THE KICKLIGHTER BROTHERS

Many roads to stardom have begun with a simple premise: Right time, right place.

That’s certainly true for the Kicklighter brothers.

The trio — Baxter, Hunter, and Asher — who hail from Woodbine, grew up playing music as a hobby. But over the years, they realized that it might be something more.

“We started a band called Card,” says Baxter, a drummer and the oldest of the three.

That group featured Baxter and Hunter paired with another set of brothers, the Drurys — Adam and Dalton.

“Eventually, one of them had to step down. Our brother, Asher (a guitar-

Mist and vocalist) stepped in. But we played with the four of us for a while,” Baxter says. “We had all of these different plans that we were going to do. But when COVID happened, it all fell through. In 2021, as kind of a last ditch effort, we recorded a song and released it. Then, we set up two shows.”

One of those was in Savannah. The other was in Jacksonville, and that particular show had a lot riding on it.

“It was a one in a million shot. It was opening for our childhood musical icon, like our hero,” Baxter says. “He inspired us to make music, write music … my drumming style is very reminiscent of his. It’s what he ‘taught’ me through watching his videos.”

That musician was Aaron Gillespie. He’s been a pivotal member of a num- ber of bands, serving as the touring drummer for the rock band, Paramore. He’s currently working on a number of projects including metalcore group, Underoath. The Kicklighter brothers decided to try their hand at being selected as an opening act for his show.

“I told these guys and told (his brothers) that I applied to open. It was 14 days and we hadn’t heard anything … so we just assumed we didn’t get it. But then we got a call saying that we got it,” Baxter says.

That news kicked the band into high gear. They threw everything they had into practicing for two weeks. Then, the big day came.

“We worked so hard and we were pretty excited. We didn’t know if we would ever play again after this,” Bax- ter says. “We would’ve just been happy to just meet the guy and to have gotten a handshake.”

It turned out to be so much more.

“We talked after the show. It was this effortless connection,” he says.

“I think it has to do with how easy going he is,” adds middle brother Hunter, the group’s bass player.

The brothers even went out fishing with the star the day after, a shared pastime they bonded over.

“Our dad owns a charter business,” Hunter says.

After spending time together, the group exchanged numbers and planned to stay in touch. Gillespie even mentioned that he may produce them in the future.

“He alluded to, jokingly, that he may produce us one day before he left,” Baxter says.

“We didn’t realize he wasn’t (joking),” Hunter says.

Turns out, it was not. Over a period of several months, the Kicklighters stayed in contact with Gillespie, sharing music that they were writing along the way.

“One day, I was in a cabin our parents own in middle Georgia, just writing music,” Baxter says. “I sent something that I had been working on to Aaron. You know, why the heck not. And his response was, ‘we should do an album together.’”

After reality set in and details were nailed down, the group got to work.

“He said, ‘I have time to produce one or two bands a year and I want to produce you guys.’ He lives in Utah and he winds up packing all of his recording gear and shipping it over 2,000 miles … to the house we grew up in, in Woodbine,” Baxter says, eyes wide.

The brothers started writing, playing, and discovering their signature sound.

“Being honest was really important,” Asher notes.

“That’s true. We gravitate toward artists who are honest. Not cookie cutter,” Baxter agrees.

The group also morphed into its final form with just the three Kicklighters and the band became known as Kicklighter. “Simple is easy,” Baxter says.

“At the beginning (of 2022) Adam had to leave, so we just decided to do that name for this project,” Hunter says.

And they’ve been making a point to get their name out. The trio has been booking gigs around the region, as well as developing a steady online presence on Spotify, Instagram, and Facebook. Three of the groups original singles have been circulating but soon, their full album — published by their musical hero — will be released soon.

The Kicklighters are now all based in the Golden Isles now, where they plan to officially launch their album. For all three, it’s proving to be a surreal moment.

“It’s pretty intense but it’s very fulfilling, seeing the work we’ve put in come to life,” Asher says.

The Blue Jean Ball

Glynn

Glynn Visual Arts Exhibition

Island recently hosted an opening reception for a new exhibition titled, “Organic Forms in Nature.” The show featured a variety of mediums and artists from across the region. For details on the gallery and its ongoing programs, visit glynnvisualarts.org.

on St.

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY’S FASHION SHOW MEET AND GREET

Models for the 23rd annual American Cancer Society Fashion Show and Luncheon recently gathered with the event’s presenting sponsors and representatives from local boutiques providing fashions for the show. It was hosted at the home of Andrea Dawn Vacheron in Sea Palms. The fashion show is held each February at Sea Palms and features models who are breast cancer survivors. For more information, visit acsevents.org.

ST. SIMONS LAND TRUST’S OYSTER ROAST

The St. Simons Land Trust recently hosted its annual Oyster Roast at Gascoigne Bluff on St. Simons Island. Restaurants and other vendors served food and drinks, along with the titular dish. Musicians offered live music. Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the nonp rofit’s conservation work. For details, visit sslt.org.

A Taste Of Glynn

Glynn Community Crisis Center recently hosted its 22nd annual A Taste of Glynn event at the King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort on St. Simons Island. Restaurants from across the area were on hand to share samples of their menu. A silent auction was held as well . For more information about Glynn Community Crisis Center and Amity House , visit amityhouse-gccc.com.