After years of playing with different groups in Athens, local musician Jef Whatley will perform his first solo concert in seven years on Saturday, May 18 at Oglethorpe Fresh.
A new resident of Oglethorpe, the concert will be his first in the county.
“I try to keep the energy up, I try to put on a show,” Whatley said. “I don't like to go the acoustic route. I go electric, it forces you to stand up and engage.”
The show will feature a variety of Whatley’s original songs on electric guitar and favorite covers he has played throughout his career. He will also play two songs with Classic City Jukebox frontman Carey McLaughlin.
A longtime Athens resident, Whatley moved to Oglethorpe County last August. He brings an extensive musical resumé from his time in the Classic City, including nearly two decades of work at the famous 40 Watt Club and collaborations with members of the Elephant 6 Recording Co., Drive-By Truckers and Pylon Reenactment Society.
Whatley spent the last 10 years with Classic City Jukebox, an Athens-based rock and roll cover band, playing guitar and keyboards while also providing percussion and vocals.
He plays guitar with TaxiCab Verses, an international collaboration with a percussion group from Ghana. Whatley also plays keyboards for Normaltown Sound Machine and Brown Dwarf.
Whatley said he is looking forward to focusing on his solo act and writing some more music of his own.
“It kind of forces you to write something solid to perform solidly because when it's just you, you have to give the product and you can't rely on anybody else,” Whatley said. “It kind of makes you push yourself to make something a little bit better than you might do with a few folks.”
Whatley said he enjoys playing live music because it makes him feel free, but it also allows him to create a meaningful moment for the audience by putting his own touch into every note.
“You need to be a little deliberate, have some intention,” Whatley said. “When you’re able to just absolutely deliver the intended product because of the deliberate work, it’s a really good feeling.”
Whatley said Oglethorpe Fresh owner Linda Helmly was one of the first music connections he made in Oglethorpe County. He said he admires how Helmly uses the venue to try to build and be a part of the community in Crawford, a sentiment that he reflects in his music.
“Just having people come together to be together is really cool,” Whatley said. “The atmosphere here is really comfortable. It’s like you’re hanging out on your friend’s back porch with some good music going on, good folks surrounding you. It’s just a good time.”
Whatley said he is excited to be a part of the vibrant community, and he can’t wait to share his talents and to create a fun experience in his first concert in the county.
“It’s what I try to do with everything in my life,” Whatley said. “Playing a show, just hanging out with friends, I facilitate a good time.”
Whatley will play at Oglethorpe Fresh at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Cost is $10.