Without Pearls in Concert

Without Pearls is the name of the group from Athens, GA who will perform at The Old Courthouse on the Square at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night, June 10. The group takes its name from one of their original and most popular songs.

Without Pearls is a band that tries to answer this question: How many different kinds of music can three education professors from the University of Georgia explore? Although grounded in alternative country, folk, and bluegrass, the band also plays swing, pop, blues, and R & B. Formed seven years ago and in its second incarnation, Without Pearls features tight harmonies and wide-ranging set lists that include covers and originals. Mostly, they play what they like and they like what they play.

Lew Allen is the most versatile member of the band, playing mandolin, guitar, & harmonica, sometimes all at once. Until recently, he also did backup vocals until he flatly refused to embarrass himself any longer. Lew has been known to camp out at the blues stage at Merlefest and secretly longs to be a member in a Gram Parsons cover band. Hailing from Kansas, Lew fingerpicks his guitar and flat picks his mandolin, rarely confusing one for the other. His harmonica solos can only be described as sweet.

Unlike her AARP card-carrying band mates, Janette Hill is a child of the Eighties. Her Elvis is Costello and her Bono isn’t Sonny. Still, she feels as comfortable singing “Georgia on my Mind” as she does singing the latest by Rosanne Cash. Able to pick harmonies out of thin air, Janette is also the band organizer and librarian; doesn’t every band have one?

Bob Fecho plays rhythm guitar and sings many of the lead vocal parts, mostly because the subtlety of singing harmony seems to elude him. Bob also writes most of the band’s original material, which can only be described as cynical or sad, sometimes both. The band’s eclecticism might also be attributed to him, enjoying everything from Springsteen to Son Volt to Steve Earle.

The summer concerts at The Old Courthouse on the Square are presented by the Union County Historical Society as a public service and to keep alive the tradition of music in The Old Courthouse. There is no admission charge; the musicians donate their time and talents. Voluntary donations to the maintenance fund are always welcomed and appreciated.

Blairsville, Georgia - home in the North GA Mountains

© 2002-2007 BoeBro Ventures, Inc. All Rights Reserved.