HEART OF PINE AND PICKLED HOLLER

Hailing from the music-rich city of Athens, GA, Heart of Pine was formed in 2015 by Steven Bagwell and Travis Richardson following a series of highly productive songwriting sessions. Heart of Pine’s self-described “Southedelic” sound is inspired by a culmination of influences spanning classic rock, blues, country, jam, Americana, and funk genres. Listeners will most certainly hear the impact that artists like The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Waylon Jennings, The Band, Grateful Dead, Little Feat and Lynyrd Skynyrd have had on the members of the band. Heart of Pine has shared the stage with artists such as the Turnpike Troubadours, Brent Cobb, Drivin N Cryin, 49 Winchester, Red Clay Strays, and Corey Smith. 

In 2019, Heart of Pine released their debut album Highly Flammable. This seminal release included the soon-to-be fan favorites Evangeline, Four Feet Deep, and Gypsy Queen, among others. Highly Flammable showcases Steven Bagwell’s powerful voice and effortless vocal delivery, while the complimentary songsmithing of Steven and Travis Richardson stands out as being unique, yet also comfortably familiar. Eager to capitalize on the overwhelmingly positive reception to Highly Flammable, the band went back into the studio and recorded the EP titled Southedelic in 2020. The songs I Ain’t, High Time, and The Other One illuminated a band that had clearly found their sound, which rests comfortably in the realms of Southern psychedelia and back porch storytelling. 

In recent years, Heart of Pine has expanded the lineup to include keyboard extraordinaire Jesse Fountain, multi-instrumentalist Boone Hood on bass, and longtime Athens, GA musician Todd Headley on drums. This current configuration has really ignited the band and spurred on the further development of the Southedelic sound fans have come to know and love. In 2024, Heart of Pine is set to release their second full-length studio! Heart of Pine isn’t afraid to take chances musically and they are constantly striving to broaden their sound, while staying rooted in engaging, honest and heartfelt songwriting. We hope our sound finds you and that we can connect at a live show in the near future! Our fans mean everything to us, so please be sure to come say hello or reach out on social media if you have a place in mind that we should play. 

Pickled Holler is the story of a man, and a woman, and sometimes some other people, but don’t worry this isn’t a dirty story. Unless you count all of the dirty picks, muddy traveling shoes, and rustic tales from dusty eras both old and new.

Matthew and Jessica Williams and their friends have been singing these songs from Pickled Holler (rumored to lie somewhere between Carrollton, Americus, and Athens, GA-but that depends on who you ask) for many years, and expect to continue just as long as there are people who like to smile, dance and listen to great songs.

Matt and J are blessed to have performed with so many musical heroes on the live stage throughout the years including Wynonna Judd, Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Kevn Kinney, Jim Lauderdale, Jeff Mosier, David Blackmon, John Mailander, Leftover Salmon, Jason Carter, Larry and Jenny Keel, Jimmy Herring, Oteil Burbridge and countless others.

Each Pickled Holler show is played with humble yet fierce intention and provides a unique listening experience.

Host or Publisher Seth Hendershot