The Night Beat: Mellow Mushroom Evans
Musical entertainment isn’t just limited to the weekends. On Thursday, July 22, my husband and I found ourselves itching to take in some live music over dinner, so I hit up Facebook to see what events were happening. During my search of Augusta-area venues, I stumbled upon the page for Mellow Mushroom in Evans and noticed that the duo Forest & Shep were playing there at 6:30 p.m. It had been a while since we’d last seen our friend and local musician Jason Shepard, and even longer of a while since we’d had pizza, so when I discovered he was playing there I knew we had to go.
Hungry for music and delicious eats, my husband and I arrived early to find a packed restaurant with only one table remaining near the bar. We were quickly seated at the two-person high top where we ordered our drinks and dinners.
Jason Shepard and his friend Forest Colter set up their gear along the back wall and began playing on schedule. Performing as Forest & Shep, the duo kicked off the evening’s entertainment with Ben Harper’s “Steal My Kisses” before launching into “Take It Easy” by the Eagles. Their repertoire included such classics as “Sweet Melissa” by the Allman Brothers and Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Who’ll Stop the Rain,” two songs that brought a mellow mood to the Mellow Mushroom. With brilliant musicianship, harmonizing vocals and easy-going humor, the sounds of Forest & Shep filled the restaurant with a fun and laid-back groove. If you enjoy classic rock, you will love hearing them play. Do yourself a favor and go see them when you can. You’ll be glad you did.
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Beer lovers will appreciate drink menu at the Mellow Mushroom. With a vast selection of draft and bottle beers, the bar offers a wide variety to suit many tastes. We enjoyed an ice-cold pint of Southern Brewing Co.’s Red and Black. If you are one who likes to try new-to-you brews, you may enjoy this delicious ruby-red sour. It is a perfect drink for summer. And, if you’re a Georgia Bulldog fan, you’ll appreciate that the beer is brewed in Athens. Go Dawgs!
With its colorful decor and hippie-happy vibe, the Mellow Mushroom is a pizza-lover’s destination. Founded in 1974, the chain began its life as a small restaurant in downtown Atlanta. Over the years, the company has grown and expanded to over 200 locations across the United States. In the CSRA, you can find Mellow Mushroom restaurants at 1167 Broad St., Augusta; 151 Bee Lane, Aiken; and 4348 Washington Rd., Evans.
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For more information on Jason Shepard, visit his Instagram account at instagram.com/jshep67. Keep up with Forest Colter online at reverbnation.com/forestcolter.
To learn more about Mellow Mushroom in Evans, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/MellowMushroomEvans.
MORE: The Night Beat: Wild Wing Cafe
Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Bodega Cat takes the stage at Metro Coffee House at 9 p.m. Aug. 6. Get there early. On Saturday, Aug. 7, Ian and Dr. B perform at World of Beer beginning at 8 p.m. Parts & Labor plays at 9 p.m. Saturday at Southbound Smokehouse Riverside.
Francie Klopotic is an author, artist and music aficionado living in Augusta. She writes The Night Beat column the first and third Fridays of each month.
