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Arts & Entertainment

Local Musician Gives Back

Bryan Morris and the Fare Thee Well Foundation

Fare Thee Well Foundation, Inc. believes the axiom of "philanthromusicality" – the theory that philanthropy and music can and should be connected. The organization and its supporters employ music not only as entertainment, but also as a money-making tool, earning funds for deserving charities. Their mission, according to their website, is to support "therapeutic programs using music, music programs aimed at underprivileged and/or special needs youth, and medical assistance for musicians experiencing financial duress."

The statement goes on to say: "We hope that by creating an environment of appreciation through our fundraisers, benefits and music events, we may nourish a growing movement of philanthromusicality and civic responsibility in all those we touch."

One of the altruistic individuals behind Fare Thee Well is local Tucker musician Bryan Morris. Currently, Morris contributes vocals to and plays lead guitar in his band Electric Codpiece. Reverbnation describes the band's sound as exploring "Rock, Americana, Psychodelia, Funk, and Jam Improv with a southern sensibility uniquely their own." A crowd gathered at Tucker's Moonshadow Tavern this month to raise funds for Fare Thee Well Foundation; the benefit was a success, despite the abominable Saturday night weather.

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"I've lived my whole life here," recounts Morris. Although he commutes to and from Athens, Georgia, where his son goes to school, he remains a resident. His beginnings in music aren't tied to the guitar, however. He was introduced to the flute in middle school and played for three years. When asked why he quit the instrument, he said with a tilt of his brow, "I was going to get beat up on the bus if I kept playing the flute." Morris has been a guitarist ever since.

He has played with several bands throughout his musical career. These days you can catch him on stage alongside Electric Codpiece band members David Bard, Kevin Ponton, Brian O'Neil, Don Whitaker and Tommy Jones.

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Morris was like other musicians I've spoken with recently in that he reiterates how tight-knit and talented Tucker's musical family really is. The fact that several local artists back Morris's charity – Col. Bruce Hampton, Donna Hopkins and Ralph Roddenbery, to name a few – only bolsters this fact. In May, 2010, Fare Thee Well proudly introduced the Pepperland Music Camp Scholarship. Pepperland's mission is to help children, "from all walks of life experience the wonders of nature, music, and the good fortune of extended family," cites Fare Thee Well's website.

It's hopeful and uplifting to know that local Tucker musicians not only bring arts to the community, but they're also putting their craft toward the betterment of others. Tucker is privileged to have a creative, philanthropic-minded crowd in its midst. 

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