As many of you know, the Skillet Lickers (Dacula bluegrass band) are putting together their fourth "Skillet Licker Music Night" on Sunday, September 1 at 5:30pm (2652 Auburn Ave., in Dacula), this time featuring Levi Lowrey. Levi is a southern ground artist who often performs or opens for the Zac Brown Band. He is also a CMA award nominee for writing two of Zac Brown's hit songs, "Colder Weather" and "The Wind". The Skillet Lickers are no stranger to acts like these, as they featured Country music star of the 1990s, John Berry last fall and "Blue Moon Rising" a nationally acclaimed Bluegrass group out of Tennessee in May. However, this event hits close to home. Levi Lowrey and the Skillet Lickers both represent a long living legacy that began in the early 1920s with Gid Tanner, the man who made Country music famous.
While I can't describe Gid Tanner in one article, here is a brief summary: Gid Tanner & his band, "The Skillet Lickers" (today's Skillet Lickers of Dacula are the 3rd and 4th Generation of the original group of the '20s) traveled around the country performing this new style of music, deemed "Hillbilly music". He began recording in 1924 with RCA Victor in New York City, but it wasn't until his final album in 1934 that really made history. He became the first Country music artist to ever sell one million copies of an album. His original songs are still being played by the Skillet Lickers today. (For more on Gid Tanner visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gid_Tanner)
Anyway, Levi Lowrey is also a direct descendant of Gid Tanner (just like the Skillet Lickers). Levi is Gid's great-great grandson. Levi & the Skillet Lickers represent a music legacy that has lived on for almost a century. His great popularity often overshadows his rich roots, but Levi Lowrey doesn't forget his ancestor who he claims is why he "felt no pressure and naturally took to music". He also claims that "music is in his blood", which is true of all Dacula area Tanners. Before becoming the guitar player and vocalist he is now, he once began as a fiddle player, performing with his school orchestra and at a jam session in Dacula with the Skillet Lickers, playing bluegrass and folk tunes that once helped make his great-great grandfather famous. Levi Lowrey was born and raised in Dacula, and still resides in Dacula. Even with his growing popularity he still wishes to remain right here in his hometown where everything began... 100 years ago.
Who knows the fate of the two groups if Gid Tanner had not carried a "highly contagious" musical gene that continues to be passed down through the bloodline of the Tanners and hopefully will continue to be for years to come.
If you'd like to know more about our Skillet Licker Music Night concert right here in Dacula on Labor Day Weekend feat. Levi Lowrey (Sun. Sept 1 at 5:30pm), please click here.
For more about the Skillet Lickers, click here.
For more about Levi Lowrey, click here.