Tickets: $15 (plus fees & tax)/$17 at door

Steeped in decades of experience and known for lyrical maturity that still packs an attitude, Rick Fowler brings an original yet familiar sound to fans of 1960s and 1970s rock. Rooted in blues rock tradition, the Rick Fowler Acoustic Band delivers music that feels lived-in, honest, and deeply grounded in storytelling.

Based in Athens, Georgia, the band is composed of Rick Fowler on vocals and guitar, Michael Doke on guitar, slide guitar, and vocals, Greg Veale on bass and vocals, and Deane Quinter on drums. Together, they present a raw take on blues rock, refined through each member’s deep knowledge of their instrument and long-standing musical careers. Their songs remain accessible and emotionally resonant, shaped by a collective history that spans decades.

Rick Fowler’s career includes early work with Ziggurat, Deacon Little, and Fortnox, whose 1982 song “Storm Inside My Head” reached number 44 in U.S. airplay and whose video climbed into the top 20 on MTV. In 1984, Fowler’s band Bombay recorded an album with legendary British producer Eddie Offord, known for his work with John Lennon, Yes, and Emerson, Lake and Palmer. After relocating to Athens in 1991 following extended overseas touring with Bad Fun, Fowler became a fixture in the local music scene, performing with artists connected to R.E.M., Widespread Panic, and Randall Bramblett.

Michael Doke began playing in bands at the age of ten and later co-founded The Doke Brothers with his two older siblings in the early 1970s. The group became a popular Atlanta act and opened for artists including Joe Walsh, Tinsley Ellis, Hydra, and the Artemis Pyle Band. In the 1990s, Doke was also a member of the Jan Smith Band, further expanding his musical range and experience.

Bassist Greg Veale was a member of The Normaltown Flyers and has performed with numerous influential musicians, including Jason Ringenberg and members of Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ and R.E.M. He has also opened for artists such as Gregg Allman and Derek Trucks, adding further depth to his musical résumé.

Drummer Deane Quinter has performed with an impressive list of artists throughout his career, including Chuck Leavell, Martha and the Vandellas, Randall Bramblett, T Graham Brown, members of Widespread Panic, and The Normaltown Flyers. His playing brings both power and restraint, supporting the band’s dynamic yet intimate sound.

As a group, the Rick Fowler Acoustic Band has also served as backing musicians for blues legend Beverly “Guitar” Watkins, reinforcing their deep ties to the blues tradition and their respect for its roots. The band continues to represent the genre with substance, authenticity, and a genuine love for the music.

When performing with electric instruments as the Rick Fowler Band, Tim White joins the group on Hammond organ. White has performed as a stage or recording musician with artists such as Widespread Panic, Randall Bramblett, Nancy Griffith, the Holman Autry Band, T Graham Brown, Jimmy Hall, and Colonel Bruce Hampton.

Billboard.com describes Fowler as singing with understated intensity, noting that his playing brims with dark soulful power. The review also praises his songwriting for balancing bleak realism with self-effacing humor that keeps the music grounded and human.

This performance offers blues rock delivered by seasoned musicians who understand both the history of the genre and how to keep it alive.