[PHOTOSTORY 1: OUTDOORS] Bluegrass Hootenanny in North Augusta

By Daisy-Grace Hooper

Darcy Williams of North Augusta Cultural Arts Center presenting The Dusty Angels at Music in The Park. Music in The Park is the weekly summer series where bands perform at the local park in order to promote the need of music and culture in the lives of all. 

The crowd listens and enjoys the bluegrass tunes from The Dusty Angels. People from all different ages come to enjoy the music that was being played. 

The Dusty Angels (from left) Ethan Balducci, Chris Haley, Lora Floyd, Andrew Howell, Jerry Hart and Luke Hanley starting their set. The Dusty Angels are a bluegrass band based in Augusta, Ga and have been playing together for about three years according to Howell.

The crowd listens and enjoys the bluegrass tunes from The Dusty Angels. People from all different ages come to enjoy the music that was being played. 

(From left) Bowser, MG and Mack Smith hanging out at a distance from the crowd and still enjoying the music. “We’re just not a big fan of crowds and bowser [the dog] loves people way too much to be sitting over there. He can make best friends with a stick,” said MG Smith.

The Friends Of North Augusta Animals (FONAA) tabling at the concert. FONAA is a volunteer group of the North Augusta pound that takes care of some of the animals and is currently raising money for an animal shelter of their own through going to local events like the concert.

Lora Floyd (on harmony) and Andrew Howell (lead singer) of The Dusty Angels singing and playing their songs. The band originated from a song that Howell wrote and wanted to produce.

Joe Richards playing the fiddle during the concert. Richards started playing violin when he was eight and picked it back up a couple of years before The Dusty Angels began as a hobby outside of his day job as a software developer.

(From left) Luke Hanley, and Richards looking to the group to communicate where they’re going in the music. Bluegrass has a Freeform structure to where there is a main guide for the song, but each player could have times of solos to freely improvise which require skill to be able to communicate with your ban members while playing.

Luke Hanley on mandolin strumming away during the concert. “I honestly could tell you how I got into the mandolin. It’s such a random instrument people don’t think about and that is what intrigued me about it,” said Hanley.

The Dusty Angels and Guitarist Chis Haley plays his solo. “It’s a group effort. Not one person is better than the other. We’re just here, together experiencing this moment together,” said Haley.

Lora Floyd (on harmony) of The Dusty Angels singing the song she described as her favorite. “Bluegrass isn’t just country. It’s songs of protest and the struggle of life. Everyone can resonate with that,” said Floyd.

Lora Floyd (on harmony) of The Dusty Angels singing the song she described as her favorite. “Bluegrass isn’t just country. It’s songs of protest and the struggle of life. Everyone can resonate with that,” said Floyd.

Eric Dallas, in the blue hat, applauding the end of a song. “I came to the concert because I’ve never heard bluegrass before. I really like it,” said Dallas.

Jeffrey Wood, a member of the audience, watches the the concert. He is an avid goer of the weekly concert series and looks forward to hearing the different genres and groups that perform.

On the left, Diana Greene enjoys the bluegrass play on. “I’m from South Alabama and I remember as a little girl hearing my brothers make their own song and I would dance along to their tune,” said Greene, “A good ole hootenanny.”

On the left, Diana Greene enjoys the bluegrass play on. “I’m from South Alabama and I remember as a little girl hearing my brothers make their own song and I would dance along to their tune,” said Greene, “A good ole hootenanny.”

From left, Howell and Richards of The Dusty Angels playing their song together. Howell and Richards were the first of the group and love to ‘fiddle’ around and come up with new tunes to play according to Richards.

Tom Smith sitting out from the crown is paying extra close attention. “I’m the sounds guy that’s why,” said Smith laughing, “I did think it was odd though that people didn’t sit closer. Maybe I stink.”

The crowd captivated by the music and the good times. As the night dwindles down, the crowd still listening to the songs.

The Dusty Angels thanks the crowd for their time, the North Augusta Center for The Cultural Arts and FONNA for their time. “We really appreciate you choosing to spend you time celebrating music and the songs of the human experience,” said Howell.

The crowd cheers as The Dusty Angels round up their set and finish playing their last song of the night.

The Dusty Angels pack up their instruments to get ready for their next gig. The North Augusta Center for Cultural arts hosts bands and artists weekly with their last concert of the summer taking place July 2 at Riverview Park.