If you enjoy grooving to classic R&B hits peppered with bluesy originals that put you in a mellow state of mind, then you need to catch Greg Fortune on your next live music adventure. You will not be disappointed.
For a while now I had hoped to catch Fortune at one of his many shows around Augusta. However, my schedule and his never seemed to mesh. That changed, however, when the stars aligned and made it possible for me to see him play on a Sunday afternoon.
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It wasn’t until I spied a post on Facebook that I realized Doc’s Porchside offers Sunday brunch. Not only that, but there is also live music at the restaurant on the stage near the bar from noon to 2 p.m. After a busy Saturday with very little down time for rest, I decided that brunch with the music of Greg Fortune might be the best way for Dean and me to ease into our Sunday.
I was correct.
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The parking lot was already packed when we arrived at 11. Hungry for good food with a side of cool tunes, we were sat near the stage and ordered eats from the brunch menu then settled in for a leisurely meal. Greg Fortune took the stage at noon and began his set with one of my all-time favorite ’70s hits “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone” by Bill Withers. Fortune’s buttery smooth voice carried the haunting lyrics to a celestial height. The Atlanta-based artist then served up a tasty acoustic selection of covers including “Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman, “Just the Two of Us” by Bill Withers, and “Margaritaville” by Jimmy Buffet.
The combination of Fortune’s guitar playing and vocal stylings created a warm, organic sound that relaxed me and made me crave to hear some of his originals. While I do enjoy hearing cover songs, my true love is hearing music crafted by the artists themselves. To my surprise and delight, in the mix of his set list Fortune treated us to one of his original songs. It was a fun and bouncy tune called “Southern Girls.”
After having had a taste of Greg Fortune’s creative talent, I can truly say that my Sunday had been set up on a very good foot.
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A self-taught guitarist, Fortune performs regularly at many music venues including the Hard Rock Café in Atlanta. He also plays regularly at venues around the CSRA. If you enjoy classic R&B, blues and jazz but haven’t yet taken in his smooth sounds, then you are in for a treat. With superb songwriting skills and a beautiful voice to match his music, Greg Fortune delivers. You can find him online at www.greg4tune.com where you can purchase his CDs of original music.
Doc’s Porchside has two locations, one in Augusta and another in Grovetown. Visit them online at https://docsporchside.com.
If you are looking for something fun to do Friday, go back to the future at 80s Underground #27. DJ Codec spins the best of the decade at this monthly dance party held at Joe’s Underground in downtown Augusta. Show starts at 9 p.m. and there is a $5 cover charge. On Saturday, stop in at Stay. Social Tap + Table in Evans for a cold brew and a fun night grooving along with Blue Lava. His show begins at 7 p.m. Also in Evans on Saturday, Keith Gregory brings his acoustic music to Suite 10. Show starts at 7 p.m.
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.
