Spring Break
Singer aids drought efforts
ANNA RODRIGUEZ
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Variety
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Alternative folk-rock singer/songwriter Jeff Black plays at Little
Kings tonight at 10 with local band Catawba as part of a benefit show for the Upper Oconee Watershed Network.
The purpose of the event is to promote UOWN and raise awareness of the local drought situation.
Black, originally from Kansas City, Mo., began his musical lifestyle early and continued his career after moving to Nashville in 1989.
"I was really fortunate to know what I wanted to do when I was quite young," he said in a phone interview.
With parents, uncles and grandparents all possessing and practicing musical talent of some kind, Black grew up within a "very humble legacy of family members playing music," he said.
Black began playing guitar when he was 10 or 11 years old and started writing songs "not long after," he said.
JEFF BLACK
When: 10 tonightWhere: Little Kings, 223 W. Hancock Street
Price: $12
His fourth and latest album, "Tin Lily," was released in 2005. His music was featured in films such as "Steel City," an independent film released in 2006, and "The Appalachians," a PBS documentary. Black also produces his own podcast called Black Tuesdays.
He currently is touring but intends to record his fifth and sixth albums soon, he said.
Jessica Sterling, former president and current board member of the UOWN, said the group planned the benefit
show in conjunction with Athens-Clarke County Stormwater, a program that seeks to educate on different water conservation techniques. One technique is using rain barrels, which will be auctioned off at the show.
Rain barrels collect storm water and normally are "quite expensive, around $110-$150 retail," Sterling said.
"You hook it up to a drain pipe, water runs off the roof, goes through the gutter and goes into the barrel," Sterling said. Rain barrel users can use the water to water their gardens or wash their cars.
Black was eager to promote the cause of water conservation, he said.
"I know we're not going to save the world, but it's important to raise awareness ... To me, it took no thinking at all on my part, and I hate to use this phrase, but it was a no-brainer. I'm honored to be a part of that."
He emphasized the importance of continuing public conversations about efforts to alleviate the drought and protect local water sources.
"I don't know if a rain dance would work, but I think whatever good thoughts we can put out there can't do any harm," he said.
