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24 - WELCOME HOME 2016-2017
songs and has played at the National
Peanut Festival in Savannah and the
Cherry Blossom Celebration in Macon.
Among his tunes is a wonderful tribute
to Flanagan’s 24-year-old brother who
had a wreck on a four wheeler but is do-
ing much better these days. Considering
that Flanagan is only 15 years old, he
has had some amazing success already.
Caleb Hutchinson lives in Dallas, GA
and had the pleasure of playing for
millions of people on” The Voice.” “It
was so cool. The best thing was I had
the chance to talk with Blake Shelton
and Adam Levine. I hope to return to
California after I complete my EP later
this year,” Hutchinson said. Caleb has
opened for several entertainers at Mill
Town Music Hall and he received a
standing ovation on June 18th when
he was the opening act for T. Graham
Brown and Jimmy Fortune. There was a
big difference in his stature and poise on
stage from several years ago when he was
part of the West GA Sing-Off.
Hutchinson is thinking of a dual enroll-
ment at college after his senior year in
high school next year. Another teen-
ager, he has been appearing at local
venues and even travelled to Jasper to
perform at The Fainting Goat Café, part
of the renowned Fainting Goat Winery.
At John A’s in Nashville, Caleb went
on stage to cover for the Blues Band
that was supposed to be entertaining the
crowd and this was when he was only
16 years old. His gruff bass vocals lend
himself to Country music perfectly but
he also likes to sing Gospel music in
church.
Bremen’s Ivey Redding has just gradu-
ated from high school and is on her way
to the much heralded Belmont College
in Nashville. Known for their renowned
Music Business Program, Redding is
looking forward to studying Songwriting
and Vocal Performance. “I am excited
about having the opportunity to learn
more about songwriting and vocals.
When I was in Colorado recently, the
mountains and beautiful scenery coaxed
me to write more songs,” said Redding.
The break must have been worthwhile
because Redding’s latest CD, So It
Goes, is nothing short of outstanding.
Produced by Nashville’s Scott Cash,
winner of many Dove Awards, the music
is light, and supports the softness of
Redding’s vocals. “So it Goes,” the title
tune, expands Redding’s vocal ability by
including her ability to change octaves
cleanly and without any straining.
“Rope” has a great melody backed by
other vocals that harmonize with Red-
ding’s signature sound. She also has been
the opening act for several Mill Town
acts in the past. “It’s fun being in the
studio with professional musicians and
producers but the Belmont experience
will give me the chance to increase my
songwriting expertise.
Andrew Weaver is only 14 years old and
has managed to show his expertise with
his new Taylor Guitar and songwriting
capability. During Georgia On My Mind
Day, he played before a private corporate
event at the prestigious Cherokee Coun-
try Club. With the money he received
from that event and the first place
winnings from the Mayfest Teen Idol
competition in Carrollton, Weaver was
able to purchase his new instrument; not
bad for a teenager to be actually receiv-
ing payment for playing music.
Weaver is in ninth grade in Bremen and
his stage presence and good looks, a la
American Idol, have helped him with
developing a fan base in West Georgia.
His Folky-pop sound brings a young
crowd for his Tuesday outings at The
Moonlight Grill in Bremen. His new
tune, “Dominoes,” illustrates the song-
writing competence that has helped him
become a favorite artist in West Georgia
and beyond.
Mary Lee Turner from Bremen is an
artist with a different stroke. Graduat-
ing from high school, she has decided
to attend Columbus State University
School of Music because of their Per-
forming Arts Program, especially theater
and voice. Responding to a question
regarding other conservatories, she said
“that I might have been able to get into
Cincinnati or Boston Conservatory
but there are benefits from my choice,”
You see, Turner is an Opera or Classical
singer, quite unusual for our area of bud-
ding talent.
Another reason for Turner to enroll at
Columbus State is that they have a link
Mary Lee Turner, a an 18 year old girl who sings not only
country, but Opera as well!