COLORBEARER OF ATHENS, GEORGIA LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 1987
April 24, 2019

Beverly 'Guitar' Watkins, Rick Fowler Band, Blue Roses, Michael Guthrie

Saturday, Apr. 27 @ The Foundry

By Bobby Moore

You might have come across footage on social media of an elderly African-American woman shredding on guitar, complete with a Jimi Hendrix-style behind-the-back solo. That’s none other than Atlanta-based legend Beverly “Guitar” Watkins. The still-active 80-year-old performer’s career began back in the 1950s, when her band leader Piano Red helped popularize the term “rock and roll” in Atlanta. Since then, she’s earned a reputation as a Lightnin’ Hopkins-style blues picker and a living legend of Georgia music. Her Athens-based collaborator Rick Fowler is throwing a belated party—Watkins’ birthday was Apr. 6—that pays homage to a blues legend’s historic relevance, viral fame and stunning stage presence.

Calendar

  • Saturday, April 27

    8 p.m. $10 (adv.), $13 (door). www.thefoundryathens.com

    Rick Fowler Band, Beverly "Guitar" Watkins

    BEVERLY "GUITAR" WATKINS Renowned blues guitarist from Atlanta. 80th birthday bash! See Calendar Pick on p. 17.

    RICK FOWLER BAND Original, guitar-driven local blues-rock group.

    BLUE ROSES High-energy band playing a mix of Texas, Chicago and traditional blues and soul.

    MICHAEL GUTHRIE Local singer-songwriter whose sound blends folk, jazz, pop, blues, flamenco, country and rock.

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