By Laura Ann Tipps/Staff Correspondent
Fish, fun, and philanthropy will be the order of the day at the Mort Glosser Amphitheater this Friday, Aug. 9, as the United Way of Etowah County Young Leaders Society hosts a Fish Fry and concert from 6-11 p.m.
“The Etowah County Young Leaders Society is a group of young professionals between the ages of 21 and 45,” said Jessica Brown, Director of Resource Development and Marketing for United Way.
The group focuses mostly on seeking out networking opportunities and engaging in philanthropic activities.
A large portion of the proceeds from the Fish Fry will go toward a few of the projects to which the group regularly donates, such as Thirteenth Place, a crisis center for homeless teens in the area, and the Gadsden Public Library’s daycare reading program.
“We’re also going to be putting some of the proceeds toward a $500 scholarship that we award to one graduating senior from Etowah County every year,” said Jessica.
Each $25 ticket for Friday’s event includes food provided by the Fish Market Restaurant from 6-8 p.m.—fried catfish or chicken fingers, French fries, coleslaw, hushpuppies, and tea or water—and three musical acts. Gary Linam will perform from 6-7 p.m., followed by Rusty Ancel from 7-8 p.m.. Both men are local artists.
For the third act and the Fish Fry’s headliner entertainment, the Young Leaders Society is proud to be featuring Trotline, a southeast-born country band, from 8-11pm.
Trotline mostly plays covers of beloved country songs, but has also recently released an album of original tunes.
Guitar player and vocalist Kenny Strickland says that Friday’s show will include a couple of Trotline originals.
“We recorded the album in Nashville, and you can buy it on iTunes or download it for free on our website, trotline.net,” said Kenny.
Trotline got its start in 1997 in Valdosta, Ga., playing at local bars, then on many southeastern college campuses, before branching out to play at other types of events.
“There were four main bands that played around Valdosta at that time. Besides us, two of the others were Jason Aldean and the Young Guns, and Neyami Road, which was Luke Bryan’s band,” Kenny said with a chuckle.
On one occasion, a Georgia venue even chose to have Trotline perform instead of Jason Aldean’s band, Kenny said, adding, “It’s funny how things turn out sometimes.”
Trotline made a name for itself in a niche of its own, though, drawing large, enthusiastic crowds on college campuses, at fraternity and sorority houses, in popular bars and clubs like downtown Birmingham’s Zydeco, and now at weddings and larger events like the Fish Fry.
“We play at least once almost every weekend, between the college towns, weddings, and other concerts, so we usually play over 120 shows per year,” Kenny said.
The band is excited to be a part of the Young Leaders Society’s philanthropic event, and $10 tickets will be available at the door at 8 p.m. for those who wish to attend only Trotline’s performance.
Although food and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided within the $25 ticket price, Jessica said, “All other beverages are BYOB, and coolers are welcome as long as you don’t bring in any glass bottles.”
These $25 tickets for the whole event, 6-11 p.m., are for sale at Keystone Bank on 3rd Street in Gadsden, the United Way office, and the Chamber of Commerce.
The Mort Glosser Amphitheater is located behind the Gadsden Convention Center on South First Street.
For more information about the Fish Fry, contact Jessica Brown at (256) 547-2581.