Finding Country Music on St. Patrick's Day
The fountain runs green, the people wear green, and if the music painted a picture – it would be green too. The third week in March brings plenty of excitement to Georgia as Savannah hosts one of the nation’s best St. Patrick’s Day festivals.
The festivities begin on Saturday, March 14 and run through St. Patrick’s Day. During this time, hundreds of thousands of people from all over the U.S. will pour into the city to enjoy Irish culture, drink with fellow leprechaun enthusiasts, and listen to music from the five stages that will be situated throughout the area.
The stages are hosted by various sponsors including Bud Light, Yuengling, Red Hare, United Distributors and Wild Wings Café. The five stages are set to have 48 different acts perform over the four day period. The acts range from rock to bluegrass, and country to dance music DJs.
A festival in Georgia just wouldn’t be the same without live country music. Notable country groups that will be performing during the festival are:
The Kenny George Band - Wild Wings Café Stage, Saturday March 14, 12:30 p.m.
Andy Velo - Saddle Bags Country Dance Hall, Saturday March 14, 8 p.m.
Lyn Avenue - Saddle Bags Country Dance Hall, Tuesday March 17, 6:30 p.m.
Situated right in the middle of the action, just a few blocks from River Street, the Wild Wings Cafe stage has a promising line-up for the festivities. They will introduce the first country act of the weekend when The Kenny George Band comes on stage Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
The Kenny George Band comes to Savannah from Aiken, S.C., and brings with them a sound of folk-country. The group mixes the traditional sounds of fiddles and steel-guitars with upbeat vocals and drum beats to create a sound that makes them unique to today’s mainstream country sound.
Kenny George Band’s style can be compared to the mix of tradition and modern country found in Jamey Johnson’s music, and with the slow folk-country styles of Old Crow Medicine Show.
If the streets get too crowded, Saddle Bags – “Savannah’s only Country Dancehall” – will be the place to go to hear that country sound. Saddle Bags, which is located only a couple of blocks away from the Wild Wings stage and right on River Street, will be hosting Nashville recording artist Andy Velo, and Savannah locals Lyn Avenue.
Velo is no stranger to St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah. The Georgia boy is returning to Saddle Bags on Saturday night for a third year to share his music with people from all over who are looking for a fun atmosphere.
Velo’s music boasts the popular sounds of much of today’s contemporary country that’s heard on the radio. His music can be compared to other country newcomers Chase Rice and Jon Pardi.
Andy Velo is a fast rising artist in Nashville due to his sheer talent and the help of corporate promotional partner Jim Beam Whiskey.
Lyn Avenue will take the stage at Saddle Bags to close out the St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Tuesday night from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The pop-country band is led by female-vocalist CC Witt who brings a unique sound to the festival. Witt’s vocals and sincere lyrics create the country twist on the band’s pop-style pace.
Their combination of heartfelt country lyrics, Witt’s subtle southern twang, and a faster paced band can put Lyn Avenue in the same realm as country groups The Band Perry and Sugarland.
Although typical Florida spring break destinations may host Luke Bryan, Lil Jon, and other popular artists during this spring break time – the green-filled streets of Savannah are a great alternative to spend some time during St. Patrick’s Day and hear some local country music.
