Downtown Barnesville was transformed overnight Thursday into a barbecue lover’s paradise and the sweet sounds of free music will fill the air beginning at 5 p.m. The Friday night concert is free and features a one-hour set by Commotion and two-hour sets by Frankie’s Blues Mission and Rollin’ Bones with guest performer Roger ‘˜Hurricane’ Wilson. A little more on some of the bands on the weekend schedule from the 4.24.2012 print edition of The Herald-Gazette: When it comes to music, BBQ & Blues will feature plenty of local talent, including the Pope Collins Band and Josh Humphries, better known as Biscuit. The Pope Collins Band includes Jerry Pope on bass guitar and vocals, Larry Collins on bass and backup vocals, drummer Ed Raven and Tom ‘T.P.’ Phelan on keyboard and vocals. They are also bringing in a guest performer from Atlanta, Randy Flame, for a short set. Flame played at a local club a few weeks ago and specializes in blues, soul and rhythm and blues. ’We’re not necessarily an all-blues band,’ said Collins. ‘We play old soul, classic rock and a little bit of everything.’ The duo had a band in high school before going their separate ways, joining up again to form the Pope Collins Band about a year ago. They recently played the Forsythia Festival and can be heard at local benefits and clubs. They meet regularly at Larry’s Listening Room at Ladebco Guitars downtown. It is operated by his son Justin Collins, also the sound man for the band. ’We’re all retired now and we play for fun,’ he said. On the other end of the scale, Josh Humphries, a young Lamar County firefighter, has just moved to Nashville, Tenn., to further his musical career. He is coming home for the festival. ’I’ve written a song about Barnesville, ‘˜That’s Just Us,’ and plan to debut several other originals on Saturday,’ he said. He is the son of Johnny Humphries Jr. and Lisa Floyd and the grandson of Barbara and Jeff Hatcher and Oretha and Johnny Humphries Sr. ’I started playing guitar when I was about 6 and singing when I was about 8. I wrote my first song when I was 12,’ Biscuit said. ‘I just love to sing.’ His first gig ever was at New Haven Baptist Church in his hometown of Jeffersonville in Twiggs County. He also led the Barnesville First Baptist Church youth band, playing rhythm guitar. While he has played at every BBQ & Blues, last year was his first time being recognized on the playbill. He has also played at the anniversary of the Pastime Grill and at last year’s Benefest for tornado victims. So far, Humphries has 17 completed songs and another 10 in progress. He has two demo CDs. Other local bands on the schedule include the Melflames, led by Roger McLeod, playing Saturday at 6 p.m. At 7:15 p.m. the Mark Henson Band hits the stage. Walker Ozier, twin brothers Derek and Daniel Petty and Jeremy Monroe are returning from Georgia Southern University to perform with their band Commotion at 5 p.m. Friday. Also performing will be Rollin’ Bones, featuring festival co-founder Carl Pruett, with special guest Roger ‘Hurricane’ Wilson, at 8:30 p.m. Friday.
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