2012
4:31 pm
Towards the end of life you get this nagging feeling to return home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBcADQziQWY
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
4:31 pm
Here’s a “different” Georgia on My Mind. There’s a dude who links it all the time and after hearing it a few times and then looking up the lyrics it has really grown on me. It’s not my usual genre but wtf right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kH_EZF0XqM
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:32 pm
Well I might go out to California
Might go down to Georgia
I don’t know
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsIqEq9OFxE
godless heathen
August 17th, 2012
4:32 pm
Both, It was great. We got to sit backstage and see all the behind the scenes action. Willie and Sis Bobbie are amazing to be still doing it.
jd
August 17th, 2012
4:33 pm
Ayn Rand is godless and a heathen — so this should play well with the religious right..
moonbat betty
August 17th, 2012
4:34 pm
Another classic from Bert Reynolds and GA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnRwQjTYfGI
Chris Sanchez
August 17th, 2012
4:35 pm
Nice…somethings on Bookman’s blog we can agree on!
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:36 pm
Well, you can see her walkin’ down on Peachtree Street
She got high-heeled shoes and a dot on her cheek
She’s lookin’ good, she’s headed downtown
Ain’t got no money, honey, she knows her way around
I think she’s cute, think she’s cute as she can be
Talkin’ about a funny talkin’, honky tonking Georgia peach
Well these Georgia Peaches, son, they know their way around
They can take your money, son, before you get sight of town
Well they talk a little funny, but they look so fine
Yes, nine out of ten of them gonna sell you a dime
I think they’re cute, think they’re cute as they can be, ooh yeah
I’m talkin’ about a funny talkin’, honky tonking Georgia peach
Well, peaches, peaches
Love them Georgia peaches
Peaches, peaches
Love them Georgia peaches
Well them Georgia peaches, sure do got the style
They’ll steal your heart with a Southern smile
Well they talk a little funny, but they look so fine
The older they get, oh Lord, I swear it’s like good wine
I think they’re cute, think they’re cute as they can be
Talkin’ about a funny talkin’, honky tonking Georgia peach
Talkin’ about a funny talkin’ Georgia peach
Bernie
August 17th, 2012
4:37 pm
Enter your comments here
JamVet
August 17th, 2012
4:38 pm
skydog, great sounding stuff!
Good luck tonight at Fat Matt’s!
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:38 pm
godless
Sweet. Glad you enjoyed. Sounds like it was a great time
Bernie
August 17th, 2012
4:39 pm
If the idea of Music Friday’s is designed to drive down readership and Internet Traffic… Congratulations!
moonbat betty
August 17th, 2012
4:39 pm
Great song, Bernie!
josef
August 17th, 2012
4:39 pm
and moving on another few decades…another great Georgian…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRSEst7ze0g&feature=related
godless heathen
August 17th, 2012
4:39 pm
skydog: You ever make it down to Macon?
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
4:41 pm
godless: Nice, I had never heard of Jamey before.
skydog: bad sound and all, I wish I could make the show tonight. Ya’ll sound good.
Here is one from a fairly new Atlanta band, Blackberry Smoke, that Melissa Ruggieri did a write up on in her new blog Atlanta Music scene. First I’ll link her blog then the tune.
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-music-scene/2012/08/14/tuesday-tunes-spotlight-on-blackberry-smoke/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be6mFKu-u_o
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:41 pm
I woke up this morning, I had them Statesboro Blues
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCzFfUBsxro
godless heathen
August 17th, 2012
4:42 pm
Hi josef. So many great songs being posted. Love that L Richard.
godless heathen
August 17th, 2012
4:43 pm
I looked over in the corner, and grandpa seemed to have them too.
josef
August 17th, 2012
4:43 pm
Homesick and missing Georgia…let a Georgia boy tell ya about it…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOsNCYFOeBs
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:44 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCmUhYSr-e4
I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the ‘Frisco bay
Zebra
August 17th, 2012
4:44 pm
The Dregs were from Miaami but it seemed like they played the Last Resort once a month in the late 70s.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQv2UzUGrto
JamVet
August 17th, 2012
4:44 pm
Not to look down my uppity nose at our neighbors but our staggeringly rich musical heritage here completely dwarfs all of our immediate neighbors. Maybe even put together!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPk6privzmI
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:45 pm
Damn, josef
moonbat betty
August 17th, 2012
4:45 pm
Fred, here is one of my favorites from Jamey:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXKBUK94cC0
skydog
August 17th, 2012
4:46 pm
Thanks JamVet.
This band is just getting going heathen.
We played down their a few years ago at that club on the river with The Donna Hopkins and Liz Melindez Band. We have family from there and Albeeeeny.
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:47 pm
Jam
Back at you
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4OBNy7tWOk
Joe Hussein Mama
August 17th, 2012
4:47 pm
Totally OT, but this is some nice news on a Friday afternoon and I’m sure there will be some video on the news over the weekend.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57495635/uss-constitution-to-sail-under-own-power-for-second-time-in-over-a-century/
It would certainly be neat to actually be in Boston this weekend and get to see it.
Fred ™
August 17th, 2012
4:47 pm
Bernie: Suck a fat babies…….. ah never mind. You ain’t worth it. Here’s a song just for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeohHtSHNYY&feature=related
josef
August 17th, 2012
4:48 pm
HEATHEN
That was one great essay you wrote…I can’t find my own favorite Georgia song by the artist who does it best, but if you haven’t ever heard it, it’s Marshall Chapman’s “Somewhere South of Macon…”
godless heathen
August 17th, 2012
4:48 pm
What Georgia won’t have without TSPLOST. The whacko from Waco:
http://youtu.be/GdYzVFClHyg
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:49 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXmLjbTBcdU
godless heathen
August 17th, 2012
4:51 pm
Re: my link at 4:48. WTF is wrong with those peeps at 2:10 in the video. Looked like a Romney / Ryan rally.
Matti
August 17th, 2012
4:52 pm
skydog,
Liz Melendez is one of my local faves! I bought her CDs, ‘cuz they make me happy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWb5514EV1s
josef
August 17th, 2012
4:52 pm
BOTH
Great minds…eh?
But, hey, just imauo but that one deserves a replay…
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:53 pm
Speaking of Waycross
Mr Gram Parsons spent time growing up down there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCqxq6xqoXI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BXUdxNi1j8
Do I have to use my real name?
August 17th, 2012
4:53 pm
are you kidding? this is great stuff!
skydog
August 17th, 2012
4:53 pm
Thanks Fred.
We have a good time playing. Sometimes (last set) we pass out shakers and tambourines and the gig either turns into a train wreck our sounds really good. Everybody seems to like it and we can`t hear it if a “rogue cow bell star” shows up.
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:53 pm
josef
I was telling myself, watch this gem I am about to post
hahahaha
godless heathen
August 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
JHM: Cool link! What would be cool would to be on her.
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:54 pm
“Do I have to use my real name? ”
Every Friday evening
Join in and add tunes if you are so inclined
FrankLeeDarling
August 17th, 2012
4:55 pm
oh wait! I got it….. this song is perfect for this blog
most people have no idea this song is of local origin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPSq4PyYDD4
skipper
August 17th, 2012
4:56 pm
Jay,
Again good job……..I now am a fan of Alabama Shakes and Carolina Chocolate Drops because of you; my wife bought CD’s of each to play in her store while folks shop!
josef
August 17th, 2012
4:57 pm
For he who Big Daddy won’t let me call by name…
….no huggie, no kissie until…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdpAop7gp0w
JamVet
August 17th, 2012
4:57 pm
Gram Parsons? The Hickory Wind!
I once knew a man, very talented guy
He’s sing for the people and people would cry
They knew that his song came from deep down inside
You could hear it in his voice and see it in his eyes
And so he traveled along, touch your heart, then be gone
Like a flower, he bloomed till that old hickory wind
Called him home
My man’s got it made
He’s gone far beyond the pain
And we who must remain go on living just the same
We who must remain go on laughing just the same
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75IZ4ZL9joI
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
4:58 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdZl9bL_BYM
getalife
August 17th, 2012
4:59 pm
For ryan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNzIKoAy2pk
Matti
August 17th, 2012
5:01 pm
Georgia boys start changing the world:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcV61n-E1sA
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
5:01 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2V2h_Bd_Gg
skydog
August 17th, 2012
5:01 pm
Yeah Matti, Liz can really play.
The night we went to Macon, the other guitar player, Donna Hopkins, went to finish a song and stepped back onto her guitar stand and lost here balance. Instead of sticking her hand out to catch herself she cradled her guitar to prevent it from hitting the brick wall. Her head hit the wall and almost knocked her out. We all rushed over, but the guitar was fine. (just kidding Donna)
Donna couldn`t continue, but Liz finished up.
getalife
August 17th, 2012
5:01 pm
For dave:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfMqR24rQzU
They BOTH suck
August 17th, 2012
5:04 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNUc3t3H7_Q
godless heathen
August 17th, 2012
5:04 pm
josef
August 17th, 2012
4:57 pm
Love that song & video!
getalife
August 17th, 2012
5:04 pm
For robme:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr7drhQn8V0