Southern Songwriters with Patrick Davis

Greenwood Community Theatre

Greenwood 

Patrick is joined by Jedd Hughes, James Otto and Taylor Hicks in Greenwood, SC. Patrick also learns about local hero Benjamin E. Mays- an icon of the American Civil Rights movement- the groundbreaking work being done at the Greenwood Genetics Center and famous 1960’s music makers “The Swingin’ Medallions,” who hail from Greenwood.

Featured Guests

Jedd Hughes

Australian native, Nashville based, singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer, Jedd Hughes, has been playing guitar since he was eight years old. Among nominations for Academy of Country Music “Guitarist of the Year” and “Americana Musician of the Year ,“Jedd has also toured with and backed Patty Loveless, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell and Vince Gill as well as plays on countless A-list Nashville recording sessions. A gifted singer-songwriter in his own right, Hughes’ masterful guitar playing is always present on his own records. Some of Hughes’ collaboration credits include Little Big Town, Guy Clark, Dierks Bentley, Brandy Clark, Lainey Wilson, Ryan Bingham, Sarah Jarosz, Charles Kelley, Miranda Lambert and Amos Lee, to name a few.

Taylor Hicks

Taylor Hicks rose to fame as the winner of American Idol’s fifth season, captivating audiences with his unique blend of soul, blues, country and rock ‘n’ roll. Described by The New York Times as “part Stax, part Motown and part honky-tonk,” Hicks became a household name as he advanced to the show’s record-breaking finale in 2006, which drew over 200 million viewers. His victory was followed by a number one Billboard single and a platinum-certified debut album. Hicks made history as the first male American Idol champion featured on a Grammy-winning record and also the first to secure a Las Vegas residency. Beyond music, Hicks has showcased his versatility as an artist, actor and advocate. He starred in Serenbe Playhouse’s 2019 production of “Shenandoah” and toured as Teen Angel in the Broadway musical “Grease.” His television appearances include Law & Order: SVU, and he served as host of the INSP series State Plate, which won the Cynopsis TV Award for “Best Reality Series (Travel).” Hicks’ passion for Southern cuisine led him to open SAW’s Juke Joint in Alabama, recognized by Men’s Journal as one of the “25 Best Barbecue Spots in America.”

James Otto

James Otto, often hailed as “The Biggest Voice in Country Music,” is known for his textured, soulful vocals that blend passion with a smooth, funky groove, creating his signature Country Soul sound. Otto gained prominence after signing with Warner Brothers and releasing the album “Sunset Man.” His breakthrough hit, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” topped the charts as a two-week number one song and was the most played country song of the year, earning him a Grammy nomination for “Best Male Country Vocal Performance.” The song’s enduring popularity is evident, as it ranks among Billboard’s 100 Greatest Country Songs, solidifying its place in country radio history. A founding member of MuzikMafia, Otto has also established himself as one of Nashville’s most compelling songwriters. He co-wrote Jamey Johnson’s hit “In Color,” earning a Grammy nomination for “Best Country Song,” and won “Song of the Year” honors from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. Otto’s songwriting talents further shined with “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Boat” for Jimmy Buffett, which was featured in the Broadway musical Escape to Margaritaville, and “No Hurry,” a chart-topping hit for the Zac Brown Band.

Sumter Opera House

Sumter

 Patrick is joined by Charles Kelley of Lady A, Maggie Rose and Gabe Dixon of Tedeschi Trucks Band in Sumter, SC. Patrick also learns about local legend Bobby Richardson, who won two World Series with the New York Yankees, the magnificent Swan Lake and Iris Gardens and Sumter’s world-renowned sculptor Grainger McKoy, whose work is featured in museums and venues throughout the world.

Featured Guests

Maggie Rose

Maggie Rose, praised by Billboard for her “multi-genre talents” and recognized as a “star” by Rolling Stone, released her ambitious new album “No One Gets Out Alive.” The album, which recalls the sound of early ‘70s Laurel Canyon, explores themes such as disillusionment in relationships, ageism, female empowerment and living in the moment, all anchored by Rose’s powerful, soulful voice. Unconfined by genre, Rose seamlessly blends pop, rock, soul, Americana and folk into her music. The album was recorded with members of Jason Isbell’s 400 Unit, Alabama Shakes, and Gregg Allman’s band, produced by Grammy Award-winner Ben Tanner, mixed by Bobby Holland and arranged by conductor Don Hart (Phish, Lyle Lovett). A respected figure in the Nashville music scene, Rose has graced the stage of the Grand Ole Opry over 100 times and performed at major festivals such as Austin City Limits, Bonnaroo and Newport Folk Festival. Known for her relentless touring schedule, she has shared the stage with artists such as Kelly Clarkson, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Heart, Joan Jett, Eric Church, Gov’t Mule, The Mavericks, Fitz & The Tantrums, St. Paul & The Broken Bones and The Revivalists.

Charles Kelley

Charles Kelley is most known for being one third of the country music group Lady A. The group has become one of the 21st century’s premiere vocal groups, blending deeply felt emotions with classic Country sounds. The trio has amassed 11 number one hits with more than 18 million album units, 34 million tracks sold and nearly five billion digital streams. Known for their 11-times-platinum hit “Need You Now,” which is the highest certified song by a Country group, Lady A has earned Academy of Country Music and Country Music Awards “Vocal Group of the Year” trophies three years in a row as well as countless other honors, including seven Grammy awards, Billboard Music Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Teen Choice Awards and a Tony Award nod. In addition to his massive success with Lady A, Kelley has released music as a solo artist, including his album, “The Driver,” which earned a Grammy nomination for “Best Country Duo/Group Performance” for its title track. He also recently released a reflective new song, “As Far As You Could.” Along with penning a number of hits for Lady A, Kelley has co-written hits for Luke Bryan, Darius Rucker and Brett Young as well as songs for Miranda Lambert and more.

Gabe Dixon 

Born and raised in Tennessee, Gabe Dixon began playing keyboards professionally before he was even in high school. As a teenager, he was often seen hauling his Hammond B3 organ in and out of Nashville nightclubs he wasn’t old enough to legally enter. By age 18, Dixon moved to Florida to study classical piano at the University of Miami, where he launched the Gabe Dixon Band with his roommate Jano Rix, who later joined The Wood Brothers. It was during this time that Dixon began writing songs with the same dedication he had previously reserved for his virtuosic keyboard work. After graduation, Dixon and his band secured a major label deal, releasing a series of acclaimed albums that led to appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live and The Late Show, as well as performances at festivals such as Bonnaroo and High Sierra. Along the way, Dixon’s talents caught the attention of Paul McCartney, who invited him to play keys on “Driving Rain” and at the Concert for New York City. Dixon’s harmony vocals were also featured on Avicii’s platinum hit “Hey Brother,” and he joined the touring bands of Alison Krauss, O.A.R. and Supertramp. Since 2019, Dixon has been playing keys with Tedeschi Trucks Band and touring around the world.

Allen University

Columbia 

Patrick is joined by Shawn Mullins, Drew Holcomb and David Ryan Harris at Allen University’s Historic Chappelle Auditorium in Columbia, SC. Patrick also learns about Columbia’s role in the American Civil Rights movement, the unique backstory of the auditorium and what Columbia was like during its 1990’s musical heyday by chatting with world famous local legends Hootie and the Blowfish.

Featured Guests

Drew Holcomb 

Drew Holcomb is an Americana recording artist, songwriter and troubadour. Over the last 20 years, he and his band Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors have logged over 1500 shows in every state in the U.S. and dozens of other countries. They have toured with The Avett Brothers, Willie Nelson, Darius Rucker, Zac Brown Band, Needtobreathe and dozens of others. Their music has been streamed over 500 million times. They had their songs played in over 150 television shows, movies and commercials, and their song “Find Your People” was a number one hit on the Americana charts in the summer of 2024. They are known for their songs about family, friendship, life on the road, and love lost and found, with a reputation for their relentlessly engaging live show. Holcomb has also been married to fellow artist Ellie Holcomb for 18 years, and they share a life in Nashville with their three young children, Emmylou, Huck and Rivers. Holcomb is an avid golfer and an instrument rated pilot who flies weekly. He is also the founder of the Moon River Festival in Chattanooga, which for the last decade has drawn 10,000 plus music lovers to Chattanooga for two days each Fall.

David Ryan Harris

David Ryan Harris is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, producer and multi- instrumentalist musician known for his passionate and versatile work. Since first performing on stage in the 80’s, Harris has told stories that resonate through his early bands Follow For Now and Brand New Immortals as well as across his six solo albums. When Harris is not working on his own projects, he can be found producing, writing or performing with artists such as John Mayer, Davie Matthews, India.Arie, and Guy Sebastian- with whom he co-wrote the RIAA platinum-certified “Battle Scars,” to name a few. Harris has toured the world for years with John Mayer, playing in his band as his guitarist.

Shawn Mullins

Shawn Mullins is an American singer-songwriter who specializes in folk rock, instrumental rock, adult alternative and Americana music. He is best known for the 1998 single “Lullaby,” which hit number one on the Adult Top 40 and was nominated for a Grammy Award. Mullins was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He cultivated an interest in music beginning in his days at Clarkston High School in Clarkston, Georgia (where he made the acquaintance of friend and mentor Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls). Later, he honed his craft in his college days at North Georgia College and State University as a solo acoustic musician and bandmaster of the military marching band (Golden Eagle Band). He attended North Georgia College and State University on an Army ROTC scholarship with an intention of possibly pursuing a military career. Although he quickly abandoned this notion in favor of songwriting, the contract nonetheless obliged him after graduation to serve a short term as an inactive Infantry officer in the Individual Ready Reserve component of the U.S. Army Reserve. He served in an inactive status, reaching the rank of first lieutenant before fulfilling his service obligation and resigning honorably. His critical breakthrough came when his song “Lullaby,” from the album Soul’s Core, became a radio and video hit. In the video for “Lullaby,” directed by Roger Pistole, actress Dominique Swain appeared. Mullins’ songs include “All In My Head,” “Beautiful Wreck” and “Shimmer”. Mullins also co- wrote the Top 10 hit “Toes,” for Zac Brown Band.