It has been a long time since Blackberry Smoke has been to Grand Rapids but they are bringing the "You Hear Georgia Tour" to town in December.

Get our free mobile app

Blackberry Smoke

Marcus Ingram/Getty Images
Marcus Ingram/Getty Images
loading...

Blackberry Smoke is a southern rock band that hails from Atlanta, Georgia. Smoke was formed in 2000 and features Charlie Starr (lead vocals, guitar), Richard Turner (bass, vocals), Brit Turner (drums), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals), and Brandon Still (keyboards).

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Blackberry Smoke
Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Blackberry Smoke
loading...

Blackberry Smoke has a southern blend of classic rock, blues, country, and folk that has allowed them to amass a giant following while pretty much doing everything themselves.

Keith Griner/Getty Images
Keith Griner/Getty Images
loading...

Blackberry Smoke has a diverse sound that allows them to perform along side some of the greats like Guns n' Roses, Eric Church, ZZ Top, Zac Brown Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Tedeschi Trucks Band.

Blackberry Smoke's Charlie Starr Has a Tie to West Michigan

Echoparkintruments.com
Echoparkintruments.com
loading...

There is a guitar company in Michigan by the name of Echopark Instruments. The owner is a legendary guitar luthier Gabrial Currie who once worked for Leo Fender. Currie has built a couple guitars for Charlie Starr like the one in the picture above that is called a "Downtowner."

One of the guitars the Echopark built for Starr was made from wood from the bottom of Muskegon Lake from sinker pine. They refer to these guitars as sinker guitars and if you want to hear what one sounds like, play the video above and you get to hear the vintage tones and some pretty sweet licks from Starr.

If you want to learn more about the sinker guitars and more from Echopark just click here. I personally hope to own one of these handcrafted beauties someday.

Blackberry Smoke at the GLC Live at 20 Monroe

Keith Griner/Getty Images
Keith Griner/Getty Images
loading...

Blackberry Smoke is coming to the GLC Live at 20 Monroe on December 14. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, September 23 at 11 a.m.

CHECK IT OUT: Top 100 '70s Rock Albums

Forgotten First Albums: Rock's 61 Most Overshadowed Debuts

More From 97.9 WGRD