Effingham June July 2012

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Guyton’s Own Raymond Davis singer/songwriter

THE MUSIC ISSUE

June/July 2012

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CONTENTS June/July 2012

Meet Effingham County’s Musicians

10

16

22

26

32

36

40

44

departments

9 Publisher’s Thoughts 46 Dining Guide 50 Worship Directory 51 Effingham Weddings 06 June/July 2012 | Effingham Magazine

With

Glaze

(One per customer, exp. 8/15/12)

CONTRIBUTORS

Clark Byron

Clark Byron is an award-winning singer/song writer. He, wife Elaine and daughter Sarah are newcomers to Savannah. A native New Yorker, Clark spent the last 26 years in Kansas City in various executive capacities and also did plenty of freelance writing. The Byrons moved to Savannah in November 2010 in fulfillment of a longtime dream. He is now a fulltime freelance feature and business writer whose services are much in demand. Clark is an urban history enthusiast and has a passion for all things nostalgic. He holds a doctorate in Ministry and is an avid student of Philosophy. Clark is an accomplished cook and enjoys regional and fine cuisine.

June/July 2012 Julie Hales owner/publisher julie@idpmagazines.com Lane Gallegos layout/graphic design lane@idpmagazines.com Victoria Patterson office manager victoria@idpmagazines.com

Barbara Russell

Barbara Russell is a freelance writer and photographer, and in the past she was a high school English teacher and a flight attendant. Always an avid horse person and riding instructor, she enjoys writing for equine publications and she is writing a young adult novel about horses. For several years she wrote feature stories and a history column for Effingham CloseUp, and she has been published in a variety of magazines. Currently she enjoys writing for Independence Day Publishing. Interviewing local people and having the opportunity to retell their unique stories is her passion.

Denise Gonsales

Denise began her professional photography career five years ago after freelancing for several photographers. She was drawn to wedding photography and soon Denise Gonsales Photography was born. She stresses the importance of communication between her company and their clients. What really makes her feel good is being able to look her clients in the eyes knowing that she gave her heart and soul to them, with each and every event. Denise takes only a limited number of weddings per year so that she is able to maintain that personal touch, thus giving each couple the attention that they deserve on their special day.

Victoria Patterson

Victoria Patterson has been a professional artist for 15 years plus, and her love for photography has led her further each year into an exploration of timelessness. She can bring out a creative side in people they didn’t even know existed! Victoria’s portraiture stands out from others with originality.

Her style is photojournalist, a little traditional, liberally sprinkled with artzy flair. Portraits and weddings for friends and relatives gradually led to a more formal occupation and a clarification of what it is that she looks for through the lens of a camera. Her photography is a constant search for beauty, character and depth, for that place where time stands still.

Katie is a freelance writer and Effingham County native who enjoys meeting new and interesting people. She earned her English degree at Georgia Southern University, and caught the travel bug while studying abroad in Costa Rica, where she received a minor in Spanish. After college, she worked briefly in Yellowstone National Park, where she enjoyed hiking and photographing the scenery and the wildlife. She is always up for visiting new places, but she loves the south and is proud to call Effingham her Kathryn Vandenhouten home.

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Lea Allen administrative assistant/circulation lea@idpmagazines.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS Subscribe to Effingham Magazine by submitting a check and subscription information form found in every issue. You may also subscribe by calling (912)826-2760.

LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER Write to us and tell us what you think. Effingham Magazine welcomes all letters to the publisher.

Please send all letters via email to Julie Hales at julie@idpmagazines.com Letters to the publisher must have a phone number and name of contact.

Phone numbers will not be published.

ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS Effingham Magazine welcomes story ideas from our readers. If you have a story idea, or photo essay you would like to share, please submit ideas and material by emailing Julie Hales at julie@idpmagazines.com All articles and photos will be reviewed by the publisher, and if the articles and accompanying photos meet the criteria of Independence Day Publishing, Inc., the person submitting the material will be contacted. Stories or ideas for stories must be submitted by email. Only feature stories and photo essays about people, places or things in Effingham County will be considered.

CALENDAR SECTION We’re looking for your information about clubs, organizations, events and meetings. For events in August/September 2012, copy must be submitted by July 18, 2012.

Please email all copy to julie@idpmagazines.com.

Effingham Magazine is published bimonthly by Independence Day Publishing, Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part in any manner without the written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.

Effingham Magazine 108 International Drive Rincon, GA 31326 (912) 826-2760

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PUBLISHER’S Thoughts

On the Cover

Guyton Native Raymond Davis Photo by Victoria Patterson

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Musical Talents Right Here At Home Until you start asking questions, you really don’t know how much talent we have right here in our own backyard. In doing some research for this issue, I was given the names of many local entertainers.

We have some great stories for you on these folks. We have everything from country to rock, from gospel to praise, from blues to soul....even a little jazz and symphony. What a great variety!

Our cover story is about an amazing man with deep roots in Guyton. Once you read his story, you will recognize many names of the people who inspired him along the way. As a single father of two and holding a full time job, he still finds time to be a Minister of Music and is in the process of cutting his own CD. We have a great piece on the Neases and Nephews. These guys have become a very popular band in our county....and have a win in the Battle of The Bands already under their belt. Read how these guys got started and how they have found a way to stay in the public eye.

For those of you who love an orchestra, we have our very own, Effingham Community Orchestra.

Julie Hales, Publisher Founded by Andrea Huff, this group of musicians has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception. Read about the leader of these terrific musicians and find out how you can become a part of their team.

Thomas Claxton brings us a little rock and roll to the issue. Thomas is a native Effingham Countian, getting started in music at a very young age. He makes his living playing the music he loves. He, also, has cut his own CD with all original pieces written by him. He plays all around the Savannah area, most every night of the week.

We also have the Christian Praise Band, Dayspring Reliance. This is a group of 6 young men formed out of First Baptist Church of Springfield. These guys use their talents not only to sing in church, but to also do benefits and take their music on the road for mission trips.

We have the Pace Brothers....a duo of musical talent. We have Lakenia Gant who brings us some Heart and Soul. And, we also have our little country power house, 16 year old Hunter Gnann.

I think you will enjoy reading about this group of talented folks. You may even be inspired to go to their next performance....and you just might see me there!

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Davis Does It All

R&B, Jazz, Gospel, and Neo-Soul Raymond Davis sets out to raise the consciousness of listeners with his rich music and lyrics designed to uplift even the heaviest of hearts.

• Story by CLARK BYRON Photos by VICTORIA PATTERSON •

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usic means so much more to Raymond Davis than just catchy tunes and clever lyrics. Davis has been making music since he was nine. Now, at 41, he takes his art very seriously, as he does his mission to make music that makes people think.

He calls it Conscious Music, intended to raise the consciousness of the listener.

This description may evoke thoughts of airy, ethereal new age stuff but Davis’s music is anything but. “If you had to classify it, it would be a perfect blend of R&B, Jazz, Gospel, and neo-Soul,” he said. Davis’s music is rich and his lyrics, designed to uplift the heaviest heart; something you just can’t do with airy, shapeless, bloodless “soundscapes.”

Davis is in the process of producing a CD project he says is long overdue. Started at the beginning of the year he plans to have the nine-song album completed by the end of January. “There may also be three bonus tracks on it,” said Davis.

“You may hear one, two or three cuts that are gospel and then you may hear something that’s contemporary or R&B, and then you may hear some spoken word.”

His humble musical beginnings found him in his Godfather’s funeral home chapel in Guyton, doodling with the

piano. “My Godfather, who is deceased, Mr. Samuel Smalls Sr., used to run the funeral home in Guyton,” said Davis.

“When I’d get home from school, I’d run across the street and into the chapel and just play around on his piano. I

would just play it to make a sound but then I noticed that any sound I heard I could play on the piano.”

Davis would do this every afternoon and got progressively better. He would listen to a friend who played with the

choir he sang in as a youngster.

His friend’s style inspired him to go to the piano and mimic what he heard. “After a while I started adding my own style to it,” he said. “I got better and better to the point where I could literally play by ear.” By the time he turned 11, Davis was playing for several churches in Effingham County, including his home church, Macedonia Baptist Church in Guyton.

Eventually, his mother, Ms. Lula Seabrooks, took him to music lessons to learn to read music, but the music teacher recognized that the young Davis had developed his own style by that point and set him free to follow his own aspirations. “I started out singing in the choir and then playing the piano, then I blended the two,” he said.

Over the years, Davis has been in charge of several music departments in various churches throughout Georgia. “I still work in the gospel field and I’m well known in that field,” he said. “A lot of people don’t know about that other side that I’ve been working on as far as my project is concerned.”

Davis guards his art well.

He exercises complete creative control over his recording.

When every aspect of recording from songwriting, to arrangements, to production comes from a single creative mind, it

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“ I wanted to do it in a way that it could cause people to think on every level, and at the same time doesn’t take away from what I’m trying to get out there,” said Davis.

“I wanted it to be a blend of something for everybody.” makes for a truly original product. Too often, when an artist is working with a producer or someone else who is funding the project, they change the basic concepts to the point that the original art is almost unrecognizable.

(What if someone had told Picasso that both eyes don’t go on the same side of the nose?)

“This project is long overdue. I wanted to do it in a way that it could cause people to think on every level, and at the same time doesn’t take away from what I’m trying to get out there,” said Davis. “I wanted it to be a blend of something for everybody.” He is recording the project in studios in Savannah and Jacksonville.

Davis said many people have been waiting for him to do something like this for a long time. “Although I started out with others, nobody likes to put in the work it takes to record, though everybody likes the idea,” he said. “So I got to the point where I’m no longer waiting on anybody.” All the songs on the project are original. Davis said he would feature some of the musicians he’s worked with throughout the years on a couple of tracks.

Davis works full-time at ABC Waste of Savannah and comes home in the afternoons to immerse himself in his music. “Right now I’ve been concentrating on my music project and being a father to my two beautiful daughters, Diamond and Eden.”

He also responds when people call him to help with their projects. “I just enjoy the art of music,” he said. Davis also moderates a social networking group on Facebook called POLISH–People On a Level of Intelligence, Spirituality and Humbleness. “It’s mostly for inspirational words, inspirational thoughts, something that can encourage others with humor, said Davis. Nothing negative, it’s something that everybody can go to and find something to uplift your day.”

A native of Effingham County, Davis recently returned from a three-year stint in Cleveland, Ohio. “A good number of people know that I’m back and have contacted me for various projects,” he said.

These days, Davis plays for many weddings, banquets, and church functions in Effingham and Chatham Counties. “If people want to hear me, a lot of times they’ll contact me and I will invite them out to any engagement I’m playing,” he said. Davis can also be heard on Sundays in Savannah. He is currently the minister of music at Wilmington Baptist Church on Skidaway Road.

When it comes to creativity, one can never overestimate the

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power of inspiration. Davis said he likes to give credit where credit is due. “I give credit to God, and to Jesus Christ, I give credit and thanks to my mother, Ms. Lula Seabrooks , a well known educator in Effingham County, now retired.” Davis also names the late Mr. Samuel Smalls Sr., his Godfather, and the late Mr. Lewis Harden, Davis’ uncle. “Once these three saw that I had a gift for music, they didn’t allow me to goof around with it,” he said. “They stayed on me and encouraged me to get better at it even when I would get discouraged and think about quitting.”

Davis affirmed that these three have been most influential in supporting him and pushing him with music. “I’m proud to say that both my daughters, Diamond Davis and Eden Davis, are following in my footsteps.” He also acknowledges the priceless contributions of support from his grandparents, R.D. Davis and Mrs. Dollie Davis, both of whom have since passed, and his brother, Adrian Davis.

Raymond Davis: remyld71@gmail.com or 912-441-3240

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Music In The Air There’s

• Story by CLARK BYRON Photos by VICTORIA PATTERSON •

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ive years ago, Effingham County was a quiet place, in more ways than one. In addition to the peaceful surroundings of what was largely an agricultural community, there was no organized community music group. In fact, despite the presence of many skilled artisans, there were no organized community arts groups at all.

But that all changed on July 15, 2007. On that day, the Effingham Community Orchestra was born, thanks in no small part to the efforts of a local private music teacher named Andrea Huff. Huff has been teaching music to private students for 39 years, 22 of those in Effingham County.

During that time, Huff heard the repeated suggestions from students and parents that she should consider forming a community music group. She did not have to be told what a huge undertaking that would be. The very idea was staggering in scope. Huff knew she could not attempt anything

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nearly as demanding as starting a community orchestra as long as her husband, Frank, was still working. Frank retired in 2006 from his long career on the operational side of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This signaled to Andrea Huff that the moment of decision had arrived. Would she or wouldn’t she accept the call to melodious community service.

Of course, she did. With Huff as founding director and conductor, 15 local musicians made up the core group of the Effingham Community Orchestra. “Since then, we’ve sort of been the trailblazers,” said Huff. “It’s a new concept for our county.”

Huff said the inspiration for the founding of this group was the adult musician that chose something else as their economic career. Many of these players still own their instruments from high school or college and still enjoy playing them. Many want to be engaged with a group that is making music.

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The core group and their leader held a series of round-table discussions to hammer out the various parameters, such as how the group should be organized, the minimum skill level required to play in the orchestra, possible rehearsal and concert schedules, office and rehearsal space, and the like. The purpose was so that the adult hobbyist musician would have a group to participate with. “We had to define a level that was possible without the countless hours of rehearsal time,” said Huff. “These people have families and careers. We decided to make it high school level and above.”

No one was quite sure what would work as far as the parameters for a community group. “All along the way, in the different communities where we lived, different things worked in different communities.”

From that experience, Huff saw that what might work in one place might not work in another.

“We started out needing to find out what our audience would respond to,”

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said Huff. It soon became clear that there was no support for strictly classical music.

So they adopted a mixed repertoire of classics and popular songs, and it worked.

There was something for everyone: classics, movie and Broadway themes, holiday music, patriotic music, art music, and light classical (familiar pieces from the baroque, classical and romantic periods).

Later, a Jazz ensemble formed within the group, bringing a whole new dimension to the entire orchestra. From big band to blues to the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s rock-n-roll movement to TV themes, eager listeners come to hear the classics as well as lush renditions of old favorites.

From that original 15, the group grew to 30 and then to 40. The age and level of the orchestra is rather mixed with high school students and above. “Some people in the group have their musical degrees but most are what I like to call the hobbyist musicians,” said Huff. There is a bit of an influx and outflow of talent as some players transfer out of the area for their

work and high school players go on to college. But for everyone who leaves, at least one appears to replace him or her.

The orchestra is a year-round membership group. It receives no public funding. It’s not part of any school district or county recreation department. It is selfsupporting. Members’ annual dues and community supporter donations pay for all the necessaries; the cost of doing business, such as rental of office and rehearsal space, and the musical scores needed for each performance.

The leadership soon organized as a nonprofit corporation in the State of Georgia and obtained their 501(c)3 federal income tax exemption which, among other things, makes donations to the orchestra tax deductable. The organization holds regular fundraisers and an annual campaign to renew the financial commitment of the Friends of the Orchestra and to attract more friends.

The orchestra keeps a regular rehearsal schedule year round every other Sunday

afternoon. The rehearsals are long as the group constantly expands its vast repertoire, learning new pieces all the time. The rehearsal space and a small office are rented at the United Way Effingham Service Center.

Performances are quarterly and consist of four one-hour concerts. In addition, three or four times per year they provide support music for various community efforts. The spring concert features a mix of music. The second quarter offers patriotic selections. The third quarter performance is called “Our Favorites.” Favored pieces from the group’s existing repertoire are voted on by the group. “The musicians and the audiences both love that because it’s their favorites,” said Huff. Then, the first weekend in December brings a bright and lively holiday program.

The Effingham Community Orchestra was named the official musicians of Veteran’s Park by the Veteran’s Park County board of directors to play for their events on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The group also provides support music for the United Way’s annual campaign kick-off. This past spring, they graced the Effingham County Hospital expansion grand opening with their warm melodies.

“I’ve had people ask why I want to invest my time in this. It is a major time investment, the largest volunteer investment I have ever been involved in,” said Huff. “I really had to weigh whether I was ready to take this on.” Huff estimates her own personal time commitment to the orchestra is at least 40 hours per week. She said Frank is a big help, too.

It took time at first to garner community interest in the endeavor but now the community has embraced it and that support is growing. “We are right on the edge of even bigger years ahead and it is very exciting,” said Huff. “I asked the musicians why they love it so. The older ones say it makes them feel young again. The middle-aged ones say it something I do just for me.

The young people in high school say they love having another place where they can play music just for the pure love of it. They enjoy having the rapport with adult musicians and having additional repertoire to play.”

With the orchestra’s five-year anniversary celebration in view, there are plenty of hard-earned victories to celebrate. “It is the most rewarding volunteer effort that I have ever been involved in, because it is so well embraced by the musicians,” said Huff. “They love it. It’s just what they want and it’s what they need. I think that’s why we’re so successful.”

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Thomas Claxton

The Man

• Story by CLARK BYRON Photos by VICTORIA PATTERSON •

Even though he’s just 28, Thomas Claxton has been making music around Savannah for many years. He is well known with a strong following that stems from playing more than 75 different venues in the Savannah metro. And of course, Claxton is still at it, stronger than ever.

Claxton is the man, but he’s not the myth. Drummer Paul Cooper, bassist Rodney Smith and guitarist Craig Johansen make up the mythical part of the group, Thomas Claxton and the Myth.

He was born in Ft Walton Beach, Florida. He came to Effingham County when he was adopted at just two days old. He’s been here ever since. He studied music in school from his earliest years. “Music was always my passion,” said Claxton. “I studied to be a first tenor for professional choruses.”

While still in high school, Claxton began playing local coffee shops. He played for two solid years at Savannah Joe’s Coffee Shop, then in the Savannah Mall. “The gig was completely acoustic,” he said. The compensation was a tip jar. It was especially nice at Christmas time.” He was a junior in high school in 2001 when he got his first gig at Savannah Joe’s. “The man didn’t pay me anything but he let me come in and set up my stuff,” he said.

His first paying gig came when he was a high school senior. It was 2002

and Claxton auditioned for Jerry Zambito, owner of the Bayou Café on River Street. Zambito liked what he heard enough to make Claxton his fill-in guy when the weekday or weekend singers couldn’t make it.

“He’d give me a call and I’d come in and pick up what was left over,” said Claxton. Eventually, he was made the house musician for the weekends.

“I played every Friday and Saturday nights and I’m still doing it. From there I just expanded.”

When asked to describe his musical style, Claxton said he has a very eclectic taste in rock n roll. He likes progressive rock, including groups like Rush, ELO, and Pink Floyd. “It’s stuff you don’t hear played much,” he said.

Claxton, an accomplished songwriter, plays a lot of his original material. But the money is in the familiar stuff. “Savannah’s a tourist town so if you don’t play any cover music you’re not going to make any money, and this is all I do for a living.”

He describes the history of his performing career. “It started off all acoustic and then I started putting a band together with my best friend, Mark Vaquer. Years ago, Vaquer was in a very popular local band called Shut Up and Drive. Later, Claxton and Vaquer started a band called The Long Awaited that played everything from Van Halen to The Beatles.

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Eventually, said Claxton, that band ran its course.

“Now I have a band called Thomas Claxton and the Myth,” he said. “We play mostly what I’m into, what we all four are into really. It’s more centered on what I do acoustically. I’ll do anything from Boston to Rush to Van Halen, it doesn’t matter. If I like it, I’ll play it. If I don’t like it, I won’t.”

Claxton said the mindset of most players is to play whatever the people like. “I agree with that up to a point,” he said.

“But I believe people want quality. The fact of the matter is if you’re going out there and playing something the people like but you can’t stand, then how are you giving those people a hundred percent?”

He’s definitely opposed to singers playing songs they don’t want to do. “You don’t want to do it, so why do it? Those people would be just as happy if I pulled off a solo version of Bohemian Rhapsody,

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as they would if I played Sweet Home Alabama.“ Claxton considers himself fortunate to have gotten such quick start on the inroads of the Savannah music scene. “A lot of people my age don’t get into the local music scene as quickly. I look at it not only as a passion but as a business,” said Claxton. “I tried to make a name for myself as best I could. The thing about the Savannah music scene is that it’s a circle.

If you don’t become part of that circle, good luck.”

In 2008 he was given a rare opportunity to go on a national tour with such notables as Chuck Negron, the original lead singer for Three Dog Night, members of Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden and a three time grammy winner for sound engineering. It was titled, Flashback, The Classic Rock Experience. “I got hired on as a backing vocalist as well as the vocal coach for the tour,” said Claxton. The tour was

short lived but saw such venues as the Amway Arena in Orlando, the Civic Center in Mobile, the Tampa/St. Petersburg Times Forum, and even the Savannah Civic Center. “It’s a smaller venue than the others but it was still cool to play the biggest venue in your own hometown,” he said.

Now, Thomas Claxton and the Myth are moving forward and carving out their own niche. Claxton also released an original CD in 2011 titled, Return to Nowhere. He performs five nights a week at different venues and is still busy playing the Bayou Café on most weekends.

Claxton plays five nights a week locally and has traveled to New York City, New Jersey and Florida to perform. Catch his solo acoustic act here or go to thomasclaxtonmusic.com to find out where Thomas Claxton and the Myth are playing next.

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Dayspring Reliance

Story by BARBARA RUSSELL Photos by VICTORIA PATTERSON

Six young men form the praise band Dayspring Reliance. Together they have a ministry. Their music has brought joy to the sick and comfort to the grieving, and they willingly hit the road on mission trips to share God’s word, but there was a time when they never dreamed that together they would be part of a band.

Dayspring Reliance was formed about three years ago, but previously they were members of two different praise bands. Matt Harper and Jim Walsh were in a band called Against the Current, and Jordan Callias, Chris Bevill and Jack Walsh were in a band called Race of Faith. Their home church is First Baptist of Springfield, and both bands played during the Sunday and Wednesday night services there. There was a bit of tension between the two bands, and they had never thought about combining their talents. In fact, for whatever reasons, both bands split up. This left First Baptist of Springfield without a praise band, and they needed one for their upcoming annual summer mission trip.

“The band is a big part of the mission trip. We play at a lot of different places,” explained Matt. “We were kinda thinking about what we were going to do, and I just called Jordan up and asked if he wanted to put something together just for the mission trip. He said yes, so we put together our group, and we just started practicing.”

They only had about 6 weeks to practice together before the trip, but since both former bands had played similar praise and worship music, they were very familiar with the same songs. The mission trip was a success,

and a seed was planted for them to become for the whole week with the same people, a band called Mercy Me, and ‘You Hold a full time band, but “We never had any and it’s good to see how God works and Me Now’ by a band called Hill Song…. The idea that we would form a band together how he humbles you when you do what sanctuary was full. People were standing – ever,” said Jordan.

He’s calling you to do through the tension. up and it was just packed with people.

God had other plans….

Maybe a song’s not tight, or we didn’t When we started playing the second song “After the trip, we kinda got together and get something set up quick enough, and ….the only way I can explain it…. is God we just kept wanting to play,” said Jordan. there’s nothing to do but just do it and just moved, and people started getting up “There was still a need here (at their have faith that it’s going to work out, and and coming to the alter. There were 5, and church) for a praise and worship band, every time it does….and God had His hand then 10, and then all of a sudden like 20 and we just kept practicing together,” said in it the whole time.” and 30, and then the whole thing was full Chris. “We all kinda felt that God was pullOther mission trips have taken them of people up at the alter crying out as we ing us together to keep going.” to West Virginia, Tennessee, and several were playing this song, and I think that And they have kept going - Dayspring places in Georgia. was a huge impact on me, and I think on Reliance is in its third year of being a Taking to the road to do God’s work can everybody here. It was definitely the spirit praise and worship band. The only major be grueling experiences, but they don’t of God that took over that day. It was difdifference is that they have added another seem to daunter the members of this band. ficult to keep singing, but it was just God member – Andrew Harper. He’s Matt’s Last summer they were hired to play for a that kept me going. It was a very touching younger brother and he plays time.” the keyboard.

Robbie Moore was another They play during Sunday high school student who faced morning and Wednesday death. “He had brain cancer, night services at First Baptist and he was fighting through of Springfield, and mission it, and we played for him trips continue to be an imbefore he died,” said Matt. portant part of their ministry.

His mom called and asked if They participate in two anwe could play for him, and nual mission trips with their we just arranged to pull our church. Music is an important trailer up in his yard and play part of the summer trip, but for him. He had like a little the band members also help party, and all his friends came in other ways. “We do things out. It was really cold that like backyard bible club, with night – it was freezing, and bible stories and games, for he came out anyways, and he low income neighborhoods. was wrapped up in blankets.

The age groups are anywhere His mom kept asking if he from pre-K to senior in colwanted to go back inside, but lege. We’d work at a homeless he wanted to stay out there shelter, then we’d do church and listen.” services for community Dayspring Reliance is events. The church drama committed to group prayer team would do dramas, and and devotion. “We have a ….when they share their faith, and how God every night is a concert, so devotion. We do it has worked in their lives, their mood is quiet and band we’d do that throughout the (pray) just about every time whole week. This church does reflective…. they’ve entered sacred ground. we practice, and when we that every year. play out somewhere, and “Mornings and afternoons are more camp in Decatur, Illinois. They drove 14-16 before we play on Wednesday night or on focused on reaching the kids, and the evehours, got there at 9:30 that night, slept on Sunday mornings. We do a band devotion ning time is more focused on the general the floor of the church and played the next every Tuesday where it’s just us. We sit public. Sometimes the concert will be in morning, and then they led the worship down and talk about our week and what’s the local churches, sometimes it will be in music twice a day for the three day camp been going on. We’ll do the devotion that’s the local amphitheater, or beach pavilion, - and they recount the experience with in the book, and we’ll sit there an hour and anywhere where the people passing by can enthusiasm. a half to two hours just talking about it. It’s just stop and listen.” Every night they’ll God has also used Dayspring Reliance a very short devotion, but we’ll stay there play at a different place/site. in a way that they never expected. They and just go on and on and on about what’s The spring “Break-a-Way” mission trip is were asked to play at the funerals of some going on.” construction based. “One year we went to high school students. One was for Whitney The six are a close knit group. They’re a a lady whose house was falling apart, and Newman who had attended the Wednesband of brothers. There’s fun and laughter we did whatever we could to help with the day night services. “Before we played, we - there’s joy in the Lord. But there’s reverconstruction. We played on those trips, but were so nervous,” said Matt. “We were ner- ence too, and when they share their faith, it wasn’t necessarily a main focus for us to vous because we didn’t know how people and how God has worked in their lives, play – it was to do work.” would respond to a band playing because their mood is quiet and reflective…. they’ve “It can get tense on a mission trip,” says normally it’s just a traditional service. entered sacred ground. It’s a place they Matt, “because you’re doing things “We played, ‘I Can Only Imagine’. It’s by like to share with others.

28 June/July | Effingham Magazine

Andrew Harper 17 Keyboard & Back Up Vocals Andrew has always liked music, and his dad was a music minister at church. “I’ve always liked the sound of the piano and wanted to learn to play it although others told me I should play the guitar. Being in the band is just awesome, seeing how God is using me and the impact he’s done with me and the group, and how much I’ve grown from being in the band.”

Jim Walsh 19 Rhythm Guitar When Jim was little he always wanted to play guitar, and when he was about 11 he was given a guitar that he learned to play on. During high school a youth pastor convinced him to be in a praise band called Grounded Again. “Matt and the youth pastor helped me to focus on worship…. that we’re not just playing to perform. I prayed about it, and it really changed me.”

Chris Bevill 18 Bass Player & Back Up Vocals “I grew up in church and I’ve been saved as long as I can remember.

I always loved music and always wanted to play in a band,” said Chris. He learned how to play the guitar and was pretty much selftaught, but had a little push from two instructors. He joined Grounded Again and also experienced playing to worship, not just to perform.

Jack Walsh 17 Lead Guitar “I wanted to start on the piano when I was about nine. Later when I saw Jim (his brother) playing the guitar, I wanted to play the guitar too.” When Jim got a new guitar, Jack learned on the same guitar that Jim had learned on. “After I started getting better, I realized that this was a talent that God was calling me to use. But I never really gave up piano, but I like guitar more.”

Jordan Callais 22 Drums “I started playing drums when I was in the 5th grade.” He was in the 6th grade band and played in the percussion class, and played with the concert band in middle school, and in high school started playing on drum line.

For a while Jordan was playing for two bands at two different churches.

“It was hectic, and after praying I decided that God was just calling me here to be with these guys fulltime.”

Meet The Band

Matthew Harper 22 Lead Vocals and Acoustic Guitar “I started playing music about 5 years ago in a drug rehab called the Christian Family Center.

I was there for 6 months, and that’s when I got saved and became a Christian, and that’s where I started leading worship and writing songs. After I got out I met Jim, and that’s how I started coming to this church.”

30 June/July 2012 | Effingham Magazine

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June/July 2012 31

the Neases & nephews country and then some Story by KATHRYN VANDENHOUTEN Photos by VICTORIA PATTERSON

T

he Neases and Nephews is an Effingham band that has certainly come a long way in a short amount of time. What started out as a three-man band learning to play instruments in a backyard shop has turned into a talented ensemble playing various local venues throughout the low country.

The band could not be happier with its success and the outpouring of support from the community, and they are eager to sit down, play their songs, and tell their story.

The Neases and Nephews front man, Nick Mullins, is no stranger to music. He started playing the guitar when he was just thirteen, and from there, he began singing, writing, and even recording his original songs. But it wasn’t until 2009 when Mullins grew tired of being a one-man band that the concept of the band came to life.

When Mullins’ cousin, Josh Nease, was given a bass guitar, an amp, and instructions from Mullins to “sit down and learn it,” Nease complied. “I wanted somebody to play music with,” Mullins explains, and he didn’t stop his recruiting with his cousin.

Once Mullins and Nease began to practice every day, they quickly realized

34 June/July 2012 | Effingham Magazine

they would need a drummer to make their sound complete. “We said, “Let’s buy a set of drums and see if Jackey can play ‘em,’” Mullins says about getting his uncle to join. Fortunately, Jackey Nease was as adept at learning the drums as his son Josh was at learning the bass guitar.

“I’ve always been a guitar player, but they said they needed a drummer, so we got a set of drums and I became a drummer,” says Jackey Nease with a laugh. Like his son and nephew, he never expected to perform in public; they all just wanted a reason to get together and have fun as a family.

In the beginning, in fact, they wanted to name the band The Family. The name didn’t stick, but one day Jackey’s wife came up with The Neases and Nephews, and they never looked back.

When the band had been playing together for almost a year, a family member asked them to show off their hard work at a house party. “We were thinking about two or three people would be there,” says Jackey Nease of the band’s first performance. When over a hundred people showed up to what they expected to be a small family gathering, their performance went surprisingly well. “We started getting

people asking us to play at different places after that, and it just went from there,” Nease says.

The band gained another member in 2010 when Jackey Nease ran into an old friend from school named Grayson Turner.

When Nease mentioned that he had started a band with his son and nephew, Turner enthusiastically volunteered to be their harmonica player, and he has been with the band ever since. “I can’t say Grayson is my nephew,” jokes Jackey Nease, “but he is my brother.”

Turner now plays the conga drums, tambourine, and does backup vocals for the band in addition to playing the harmonica. “I’ve been playing the harmonica ever since I was fifteen,” Turner says. A particular J. Geils concert made quite an impact on him—he went out and bought his first harmonica the very next day.

After complications from heart surgery left Turner unable to work, joining the band helped him find his niche as a musician. “I can’t work any more, so this is all I’ve got,” says the harmonica player. “This is it. I love doing it,” he adds. “I love making music.”

The newest band member with a love for music is Don Stapleton. He adds finesse

and complexity to the band in his new role as lead guitar player. His guitar riffs add a bluesy feel to the music, and his solos add an authentic twist to country cover songs and other crowd favorites as well.

“The country aspect of it challenges me, because I grew up with a rock and roll, blues, and pop background as far as my musical taste,” says Stapleton. “And here I am, having to play country music, and it’s a different world.”

Stapleton has only been playing with the band for a few months, but his fellow band members are more than eager to accept him as a permanent addition to The Neases and Nephews. “We went a long time without a lead guitar player,” says Josh Nease. “Don made a big difference.”

Now that The Neases and Nephews have their official five-man band, they plan to perfect their sound by playing as many shows as they can. “We’re always hungry,” Mullins says of getting hired to do gigs.

“But back in the beginning, it wasn’t really about that. We just wanted to play and have fun.”

And these boys do have their fun on stage. They have been known to let audience members perform songs, and they love to get on the floor and dance between

sets. There is nothing that prevents this group of musicians from having a good time at each show. After all, that’s why they started the band in the first place.

“We’re pretty much country and then some,” says Turner when asked about their sound. “We can play just about any kind of music that you want to hear. From Pink Floyd to George Jones—we don’t care.” It’s not unusual to hear Vanilla Ice and Merle Haggard in the same set at The Neases and Nephews shows.

“They have me singing women music and all now,” says their lead singer with a laugh. “Tracy Chapman and whatnot!” But if you are expecting pretentious perfectionists trying to mimic the songs on the radio, you won’t find that with this band. The Neases and Nephews do music their way.

Never taking themselves too seriously, their goal is to have fun playing music.

They don’t expect perfection when go they go on stage, but they do expect to show the crowd a good time.

What started out as a family’s hobby in a backyard shed has turned into a lucrative endeavor for the men of The Neases and Nephews. Every dime they earn is used to buy more equipment and to upgrade their instruments. And while they may not

be getting rich from doing gigs, they are investing in the band’s future one show at a time.

They perform at parties, weddings, bike rallies, fundraisers, and local hot spots.

They regularly perform at Kelly’s Tavern, Alibi’s, Silverado’s, Tommy’s and Dizzy Dean’s.

“We’ll do any place we have a gig,” says Jackey Nease, “but if we don’t, we’re not losing anything either.”

The Neases and Nephews will play virtually any gig they can get. And they can never get enough. They see every show as a learning opportunity and a chance to grow as performers.

They have done a lot of growing since the band started in 2009. The Neases and Nephews may have come from the humblest of beginnings, but they have finally found their stride and will continue to make music and have fun for as long as possible.

Jackey and Josh Nease, Nick Mullins, Grayson Turner, and Don Stapleton—they are The Neases and Nephews. They are more than a band; they are a family. And with the support of their fans and their community, this family will no doubt be making music for years to come.

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2012

35

The Girl With the

Big Voice • Story by Barbara W. Russell Photos by VICTORIA PATTERSON •

Hunter Gnann is small and very petite, but she has a powerful voice, a powerful singing voice that is, but you’d never guess it if you talked with her. Although her eyes sparkle with enthusiasm and her expression shows excitement, her voice is quiet….very quiet.

“She’s always been a quiet kid,” says her mom, “but when she steps in front of the microphone, the force that comes out of that 95 pound body is amazing!”

Singing has always been an important part of Hunter’s life. “I’ve been singing since I was little, about 4 or 5,” she says, but her parents, Allen and Karla Gnann, know better.

“She started singing before she could talk,” said her dad. “She’d just sing along with the radio, but we could tell that she could sing. One of her favorite songs was ‘Genie in a Bottle’ by Christina Aguilera. She had the moves down to that,” says her dad, “and we have that on video with her in her genie outfit.”

Her mother and father both felt that Hunter had talent, but they also thought that maybe they were just proud parents, so they were delighted when others proved them right.

36 June/July 2012 | Effingham Magazine

Keith Page, Hunter’s uncle, is a singer and piano player, and when Hunter was about two, she was riding with him in his car. Of course she was singing along with the music on the radio, and he was impressed with her voice. “He said that Hunter has great pitch,” said her mother, “and that was the first time that somebody told us that she has a talent.”

Hunter attended Ebenezer Elementary School. Every year there was a talent show at the school, and of course she was in it. “There was no judging, but she was the best!” said her dad, laughing.

The yearly talent shows were obviously a fun time for her family. They gave Hunter the opportunity to gain confidence, and by the time she was in the 3rd grade talent show she had begun to hone her craft. “I sang ‘Car Wash,’ and I had a rag and a routine about washing a car,” she said.

Performing in the talent shows prepared her to be in Ebenezer Middle School’s Show Choir, and she was in Show Choir for all three years of middle school. “I loved it,” said Hunter, and it had a profound effect on her love of performing. She also loved and respected Ms. Allen, who was the

chorus teacher and creator of Show Choir.

But she admits that if she had the future, and being a 2nd grade teacher is “She got my voice stronger and she taught chance that she would sing professionher dream. “At that age the children are me how to breathe,” she said. ally, and that if given the chance to be on more responsive, and they don’t have too “She strengthened Hunter’s range,” American Idol or The Voice, she said that much attitude,” she says, and she’s already added her dad. taken steps to achieve her When Hunter was in goal. She’s a member of the 7th grade she perThe Future Georgia Eduformed in Springfield at a cators, which has allowed fundraiser for the victims her to visit a 2nd grade of the Dixie Chrystal Sugar classroom several times Refinery explosion. A good during the school year friend of her father, Mr. when she ‘shadows’ a 2nd Kim Calhoun, was also grade teacher at Ebenezer performing that night.

Elementary.

He had been in a band In the fall Hunter will called Deep South, and be a senior at Effingham Hunter’s father asked him High School and she’s to listen to Hunter sing an outstanding student. and give them his profesShe’s made Honor Roll sional opinion. “When she every year, and she is got through singing, he ranked 13th out of the (Calhoun) said, “Yes! She 409 students in her can sing and I want to sing graduating class. She’s with her!” also in the Science Club, And now they do perFCCLA and the Youth form together. “They’re Advisory Council. She’s very unique,” said her obviously a great candimother, “and they’re so date for college, and she good together. As of yet wants to attend Georgia they don’t have a name State College & University - it’s just him and her.” in Milledgeville.

Hunter and Calhoun, Although Hunter’s who she calls Mr. Kim, realistic goal is to become have performed together a teacher, music is still at Kelly’s and she enjoys her personal joy. She having him beside her sings a lot of country, and when she’s singing. “He’s some of her favorites are given me the confidence to Miranda Lambert, Sugarbe in front of people and land and Taylor Swift. not be as shy as I was,” she Hunter has performed said. at Kelly’s, The Pit, the Calhoun, who admitEffingham Retired Educated to having been burned tors Association, and for out said, “She brought me three years at Old Effingback to life. I want to sing ham Days. This summer again.” she’ll continue to sing “She’s very shy until the locally. She also has been mic gets in front of her,” invited too sing in Athens said her mother, “then it’s at the opening session of all over! When she played the Georgia State School at The Pit, they asked where Bar“She’s always been a quiet kid,” said her mom, “but Counselors, us to turn down the mic bara Strickland, family twice because her voice is when she steps in front of the microphone, the force friend and former counso strong! People say they selor at Effingham High that comes out of that 95 pound body is amazing!” can’t believe the volume School, will preside as that comes out of her the incoming president. small body.”

There will be 800 people Although Hunter seems to have already she’d rather be on The Voice – “I’d rather in attendance, and Hunter will be able to been launched on a musical career that work with someone one-on-one like they sing with her powerful voice without anyis not what she sees in her future. “She do on The Voice. I haven’t really thought one asking to turn the microphone down! knows that being a singer is a big gamble,” about being on The Voice, but I think it says her dad, “and that she needs somewould be a fun experience.” thing to fall back on.”

Hunter has given a lot of thought to her

38 June/July 2012 | Effingham Magazine

Effingham Magazine | June/July 2012

39

e h T

Pace Brothers Story by BARBARA RUSSELL Photos by VICTORIA PATTERSON

The Pace Brothers, Julian and Ethan Pace, describe themselves as “lively gospel and folk musicians.” They perform throughout the Coastal Empire, and they strive to glorify God in all that they do. Julian is 21 years old and “the leader of the outfit,” and Ethan is 19. They grew up in a home that was filled with music.

“There was always music in the house,” said Julian, “They (both parents) love music. Ever since we were little, Mom would play everything from Tchaikovsky to Willie Nelson.”

“Our mom plays a little bit of piano,” said Ethan, “and when we were about 7 and 8, we both played the piano for about two years, and we both hated it, mostly.”

“At that point, our mom allowed us to choose an instrument that we wanted to pursue, and I choose the guitar,” said Julian.

“And I choose the violin,” said Ethan, “mostly because I wanted something that was different, but I didn’t realize how difficult it would be, and I probably would have given up on it if my parents hadn’t forced me to practice. That may sound terrible, but I do enjoy playing it.”

Encouragement has played an important part in developing the talent of The Pace Brothers. “It was really good that Mom and Dad stayed behind us whenever we wanted to give up,” said Julian, “because every now and then, you need that motivation. You need somebody who loves you enough to say, ‘You need to keep going with this.’ That was definitely important. I think anybody learning an instrument, unless it just comes very easy to them, it can be discouraging sometimes, and you need encouragement.”

They grew up in church singing in the choir at Rincon Baptist Temple and playing recitals. Their skills developed, and Julian began thinking about performing. When he learned that Baibrys was having some live performances, his mother encouraged him to see if he could play for them too. The result of that encouragement - Baibry’s became Julian’s first live concert. It was their beginning.

At Baibry’s Ethan played a couple of numbers with Julian. “I just played the violin – I didn’t sing with him,” said Ethan. “I didn’t want to sing. I was just sort of dragged along with him.”

“Ethan wasn’t on board with it yet,” said Julian. “He was okay singing in a group, but past a group, he really didn’t want to do that.”

“Not at all,” said Ethan.

“Now he sings all the time,” said Julian, “all the time!”

“I just hated the sound of my own voice,” said Ethan.

“That’s crazy,” said Julian, “because our family told him – you’ve got a nice voice, and Mom said, ‘You should sing a couple of numbers with Julian,’ and we finally encouraged you to sing one or two,”….and as they say – the rest is history.

Julian was 16 when he played at Baibry’s. About that same time, he also started writing songs, and he almost immediately met with success. In 2009 he won the Savannah Folk Society’s Young Songwriter of the Year Award for his original composition, ‘The Captive of the Gentle Gentle Wind,’ and the award included having him perform at Savannah’s Grayson Stadium.

With the success of his song, and the growing popularity of The Pace Brothers, Julian began to think about music being

his career. “I think deep down I wanted to take this further, but I thought it was something that would never really happen. If someone asked, I would have told them I was doing this for fun, but I realized I wanted to keep doing this in some capacity in my life. It’s still my dream and my desire for it to be my living.”

For the past four years, the two brothers have preformed together at churches and festivals, and anywhere a crowd gathers that wants to hear some ‘lively gospel and folk music’. Julian sings and plays the guitar, and Ethan sings harmony and plays the fiddle.

What’s it like for two brothers to work together? “Most of the time we get along pretty well,” they say, “but when we first started the music thing, we fought a lot. We used to get angry every time we practiced – it was stupid, but that just doesn’t happen anymore.”

“Now when we’re playing gigs, we each know exactly what we need to do,” said Julian. “We know our places and we work together, and we don’t micromanage each other. We get the basics down and then we let each other decide how to do it.”

No matter how well planned their performances may be, sometimes the unexpected happens, and they say they’ve had some crazy things happen while they’ve been performing: “We’ve had babies and little kids run across the stage,” they said, “and that one guy over in Hilton Head paid us twenty bucks to play ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads,’ again – he was a little sauced though. That was probably one of the most lucrative three minutes of our lives – it paid for gas!”

“We’ve had strings break on stage.” What does one do? “You keep playing! Keep going!”

“One time I forgot an entire song,” said Julian. “I forgot all the lyrics, except for the chorus.”

So Julian would literally lean towards Ethan, and “He was fiddling and whispering the lyrics to me. He was feeding me every single lyric! It was fun.”

42 June/July 2012 | Effingham Magazine

“We have a lot of fun together.

What’s the point of getting into music as a career unless it’s fun?

There are lots of easier ways to make money.”

Both brothers are now students at Armstrong Atlantic University where Julian is studying music and Ethan is studying computer science. Although they are enrolled in different courses of study, they plan on continuing to perform together as The Pace Brothers.

“I want to take it as far as we can take it,” says Julian. “It’s a work in progress.”

“If we weren’t in college right now, we could definitely do a lot more than we do,” said Ethan, “but Julian does plan on being full time by the time he’s out of college. With enough effort, I definitely think it could be a full time thing.”

They’re off to a good start.

They play 40-50 gigs a year, they already have three CD’s, (two as The Pace Brothers, and one of Julian solo), and Julian has 7 or 8 guitar students. If they weren’t full-time college students, they could book more performances.

They try not to schedule a gig until they confer with each other about upcoming tests and class projects, but occasionally there are conflicts. “Sometimes I whine about it,” says Ethan, whose studies are extremely important to him. “I feel like I’m a failure if I make anything less that an A,” he says.

“Ethan’s a really good student, and wants to make really good grades,” says Julian. “He’s a perfectionist, and it seeps into every aspect of his life, even into his music.”

Julian’s music career is most important to him, and he is looking forward to when he will be immersed in it full time. “It’s a work in progress - rarely does it happen overnight,” he says, but The Pace Brothers are off to a great start.

Learn more about The Pace Brothers at: pacebrothersmusic. com

Effingham Magazine |

June/July 2012 43

44 June/July 2012 | Effingham Magazine

Songs For The

&

Heart Soul • Story by CLARK BYRON Photos by VICTORIA PATTERSON •

She is a songstress, a composer, an actress, and a model – and that’s just what she’s done in her spare time. Lakenia Gant looks the part. Beauty is not only a quality of her appearance and her music it is also her profession. As a cosmetology instructor at Savannah Technical College, Gant teaches days in Effingham and evening classes at the Savannah campus. Her days and evenings are filled with the responsibilities of working and being a mother to her three children, daughters Daria, 20 and Arial, 14 and son, 16. Gant said she went to New York about five years ago and did singing, modeling, and acting.

“When I initially started singing, I had done three stage plays in the Albany, Georgia area,” said Gant. “My first CD came from that.” Now, she is preparing to record her second CD, a studio project being created right here in Savannah.

Gant’s friend and producer, Eric Hodge, is helping her get the most out of her considerable vocal and songwriting talent.

Hodge has his own studio in Savannah and the project is expected to commence production very soon. It will consist of six to eight of Gant’s best original compositions. And while her musical roots are firmly planted in the church, this project is going to be about love–the romantic kind.

“My uncle is a pastor in North Carolina,” she said. “He says he loves all that glory hallelujah stuff but when he’s with his wife, just the two of them, he wants to hear something romantic.” Taken from that suggestion, Gant says the album is going to be love songs with soft melodies. “It will be something for weddings or when you can just be with your special someone, something beautiful.”

Singers think of themselves as artists and therefore, unique and original in their

art. Comparing them to someone else no matter how flattering, is usually not music to their ears. However, they are often proud to tell you what well-known artists have influenced them most. In Gant’s case, she cites greats Whitney Houston, Cece Winans, Kirk Franklin, and the award-winning gospel duo, Mary Mary.

Gant is proud to tell you she isn’t the only talent in her family. Another is her 16-year-old son, Jakeenan Gant. Jakeenan is a well-known Effingham County High School basketball star. He will just be entering his junior year this fall and already, the 6’8” power forward has captured the interest of at least 16 colleges and has received offers from at least nine. The day of the interview for this article, his mother said, “Today is open season for college coaches to call and my phone has been ringing off the hook!” After that day, those numbers may have risen.

“I just started getting back into my music now whole-heartedly,” said Gant. “This is what I love to do so I’m going to take some time out for me. I’m going to do this because this is what I love.” She says her producer, Eric Hodge is a true blessing.

Accompanying her stirring vocals is her cousin Raganold Williams. He has been playing for Gant since she started singing years ago. They also write songs together.

“I’ll write the song and then sing it to him.

Then, he takes it to a whole different level,” she said. “We connect so well.”

Gant’s music is intended to bring light and love to every listener but said her true vision is to influence young people in a positive way. “There’s so much negative stuff and peer pressure going on within our younger people, I figure I can do something to draw them to be positive,” she said. Her focus is especially toward the

young girls in hopes of contributing to a better environment for them. Her songs elevate self-esteem and encourage positive choices. “If your self-esteem is low you tend to do negative things,” said Gant. “It’s especially difficult for our young girls.”

Gant is currently on a hiatus from performing as she prepares to devote all her energy toward her upcoming CD project.

“If I were to start performing again today it would be mostly churches,” she said.

“But I am trying to get more outside of the church.” Producer Eric Hodge has worked with a number of artists from various genres. He is well connected to a variety of venues. The intention for Gant is to begin playing a cross-section of stages when her new CD is released. Completion and release is expected by the end of fall.

Gant uses her Facebook page to network and keep friends and fans in the musical loop with her. She said when the CD is available she’ll let it be known on her Facebook page, where she is referred to by admirers as Lakenia “Fabulously Favored” Gant. See her at facebook.com/lakeniab.

What venues does she want to play outside of the church? “I want to get with the youth, to inspire them with songs, positive, uplifting, self-image, encouragement,” said Gant. She said of her three children.

“I want something with which I can reach them and their friends with something very positive.”

So, with Gant out of circulation and her CD project not yet available, where can we hear her golden pipes? She says she plans to post videos on Facebook very soon. “I also sing at church every Sunday,” she said, “at Holy Samaritan Church in Springfield.” Anyone who would like to experience a Lakenia Gant musical offering is welcome at any Sunday service.

Effingham Magazine |

June/July 2012 45

Bobby’s Hometown Restaurant 290 S. Columbia Ave. Rincon, GA 31326 (912)826-5249

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Island Time Grill 7222 GA Hwy 21 Port Wentworth (912)966-0969

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To Advertise in the dining guide, or to find out how to get your restaurant, pub or bar listed please call Julie at (912)657-4120

Bobby’s Hometown Restaurant

Mexico City

46 June/July 2012 | Effingham Magazine

The Loft

Effingham Magazine |

June/July 2012 47

Meet Martha Kirkland Hall She is running for DISTRICT ATTORNEY of Effingham County.

I

am running for the position of District Attorney of the Ogeechee Circuit which is made up of Bulloch, Effingham, Screven and Jenkins counties.

The District Attorney is responsible for the prosecution of all felonies and juvenile prosecutions in the four county area. This position is critically important to the operation of law enforcement and the courts.

The District Attorney has to coordinate the prosecutions of these criminal actions with the clerks of court, the judges, the sheriff’s offices, the GBI, state patrol and the defense attorneys.

I have the experience and work ethic to make a difference. From 1994-2000, I worked as an assistant district attorney in the Ogeechee Circuit . For the last twelve years, I have been in private practice. My husband/law partner, Mike Hall, and I have a large blended family of eight children and one grandchild. Our office is located at 2036 Hwy 21 South in Springfield. Our children are the pride of our lives. Brandi is an accountant in San Diego having graduated from Mercer University.

Michael is a senior at Dixie State College.

He is on a ROTC scholarship and will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army in August. Samuel is a junior

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at Georgia Southern. Joshua is a junior at Furman University and is also participating in the Army ROTC. Joshua is currently in China attending Xian University on a summer study abroad program. Ashley is married and working for the Ogeechee Circuit Public Defender’s Office with plans to attend East Georgia College this fall. Cody just graduated from Screven County High and is enrolled at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville for this fall. Clay is going to be a senior next year at Screven County High with plans to attend Georgia Tech upon graduation. The youngest is Christopher, who will be going to the third grade next year at Screven County Elementary school.

I am the daughter of a career Navy man, Don Driggers, and my mother Marguerite, a homemaker. They have been married 43 years. My father, of whom I am especially proud, rose to the position of Senior Chief Petty Officer. When my father first retired, the family resided in Memphis, Tennessee.

Since retirement from the Navy, my father has principally been involved in automotive repair business.

I attended Georgia Southern College earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1991. I graduated from the Uni-

versity of Memphis School of Law in 1994.

I worked my way through school paying expenses with scholarships, loans or from working.

In the first six years of my career, I worked as an Assistant District Attorney prosecuting felonies in Juvenile and Superior Courts in the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit. In that capacity, I was also in charge of all child support actions in the circuit. In March of 2000, I left the district attorney’s office to go into private practice.

For the last twelve years I have worked in private practice with my husband, Mike Hall. In addition to my successful private practice, from 2001-2003, I was the judge for the Newington and Oliver Municipal Courts. Currently, I serve as Solicitor General of Screven County and I am a certified General/Domestic/Juvenile Mediator, in addition my private practice as a lawyer with Hall and Kirkland, LLC. My private practice areas focus on Family Law and Criminal Defense (including three death penalty trials).

I enjoy living, working, and participating in community activities throughout the area. My law practice is located in the Effingham County, and my family and I live in Screven County. My family has

“This is a chance for the citizens of Effingham County to have a voice. It is an opportunity for Effingham County to be represented by one of it’s own.” resided in Screven County over the last twenty years. My sister and brother-in-law, Julie and Chuck Cannon own and operate Foreign Aid Service Center in Sylvania. My brother Ray operates D&R Car Care in Statesboro. My family stresses hard work.

I was raised in the church and continue to be active in my local Catholic Church. Due to the fact that my husband is Methodist, we also attend Oak Grove Methodist Church in Cooperville. I help at the local soup kitchen, do pro bono work for Legal Aid and the Women’s Shelter, support the local St. Camillus Medical Clinic for the uninsured, support the church-based food pantry, and am host for the German Exchange Program. I also have been a member of the community board for Screven County Department of Family and Children Services.

My reasons for seeking the District Attorney position are centered on three concerns. First, the cooperation and collaboration between the District Attorney’s office and local law enforcement agencies in the counties is strained at best. It is absolutely necessary for the protection of citizens that the multiple law enforcement agencies of the sheriffs, police, drug task force units, GBI, etc. have confidence in and a good working relationship with all the attorneys in the District Attorney’s office. Law enforcement, the court and the District Attorney’s office must work as a team.

Second, the circuit is comprised of four counties, each with different needs, sizes and resources. The District Attorney’s staff and resources should be apportioned within the counties in a more equitable fashion. For example, there is significant lag time from arrest to indictment in several of the counties indicating more staffing may needed in those areas to expedite the process. With the counties funding cumulatively nearly $1,000,000 for the operation of the District Attorney’s office over and beyond the funding from the state, there are sufficient resources available to avoid these problems.

Third, the District Attorney’s office and staff needs to be accessible to the victims, defense attorneys, witnesses and concerned citizens to insure that each case receives a fair and just consideration with the goal, if possible, for juveniles and first time offenders to be rehabilitated. For example, juvenile mediation has been instituted in other circuits and has been shown to significantly assist in handling issues arising in school disputes between students. Cases should be reviewed on a case by case basis with the goal of protecting the family first. Breaking the cycle of violence and crime should be the goal.

Consistently throughout the campaign, I have asked voters to make their own inquiry into the current state of affairs which I see as a lack of direction and management. Law enforcement personnel complain about cases not being prosecuted; a judge recently dismissed multiple condemnation cases solely because no one from the District Attorney’s office appeared at the calendar call; and jurors have recently complained that a child molestation case was lost because of inadequate preparation by the District Attorney’s office. The “buck stops” with the person in charge. If you really want to know what is wrong with the current District Attorney’s office, ask the folks who know - law enforcement and the court personnel. Ask the folks who have been on jury duty. Ask the families of folks who have been victims of crimes as to how they were treated. It is incumbent

for the District Attorney to try the important cases in each community.

Cases involving murders, child molestation and the like need to have the actual participation of the District Attorney. These are the type of cases that do not need to be delegated to less experienced staff attorneys.

In fact, I pledge to create a specially trained team of attorney’s to handle all of the prosecution of crimes against children.

This is not a new concept, other districts have such teams. The question is why we do not. This is imperative because offenders in our community have gone free because the present District Attorney does not have such a team.

I worked my way through college and law school. My family is pure blue collar. In my family, everyone has to work and carry their own weight. Our kids participate in the military, work fulltime and are responsible. I have worked in the district attorney’s office. I succeeded in that position. I have worked in private practice and have been successful in that role. My hope is that my reputation in the community is one of being a professional and a good honest person. I have always worked hard to represent my clients in the most efficient and effective manner. It is my desire to work as hard for the citizens of Effingham County.

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Effingham Magazine

June/July 2012 49

Corinth Baptist Church To Celebrate 200 Years Sunday, July 15th

Worship Directory Gateway Community Church at Ebenezer Elementary 1198 Ebenezer Road, Rincon Andy Lamon, Pastor www.gatewaysavannah.com Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) 303 N. Laurel Street Springfield, GA 31329 Pastor: Rev. Dr. Jim Cavanah 912-754-3353 holytrinityspringfield.org Savannah Christian Church Effingham Campus 810 Fort Howard Rd., Rincon 912-925-9657 Lyle Wood, Pastor Marcus Johnson, Youth Pastor savannahchristian.com Springfield United Methodist Church 210 Cleveland Street, Springfield (912) 754-6646 www.springfieldumc.com Zion Lutheran Church 121 Noel C. Conaway Road Guyton, GA 31312 (912) 728-3430 Pastor Barb Koch info@zionlutheranGA.com www.zionlutheranGA.com If you would like your church listed in our Worship Directory, please call Julie Hales at 826-2760 or email julie@idpmagazines for details.

50 June/July 2012 | Effingham Magazine

EFFINGHAM WEDDINGS

Photos by MISTY DEBLASIO

Photographer: Misty Deblasio Catering, Cakes and Flowers: Southern Image Dress: Ever After Hair: Kim Mass of Von Sauna Salon Makeup: Stacy Cobb of MAC Cosmetics Venue: Charles H. Morris Center Coordinator: Becky Alford

M

Paige & Matthew

Mercer

52 October/November 2009 | Effingham Magazine

Effingham Magazine | October/November 2009 53

What Is the Unity Candle Ceremony?

One thing that has become increasingly popular in the past ten to fifteen years is the unity candle ceremony. The purpose of the unity candle ceremony is to celebrate and symbolize the union of a husband and wife.

Marriage, through this visual display, is being shown as a way to bring two people’s lives together into one.

If you’re thinking about having a unity candle ceremony, you can always request to have one at your wedding ceremony. First it’s important to understand the set up for the unity candle ceremony.

The Set Up The unity candle ceremony usually involves a set of three candles. One larger,

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singular candle is placed between two slimmer, smaller candles that are placed on either side. The candles are usually placed in holders (there are specialized unity candle holders if you are interested). The unity candle is usually set aside during the ceremony, and is only brought out during the specific unity candle ceremony.

The great thing about the unity candle ceremony is that there is no “set” way to perform this ceremony; you can really set it up to look how ever you please. There is also no specific time in which the unity candle ceremony must be performed. Think about your own particular wedding ceremony and plot out a time line, and think of when the unity candle ceremony would be most fitting.

Before the Ceremony Before the unity candle ceremony, you may have to find and purchase both the candles and the holders for your ceremony.

Before the ceremony on the day of your wedding, you will have to have the unity candle ceremony area set up. You will probably want to try lighting the wicks of the candles before

the ceremony and blow them out. This will ensure that the wicks of your candles will light easily during your ceremony.

During the Ceremony As mentioned above, the unity candle ceremony is not a ritual that is set in stone.

Some couples like to light the two smaller, separate candles prior to the ceremony to help represent themselves as individuals prior to their marriage. Others will light up these candles after the wedding is underway, or just before they light the one larger unity candle.

Another option is to have the mother of the bride and the mother of the groom light up the unity candles before the bride and groom enter the ceremony, or during. The mother of the groom and the mother of the bride may be escorted by an usher to light the candles prior to the bride and groom entering the ceremony, or if it is during the ceremony, the mother of the groom is escorted by an usher and the groom himself will often escort the mother of the bride.

If you have children in your current relationship, a great way to have them become a bit more involved in the wedding is to have them light the tapers or even the unity candles themselves.

However you choose to light the two smaller candles, once that is done, the bride and groom can choose when ever they like during the ceremony to light the one large marriage unity candle.

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