The Morris Museum of Art was the first museum completely focused on the art and artists of the American South. Through its annual Southern Soul and Song series, the museum can highlight more than visual art.
“This is our 18th season in our 19th year,” said Kevin Grogan, the museum’s executive director. “It’s much of what we’d planned to do last year.”
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The annual music series is set to return in September after a pandemic-imposed hiatus. The six-concert series will be September through February and features different bluegrass and Americana artists.
The series debuted in 2003.
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“When it started in 2003, it contributed mightily to the renaissance of downtown Augusta as a site for live performance,” he said. “We had no competition. There was no Miller, no Columbia County Performing Arts Center.”
The series was a hit. The next year, Grogan said they tried to highlight a different type of music with Southern roots — gospel. But it was not nearly as successful as the inaugural season with its bluegrass leanings.
“It tanked,” he said.
So organizers returned to the successful formula the following year. The series has brought in acts such as Doc Watson, who played Southern Soul and Song the year before he died.
“He was amazing,” Grogan said. “He played until 11:30.”
The series has explored other music forms, mixing in jazz, roots and gospel with its mainstays of country, bluegrass and Americana. Other acts that brought down the house have included the Preservation Jazz Hall Band, Del McCoury, Marty Stuart and Pam Tillis. Georgia Public Broadcasting even partnered with the series at one time.
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Some concerts have had more direct ties to the museum. Marty Stuart not only played but exhibited some of his photographs in 2016.
Grogan said he’s looking forward to the series returning.
This year’s season features Mountain Heart with guest the Band of Kelleys, Sept. 10; Dan Tyminski, Oct. 8; Yonder Mountain String Band, Nov. 12; Ricky Skaggs, Dec. 17; Balsam Range and The Cleverlys, Jan. 14, 2022; and Sam Bush, Feb. 11, 2022. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Imperial Theatre.
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Individual and season tickets go on sale Aug. 10. Season ticketholders will receive six shows for the price of five. Season tickets range from $100-$250 and individual tickets range from $20-$50. For tickets, visit imperialtheatre.com or call the theater box office at (706) 722-8341.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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