By Amanda Miles

Harold Shedd has spent most of his life out of the spotlight. However, last Thursday in his hometown of Bremen, Georgia, Shedd was featured as the star of the show. Harold Shedd is a country music juggernaut who dedicated his life to his greatest love, making music. His career spans many decades and includes numerous successes as both a producer and record executive. In 1979, he was instrumental in signing Alabama to RCA and then produced 21 consecutive number one hits for the band. He also produced albums for Mel Tillis, Louise Mandrell, Glen Campbell and Reba McEntire. In 1988, Shedd joined Mercury Polygram Records Nashville, where during the next six years he oversaw the signing of the Kentucky Headhunters, Shania Twain, Billy Ray Cyrus, Toby Keith and Kathy Mattea.

Throughout the day Harold was honored by his friends, family, colleagues and fans. A portion of U.S. Highway 27 (which runs through Shedd’s childhood residence in Haralson County) was officially renamed as “Harold Shedd Highway.” Later that day, the city of Bremen renamed the former Bremen-Mount Zion Road as “Music Mill Road.” The day culminated in a tribute concert at the Mill Town Music Hall, a family-friendly venue fashioned after Harold’s famed recording studio in Tennessee.

The star-studded tribute concert was hosted by Georgia Radio Hall of Fame Inductee, Rhubarb Jones. Rhubarb kept the crowd entertained between sets and established the mood for an enjoyable night. The artists, video montages and presenters walked the audience through Harold’s storied career showcasing songs, albums and musical history Harold had a hand in creating. Some of his dearest friends came to pay homage to the music man, including Mel Tillis, Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, Coach Barry Switzer, The Dysfunctional Four and Toby Keith. Native Georgians John Berry and Doug Stone were thrilled to be a part of the celebration.

Mel Tillis regaled the crowd with hilarious jokes and delighted when he obliged and played a classic tune. The Dysfunctional Four were, well, dysfunctional…but in a very comical way! Their wit kept the crowd on its toes as they jammed through an amusing setlist including a special performance from “Aquaman.” Next, Randy Owen joined Teddy Gentry for a rousing version of the Alabama classic “Mountain Music.” The smashing event was closed by country music mega-star, Toby Keith. Keith performed his first hit “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” and the summer hit “Red Solo Cup.” Toby’s songs were fantastic but his finest moment came when he spoke of his fondness for Harold Shedd. Toby announced he would have walked all the way from Nashville, just to be there to honor the man who made his dreams possible.

Harold Shedd briefly spoke to the audience at the close of the tribute. Shedd appeared very moved and touched by the love, adoration and respect he felt throughout the night. Shedd said he never expected this and was so thankful. Harold, I hope you know how thankful we are for the beautiful music you have brought into our lives!

Full Gallery after The Jump…

Photos and Review by Jamie Cowan

The Sugarland “In Your Hands” tour made its way to Atlanta to play at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, August 23. This hometown show for Jennifer Nettles, originally from Douglas, Ga., was nothing short of its title, as it seemed to be catered solely for its audience. The duo, Nettles and her band mate, Kristian Bush, rocked out the venue to popular hits such as “Stuck Like Glue,” “All I Wanna Do,” and “Little Miss,” as well as mixed in a few of the fan’s requests. Those fans, of all ages, were clad in cowboy boots galore, with their phones held high in the air as a 21^st century lighter, ready for a great show.

The “In Your Hands” tour featured special guests Canaan Smith and Dave Stewart (you may recognize that name from the British band, Eurythmics). I was quite surprised by the diversity of each artist and their genres; Smith with a more laid back pop-country sound and Stewart bringing a solid rock-and-roll, soul sound to the venue. Despite the difference in the music, both acts had no trouble entertaining the nearly-packed crowd; though I don’t think most of the Sugarland fans expected the type of music that Stewart brought to the table.

Stewart and his band; complete with a five-piece ensemble and all but one being female, mind you, led the crowd with music from his newest album, “The Ringmaster General”, set to be released Sept 4, and a throwback to some of his hits from his band, Eurythmics. The 45 minute set had few flaws, other than some technical blunders; the sound levels set too high, making the instrumentals extremely loud and the most lyrics unable to heed. What really set his performance off, though, was the introduction to his 12-year old daughter, Kaya, who sang Eurythmics’ “Mystery Man”. I was beside myself when I heard such a great booming voice, with such powerful tones come from such a young girl. Watch out, Nettles!

Sugarland was also full of many surprises last night. Implementing the “In Your Hands” concept of their show, the group made sure to make their set all about their fans. This included letting their fans create the line-up by picking each out of the crowd at random to come perform a song of their choice and gathering fan-made posters with song titles on them, deciding which song to sing. But once I thought there was nothing else that could be done to jazz up the show even more, Bush gives out a signed guitar to an audience member. And another kicker (as if there wasn’t enough), John Glosson, Nettles’ partner from the competitive television show, Duets, and fellow Georgian, comes out to perform with her. The two numbers performed by the pair, “Life is a Highway” and Sugarland’s hit, “Stay”, literally gave me chills. The combination of their two voices was mesmerizing.

I was also amazed at how active Nettles was on stage. Here I was, 6 months pregnant like she, almost to the point of waddling, while she was gallivanting around, looking oh so cute showing off her baby bump in a bright yellow shirt and maternity jeans. It was a sight to be seen!

Bottom line: If you like listening to Sugarland on the radio, then I highly recommend seeing them perform live. They are just plain fun and the comradeship between Nettles and Bush is very apparent; they won’t disappoint and definitely will not leave you wondering if there’s “Gotta Be Something More.”

Photos After the Jump

Born in Buchanan and raised in Bremen, GA, Harold Shedd played in a local band and served as a disc jockey for 14 years prior to moving to Nashville. In 1979, he was instrumental in signing Alabama for RCA and then produced 21 consecutive number one hits for the band. He also produced albums for Mel Tillis, Louise Mandrell, Glen Campbell and Reba McEntire. In 1988, Shedd joined Mercury Polygram Records Nashville, where during the next six years he oversaw the signing of Kentucky Headhunters, Shania Twain, Billy Ray Cyrus, Toby Keith and Kathy Mattea. Harold Shedd’s keen ear for talent has influenced the country music industry for many decades. It was only fitting his hometown honor him with a tribute fit for a country music king. Harold joined AMG for an interview spanning his iconic career.

You have had such an amazing, storied career. Growing up in Bremen, did you always know you wanted to be a part of the music industry?

It took me a few years to get to music. I went through other channels. I played in bands and then worked in radio broadcasting and television. It took me a few years to actually get to record production and it was truly more of an evolution than a plan. It seemed to go there.

When you made the move from Georgia to selling the station and moving to Nashville, what made you decide to take that risk?

Over the course of time, I worked in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia and Florida. Radio was a lot different then in that you had more to do with the music. You could select music you thought was more relatable to your audience. You learn a lot about music and what people like about music. You had closer communications with your audience. They wrote you letters and you talked to them. People would request a song and you would try to find out why they liked that particular song. It got to the point in the late 60′s that I knew I had to make a move. I did a lot of jingles then for radio and television and moved to Nashville in 1972 with two other guys. We opened a studio and started a jingle production company. The studio and the jingle work just kind of led into the record production.

You produced a record breaking number of #1 hits for the legendary band, Alabama. How did your relationship begin?

I had built a recording studio and during that period of time, we lost the studio. An actor friend of mine, Sheb Wooley from the Rawhide series, and another friend bought it back in 1976. We started  doing more jingles and custom work. If someone wanted to do a record, we would help them put it together and do the studio part of it. We would help them with the band and wherever they wanted to play on the session. We worked with anybody who would help us keep the lights on. A couple of friends of mine who were in the distribution business knew what we were trying to accomplish. They had a record out on Alabama called “I Want To Come Over.” They were the Alabama Band then, a couple years after the Wild Country portion of their career. My friends brought Alabama to me, so I got involved with the band and the label. I went to Myrtle Beach to see them and we became friends and still are friends. We had a great run together that is probably unequaled in country music.

There was never really a master plan of how it all came together. It was just people coming together doing what they love….which is music. It was really all about the music then.

Your love for music is what has carried you so far in your career. You produced phenomenal country music artists such as Mel Tillis, Reba McIntire, Glen Campbell. Did you enjoy the production side of the music business?

Oh, I loved it! I still love it. Even at my age, it would be wonderful. It’s a different time and age now. The music that we did back in the early 80′s is not necessarily how they do it now. The great thing is now we have the internet and so many new ways to expose your music besides the radio.

I am sure there are people, including me, who would love to have you back in the studio! You have an amazing ear for talent. How did you find some of the unknown acts you helped sign to Mercury Polygram?

Each story is different. I met Toby Keith through a friend who was a flight attendant for American Airlines. I had a lawyer friend who was on the board of directors for the Country Music Association, he knew Shania Twain’s manager. With the Kentucky Headhunters, I just happened to be at a showcase to see the act that played before them. I stayed around and listened to them and next thing you know we are talking about making a record. They all have their own little interesting stories. That’s the way music is. Music  brings so many different kinds of artists and people together. Music does more than words can ever do sometimes.

How does it feel to be honored by your hometown?

I am still trying to comprehend it! I never really dreamed of anything like this back in my Bremen days. I am looking forward to it, seeing old and new friends. There are still some friends around who played music with me in my younger years. I hope everyone who comes has a good time. There will be an awful lot of talent there in the afternoon. I am really thankful for this and I do not take it lightly. It really will be a special day.