AJC - Drivin N Cryin to be honored...

Drivin N Cryin to be honored under Gold Dome

By Alexis Stevens

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

For more than 25 years, the band Drivin N Cryin has created a sound all its own. It's a combination of rock, blues and folk, and it has influenced countless others.

On Thursday, the Atlanta-based band will be honored in front of the Georgia General Assembly with its own resolution. The current four band members and two former members will be under the Gold Dome at 10 a.m., Kenneth Green, the band's manager, told the AJC.

"They've contributed so much to bands that exist today," Green told the AJC Wednesday.

House Resolution 387, sponsored initially by Rep. Margaret Keiser of Atlanta, includes highlights of the band's career, which has produced 10 albums.

"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body recognize Drivin N Cryin for 26 years of incredible music, commend their commitment to improving the lives of others, and invite them to be recognized..." the resolution states.

In addition to the music, the band will be commended for its charity and service over the years, Green said. From concerts benefiting charities to donations of memorabilia for auction, the band has made "giving back" a priority, he said.

In September, it was Drivin N Cryin that needed the help when a thief stole the band's trailer and virtually all of its equipment after a show in Macon. Within moments of fans being notified know about the crime, the phones started ringing, Green said.

Thanks to technology, word spread instantly via Facebook, Twitter and e-mail about the theft. Fans, fellow musicians and strangers offered guitars and drums so the band could keep playing.

"We’re all emotionally overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and caring the Georgia music community, our fans, our friends and our families have shown," Green told the AJC three days after $50,000 worth of equipment was stolen.

A few items were later recovered and the man suspected of stealing the trailer was caught, Green said. The band didn't miss a show of its fall tour.

And along the way, the band picked up a new generation of

fans and reunited with many it had lost along the way, Green said.

"The silver lining was that we were able to motivate our fans to stay involved with the band," he said.

Band front man Kevn Kinney will be performing Friday night at Atlanta's Star Bar and Saturday in Athens.

http://www.ajc.com/news/drivin-n-cryin-to-866950.html

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