Tag Archives: Georgia Musicians

South Georgia Tobacco Culture, 1955

1 Reply

This rare postcard from my collection is postmarked 1955 from Lyons. I don’t know that the photograph was local to that area; it may have been a stock image sold in different parts of the South, but it’s one of my favorites.

I love what our friend Jesse Bookhardt wrote: Thanks for posting this postcard of tobacco culture. I have a card in my small collection of South Georgia farmers planting tobacco by hand in 1948 at Santa Claus, Georgia. I remember the planting events well. The whole family participated and it usually lasted all day depending upon the amount of acreage to be planted. Prior to planting in April, farmers grew their own plants in long rectangular beds that they sewed in late February or March. A hand planter that could also plant peppers or tomatoes was used. Its operation required a planter, a plant dropper, and someone to keep water available when needed. That way of life has long passed but not the memories of this old South Georgia boy.

The Parish Family’s “Old House”

3 Replies

The Parish Family Music CD Cover Old House Photograph Copyright Brian Brown Vanishing South Georgia USA 2014

Whether you’re a gospel fan or country music is your preference, you’ll find a perfect combination of those two styles with The Parish Family’s newest CD, Old House. (I was honored that they used one of my photographs on the cover). Longtime country and gospel fans familiar with the band Shenandoah will enjoy Marty Raybon’s guest spot. The Parish Family is based in Bainbridge and consists of brothers Ronnie & Mark, and Ronnie’s wife, Kesha Parish. All three members are accomplished songwriters and perform largely from their own catalog. They’ve had number one hits and continue to receive numerous awards, but when you listen to their work, you’ll know that they’re not in it for that. There’s no doubting that they love what they do.  To me, it’s like hearing the old-time gospel I remember from my childhood with a slightly modern twist.

Henry C. Day House, 1870s, Brunswick

Leave a reply

This was the home of Sidney Lanier’s brother-in-law, Henry C. Day and it was here in the 1870s that the famous poet stayed in an attempt to overcome tuberculosis. During this time he was inspired to pen The Marshes of Glynn, his most famous work.

Brunswick Old Town Historic District, National Register of Historic Places

Ma Rainey Home, Columbus

Leave a reply

Born in either in Alabama in 1882 or in Columbus in 1886, Gertrude Malissa Nix Pridgett was interested in music from an early age and played in a talent show at the nearby Springer Opera House at the age of 14. In 1902 she began touring with minstrel shows and by 1904 had met and married William “Pa” Rainey, hence her professional name, “Ma” Rainey. They first operated the Alabama Fun Makers Company but by 1906 were touring with the Rabbit’s Foot Company. In 1914, the pair were known as the “Assasinators of the Blues”.  The marriage didn’t last long after this time, but her musical innovations, introducing blues and jazz into her acts, led to her billing as “Mother of the Blues”.  She was said to be a major influence on Bessie Smith, with whom she toured for a time. She was a pioneer female recording artist and made 94 records for Paramount. At least 47 were her own compositions. She is a member of several halls of fame, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and was featured on a 1994 commemorative U. S. postage stamp. She built this house for her mother at the height of her success (likely the mid-1920s) and upon returning to Columbus to manage three theatres in 1935, she moved in. She died in 1939.

By 1991, the house was nearly demolished due to its derelict state, but thanks to the efforts of Fred C. Fussell and Friends of Ma Rainey chairwoman Florene Dawkins, it was saved. Find out more from Columbus Parks and Recreation, who now administer this important historic site.

National Register of Historic Places

 

Mt. Olive A. M. E. Church, Ocilla

1 Reply
Historic Mt. Olive AME Church in Ocilla, Georgia. Dave Prater of Sam & Dave sang in the choir in his youth.

This is one of Ocilla’s most historic Black congregations. Notably, Dave Prater (1937-1988), of the famed soul duo Sam & Dave, sang in the church choir here in his youth. The seventh of ten children, Dave and his brother J. T. were members of the gospel group the Sensational Hummingbirds before Dave moved on to secular music. Dave grew up in Ocilla and his mother, Mary Pressley Prater (1902-1997) was a longtime member of Mt. Olive.

Karen P. writes: “This church is located on 7th Street, just east of the former railroad track that virtually separated the town by race. This was a grand building with a small balcony. My 87 year old mother remembers that it was a white church purchased by the African Methodist Episcopal congregation and moved to this site...”