Peach Pickers Concert Raises $100k For Georgia Music Foundation

The Peach Pickers (L-R): Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip

The hit songwriting trio of Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins, and Ben Hayslip (The Peach Pickers) hosted their second annual “Jameson Irish Whiskey Presents—Georgia On My Mind” concert at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on May 12. The event raised over $100,000 to benefit The Georgia Music Foundation.

Among the artists joining them onstage were Luke Bryan, Tyler Farr, Cole Swindell, Randy Houser, Lee Brice, Lauren Alaina, Thomas Rhett, Craig Campbell, Maggie Rose, Drivin ‘n’ Cryin’s Kevin Kinney, Travis Denning, Jordan Rager, Jon Langston and Cole Taylor.

A highlight of the night included a set by students from The James Brown Academy of Musik Pupils. After their performance, Davidson pointed out that the money raised that night goes to schools like this.

“Bringing together so many friends to play their hits and celebrate the music of Georgia at the Ryman was something special on its own,” says Davidson. “But watching the artists and the audience react as the J.A.M.P. kids tore up the stage was a proud moment for me. Everyone got to experience first-hand why we are raising money for the Georgia Music Foundation and why it is so important to support programs that give kids the opportunity to participate in music and learn about the music history of their home state.”

After the J.A.M.P. performance, Davidson and two other Georgia Music Foundation board members, Dinah Gretsch of The Gretsch Company, and Karla Redding-Andrews, executive director of the Otis Redding Foundation presented the Flamekeeper award to Deana Brown-Thomas, daughter of James Brown and founder of J.A.M.P., and to Keith Jenkins, J.A.M.P.’s musical director who played guitar for Mr. Brown for 13 years.

Students from J.A.M.P. perform