Covington, if you thought our limelight was dying down, think again. Not only is Covington known as The Hollywood of the South, and as the filming location of many popular television shows and movies, but we are gaining traction in the music department as well. Local country musician, Gannon Adams, has been on a roll with positive attention. Country music fans will fall in love with his upbeat mix of music. Especially his big hit “Game Face.”
This home grown southern fellow comes from a family that would be considered “musicianless.”
“Unless you count singing in the shower, which everyone in my family does,” Adams said. “I guess I’d be the only musician in my family.”
Raised in rural Mansfield, Adams has always loved jamming out to country music. He decided to take his jamming out to the next level by learning to play the guitar around the age of 13. He graduated FROM Eastside High School and continued his education in the backwoods of Tifton at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. After attending ABAC, he participated in a Georgia Country competition, his very first competition, and won second place.
From there, things took off like wildfire.
He was introduced by a mutual friend to a man named Barry Williams, father of big time country artist, Jason Aldean. Williams, who works with Rocket Man Entertainment, had Adams play some tunes in the studio and according to Gannon, “it took off from there.”
Now, the 26-year-old that has always had an ear for music has landed in some big-time places. He has traveled from small town Covington all the way to Nashville. Adams, in April of 2012, opened up a show for one of country’s “oldie but goodie” classic artists, Merle Haggard at the Ryman Auditorium. Merle Haggard, which according to Gannon, has been a huge inspiration to his career.
In fact, when asked what the first song he learned to play was, he said “a Merle Haggard tune.” He was able to play another show with the legendary artist in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. at the Country Tonight Theatre and also again in Macon.
“Those were my fondest memories along with being on national television for the Vince Lombardi Trophy awards show in Houston, Texas,” he said.
Gannon will be performing Saturday at the Olde Town Pavilion in Conyers and on April 27 in Jacksonville, Fla. where he’ll be opening up for Montgomery Gentry.
Gannon started off solo, but he completed recording on his first album “Breaking Me Down” with his hit “Game Face,” with a band (Ronnie Williams who plays bass, Daile Allman on drums, Tony Moon and Nathan Singer on the guitar) at the Johnson Brothers Recording Studio located in Covington.
When asked how he balanced his music career with other obligations, Gannon explained that he started out working with his family at Key Curving and Paving, but soon realized that his passions lay elsewhere.
“My family and I both realized that passion comes first and my passion is music.”
As for advice, Gannon has some words of wisdom for those who may be nervous about taking the plunge.
“Play as much as possible. Just get out there in front of anyone and play.”
You can go see Gannon get out there and play this weekend in Conyers. Check out his website gannonadams.com for more dates and info on the up-and-coming country star and download “Game Face” from iTunes.
