HEADLINER
Reckless Kelly | Website

FEATURING
Few Miles South | Website

OPENER
Red Hoss Sucka’s | Website

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 3, 2023 – (THOMASVILLE, GA) Reckless Kelly front men, brothers Cody and Willy Braun, grew up on the stage. Performing from childhood with their father and two other brothers as a part of Muzzie Braun and The Boys, Cody and Willy have shared stages with Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Glen Campbell, and have appeared on the The Tonight Show, not once, but twice. Eventually outgrowing their posts as “the boys” in dad’s band, the two Idaho brothers broke out on their own first in Bend, Oregon, then in the magical musical mecca of Austin, Texas. Picking up a name and a couple of bandmates along the way, as well as Robert Earl Keen as their first manager, Reckless Kelly was born.  

Fast-forward two-and-a-half decades later and Reckless Kelly is still a staple in the Red Dirt and Americana music scenes, historically hitting an average of 200 venues annually out on tour. In December 2022, however, in an interview with Rolling Stone, the band announced their slow wind-down in the form of a significantly scaled back schedule — just 35 shows a year for three years, culminating in retirement at the end of 2025. 

Perfect Timing 

Reading the Rolling Stone announcement, Thomasville Center for the Arts’ board members Haile McCollum and David Middleton knew the time was right to get Reckless Kelly to Southwest Georgia. Red Dirt country music may claim roots in Oklahoma and Texas, but everyone around here knows Georgia has red hills, too.  

“I saw Reckless Kelly open for the Turnpike Troubadours at Red Rocks last May,” says McCollum. “It was an awesome show. But as cool as Red Rocks was, I can’t wait to see them in a much more intimate setting here in Thomasville’s amphitheater.”  

Back in 2011, McCollum and Middleton were instrumental in imagining the Center’s first DUE SOUTH, a festival designed to celebrate art, music, and food, as well as raise awareness and funds for the work of Thomasville Center for the Arts.  

“DUE SOUTH was inspired by a concert series in Victor, Idaho called Music on Main that David and I go to in the summer,” says McCollum. “We didn’t have much live music in Thomasville at the time, and we knew that if a small, rural town in Idaho could pull it off, we could, too.” 

“It was conceived as a ‘why can’t we do that’ concept,” adds Middleton. “Outdoor, live music was really starting to get traction, especially in the west, and we thought Thomasville could use a dose of it, too.”  

Now in its 13th year, DUE SOUTH has grown from a grassroots concert in the yet-to-be-built downtown amphitheater to an indispensable staple on the South Georgia music scene, hosting up-and-comers, big-names, and sun-setters in alternative country, folk, and Americana music like Turnpike Troubadours, Band of Heathens, Steep Canyon Rangers, and Brent Cobb. 

“Folks come back every year because the experience is unique, and the live music is excellent. Sometimes the bands are up and coming and sometimes established, but maybe not mainstream. Either way, memorable. The food, drink, and art installations make DUE SOUTH a springtime highlight for Thomasville,” says Middleton. 

DUE SOUTH 2023, presented by Thomasville Center for the Arts in partnership with Flowers Auto Group, will be held Saturday, April 15 at the Ritz Amphitheater in downtown Thomasville. The concert takes a spot as one of the first stops on Reckless Kelly’s southeastern farewell tour. Also on stage that evening is female-fronted Few Miles South, a national touring country and roots group created by South Georgia-raised and Grammy-nominated producer/engineer, Blake English, and Los Angeles native and classically-trained singer, Tori Lund. Opener Red Hoss Suckas takes the stage at 6 pm, followed by Few Miles South at 7 pm, and headliner Reckless Kelly at 8 pm. General admission tickets are $30 in advance ($40 at the gate). Kids 12 and under free. 

Why a Music Festival? 

“Due South is a laid back, fun event that combines the best of music, food and art for all ages,” says McCollum. “We have a knack for bringing fantastic emerging and established bands to Thomasville… Combine that with art and food, and it’s a winning combination that everyone looks forward to.” 

Music is just one layer of DUE SOUTH’s multifaceted experience. Concert-goers can also expect a selection of top-notch local eats, food trucks, vendors, art activities and more. Plus, a new public art exhibition is slated for unveiling in the Center’s UnVacant Lot, adjacent to the amphitheater, the week of the concert.  

“We’re an arts center,” says festivals director Mariam Mirabzadeh, “It’s very important for us to create experiences that offer opportunities for patrons to explore the arts in as many ways as possible — to take in performing art, visual art, culinary art all in one place, and to feel the power of the merging of the senses. DUE SOUTH truly sets the stage for connection to community and creativity.” 

Bringing It Full Circle 

At the end of the day, Thomasville Center for Arts’ mission is the driving force behind DUE SOUTH. Proceeds from the concert go directly back to the Center for youth and adult arts education, artist development, and exhibitions.  

“It’s pretty amazing to not only put on these great shows for our community and region, but then to turn around and use the funds raised from the event to teach kids how to perform, how to be musicians, how to feel empowered by art,” says Thomasville Center for the Arts development director Joanne Thomas.  

And that’s where businesses and passionate individuals really show up, says Thomas. “Our DUE SOUTH sponsors, like this year’s presenting partner Flowers Auto Group, remind us year after year that this is a community that truly values the arts. And as a thank you, we love giving sponsors an extra special evening.” 

Patrons who support the Center’s education and outreach programs through DUE SOUTH sponsorships receive complimentary event tickets, food, beverage, and other perks, but the value of event is something much bigger. 

“We focus most of our charitable efforts around supporting children,” says David Flowers, dealer principal at Flowers Auto Group. “If you want a better world tomorrow than we have today, it begins by making positive impacts on young people and helping steer their lives in the right direction. Exposure to arts aids the development of important skill sets critical to personal success later in life. I have a lot of admiration for the opportunities the Center for the Arts provides to children in our community, and I’m thrilled to help support such efforts through DUE SOUTH.” 

To purchase tickets, learn more about the bands, explore all the Center has to offer, or become a sponsor, visit ThomasvilleArts.org/DueSouth. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

March 7, 2023 – (THOMASVILLE, GA) Thomasville Center for Arts’ mission is the driving force behind DUE SOUTH, an annual celebration of the sights, sounds, and tastes of the south. Each year, proceeds from this popular concert go directly back to the Center for youth and adult arts education, artist development, and exhibitions.  

“It’s pretty amazing to not only put on these great shows for our community and region, but then to turn around and use the funds raised from the event to teach kids how to perform, how to be musicians, how to feel empowered by art,” says Thomasville Center for the Arts development director Joanne Thomas.  

The Center for the Arts boasts a robust arts education program, including youth camps, afterschool classes, adult workshops, hands-on 2nd Saturday activities for all ages, and immersions in local schools. On exhibition this month in the Center’s galleries is the Youth Arts Month show which highlights the many artistic kids and young adults in our community. 

“First and foremost, we’re an arts center,” says event organizer Mariam Mirabzadeh. “It’s very important for us to create experiences that offer opportunities for patrons to explore the arts in as many ways as possible – to take in performing art, visual art, culinary art all in one place, and to feel the power of the merging of the senses. DUE SOUTH truly sets the stage for connection to community and creativity.” 

What to Expect 

Music is just one layer of DUE SOUTH’s multifaceted experience, which is now entering its 13th year on the Thomasville scene. Concert-goers can expect a selection of top-notch local eats, food trucks, vendors, art activities and more. Plus, a new public art exhibition is slated for unveiling in the Center’s UnVacant Lot, adjacent to the amphitheater, the week of the concert.  

“Due South is a laid back, fun event that combines the best of music, food and art for all ages,” says Haile McCollum, Center for the Arts board member and one of the original founders of DUE SOUTH. “We have a knack for bringing fantastic emerging and established bands to Thomasville… Combine that with art and food, and it’s a winning combination that everyone looks forward to.” 

That’s where businesses and passionate individuals really show up, too, says Thomas. “Our DUE SOUTH sponsors, like this year’s presenting partner Flowers Auto Group, remind us year after year that this is a community that truly values the arts. And as a thank you, we love giving sponsors an extra special evening.” 

Patrons who support the Center’s education and outreach programs through DUE SOUTH sponsorships receive complimentary event tickets, food, beverage, and other perks, but the value of event is something much bigger. 

David Flowers, dealer principal at Flowers Auto Group agrees. 

“If you want a better world tomorrow than we have today, it begins by making positive impacts on young people and helping steer their lives in the right direction,” says Flowers. “Exposure to arts aids the development of important skill sets critical to personal success later in life. I have a lot of admiration for the opportunities the Center for the Arts provides to children in our community, and I’m thrilled to help support such efforts through DUE SOUTH.” 

2023 Line-Up 

DUE SOUTH 2023 will be held Saturday, April 15 at the Ritz Amphitheater in downtown Thomasville. Consistently serving as a platform for both established and emerging artists, especially those in the Americana, folk, and red dirt genres, this year’s headliner, Reckless Kelly, perfectly fits the bill. 

Just like some of the Center’s talented youth artists, Reckless Kelly front men, brothers Cody and Willy Braun, grew up on the stage. Performing from childhood with their father and two other brothers as a part of Muzzie Braun and The Boys, Cody and Willy have shared stages with Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Glen Campbell, and have appeared on the The Tonight Show, not once, but twice. Eventually outgrowing their posts as “the boys” in dad’s band, the two added some bandmates, as well as Robert Earl Keen as their first manager, and Reckless Kelly was born.  

Touring steadfastly for a few decades, Reckless Kelly recently announced their slow wind-down in the form of a significantly scaled back schedule – just 35 shows a year for three years, culminating in retirement at the end of 2025. DUE SOUTH is an early stop on the band’s southeastern farewell tour. 

“I saw Reckless Kelly open for the Turnpike Troubadours at Red Rocks last May,” says McCollum. “It was an awesome show. But as cool as Red Rocks was, I can’t wait to see them in a much more intimate setting here in Thomasville’s amphitheater.”  

Also on stage that evening is female-fronted Few Miles South, a national touring country and roots group created by South Georgia-raised and Grammy-nominated producer/engineer, Blake English, and Los Angeles native and classically-trained singer, Tori Lund. Opener Red Hoss Suckas takes the stage at 6 pm, followed by Few Miles South at 7 pm, and headliner Reckless Kelly at 8 pm. Gates open at 5 pm, and general admission tickets are $30 in advance ($40 at the gate). Kids 12 and under are free. 

To purchase tickets, learn more about the bands, explore all the Center has to offer, or become a sponsor, visit ThomasvilleArts.org/DueSouth.