Music is focus of festival

Music fans can help alleviate hunger while listening to live music Saturday.

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The inaugural Local Yokel Music Festival kicks off at the Columbia County Amphitheater at noon and lasts until 10 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Columbia County Cares Food Pantry in Appling.

"It hasn't really been about the money as much as it has been about exposing all these bands," said Andy Colbert, who organized the music festival along with his girlfriend, Andrea Bennett.

The festival will feature the following bands from Washington, D.C., and Georgia: Young Goodman Brown, Smoke Damaged, Happy Bones, The Dubber, Bayou Bleu, The Mason Jars, The Suex Effect, Camouflage Spaceship and Electric Voodoo Blues.

Happy Bones' front man Woody Wood said he's never played at a music festival in the Augusta area and looks forward to performing at the amphitheater.

Wood, an acoustic guitarist and singer, will take the stage with five other band members. He described his band's music as rooted in the blues.

"I've done a lot of benefits," Wood said. "That's something that we will never turn down."

Colbert said he discovered many of the bands at The Renaissance Pub in downtown Augusta. The acts represent a variety of musical styles, Colbert said, extending to blues, rock, folk, funk and reggae.

Colbert said he chose to donate the proceeds to Columbia County Cares because he wanted to increase exposure for the nonprofit organization.

"There might be some folks that need that sort of thing that don't really even know about it," he said.

Columbia County Cares provides temporary and emergency relief to the unemployed, the underemployed, the elderly on fixed incomes and single parents, according to Columbia County's Web site.

"The money situation is not what we're there for," Wood said. "And since it's for a good cause, that's just icing on the cake."

Tickets cost $4 for adults at the gate. Children 10 years old and younger can attend the festival at no cost by bringing one can of food. Other food donations will be welcome.

Colbert said each band will play a set lasting 45 minutes to an hour throughout the day.

Laura's Backyard Tavern in Martinez, and Fatz Cafe and Pizza Central, both in Evans, will provide food and beverages for the event.

Colbert also will perform in the show as vocalist and guitarist with The Mason Jars, alongside band member Trey Pitts.

"I hope when people come out there, they want to stay all day and listen to the bands," he said.

He said he expects a crowd of about 500 people and hopes that this show is just the beginning for the music festival.

"If it takes off this year and works out, I would love to do it next year," he said.

For more information, contact Colbert at (706) 951-8024 or visit www.localyokelmusic.com.