Fester Hagood has spent 25 years in the music industry, committed to creating a space where artists feel heard.
When nominations opened for this year’s Vic Chesnutt Songwriter of the Year Awards, he saw it as an opportunity to gain recognition for his work and to be part of an initiative supporting independent artists.
“I saw Vic Chesnutt in concert, and I’m a big fan of his music, and I just really love the Rotary Club and the board and everything (that) is keeping his music alive out there because he was never a household name,” Hagood said. “But he’s such a unique songwriter that it really piqued my attention.”
The Vic Awards, which honor local singer-songwriters across multiple genres, are accepting nominations from Oglethorpe County and the surrounding area through March 20.
What sets them apart is their accessibility.
Unlike most singer-songwriter competitions, it’s free to enter and open to self-nominations from artists of all ages, said Judy Long, the owner of Byhalia Books & Media, and a member of the award’s steering committee.
“It's just a rare thing in this town,” Long said. “Usually, people want (nominees) to play for free and donate their time, but we want to honor the singer-songwriter.”
Hagood, a singer-songwriter from Athens, sees the Vic Awards as an extension of Oglethorpe County’s tight-knit music community, which he’s helped build.
Every second Sunday, he hosts “Mojo Confessional,” a songwriter showcase at No. 3 Railroad St. in Arnoldsville, giving a stage to emerging artists. Hagood strives to create an intimate “listening room” atmosphere — free from background chatter and blaring TVs — where the focus remains on the music.
“It’s trying to find places where people appreciate the music, and you're not just something in the background that people have to talk over,” Hagood said.
This year, Hagood is entering his song “It Ain’t Whiskey,” an acoustic track about resilience.
“It’s pretty simple, but I think it's a good, positive message about coming out of a rough time,” he said. “And everyone goes through rough times.”
The Vic Awards aim to elevate original songwriting talent while honoring Chesnutt, who died in 2009.
“I think (the awards do) serve a big role in this town because it's a music town, but it's hard to get a foothold, so this just gives the opportunity,” Long said.
The competition launched the careers of several Athens-area musicians, including 2022 winner Elijah Johnston, who has released an album and signed a record deal. Last year’s winner, Clover County, a graduate of UGA’s music business program, has since been on a national tour and will return as the headliner for the 2025 ceremony.
Each year, industry professionals review submissions and select five finalists. This year’s judges include filmmaker James Ponsoldt, musician Griffin Lotson, composer Heather McIntosh, singer-songwriter Tim Maggart and music journalist Chad Radford.
