Mount Pleasant Magazine March/April 2016

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“It’s just a great place to have
this event,” said Cook, reflecting on
the overall appeal the Lowcountry
provides. “The weather is usually
fantastic. It’s easy to travel to. There’s
a bunch of fun stuff to do.”
Fans can expect to enjoy local
cuisine prepared with love by various
Charleston-based chefs – culinary
rock stars in their own right. Some-
thing tells me those cheesy grits and
stacked barbecue plates will taste even
better once paired with live tunes.
“Two central elements of our festi-
val are music and food,” said Cook. “I
think the biggest win for us is if some-
one tries a dish they’ve never had and
ends up really liking it, while listening
to their new favorite band for the very
first time.”
Providing a platform for up-and-
coming artists, The Southern Ground
Music and Food Festival prides itself
on showcasing the acts that most
definitely deserve an attentive listen.
Take, for instance, Muddy Mag-
nolias – a Nashville-based female duo
whose harmonies have been known to
bring the house down a time or two.
Giving us vocals coated with crystal-
line tenderness and the occasional
raspy roar, these ladies bring a fierce
dynamic to every stage they share.
In the vein of Aretha and Janis, their
presence is unapologetic, raw and
consistently captivating. Heartfelt,
and at times gospel-esque, it’s easy to
see why these longhaired titans have
received much praise. They are gravel
and gusto; unfiltered emotion dressed
in blue jean cutoffs and motorcycle
boots. The very definition of power-
house, Kallie North and Jessy Wilson
are the sort of performers bound
to make you rise, reach your hands
toward the overhead blue and exhale.
Sam Bush, a maestro of the man-
dolin, is another welcomed addition
to this year’s lineup. You can’t think
of bluegrass without thinking of
this Grammy-award-winning artist,
who has graced countless stages from
Tennessee’s Bonnaroo to Colorado’s
RockyGrass. He’s shared the spot-
light with the likes of Bela Fleck and
Emmylou Harris, and, come April,
this humble music man will bring his
soulful presence to the Carolinas.
Kacey Musgraves has evolved
into the country world’s quirky yet
unlikely darling. Hitting the scene
with a rhinestone cowgirl edge all her
own, she pairs the campy with the
conscious in songs about acceptance
and trailer park living.
Michael Franti & Spearhead, the
high-energy renegades of peace and
good vibrations, will be rounding out
the primarily country, Southern rock
lineup with their distinct sound. Over
the years, Franti has become somewhat
of a preacher of the people – weaving
messages of hope, kindness and politi-
cal justice against infectious beats.
Zac Brown has jammed with Dave
Grohl, started his own record label
and manages to make sure up to 200
fans are kept satisfied with a delicious
meal prior to every show. The South-
ern Ground Music and Food Festival
is a reflection of this Georgia native’s
desire to bring a bit of chicken-fried
cheer wherever he goes. From starting
his own summer camp for children
with autism to branding his own line
of barbecue sauces, there’s really no
telling what venture he will pursue
next. Whatever it is, one thing’s for
certain: His fans will be there, eagerly
awaiting the next project’s arrival.
Come experience cold brews, sizzling tunes
and festival fare that reaches way beyond
those concessions of yesteryear at MUSC
Health Stadium, on April 16 and 17.
With a lineup that’s as spicy and diverse as
the eats offered, this is one gathering you’re
going to want to mark in your calendar.
For more information, visit
.
STYLES
You Want to Wear
843.352.7331
423
Hibben Street
Mt. Pleasant
South Carolina