Leon Timbo
My country roots sound incorporates equal measures of vintage soul, gospel, folk, R&B and even modern blues making for a unique experience that some have described as "transparent soul". -L.T.
Country-Soul singer-songwriter, Leon 'Timbo' is a weaver of music & storytelling.
Leon Timbo's upbringing as the son of two pastors in Jacksonville, FL, has significantly influenced his journey as a performer, allowing him to create a unique sound that inspires and uplifts. His 'country soul' style is a seamless fusion of vintage soul, gospel, folk, R&B, and contemporary blues, captivating audiences far and wide. Whether he’s performing in stadiums, at festivals, or in front of church congregations, two constants shine through: Timbo's heartfelt passion and his guitar, both of which enable him to share transformative stories through music.
Anne Cline
Anne Cline is a talented musician, singer, and songwriter based in Florida. Known for her captivating voice and heartfelt lyrics, she blends elements of folk, pop, and Americana to create a unique sound that resonates with a wide audience. With a passion for storytelling through music, Anne draws inspiration from her personal experiences and the vibrant culture around her. Throughout her career, she has performed at various venues and festivals, earning a reputation for her engaging live performances. In addition to her musical endeavors, Anne is also committed to connecting with her fans and sharing her journey as an artist. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to connect with listeners make her a rising star in the music scene.
Lou Ridley
Originally from Houston, Texas, Lou Ridley\'s deep-rooted connection to music finds its roots in her Southern heritage. Her musical style is unequivocally distinctive, shaped by her journey through both adversity and triumph. In her 2021 debut single, \"Hometown,\" Lou delves into the traumas of her upbringing in Southlake, Texas, cementing her identity as an 'anti-country' country artist determined to shatter the genre's conventional, idealized narratives. Building on the triumph of \"Hometown,\" Lou Ridley unveiled her acclaimed Sophomore EP titled Angel / Outlaw. Garnering acclaim from The Recording Academy, People Magazine, Houston Chronicle, E! Magazine, Atwood Magazine, and more. In addition to producing, performing, and writing, Ridley takes pride in being a human rights activist and lends her time to be in service to organizations that work with those struggling with substance abuse and/or homelessness.
Dallas Dimsdale
Singer from Covington ga just trying to make it big to take his friends around the world with him.
Lloyd Buchanan
Lloyd Buchanan is rooted in Gospel and the Blues. His connection to the Hammond organ began at a very early age in church accompanying his mother. This indoctrination gave way to formal studies at LaGrange College where he expanded his musical vocabulary going deep into jazz improvisation under the tutelage of pianist/composer, Randy Hoexter and guitarist, Trey Wright.
Lloyd has been a first-call session player at the Loft Recording Studio as well as numerous other facilities throughout the southeast. His B3, piano, bass and vocal chops can be heard on hundreds of recordings.
Lloyd is currently touring with Brittany Howard around the world. Over the last ten years, he has toured domestically and internationally with Brittany Howard, the Alabama Shakes, the Heavy, Oleta Adams and A7. He has the distinct pleasure of accompanying Tom Jones and Jools Holland, Joe, Bishop Rance Allen, Jon B, Wet Willie, Calvin Richardson, Joe Horness, Darwin Hobbs, William Murphy and a host of others.
You’ve seen Lloyd’s smiling face on the BBC, Jools Holland, Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Last Call with Carson Daily, Black Entertainment Television (BET), Conan, the Odyssey Network and the Word Network.
As an educator and clinician, Lloyd served as jazz accompanist at LaGrange College and as Guest Artist in Residence at Columbus State University.
Lloyd’s arrangements and productions are represented on commercials, video games, television and movies including True Blood Season 4 Finale “And When I Die”, “2013 ESPN NFL DRAFT”, and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.
When at home, Lloyd can be found playing keys with his band, Cubed Roots, recently acclaimed by ElectricCityLife.com as one of the top acts to see in the Columbus tri-city area. He also serves as the music director at Revelation Missionary Baptist Church - Columbus, GA and the 4th District of General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia.
Skylar Saufley
Skylar Saufley is already an inductee into the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame!
Skyler went from drums to guitar (his brother's) and then to paid gigs at the ripe old age of 16.
Getting compared to Eric Clapton is a big deal for any blues guitarist, and Skylar Saufley frequently draws the comparison from those who are captivated by his playing. Born in Virginia, Skylar moved to Columbus in the 3rd grade, when his father was stationed at Fort Benning. He’s been here ever since and considers himself a Columbus native, but when people hear him play, they often ask, “where did he come from?”
Some also ask, “and who is this tall, lanky white kids playing BB King?”
Over the past few years, Skylar has built a stellar reputation and earned the respect of every musician he meets. He started playing the blues when he was 13, which gives him ten years of experience. Skylar is also the most joyful blues artist I have ever met, and when I asked him how he could feel lyrics like “The Thrill Is Gone” given his age, he said, “I don’t think about anything when I’m playing. I just go somewhere else.”
His reputation in the music community is as a humble and gracious player. He’s also know to be hungry to perform as often as possible. When he was too young to play bars, he set up in coffee shops and restaurants, and even managed to find a few open mics where the organizers would turn a blind eye to the age laws, just so they could hear “the kid” play.
Dianne Durrette
Internationally recognized as a singer/songwriter and producer, Diane Durrett is always rocking
the house with her distinctive vibrato, she can belt gut-bucket blues with the best of them.
She proves it, again on her upcoming 10th American Roots release “Sweet Georgia Blues”.
Durrett’s velvet voice also shines through on feel-good singles ‘The Sweet Spot’ and
‘Chasing Sunsets’. Every song on the album has a story and an authentic meaning, recorded with
her band Soul Suga’, drummer Melissa Junebug, Keyboardist Yoel Yehuda and bassist Fuji
Fujimoto. Special guest appearances by Georgia artists, including Tinsley Ellis, Eddie 9 Volt,
Joey ‘Papa J Sez’ Sommerville and Mike Mattison as well as New Orleans GRAMMY award
winning Trombonist Craig Klein contribute to the soulful blend of the album. Setting the rhythm
at the top is a tribute to their bandmate, the late Yonrico Scott, inspired by his life called ‘Child
of the Blues’. As the album closes with gospel overtones, Durrett reflects on how singing at
church on Peachtree Street began her musical journey.
“Having grown up here, in the heart of the south, I know Georgia’s music beats with soulful
rhythm and heartfelt emotion. As a producer and artist, I wanted to capture that feeling.”
The Georgia music community holds profound significance for Durrett, exemplified by her
recent election as President of the Recording Academy Atlanta chapter, best known for the
GRAMMYs. She has served on the board for eight years in leadership roles as well as hosting
and producing a two-part series for the Producer & Engineer Wing called "In the Mix Studio
PROS: Ladies Leading the Way”. Nationally, Durrett joined music leaders as an advocate for
creators rights meeting with Senators for GRAMMYS On The Hill in Washington, DC. In time
their efforts resulted in the passing of the Music Modernization Act.
Durrett’s 2022 album “Put A Lid On It” soared to #2 on the Soul Blues International Roots
Music Report. Critics reported, “Flirts with perfection, while remaining full of feeling and
spontaneity”. In 2019 her album ‘Diane Durrett & Soul Suga LIVE’ was reviewed as “Killer,
high octane soul throughout" and rose to #5. In 2017 Durrett and Melissa Junebug were
recipients of two Global Peace Song Awards. Durrett was the winner of the 2015 ‘Peoples
Choice Award’ by Atlanta Blues Society, as well as awarded the ‘Best Self-Produced Album’ for
“Soul Suga’ & Diane Durrett' ' which charted in the Top 10 of the RMR Contemporary Blues
chart. In 2023 she was awarded an honorary lifetime membership by Atlanta Blues Society for
her music and work with the highly successful Women in the Blues event.
With a blend of raw soulful vocals, sultry tones, and strong original songs Durrett has sung with
Sting, Gregg Allman, Indigo Girls, and Chuck Leavell (Rolling Stones). Durrett has opened
shows for Tina Turner, KoKo Taylor, Delbert McClinton, and Derek Trucks. As well as lending
her vocals to recording sessions for GRAMMY award winning producer Brendan O’Brien and
Kristian Bush (Sugarland). Her song catalog includes co-writes with William Bell, Jerry
Ragovoy, Oliver Wood, Emily Sailers and Bonnie Bramlett.
Durrett has long reflected the musical passions that inspired her while growing up in Atlanta,
Georgia. From her energy-driven breakthrough debut ‘50,000 Volts of Soul’ (1993) to her
superbly executed ‘Rhythm of Life’ (1998) to her acoustic soul ‘CHILL’ (2004), to the LIVE,
‘Georgia On the Groove’ (2007), the groovy ‘Blame It On My DNA’ (2009) produced by Ike
Stubblefield to her holiday album ‘Georgia Christmas’ (2012) to her release where she joined
forces with drummers Yonrico Scott and Melissa Junebug on ‘Soul Suga’’ (2015) to her soulful
remake of ‘The Rose’ (2017) co-produced with Thom 'T.K.' Kidd to her electrifying LIVE
album recorded at Eddie’s Attic ‘Diane Durrett & Soul Suga’ (2018) to her holiday single
‘Another Ride Around the Sun’ (2019) to chart topping (2021) ‘Put A Lid On It’ to her latest
album “Sweet Georgia Blues”.
What music critics are writing;
“Funky and Feisty… A Joyous celebration of the power of music”
“Flirts with perfection while remaining full of feeling and spontaneity”
“Her hip rhythmic drive and upbeat atmosphere make for a congregation full of magical
wonder”
Here’s what audiences are saying;
“The concert was amazing!”
“We had a blast!! The show was so great and engaging!!!”
“It was an amazing show! One of the best ever!!! Thank ya’ll for the great therapy!
“Love that voice”
Neil Lucas
Neal Lucas began playing guitar professionally at age fourteen, performing with various bands alongside his father. By age eighteen he was on stage with his own band playing in nightclubs and at private parties. In 1997 Neal graduated from the guitar program at the Atlanta Institute of Music and worked in the Atlanta music industry for a year. In 1998 Neal moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He worked in the Nashville area doing session work and performing with various professional acts until early 2000. From 2000 until 2003 he was employed by a church in Columbus, Georgia. During this time his duties included everything from teaching young children guitar lessons to preparing Easter and Christmas shows. In May 2004 Neal went with singer/songwriter, Sabra, on a month long tour of the southern states (Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia) performing in coffeehouses, restaurants, and nightclubs. Later in the year he was hired by country music artist, Jodi Smith, to do a tour of the Middle Eastern countries. They performed at U.S. military bases in Kuwait, Iraq, Dubai, Djibouti, and the United Arab Emirates. In October 2004 Neal settled in the Columbus, Georgia region. He was a session guitarist for The Loft Studios in downtown Columbus for over a year, and was also recently endorsed by Dean Markley Strings. Neal has been working in the Columbus area doing various musical jobs, including teaching guitar lessons, and performing at restaurants, nightclubs, private parties, weddings, festivals, and corporate events. His band has also recently opened for The Little River Band, and Brian Howe of Bad Company. A compilation album entitled "Ten Songs From The Edge of Georgia" will feature Neal's original tune, "Smoke House". Neal is touring with the Jonathan and Lisa band as well as worked with producer, Don McCollister , of Nickel & Dime Studios, on their project "Roots". He has been traveling for the past several years and has played all over the country. He has recently performed in Atlanta, Athens, Albany and Savannah, Georgia as well as Columbus, Mississippi; Montgomery, Alabama; New Mexico, New Jersey, Panama City Beach, Florida, and more. Neal has also branched into production work with Dean Castile of Document Studios, and is currently working on his own album, which will be released at the end of the year. Although Neal experimented with various genres of music, he came full circle back to his roots with an enhanced playing style that gives him his bluesy rock tone.
Kaddy Kobain
Meet @kaddykobain coming to MA's Stage!!!!
Kaddy Kobain is a trailblazing singer, songwriter, and producer hailing from the heart of Atlanta. Known for his unique sound—a seamless fusion of haunting rock melodies laid over hard-hitting 808s—Kaddy is carving a new path in the music scene, known as Grunge Trap. Influenced by legends like Kurt Cobain, Layne Staley, and Lil Peep, Kaddy’s music channels raw emotion and gritty energy, reflecting the angst of grunge and the edge of modern trap.
With over 17 years in music production, Kaddy’s talent has brought him to work with industry heavyweights, including producing for Waka Flocka Flame and building beats that pulse with intensity. His artistry doesn’t stop there; he’s also shared stages with the likes of pop sensation Teddy Swims, bringing his fierce, electrifying presence to audiences hungry for something real and unapologetically bold.
Kaddy’s music is more than sound; it’s an experience. Every track tells a story, drawing listeners into his world of rebellion, resilience, and relentless creativity.
