SPECIAL: The Avett Brothers return to Athens with a Purpose

Less than one year after the Avett Brothers last performed in Athens, the legendary Georgia Theatre burned to a pile of ashes. The Georgia Theatre was a special place for musicians and concert goers for years. I sometimes feel that I "grew up" in that building during my college years. Memories of my days in Athens are filled with 32oz beers being poured on either side of the dimly lit room, concerts of national touring bands sometimes 4 nights a week, and seeing the signature marquis lit up with a different band name every night. The Theatre always seemed to have something that other venues its size did not. It seemed to always bring an intimate connection between the listener and the performer, creating an active listening experience, no matter what show it was.

In 2005, only a year after the Avett Brothers played their first show in Athens, they found themselves headlining the famous room. The Georgia Theatre became their Athens home, a place where they could bring their unique harmonies and "punkgrass" stylings to both old and new fans. Over the course of the next three years, the Avetts played eight shows at the Theatre.

For the first time in over two years, the Avett Brothers are coming back to town for a special show to help raise money to resurrect the Georgia Theatre from its ashes. On March 29, the Avetts will play the Classic Center with a portion of the proceeds going to the rebuilding of the legendary listening room.

This concert will prove to be a unique experience. The concert is being made possible by UGA’s Terry College of Business Music Business Program. Students will have the opportunity to work to make this the best possible event for all parties involved. According to David Barbe, Interim Director of the program, "it is an opportunity to show what we can accomplish when we pull together the various sectors of the Athens music community."

The show promises to be a great night of music for a great cause. I put this show at the top of my "do not miss" list for 2011.

If you can't make it out to Athens, the Avett Brothers will be on tour throughout the winter and spring. Get out and see some music!!!

1/27 - Kalamazoo, MI - State Theatre
1/28 - Ann Arbor, MI - Ann Arbor Folk Festival
1/29 - South Bend, IN - Morris Performing Arts Center
2/18 - Washington D.C. - DAR Constitution Hall
2/19 - Wilkes Barre, PA - F.M. Kirby Center
2/20 - Geneva, NY - Smith Opera House
3/25 - Clearwater, FL - Ruth Eckerd Hall
3/26 - Live Oak, FL - Suwannee Springfest
3/27 - Augusta, GA - Bell Auditorium
3/29 - Athens, GA - Classic Center
4/8 - Wilmington, NC - Azalea Festival
4/14 - Houston, TX - Verizon Wireless Theater
4/15 - Austin, TX - Old Settler's Music Festival
4/16 - Dallas, TX - Palladium Ballroom
5/29 - Chillicothe, IL - Summer Camp 2011
6/4 - Hunter, NY - Mountain Jam
6/22 - London, UK - Shepherd's Bush Empire

www.theavettbrothers.com