DEEP ROOTS 2023: Grammy-winning Blues Traveler to headline

Published 11:00 am Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Though still six months away, momentum is building toward Deep Roots Festival 2023. 

Festival organizers this week announced the band lineup for the event’s main concert stage, including one of the biggest headliners in Deep Roots history. 

Grammy Award-winning jam band Blues Traveler tops the concert bill for the Oct. 21, 2023 festival to be held in the streets of downtown Milledgeville. Made up of harmonica-wielding lead singer John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill, bassist Tad Kinchla, and keyboardist Ben Wilson, the group first got together over 35 years ago in Princeton, New Jersey. Since then Blues Traveler has released 14 studio albums (and counting), four of them have gone gold, three platinum, and one six-times platinum with more than 10 million units sold worldwide. The band broke through with multiple hits from its fourth album, aptly titled “Four,” that was released in 1994. “Run-Around” and “Hook” are Blues Traveler’s biggest songs to date with over 200 million streams combined on Spotify. “Run-Around” won the band a Grammy for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1996. More recently, the Blue Traveler’s latest album released in 2021 called “Traveler’s Blues” was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Traditional Blues Album category.  

“With the 20-year anniversary, we wanted to make sure the headliner was a slam dunk,” said Deep Roots music chair Jimmy Holder. “Sometimes in the past the music was geared toward the late-night, younger crowd. In celebrating 20 years, we wanted something that people of all ages could enjoy.”

Saxophonist/singer Vanessa Collier is also slated to play the Deep Roots concert stage on Oct. 21. She first picked up a saxophone at age 9, and it’s paid off. A multi-instrumentalist, Collier has won numerous Blues Music Awards while weaving funk, soul, and rock into her songs. Her work has even drawn the admiration of blues legend Buddy Guy, who’s quoted by outlet American Blues Scene as saying: “There’s a young lady (speaking about Collier) that came on stage with me, I forget where I was, but she’s playing an alto saxophone, and man, she was amazing.”

In a bit of irony, Holder said that when he booked Collier he didn’t know she was already opening for Blues Traveler on some other tour dates this year. 

“I’ve had the advantage of seeing her live,” Holder said. “She’s just a powerhouse. She’s incredibly talented and full of energy. I’m super excited to see her again and for Milledgeville to see what she’s all about.” 

Collier is at least the second scheduled Deep Roots performer with a tie to bluesman Buddy Guy. Another was Joanna Connor, who was supposed to take the local stage two years ago before the festival was canceled by Covid. 

Rounding out the main stage performers in 2023 is Richard Martin and Friends, a collaborative act made up of musicians seen often on stages in Milledgeville and the surrounding area. Richard Martin has been involved in the live music scene in middle Georgia for over two decades whether that’s playing as a solo act, in bands, or booking talent for restaurants and festivals. With this being Deep Roots’ 20th year, Martin has gathered a group of artists to celebrate the milestone and highlight Milledgeville’s music scene. Those scheduled to appear alongside Martin include Dustin McCook, Jon Joiner, Matthew Billingsley, Shaquille Wright, Hal Register, Emmett Hardwick, Chris Covey, Alex Stone, Syler Slates, Caitlyn Carroll, and Jon Cutsforth. 

“This one was kind of a no-brainer for me,” said Holder. “Richard is an extremely talented person who we’re lucky to have in Milledgeville. I’m really looking forward to having a bunch of local musicians celebrate on that main stage together.” 

After two years off due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Deep Roots returned in October 2022 with a few changes that were originally scheduled for implementation in 2021. The biggest change was giving festival-goers free access to most everything Deep Roots had to offer. The artist market, car show, locals-only concert stage, commercial corridor, and more all had no admission cost. The wildly-popular KidZone with its massive inflatables along with the main concert stage located in the parking lot next to the downtown post office were ticketed. 

That setup must have been successful because it’s back for 2023. To mark 20 years of Deep Roots, festival organizers are offering $20 early bird main concert stage tickets for 20 days beginning May 1 at noon through May 20 at 11:59 p.m. Ticket prices increase to $30 on May 21. Tickets may be purchased online at deeprootsfestival.com. For tickets purchased in advance, a will call will be set up beginning Monday, Oct. 9 at the Visit Milledgeville (formerly known as the Convention & Visitors Bureau) office at 200 W. Hancock St. The will call location for day of the festival pickup will be announced in mid-October. 

According to a press release from Holder, KidZone unlimited passes will be available the day of the festival at $10 for kids 6 and under and $15 for kids 7 and up. Those passes are valid from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More information regarding Deep Roots 2023 will be released in the coming weeks and months. Keep an eye on the Deep Roots Facebook page and website for announcements.