The Miller Theater hosted a Friendsgiving concert on Wednesday night headlined by Swamp Music, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band, along with other local acts including Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers and Ryan Abel & Friends.
Miller Marketing Manager Katie Brooks said the concert was there to serve as a fun event for locals and their families visiting for Thanksgiving.
“Thanksgiving can be stressful and it can be kind of overwhelming at times, so we really want it to be a night where people can come enjoy music, have fun, kind of let their worries dissipate,” said Brooks. “They can stress tomorrow, they can have awkward family conversations at the dinner table tomorrow, but for tonight, we want them to be able to just sing along to some great songs that we all know and love.”
‘We came up during Lynyrd Skynyrd’
Concertgoer and Augusta native Vickie Whitaker said she’s a “big fan” of Southern rock.
“We came up during Lynyrd Skynyrd, and this music era, so that’s why we’re here,” she said. “These tribute bands are next to the best thing.”
Another guest, Michael Laskoskie, said Wednesday night was his first time seeing Swamp Music perform, although he’s seen Lynyrd Skynyrd themselves “at least a dozen times.”
“The Miller is a great place,” added Laskoskie. “It’s a really great job the city’s done with this place.”
Rocking out for a cause
The event was not only a celebration of Southern rock, but also a fundraiser for the Golden Harvest Food Bank, with $2 from each ticket sold being donated to the food bank.
Concert-goers were also encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to drop off at the event, as the Miller Theater partners with the Golden Harvest Food Bank to help those in need.
Upcoming events
A calendar of upcoming events for the Miller Theater can be found on its website. The next event will be A Motown Christmas on Dec. 2.
