A Celebration of Another Year
By Johnny Cole
Photos by Stephen Anderson
Art by Robby Amonett
Thanks to very loyal readers and like-minded music fans, The Southland Music Line entered its 10th year in October of 2022. Following two years of cancellations, postponements, and uncertainty due to the pandemic, these past twelve months have seen considerable rebirth in the music scene, as well as what we have written about and photographed.
During 2022, The Southland Music Line attended several annual live music events including “Along The Pontchartrain Concert Series” in New Orleans, Louisiana, the return of “Bogalusa Blues & Heritage Festival” in Bogalusa, Louisiana, the world famous “Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival” on the Alabama/Florida state line and the “Free Flowin’ Fest” in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
We were also happy to attend the 13th Annual Mississippi Songwriters Festival in September, an event we never miss. Personally, I was asked by this outstanding organization to write the bios that were read at this year’s Mississippi Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. One of the many festival highlights was the welcoming of some exceptionally talented songwriters in a music exchange program set up between the Mississippi Songwriters Alliance and a coalition of songwriters from Sweden. Throughout the year, the alliance offered an array of top-notch entertainment including its “Songs and Stories” shows at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center in Ocean Springs.
Of course, The Southland Music Line once again enjoyed some spectacular live music during the spring and fall seasons at The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm in Silverhill, Alabama. Thankfully, the much-celebrated music destination resumed its schedule with incredible success. Beginning in the spring of 2022, we also attended some entertaining shows at the newly opened Ground Zero Blues Club in Biloxi, Mississippi, which included memorable shows by Lucious Spiller, Johnny Sansone, Maggie Rose, and the official grand opening featuring Lightnin’ Malcolm, R. L. Boyce, and the Grammy-winning Bobby Rush.
Top photo: A painting of Royal Horses (2022 Readers’ Choice Music Artist of the Year) by The Southland Music Line’s co-founder Robby Amonett; Above photo: The Walter Anderson Museum of Art’s production of “Slient Light”, campus-wide light festival and silent disco which was held on Sat. Dec. 3, 2022 in Ocean Springs, MS.
One of the nice things about living on the Gulf Coast and in the Deep South is the number of events within a close radius of us such as the Walter Anderson Museum of Arts’ “Magic Hour”, a beautiful gift to the community while honoring world-renowned and celebrated artist-philosopher, Walter Inglis Anderson (1903-1965). The beloved “Magic Hour” held at the museum in Ocean Springs features amazing art and music. Along with “Magic Hour”, we attended several other events at the Walter Anderson Museum including a fascinating photography showcase by Euphus Ruth, a “Music and the Crossroads” presentation by Scott Barretta and Robert B. Mortimer, and the year-end “Silent Light”, the museum’s campus-wide light festival and silent disco.
Road trips have always been an enjoyable part of The Southland Music Line. This year, “The Line’s” Stephen Anderson traveled to the charming and historic city of West Point, which along with Starkville and Columbus, makes up the Golden Triangle region of Mississippi. He visited the Black Prairie Museum and attended a special event hosted by the museum. We later interviewed the museum’s Jeremy Klutt for an article.
Here are some more events The Southland Music Line attended in 2022:
“Swamp Hippies’ Medicine Show” at The Juke Joint in Ocean Springs, an event captured by Anderson’s lens and Robby Amonett’s paintbrushes; our 2021 Music Artist of Year, Eric Erdman’s sold out album release show at the Joe Jefferson Playhouse in Mobile, Alabama; the Grayson Capps & The Stumpknockers’ “Reunion Show and Celebration of the Life of Ray Ard” at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, Alabama; Jimbo Mathus’ “Tin Shed Porch Musician in Residency” at the 100 Men D.B.A. Hall in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; Ethotera Art Studio’s Grand Opening in Ocean Springs and the popular UK musician, Frank Turner’s “50 States in 50 Days Tour” stop at Government Street Grocery, also in Ocean Springs.
The Mississippi Blues Trail Series
A few years ago, Brenda Germany (writer/associate editor) proposed an idea to regularly feature articles to accompany Stephen “Andy” Anderson’s already established series of photographs documenting the Mississippi Blues Trail markers. Since we began our article series, we have spotlighted markers across the entire state and abroad. This article series quickly became one of our most popular features. During 2022, we wrote and personally photographed such markers honoring Jimmie Rodgers “The Father of Country Music”, the great Howlin’ Wolf, Peavey Electronics, The Bentonia Blues, Mississippi’s R&B and Soul, and Jackson, Mississippi’s historical landmarks – the Alamo Theatre and Edwards Hotel. We have already completed the next round of markers for 2023.
The Southland Music Line’s Johnny Cole Takes On Huge Project
One of the biggest undertakings done at The Southland Music Line in 2022 was the project and article “My List of All-Time Favorite Music Venues Since 1973 – The Year I Saw Elvis Presley at Mobile Municipal Auditorium”. This complete and thorough list (with honorable mentions) features all my favorite venues from around the globe since my first official concert in 1973.
Longtime friend, John Calvin Abney, at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL. Abney was the subject of this year’s article “The Music and Friendship of John Calvin Abney”.
A few more examples of who we enjoyed authoring individual articles about in 2022: Jay Megginson, John Calvin Abney, John Mellencamp, Red Young, and Royal Horses.
The Southland Music Line has a long history of contributing writers such as Glenda Campbell, Cindy Thamert, Connie Gibbs, Juanita Smith, and Leslie Mulcahy. For the second year in a row, Dr. Tom Leytham contributed an article to “The Line”. His article spotlighting the album Moment of Truth by one of his favorite bands, The Red Clay Strays, was one of our year’s most popular articles. (The Red Clay Strays were The Southland Music Line’s 2020’s Music Artist of the Year).
Throughout 2022, we attended an abundant number of shows at some of the Gulf Coast most popular music venues such as Callaghan’s Irish Social Club (Mobile, AL), Cassidy Park (Bogalusa, LA), Club 61 at The Elks (Mobile, AL), The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm (Silverhill, AL), Government Street Grocery (Ocean Springs, MS), Grand Magnolia Ballroom (Pascagoula, MS), Jack’s by the Tracks (Pascagoula, MS), The Juke Joint (Ocean Springs, MS), The Julep Room (Ocean Springs, MS), Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center (Ocean Springs, MS), The Peoples Room of Mobile (Mobile, AL), Satori Coffee House (Mobile, AL), The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint (Ocean Springs, MS), Tin Shed Porch at 100 Men D.B.A. Hall (Bay St. Louis, MS), and more. * This list does not include the venues where Johnny Cole attended concerts and music events apart from The Southland Music Line.
Now in our 10th year, we want to thank everyone who has contributed photos, provided comments used in articles and yes, liked and followed us on social media. One of the most important parts of the article process has always been “editing and proofreading”. We have had numerous assistant editors and proofreaders who have volunteered their precious time to assist us. We would like to thank Deborah Chatham, Patsy Cheek, Sandra Cole, Connie Gibbs, and Cindy Thamert for their generosity.
The Southland Music Line had a surprisingly active year in 2022 despite our staff having to deal with a variety of health issues and family responsibilities. Thankfully, we pulled together and kept things up to date with fresh content throughtout the year. This is and has always been a joint project for us.
Our 2022 management team is Johnny Cole (writer/editor), Stephen “Andy” Anderson (photographer), Robby Amonett (artist/contributing writer) and Brenda Germany (writer/associate editor).
For complete list(s) of articles and photo collections, see link near bottom of page.
Blue Mother Tupelo was chosen as this year’s Music Artist of the Year by The Southland Music Line’s management team along with a body of consultants and contributors.
2022 Music Artist of the Year as Chosen by The Southland Music Line’s Management Team
Each year, The Southland Music Line’s management team along with a body of consultants and contributors choose a different artist to be that year’s “Music Artist of the Year.” At the beginning of December, we announced that Blue Mother Tupelo had been chosen as our “Music Artist of the Year”. Click Here for article.
Results of The 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards
During the month of December, we celebrate the Gulf Coast Music Scene with our annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The results for this year’s voting are:
▪︎ Readers’ Choice Music Artist of the Year: Royal Horses (Runner-Up: Sugarcane Jane; also receiving a considerable amount of votes in alphabetical order: Andrew Duhon, Blue Mother Tupelo, Eric Erdman, Grayson Capps, Grits & Greens, Marlow Boys, Red & The Revelers and Will Kimbrough. Nearly 90 different music artists received votes)
▪︎ Readers’ Choice Album of the Year: Where The Purple Flower Grows by Royal Horses (Runner-Up: Enough by Eric Erdman; also receiving a considersable amount of votes in alphabetical order: Emerald Blue by Andrew Duhon and Moment of Truth by The Red Clay Strays)
▪︎ Readers’ Choice (Indoor) Music Venue of the Year: Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL (Runner-Up: The Peoples Room of Mobile in Mobile, AL; also receiving a considerable amount of votes in alphabetical order: The Brickyard in Mobile, AL, Cedar Street Social Club in Mobile, AL, The Flora-Bama on FL/AL state line, Jack’s by the Tracks in Pascagoula, MS and the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center in Ocean Springs, MS
▪︎ Readers’ Choice (Outdoor) Music Venue of the Year: The Frog Pond at Blue Moon Farm in Silverhill, AL (Runner-Up: Big Beach Brewing Company in Gulf Shores, AL; also receiving a considerable amount of votes in alphabetical order: Dority’s in Dalphin Island, AL and Fort Maurepas Park in Ocean Springs, MS)
Readers’ Choice Album of the Year, “Where The Purple Flowers Grow” by Royal Horses (2022), received a record number of votes from our readers for the year’s favorite album.
Top Ten Album List(s) by The Southland Music Line’s Management Team:
☆ Johnny Cole (Editor/Writer/Co-Founder) –
▪︎ 1. Ready Now – Jimmy Hall
▪︎ 2. Only The Strong Survive – Bruce Springsteen
▪︎ 3. Wet Leg – Wet Leg
▪︎ 4. You Reap What You Sow – The Weeping Willows
▪︎ 5. Blood Harmony – Larkin Poe
▪︎ 6. Right On – Banditos
▪︎ 7. Tourist – John Calvin Abney
▪︎ 8. Where The Purple Flowers Grow – Royal Horses
▪︎ 9. Enough – Eric Erdman
▪︎ 10. Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Various Artists
Johnny Cole’s Ten Favorite Singles/Album Tracks of 2022: 1) “1. “Jumpin’ for Joy” – Jimmy Hall, 2. “Nightshift” – Bruce Springsteen, 3. “Carry Me Home” – Beach Boys, 4. “Who Is They” – Eric Erdman, 5. “Already Had It” – Chaislyn, 6. “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore” – Bruce Springsteen, 7. “Joe Roberts” – Wyatt Edmondson, 8. “Dead End Town” – Wyatt Edmondson, 9. “Say It Softly” – Della Memoria, 10. “Strange Game (from “Slow Horses”)” – Mick Jagger
* See Below for links to Johnny Cole’s Annual Year-End Lists, which includes complete list of favorite albums, favorite singles/tracks, favorte shows, 2022 Music Awards, and more!
Stephen “Andy” Anderson (Photographer/ Co-Founder) –
▪︎ 1. Birds in the Ceiling – John Moreland
▪︎ 2. Right On – Banditos
▪︎ 3. Ready Now – Jimmy Hall
▪︎ 4. Live at the Capitol Theatre – David Crosby & The Lighthouse Band
▪︎ 5. Only the Strong Survive – Bruce Springsteen
▪︎ 6. Rolling Golden Holy – Bonny Light Horseman
▪︎ 7. Blues Medicine – Little Freddie King
▪︎ 8. Turn My Radio Up – The Coffis Brothers
▪︎ 9. Lines in the Levee – Town Mountain
▪︎ 10. Radio John: Songs of John Hartford – Sam Bush
▪︎ 11. 12th of June – Lyle Lovett
▪︎ 12. Blood Harmony – Larkin Poe
▪︎ 13. Young Blood – Marcus King
▪︎ 14. Shelter of Bones – Dan Patlansky
▪︎ 15. No More Worlds to Conquer – Robin Trower
▪︎ 16. Alpenglow – Trampled by Turtles
▪︎ 17. Enough – Eric Erdman
▪︎ 18. Co-Starring Too – Ray Wylie Hubbard
▪︎ 19. Moment of Truth – The Red Clay Strays
▪︎ 20. Where the Purple Flowers Grow – Royal Horses
Robby Amonett (Artist/Co-Founder) “Alphabetical Order” –
▪︎ The Alien Coast – St. Paul & The Broken Bones
▪︎ Bloodgrass, Vol. 3 & 4 – Heathen Apostles
▪︎ Co-Starring Too – Ray Wyle Hubbard
▪︎ The Earth Earth – The Earth Earth
▪︎ The Eldorado Spell – Kryptograf
▪︎ Emerald Blue – Andrew Duhan
▪︎ En Är För Mycket Och Tusen Aldrig Nog – Dungen
▪︎ Extra Medium – Izaak Opatz
▪︎ Lava Lamp – Jonah Tolchin
▪︎ Lucifer on the Moon – Spoon
▪︎ Mermaid Salt – John Craigie
▪︎ Moment of Truth – Red Clay Strays
▪︎ Nightroamer – Sarah Shook & The Disarmers
▪︎ People Are Beautiful – Garrett T. Capps & NASA Country
▪︎ People, People, People, People – Mr. Sam & The People People
▪︎ Peculiar, Missouri – Willi Carlisle
▪︎ Red Balloon – Tank & The Bangas
▪︎ Regenerator – King Buffalo
▪︎ Re-Turn of the Wheel – The Steepwater Band
▪︎ Right On – Banditos
▪︎ Rose Pink Lemon – Dope Lemon
▪︎ Sacred – Colour Haze
▪︎ Set Sail – North Mississippi All-Stars
▪︎ The Space – Somali Yacht Clu
▪︎ Stories of the Astral Lizard, Vol. 2 – The Re-Stoned
▪︎ Sundays – Andew Combs
▪︎ Tomorrow Was Awesome – The Kinky Fingers
▪︎ Tongue of Silver – Lathe
▪︎ Tourist – John Calvin Abney
▪︎ Transmission from Mothership Earth – Nebula
▪︎ Variant – Greenbeard
▪︎ Visions – Gypsybyrd
▪︎ Ways & Means – The Deslondes
▪︎ Weird Ears – Sean Thompson’s Weird Ears
▪︎ Where The Purple Flowers Grow – Royal Horses
Johnny Cole’s Annual Year-End Lists, Complete List of Shows & Music Awards:
Click Here for the Johnny Cole’s Annual Music Awards, Favorite 100 Albums of 2022 (and honorable mentions), and Favorite Singles/Tracks of 2022.
Click Here for Favorite Shows, Concerts & Live Music Events of 2022, Favorite Individual Performances & Live Music Moments in 2022, Complete List of Shows, Concerts & Live Music Events in 2022 and Complete List of Music Artists seen in 2022.
The covers appearing on “The Line” in 2022:
Our Articles in 2022:
Click Here for our complete list of articles in 2022.
The Photo Albums appearing on “The Line” in 2022:
Click Here for “ALL” the photo collections by Stephen “Andy” Anderson in 2022 and previous years.
2022 Monthly Music Spotlight (Jan. – Dec.):
▪︎ Jan – Strictly A One-Eyed Jack – John Mellencamp (released: Jan. 21)
▪︎ Feb – The Tipping Point – Tears For Fears (released: Feb. 25)
▪︎ Mar – External Combustion – Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs (released on Mar. 4)
▪︎ Apr – Chloë and the Next 20th Century – Father John Misty (released: April 8); Wet Leg – Wet Leg (released: Apr. 8)
▪︎ May – Right On – Banditos (released: May 20); Enough – Eric Erdman (released: May 27)
▪︎ June – Sometimes, Forever – Soccer Mommy (released: June 24)
▪︎ July – Take It Like A Man – Amanda Shires (released: July 29)
▪︎ Aug – Tourist – John Calvin Abney (released: Aug. 5)
▪︎ Sept – Ready Now – Jimmy Hall (released: Sept. 16)
▪︎ Oct – Midnights – Taylor Swift (released on Oct. 21)
▪︎ Nov – Only The Strong Will Survive – Bruce Springsteen (released: Nov. 11)
︎▪︎ Dec – The 7″ Singles Box Set – Paul McCartney (released: Dec. 2)
Click Here to visit our Spotlight Music of the Month Archives.
Callaghan’s Irish Social Club in Mobile, AL was 2022 Readers’ Choice Award’s Indoor Music Venue of the Year.
Music Fans of the Month in 2022:
▪︎ Jan. – Mike & Rene Empey (Ocean Springs, MS)
▪︎ Feb. – Mary Elizabeth Kimbrough (Mobile, AL)
▪︎ Mar. – Alegra Ladd (Fairhope, AL)
▪︎ Apr. – Dustin & Belinda Cole (Covington, LA)
▪︎ May – Chris Bolka (New Orleans, LA)
▪︎ June – Rachel Campbell (Mobile, AL)
▪︎ July – Gary Miller (Saraland, AL)
▪︎ Aug. – Kris Kwitzky (Ocean Springs, MS)
▪︎ Sept. – David Krebs (Vancleave, MS)
▪︎ Oct. – Wendell Cole (Milton, FL)
▪︎ Nov. – Darrell Phillips (Mobile, AL)
▪︎ Dec. – Michael Winstead (Pascagoula, MS)
Click Here for review of all our Music Fans of the Month.
Acknowledgements:
The Southland Music Line thanks all of the fine folks who granted us access to shows, events and festivals or even saved us a seat. We look forward to sharing more good times with you all in 2023.
This year’s review is dedicated to Charles Cort; Sugarcane Jane’s Anthony Crawford wrote this of Charles: “Charles was a brilliant lyricist and extremely humorous man. There will never be another like Charles”. (Anthony is totally right). Rest in Peace, our dear friend. (photo was taken from Charles’ Facebook page)
Sunset at The Flora-Bama overlooking the beautiful Gulf of Mexico on the Florida and Alabama state line.
● CLICK HERE for 2022 Music Artist of the Year article (from Dec. 1, 2022)
● CLICK HERE for Johnny Cole’s Annual Music Awards, Favorite Albums of 2022 (with honorable mentions) and Favorite Singles/Tracks of 2022
● CLICK HERE for Johnny Cole’s Favorite Shows, Concerts & Events of 2022, Complete List of Shows in 2022 and Complete List of Music Artists seen in 2022
● CLICK HERE for 2022 Photo Highlights from the Stephen Anderson Collection
Page Designed & Edited by Johnny Cole
Additional Editing by Deborah Chatham
© The Southland Music Line. 2023.
All rights reserved
COPYRIGHT NOTICE: We welcome requests for permission to use content from The Southland Music Line website and Facebook page. Any shared articles or photos may not be altered, edited nor cropped and must include the appropriate copyrights of The Southland Music Line.
