When TheBlueIndian.com was approached last year to help out with a one-day, DIY music festival in Milledgeville, Georgia, we weren’t sure what to expect. Going to a festival is enough work as it is, so planning one is obviously not the easiest thing to do, but the volunteer group behind the project was determined to make it a success. The idea was simple; book bands from around the region to play in a concert crawl style setup with all the venues having free access. Money would be made by selling drink special wristbands that applied at all venues and the money would be donated back to the Children’s Miracle Network in honor of their friend Austin Childers, as well as to help with medical costs he had accrued from his illness. Things just came together in the way they do when you have a dedicated group of people working towards a common goal, and Sounds of the South‘s inaugural event was a success!

Only a few months ago, the girls behind SOTS informed me that the festival was returning for 2013 and would be bigger and better than before. Now a two-day event, the lineup features co-headlining sets from Bloodkin, The Issac Bramblett Band, Dank Sinatra, and Saint Francis with support from some of TheBlueIndian.com’s Peach State favorites! Scheduled for April 5th & 6th, tickets for the festival are only $7.00 (cheapest festival we might have ever heard of..) and proceeds still benefit the Children’s Miracle Network and Milledgeville Main Street.

Festival Talent Buyer Gina Webber says of the event, “Sounds of the South has grown into a festival that incorporates the entire Milledgeville community, not just the college audience. This year, we have more local bands, and support from local organizations – including Milledgeville in Motion, which focuses on Downtown development.”

Webber also said, “We’re proud that proceeds are going directly to the Children’s Miracle Network and Milledgeville in Motion. As years pass, we hope for SOTS to grow and develop a mutually beneficial relationship with the community. It’s an excellent way to connect the broad spectrum of people living in the area.”

The lineup is choc-full of TBI favorites like Dana Swimmer, sunDollars, and The Ramblin’ Fevers – all of whom were just featured on our 5th Free Compliation – as well as Betsy Kingston & the Crowns, Gold-Bears, WoolFolk, and dozens of others. I took a few minutes to highlight a few of the acts you can expect at Sounds of the South 2013, April 5th & 6th in Downtown Milledgeville, Georgia..

Dana Swimmer – Athens, Georgia

After releasing their debut, Veloce, earlier this year, Dana Swimmer and their awkward-in-that-cool-kind-of-way singer Jack Blauvelt have had their ears burning from the attention the record & their live shows have gained. “I’m Still Your Man” creeps along, saturated in fuzz, before breaking into a steady groove and melody that conjures up images of a sepia soaked, Southern upbringing. The band just returned from their first ever trip to SXSW and surely will find a home on the road before too long.

LIYL: Band of Horses, Elvis Costello, Superdrag

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Gold-Bears – Atlanta, Georgia

Do you like to party? Gold-Bears love to party. Yet another Georgia act that had heads spinning at SXSW this year. Their debut record, Are You Falling In Love?, was released last year and quickly charmed their Atlanta audiences before catching the attention of Pitchfork.com, Consequence of Sound, and a number of other “authorities” on the matter of fast times and fast tunes. Here’s to hoping you don’t mind getting a bit of sweat and beer spilled on you..

LIYL: The Coathangers, Eternal Summers, The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

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Betsy Kingston & the Crowns – Athens, Georgia

Get ready to have your heart stolen, broken, and then put back together in way you didn’t know possible. Yes, it’s a bold claim, but Betsy and her band know all about the good and bad in love. Don’t be foolish and “sit this one out” when your friends urge you tag along. You’ll understand where I’m coming from.

LIYL: Emmy Lou Harris, Steve Earl, Kitty Wells

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