Uga 4 3 14 proof1

April 3, 2014 | Volume 6, Issue 11 | Athens, GA

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MEET UGA GOLFER MARY ELLEN SHUMAN PAGE 2

THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD PAGE 3 ARTISTS OF THE GREEN PAGE 4 GOLF: NOT A WOMAN’S WORLD PAGE 5

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Editor's note

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MEET UGA GOLFER MARY ELLEN SHUMAN What inspired you to rush in addition to playing golf?

Known as a sport

that requires the utmost concentration, UGA Women’s Golfer Mary Ellen Shuman sets the standard for

DANIELLE WEINER Phi Mu

Editor-in-Chief

Danielle is a junior studying English and history. You may contact her at dweiner@uga.edu.

balancing school, a sorority, and athletics.

Anticipating the upcoming Masters, here is what she had to say about Golf at UGA, Bubba Watson, and Greek Life: First and foremost, you’re on the UGA women’s golf team, which is pretty

Having grown up doing so much more than golf, I thought it would be a good way to meet friends here in Athens, and both of my parents went to UGA and were involved in Greek life and are still so close to all their friends. I have grown up with their children, and I couldn’t really image college without it.

What’s your favorite memory from the golf team this year?

Qualifying for my first tournament. It was just exciting and such a way to start my college career.

Wishing her the best of luck with the upcoming season. It seems like we could all take a lesson or two from Mary Ellen’s amazing balancing act.

darn cool! What has the highlight of your year been?

Definitely just being able to travel with the team and represent UGA is more fun than I ever imagined. Especially being able to do it as a freshman has just been more fun than I could ever ask for.

Have you found it difficult to balance playing golf, greek life, and school?

Some days, yes, but over all, not really. I never have just played golf, and

THE ODYSSEY AT UGA EXECUTIVE TEAM

EXECUTIVE TEAM

President Poulomi Purkayastha

Editor-In-Chief Danielle Weiner

Sales Executives Dilreet Kaur

Contributing Editor Giles Wasson

Rachel Hamil

Social Media Director Alex Iscaro

Sigma Sigma Rho

I grew up at a school where you had to know how to balance everything,

Delta Gamma

so its just the same thing for me.

Delta Gamma

What are your feelings about Bubba Watson?

You can be totally honest.I don’t personally know him, but I think he’s a great guy from what I can tell and a great representation of UGA golf.

Are you going to attend or just watch the Masters this year?

I definitely will be watching depending on my golf schedule…..I might even try to sneak over to Augusta for a day!

Caddyshack or Happy Gilmore?

Happy Gilmore, although it’s quite the toss up.

If you could pick one course to play out of the entire universe, what would it be any why?

Augusta National – what could be better?

Phi Mu

Alpha Tau Omega

Phi Mu

Photographers Dilreet Kaur Delta Gamma

Dana Heyman

Sigma Delta Tau

OLYMPIA MEDIA GROUP 888.272.2595 | OlympiaMediaGroup.com Brittany Binowski, Managing Editor | Grant Hohulin, Designer

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Scene on campus

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THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD

Considered to be a gentleman’s game, golf is one of the most difficult sports of all time. Requiring specific calculations with little room for error, it’s easy to cave to stress, unless you’re Bubba Watson

TATE COOKSEY Sigma Chi

Tate is a sophomore studying finance & psychology. You may contact him at tcooksey@uga.edu.

In 2012, Bubba Watson’s calculation secured his win at the Masters tournament as he hit the shot of a lifetime.

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the 52-degree wedge out of his golf bag and hooked the ball about 40 yards onto the green.

Sports Science broke down his shot on Sportscenter using a range finder, GPS technology and a tape measure. John Brenkus with Sport Science said, “Bubba’s closest line of escape was on the edge of a Magnolia, 62 feet away.

A straight shot 163 yards on that line puts him in a bush left of the green.” If Watson hit the ball straight over the trees he is still 35 yards away from the pin.

According to Brenkus, “Bubba took an even more conservative route, launching the shot at least four feet left of the Magnolia. This means that, according to our analysis, Bubba was flat out wrong.”

The sport of golf is said, by most players, to be the hardest game ever played.

Anyone who has tried to play golf can attest to this. If you are one of those people, you probably remember the first time you teed off only to find your ball in some remote area of the course. This error occurs at the beginner and professional level every day. People who practice golf know that one little calculation can make or break your shot. In 2012, Bubba Watson’s calculation secured his win at the Masters tournament.

If Watson was flat out wrong, then how did he make his shot on the green?

Well, there was some physics involved to make a 52-degree wedge curve that much. “With a dramatically inside out club path, in a close club face, Bubba tilted the axis the ball spins on by up to 38 degrees” says Brenkus. “Although, golf balls are launched with backspin, tilting that axis creates a relative motion that essentially works as sidespin. Bubba generated an estimated 7,200 rpms of spin. That’s nearly three times faster than the average major league curveball spin.”

On the second playoff hole (hole 10), Bubba Watson teed up his ball for the par 4. Watson drove his ball 343 yards through the fairway and into the trees.

His ball was 163 yards to the flag in a straight line. Unfortunately, between the ball and the flag, stood a Magnolia tree, a Carolina Cherry tree and a TV tower. It seemed almost impossible to hit the ball on the green. He grabbed

Bubba Watson began his colligate career at Faulkner State Community College. After he got his grades up, he transferred to the University of Georgia.

Today, he is one of golf’s most popular players. He is a major champion and the 2012 winner of the Masters tournament. Watson’s career as a profession golfer has left a lasting imprint on the game.

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Scene on campus

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ARTISTS OF THE GREEN During this time, every green on the course has to be sanded, aerated, and cleaned. It is an operation that begins around 5 p.m. and slowly drags into dark.

ALFRED MILLS

Pi Kappa Alpha Alfred is a junior studying communication studies. You may contact him at amills@uga.edu.

With the aeration process, sundown doesn’t signal quitting time. Instead, trucks trudge in at sunset, armed with large industrial lights, a sign that hours of work are still to come under the glare of artificial light.

Even after the initial drilling of the sod is done, the cleaning process creeps on for days as the course remains closed.

Golfers revere the shape, the feel, and the body of a course, but that perfection doesn’t come easily. The next time you play a few rounds on a golf course, take a moment to absorb the beauty of the manicured field that lies before you, breathe the perfume of cut grass, and be silent. Thank the artists who polish this landscape.

It’s 5:45 a.m. on a Monday. Darkness blankets Athens. A series of heads droop into callused hands. Crack -- a Red Bull can swishes in the trash. Small talk hangs in the air, slowly drifting from the mouths of slumped, foggy-headed frames. The aroma of stale grass permeates nostrils – a constant reminder of what lies ahead.

This scene depicts the determined souls of the UGA golf course maintenance crew.

I know because that was my Red Bull can.

Every morning a maintenance crew appears at the course garage and waits for assignments. Soon a well-equipped army, mounted on a fleet of mowers and carts, exits the garage and attacks the course in a systematic, well-mapped fashion.

Whether an old timer, a turf management major, or a student looking for spending money, all march to the front lines. Dawn rises to the echo of roaring engines.

Mowing and blowing are the most common duties. Every hole of the course must be mowed, including the tees, approaches, roughs, bunkers, and greens. It takes three different mowers to achieve this. Mowing in a time-tested pattern, each worker shifts independently from hole to hole to efficiently manage the cutting.

A troop of “Gator” utility vehicles is assigned a slew of responsibilities, the most interesting being the removal of dew from the approaches. In this process, a long, thick rope is tied to the back end of two carts and pulled taut so that it just lies on the surface of the grass. Workers then race down the hole along the edges of the grass, dragging the rope behind, effectively wiping the dew from the blades of grass. Behind them are crews manned with blowers, standing ready to dry residual dew off of the greens and surrounding areas.

Depending on the day, week, and season, the mowers and blowers are followed by special tractors that paint the holes green with fertilizer. As the sun peeks from the treetops, a sheen of jade dries.

All this is accomplished before the first 8:30 a.m. tee time.

If these turf soldiers are “unlucky,” they will be employed at aeration season.

Starting on Sunday evening, the long aeration ritual tests the stamina of the crews.

Ideas debate & discuss

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GOLF: NOT A WOMAN’S WORLD

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Judy Nam, a sister of Delta Phi Lambda and a former golf player, had a similar experience. “It didn’t matter how talented I was, or even any girl on the team was, it was ‘just girls’ golf,’ so there wasn’t as much credit as boys’ golf would get. Golf really is a male-dominated sport,” she acknowledged. “At my home course, I could never find a female companion besides my sister.”

But what’s a girl to do? “The people who operate the courses, the guys who come out to the car to get your bag – it’s basically a male dominated industry,” Nancy Berkley, a consultant on women and golf, commented in a Wall Street Journal article.

“Men approach the game differently than women do. Women have a different style that is not being accommodated.”

So while you’re watching the tournament this year, consider this: while we’re preaching equality and practicing it in other realms of life, there is always going to be room for change.

More women than ever are entering the sport.

But why isn’t the sport becoming more female friendly?

PENN HANSA

Delta Phi Lambda

Penn is a junior studying publication

Consider this statistic: management and English. You may according to the National contact her at phansa@uga.edu.

Golf Foundation, in 2010, only 22 percent of golf players were women.

Rounds played by women have an even worse figure, at 17 percent. Even though nearly two-thirds of all new golfers are women, as of 2006, the overall percentage of women in golf stays the same, which means that women aren’t committing to the game. What’s going on, here?

With the Masters Tournament coming up, we’ll soon turn our focus to Augusta.

The tournament, one of the four major championships in professional golf, is steeped in ritual and exclusivity – the famed green jacket, honorary tee shots and the Champion’s Dinner are only a few of them. What will be missing from this hallowed tradition is the female golf player.

Why? Consider the next piece of news: In 2012, Augusta National Golf Club admitted its first female members, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore, a move called “a milestone for women in business” by Martha Burk, then the chairwoman of the National Council of Women’s Organizations, in an Associated Press interview. “It’s about 10 years too late for the boys to come into the 20th century, never mind the 21st century.”

This only exemplifies the problem in golf: female players are not welcomed. Most of the gatekeepers in the sport are men, making it difficult for women golfers to reach the same status as men even with the same skill. Cristie Kerr, one of the top female earners in golf, said in an interview with Forbes that she endured prejudice, even in high school.

“I played on a boy’s team in high school since there was no girl’s team,” Kerr explained. “I beat all the guys. They respected me because they had to – I was better than them. It was the only way to get respect.”

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Sports local

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THE MASTERS FOR DUMMIES As spring began to roll around and nature MALLORY started looking much MOSKOVITZ Sigma Delta Tau greener, I always knew Mallory is a sophomore studying that meant that Masters journalism. You may contact her at season was upon us. malmoss@uga.edu.

Growing up with a mother born and raised in Augusta, the home of the Masters, and a family full of avid golf fans, the Masters has always been a special weekend for me. For all you girlfriends who are going to become second to golf during the weekend of April 10 to April 13, here’s some information about the Masters that I learned from my Augusta grandfather, to help you impress your boyfriend.

Held every year in Augusta, Georgia at the Augusta National Golf Club, the Masters is an invitational golf tournament. It was started in Augusta in 1934 by Clifford Roberts and Bobby Jones.

The golfers who are invited must earn their right to play. All prior Masters winners are invited back for the remainder of their lives. Another way to get invited to the tournament is to finish in the top 15 of the US Open Golf Tournament. The winner of the Masters does not get invited into the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club, although they do win $1.2 million and the esteemed Green Jacket – a green blazer that becomes theirs for the year they hold the title.

Local homeowners in Augusta rent out their houses during Masters time.

Masters winner, Jack Nicklaus, stayed at my grandparents’ house for four years. During his stay in their house, he shot the lowest round shot to win the tournament at that time, which was a 271. To this day, my grandfather still talks about how the winner slept in his bed the day he won the Masters.

The tournament begins on a Thursday, although on the Tuesday night before, a champion’s dinner is held for all the previous winners. On Wednesday, there is not a pro-am (professional amateur) tournament like most other golf tournaments have; rather they have a par 3 tournament. No one in Masters history has ever won the par 3 tournament and the Masters in the same year.

One year, contestant Ben Crenshaw, was on the ninth hole, about to win the par 3 tournament, when his dad approached him with the fact that no one had won that and the Masters, so he messed up his shot and has since won two Masters.

Ladies, I hope these few Masters facts help you prove to your boyfriend that you really do know a thing or two about sports. If all else fails, at least watch for a little to catch a glimpse of last year’s winner, Adam Scott. He’s definitely worth watching golf for!

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Sports local

PUTT PUTT FOR THE PEOPLE

Each April, golf fanatics all over the world tune in to watch The Masters Golf Tournament to cheer Delta Delta Delta (softly, remember, it is golf) on their favored player. I Elizabeth is a freshman studying business. You may contact her at appreciate golf and respect elizels@uga.edu. the ritual of this sacred tournament, but there is another sport far greater in prestige and skill that is overlooked and deserves to be honored as highly as golf -- The Noble Sport of Putt Putt.

ELIZABETH SAYERS

Go ahead and laugh, but Putt Putt Golf is not a game to be scoffed at. Played on a more condensed version of a golf course, Putt Putt requires more focus and finesse from each player as they have only 15-20 feet at the most to effectively sink the ball in the hole.

If a player’s game is off they do not get to enjoy the luxury of riding to the next hole

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and mentally recuperating. No, they have to be on their A game at all times because the next hole in Putt Putt is merely yards away from the last. There is no fooling around for the Putt Putters.

Another point one may argue is that in the sport of golf, one is made available to many different makes and models of golf club, ranging from cheap Wall-Mart clubs to the more expensive for the Golfing Elite. The quality of the player’s club can affect the players game, and it has been suggested that the finer the club, the better the player’s performance.

In Putt Putt, the playing field is fair. Everyone plays with the same club. Putt Putt also has more recreational use while in comparison to golf. It can be played by children of any age, teens, and adults and is even popular among novices.

Putt Putt is truly a sport for all mankind. With these points in mind, one might wonder, “Why is there no Putt Putt Tournament”? A question we might all take a moment to ponder.

Why is this fine sporting game not being honored like the true testament to the human athletic ability that it is? This beautiful sport is being downgraded to being played only at fairs and children’s amusement parks, a travesty to us all. So, I urge all of you, for the love of Putt Putt, to go out there and spread the word. Putt Putt is the sport of the future!

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Sports local

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MASTERS MADNESS: WHAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES? off certain roads and hire traffic control for these events. Basically, the whole town prepares for these events, one way or another.

CATHERINE SCHMITT Kappa Delta

Catherine is a sophomore studying journalism. You may contact her at catherineschmitt94@gmail.com.

Many people watch golf and play golf for pure enjoyment of the sport. They want to enjoy the beautiful course, spend time with close friends or family, and sometimes even close up a business deal. Regardless of the reason, golf is a very popular sport. However, people don’t realize the huge amount of responsibility that goes along with a tournament. It is interesting to notice what goes on behind the scenes of this loved sport.

Men dressed up handsome, a gorgeous environment, and a beautiful, sunny day. What’s there not to love about golf?

Golf is known as being one of the classiest and most versatile sports all over the world. Whether you’re pursuing it as hobby, for a business meeting, or a career, golf is a sport that can be a part of anybody’s life. And with the Masters around the corner, golf season is in full swing.

Thousands of people attend or watch the Masters on TV to see their favorite golfers play against each other to win that green jacket. However, what goes on behind the scenes of this perfect sport? What exactly goes on before golfers show up to play and after they leave?

As an every day worker, employees who work at a golf course have to clean up balls on the range, clean golf carts, bag golf balls, and sometimes cater to the golfers.

For a big tournament, like the Masters, the entire town must prepare for the big event. These tournaments attract huge amounts of spectators, and there is a lot of preparation to be done.

Many people will volunteer their time and services for these events, making it run more smoothly. There are many construction projects that occur like setting up tents and stands. Oftentimes, towns will have to block

MERCER MADNESS

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Sports local

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actually been quite successful with these guys over the past three years. They have considerable experience and have played well in the Atlantic Sun these past few seasons, finally snagging the conference championship this year and finishing with 26 wins,” insists Dyer.

After narrowly losing the conference championship last year to Florida Gulf Coast, who went on to pull off an unforgettable tourney run, Mercer came into this season with great determination and focus.

“They’re no strangers to big games. We’ve had success against some top programs in intimidating arenas with past wins over Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn, and Utah State. Shoot, we almost beat Texas in Austin this year. So, yeah these guys have had a taste of the big time and today, that experience paid off because they weren’t afraid of the lights. Going in, the guys already had the confidence to perform in big time moments. They just went out, played hard one on one defense, found the open shooters, and won the game,” Dyer explains.

However as level as the Bears are keeping their heads, there certainly had to be some stars in the eyes.

March Madness is officially underway and shocking upsets are never in short supply on the biggest stage in college basketball.

THOMAS WASSON

Alpha Tau Omega Thomas is a senior studying accounting. You may contact him at gtwasson@gmail.com.

Since failing to reach the Dance since 1985, Mercer University’s men’s basketball team went viral today with a historic win over Duke and legendary coaching savant, Mike Kryzewski.

The only team in the tourney from Georgia, Mercer became the Peach state’s Cinderella with their inspiring win today. Today, I was fortunate enough to speak with my buddy William Dyer, who is currently serving as a graduate assistant coach for the now famous Mercer squad. He’s a UGA grad and was actually an assistant on the UGA women’s team last year when they reached the Elite 8 after beating a number one seed Stanford. He was gracious enough to take the time for me amid all the hoopla and share with me a candid view of the team that most of America did not know existed until the buzzer sounded victory for them today.

“Honestly, for the team and the staff, this win wasn’t as unexpected as people seem to think. The squad has seven veteran seniors and the team has

“I mean when [Daniel] Corsey put up an And 1 dunk towards the end of the game and put us up by 5, it got pretty surreal. At that point I felt we had it in the bag, but it wasn’t until I shook Coach K’s hand that it really hit me,” recalls Dyer. “I’ll never forget that moment.”

Neither will we, man.

Sunday, the Bears will face a pretty solid Tennessee squad led by star forward, Jarnell Stokes. However, most forget that Mercer defeated the Vols in Knoxville last year in the NIT tournament, amidst a sea of screaming candy corn orange. So, they are no strangers to this Tennessee team and are expecting a good fight.

“As far as our game plan goes, we’ll hash that out Saturday during practice and while watching film, but it’s obvious we need to stop Stokes. If we can keep the ball out of his hands, we take out the lion’s share of their offense,” Dyer says.

“I know the guys won’t allow today’s win go to their heads, though. They’re feeling great and can sense momentum is with them. They actually went out to celebrate at Atlanta Cheesecake Factory of all places, but tomorrow I know they will bring their focus and drive for game preparation. That’s what veterans do and these guys have definitely earned their stripes.”

They certainly have, and I know the entire state of Georgia joins me in wishing them the best of luck going forward. Go Bears!

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Lookbook fashion

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MASTERING THE MASTERS’ DRESS CODE

young lady to be presentable and frowned upon, if dressed otherwise.

One motto says it all:

“classy. not trashy.”

It’s that time of year, again! The time when thousands flock to

ALDEN RYKARD Zeta Tau Alpha

Alden is a sophomore studying English & pre-journalism.

Yo u m a y c o n t a c t h e r a t aldenr@uga.edu.

Augusta, the azaleas are in full bloom and all your dad wants to do is sit in front of the TV for a solid week The Masters is upon us and, if you’re like me, you’ll be watching from the comfort of your own couch. For the few lucky ones who will be walking the gorgeous grounds of Augusta National, the tried and true “what the heck do I wear?” question can be difficult to answer.

One motto says it all: “classy, not trashy.” You’ll want to consider the fact that there will be some pretty wealthy people driving, wearing, drinking and eating some pretty expensive things and if you roll up in there looking like someone who just got back from an evening of bar hopping, you will be given “the look.” You hear that, ladies? Crop tops are not acceptable!.

Heels are a definite no. We all know you love those pumps, but the Masters is a golf tournament. Grass and heels do not mesh well. A cute and comfortable sandal would be best so you can keep up with Bubba Watson. Can I get a go, Dawgs? A definite yes would be a stylish pair of sunglasses. You’ll be starring into the sun, at some point in time, and no one wants to get a head ache from squinting for hours on end.

The ultimate dilemma is clothes. With spring on the rise, I’m sure you’re itching to rock those Daisy Dukes, but remember this is golf, not an SEC football game. You can expect women to be donning their light sweaters, visors, golf shirts and khaki skirts. It is almost expected for a

Break out those lovely polo dresses and Lilly Pulitzer skirts with colorcoordinated golf shirts!

The Masters will be a week full of great food, beautiful landscapes and amazing athletic talent. Keep it classy, ladies.

500 words on

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READY FOR RELAY Get out your walking shoes and best shade of purple because it’s time to join UGA Relay for Life in the fight against cancer. On Friday at 7 p.m. the all night festivities will begin at the intramural fields.

ISABEL MACGUIRE Alpha Delta Pi

Isabel is a junior studying mass media arts. You may reach her at mimac92@uga.edu.

Relay for Life impacts survivors and family members of those who have fought cancer, and UGA brings the community together with an unforgettable Relay for Life Event.

The night will begin with cancer survivors leading the first lap, and there will be a caregiver lap to recognize those who help cancer patients. In addition to the victory laps, The Luminaria Ceremony is a silent lap to reflect on why

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Relay for Life is such an influential part on the lives of those who have endured cancer.

While UGA Relay is filled with fun and games, it is important to remember those who have passed away and to honor those still in the fight. As a sister to two cancer survivors and a friend to many who have fought the battle, the recognition of those who have endured cancer will be a memorable part of the celebration.

Relay teams have been fundraising for the event, and there will be food, games, contests, and music lining the track throughout the night. The goal of Relay is to raise money to fund cancer research, treatment, prevention, and programs. The closing ceremony will celebrate the all night festivities after the sun rises. Bringing the UGA community together in the fight against cancer is a memorable event, and everyone should make it out and participate in the fight!

12 MEET DREW HOLCOMB AND THE NEIGHBORS 500 words on music

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors is coming to visit one of their “favorite music towns” on April 5 -- the Classic City. This will be the first time in six years that they have performed at the Georgia Theatre.

DANIELLE WEINER Phi Mu

Danielle is a junior studying English and history. You may contact her at dweiner@uga.edu.

As a result, we caught up with Drew Holcomb, lead singer and songwriter, to ask about music, life, the South, and the struggles of growing up.

Here’s what we learned: Danielle Weiner: So, hey, I’ve got to ask, is this your first time in Athens?

Drew Holcomb: No, we’ve played the 40Watt about six times over the years. Last time we played it was a sold out show, and this time will be our first time at the Georgia Theatre.

What is your favorite thing about Athens? Is there anything special you plan to do while you are here?

Oh, yeah. We totally have our regular spots. We love going to Broad Street -- what’s that really cool store with all those antiques? I can’t remember what it’s called, but we love snooping around. Not to mention all the great types of food. We’ve been to Transmet several times over the past couple of years. Athens is one of those towns where you try to get in early enough to explore, enjoy the downtown, the weather, the general feel of it all. It is hands down one of our favorite music towns.

You started playing when you were 21. Obviously we are all very different from that stage of our lives until now. How has your perspective on life changed since then?

You know, I think more than anything, the greatest thing about growing up was getting married and having a career for 10 years. Everything when you’re younger seems really rushed, a year when you’re 21 seems like an eternity, when you’re 30 it’s about a month. Instead of trying to beat the clock you learn to enjoy life more.

Your perspective, empathy, and point of view -- all of it grows. There’s just a healthier sense of identity with oneself as you get more mature and comfortable.

Hearing you say that makes me feel so much better. It’s good that we all figure it out one day.

You can’t force experience, you have to let it happen to you.

What was is it like to perform with your wife? Do you remember when you two first performed together?

YES! We were in college, at Knoxville. I was a senior, she was a junior, and it was a BBQ joint (downtown Knoxville) called Lucilles. It’s closed now. But anyways, we were just hanging out with a bunch of our friends, and she just came up and performed a bunch of songs with me.

AWW!!!!! Well, obviously that turned out well for you considering you’ve been

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happily married for some years. I know you recently had a kid (well not recently, but you get the idea) how do you balance a rock star lifestyle and being super dad? You know, to get into music for a living was a total joy, but it really pales in comparison to being a dad. Emmylou loves music, she loves to dance. She actually went on the road with us for a year. Elle spends more time at home than on the road these days with her. When you’re a dad, the perspective thing changes a lot. Your career is important, but it’s not the most important thing. Being with the ones you love is.

What I love most though with Emmylou is that everything is always new. Elle and I just love being her agents of discovery.

If you could collaborate with anyone (besides your wifey and the band), who would it be?

I would love to write a song with Bruce Springsteen. He’s one of my favorite songwriters and storytellers. If I could just sit in a room with him with two guitars, talk music and pop a beer -- I would totally enjoy that. Just sitting in his company and talking about what he does and why he does it would be amazing.

What’s your playlist like when you’re driving from concert to concert?

We listen to a lot of Wilco, Jason Isbell, Tom Petty and the Heart Breakers, Carole King, Need to Breathe, Dillion – honestly, everyone in the band has a ton of different tastes! Our bass player loves old 70s soul records, and our tour manager loves big epic stuff like Arcade Fire.

What has been the biggest struggle you as a band have faced so far?

The economics of a musician’s life is a struggle, realizing that you have to tour to pay your bills, finding the balance of making a living and making your priorities your RIGHT priorities. As far as issues go, we haven’t had a lot as a band. We wake up in the morning with a positive perspective and realize that we’re living the dream a lot of people wish that they could be living.

What is your favorite memory from touring?

Honestly, there’s no way to describe how it feels the first time you play a sold out show and you see everyone around you singing your songs. Austin Texas, December 2010 – it was in that moment I realized I might be able to do this for a long time.

Do you think folk music is making a revival into mainstream pop? Why do you think that is? Does it have to do with our generation?

Folk music never really faded out per se. It’s always been underground with its niche communities. It faded out of pop culture for a bit, but it’s always been a thing.

The resurgence had to do with something and someone looking for something real and authentic. You can’t be a real musician playing real instruments on stage with electronic and pop music.

What was your favorite part about undergrad back when you were in school?

Probably going to see shows. When I was an undergrad, I went to shows all the time.

Being exposed to live music in Knoxville, road trips, seeing Ryan Adams, Damien Rice, and the Watson Twins. Tons and tons of bands. I even saw U2 when I studied abroad in Ireland for a semester. I loved how there were so many options.

www.theodysseyonline.com What advice would you give to struggling college students hoping to succeed?

It’s not about what you major in or what you’re studying; it’s about learning how to learn and finish things. In the real world, what you study won’t matter that much.

It’s a matter of learning to finish what you start. For example, when I told my dad I wanted to be a musician, he said “I’ll be at your corner” and from there on out I began to try to pursue my dreams.

What are your plans for the future? Is there another album or tour in the works?

Yeah, there’s a couple things. We started touring over in Europe in October. We’re going all over Scandinavia, and we are actually putting on our own music festival this summer. It’s called Moon River Music Festival. (For anyone wanting to go, it’s June 7th in Levitt Shell Memphis!) Later this summer we are coming back home for a bit to record a new record.

Why did you decide to start a band? Was this always a dream of yours?

It initially was a solo artist type of thing, and I just heard great music to help me make sense of my life. I started writing songs for fun as a junior in college. I got a great response, and people started encouraging me to play for others. On the way to making a solo career, I just happened to meet the rest of my band.

What was your first performance ever like?

Well, I actually sang at a school talent show when I was 8 years old in front of the entire school, parents and everything. The song I sang was an old spiritual song called, “Old Man River,” and it’s about the Mississippi River. I sang it in a deep voice and

500 words on music

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got a standing ovation – needless to say, I was thrilled.

When you write songs, how do you get into your creative mindset, and how do you narrow down which songs to put on your albums?

You know, so many people think song writing is about this word “inspiration.”

For me, it’s a matter of work, sitting down with a guitar, notepad or laptop, and you just keep up with ideas and catalogue them. You throw away a song and keep a line.

You just work at it, spend time at it, forcing yourself to sit down and be creative. As far as inspiration goes, you spend time with interesting people and do the things you love. It’s at that point that you quickly find things to say and comments based upon all the things you subject yourself to.

Do you guys know Judah and the Lions very well? How did you guys come to perform together?

We’re good friends with Judah and the Lions. We just loved their set when they first opened for us once back in the day. We really enjoy their company, and I love performing with a band that is really, really good. Having an outstanding opening band keeps the spirit of the night, making for an excellent all around concert. I’m excited to have them on the show with us at the Georgia Theatre.

Is anyone in your band a Bulldogs fans?

Well, our bass player is from Georgia, so I would say he is. However, he doesn’t really follow the whole SEC football type of thing.

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500 words on nostalgia

@sydneygreen95: Making up for low grades with high calories @Earlxsweat: I GREW UP UGLY YOU DON’T KNOW MY STRUGGLE @Lizdiamond: You can’t spell thug without hug @Maddiesmith615: Hey what is that one movie where Michael Cera plays an awkward teenager? @Amandabynes: If you look good words can’t hurt you @tinatbh: Thug life? Drop the t son. Bring it here @ProBirdRights: Um science??? You have not yet discovered how to fit more cake inside of me. #learntopriorities @CollegeStudent: I’m not crying there’s just overpriced college education in my eye

@kwaxonkwax: Trying to decide if I should put my ability to type with only my left hand under “skills” or “hobbies” on my resume. #productivity @postgradproblems: For Lent, I’m giving up. Like in general, just giving up. @tdvaz: Every time I hear that nasty word “exercise”, I have to wash my mouth out with chocolate…. @KatherineRead: If you’re about to put song lyrics on twitter, ask yourself: is it worth it? Let me work it. I put my thang down flip it & reverse it @Future1stLady1: Blue solo cups remind me of liberals.

I don’t like liberals. @Zakypoof: Sometimes you have to step outside yourself and realize you’re playing clash of clans in the middle of a gas station

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@ScottyDaNaughty: . @robinthicke drug me? Mug me?

Seriously, WHAT RHYMES WITH HUG ME? @SterRS: I just said eight turds instead of eight thirds in front of the whole freaking class. @rellyOnSMASH: them unread test messages aint gon come and cuddle wit you at night @justinbieber: Blessed each morning. Going to be a great day @_Wade92: They’re playing Bust a Move in McDonalds right now. Employees here are down to get down. #turndownforhwat @Hannie37: Eating a BLT while driving is difficult. @merrylouder: Parents turned the wifi off on my phone.

Things have gone from bad, to worse, to poverty.

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