“Started off December 2010 at a club in Hunt- ington, WV called the V-Club. Our band had played this club for a few years at this point. Playing mostly Southern rock. Every time a national act was booked, I made sure to check their records out first. I listened to Honky Tonk Bootlegs and was immediately hooked on "In a Living Hell". At the same time, I was in a rabbit hole of Southern Gospel music and had been listening to "Long White Line" writ- ten by Buford Abner of the Swanee Boys. Come to find out Charlie is his nephew (maybe once removed) nonetheless. I knew I had to hear these guys. The show was flaw- less, even so much, I had a Coricidian Slide that Derek Trucks gave me a few weeks ear- lier in my car. I pulled it out and handed it to Charlie after the show. Even though he prefers a brass or metal slide, I watched every clip afterwards to see if he'd play it. I saw them a few months later in Columbus, OH and was not disappointed. I then started covering some BBS
tunes... our cover band then turned into a band heavily influenced by Blackberry Smoke.” - Rodney J. Pasons
“I first heard Blackberry Smoke in 2011, on AXS tv, playing "Good One Comin On" and felt an instant connection. Here was some great, southern rock music, played the way it was played when I was growing up in the 70's. I searched for a local tour date, saw them live and fell even harder in to being a fan. I have since seen them 8 times (every time they come near me!), met most of the band (they like to mingle before and after shows) and loved their music and their vibe. They are all talented musically, but also
seem to be down to earth, humble and kind. They are always happy to pose for a pic, or talk with a fan. The fact that they donate their "meet & greet" proceeds to an Atlanta Childrens Hospital charity says a lot about the character of these guys. Their music just touches my soul like
no other band has ever done - and this seems to be the case for so many of their fans. Al- though you see all ages a their shows, they in- spire lots of average, middle aged, hardworking Americans to travel, sometimes great distances to attend their shows and ex- perience the magic that is Blackberry Smoke. The group of fans surrounding this
band seems to truly be a family, bonded by this group of musicians and their songs. The number of days the band spends on the road each year also speaks to their dedication to their music and their fans. They succeed in creating a feel good show every time- you leave a show feeling "high as a Georgia pine", after being awed by some great American southern rock & roll. My favorite album so far is Little Piece of Dixie, but they are all worthy of repeated listening.
-Valerie Hopkins Bernard
“If you would have asked me four years ago who my favorite band was, I never would be able to answer such a question.. I am blessed to have spent my life watching the most in- credible line up of bands. I mean everyone from the Ramones to Rage Against the Ma- chine, Tool, Ozzfest, Lollapalooza -man the list goes on and on, but I swear if you were to put all the amazing bands into a Willie Wonka machine, on the other side Blackberry Smoke would
emerge...at least in my opinion. Now four years later and almost 20 Smoke shows later my favorite band answer will al- ways be Blackberry Smoke. I'm from SW Florida, and in addition to all Florida shows, I have been to GA, TN ,NJ, MS, KS and come September, NYC followed by the Tabby for Thanksgiving of course. Their music has a way of taking a hold of your soul and becom- ing the musical background to your life. And to finally wrap things up, I spread the smoke in my tiny little town the best I can but I'm am no longer allowed to call my local crap
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