US Airways - September 2012 - (Page 30)

Adventure accompanies him on the road and feeds fans as part of “eat-and-greets.” No awkward preshow autographs for Zac; he and the band sit down with fans to feast on staples like beef tenderloin (grilled in his own “Georgia Clay” spice rub), Pocket Knife coleslaw, and chocolate peanut butter biscuit pudding — with most all ingredients in season and sourced from local farms. In June, Zac opened the Southern Ground Social Club in Senoia, Georgia. “It’s a restaurant, bar, art gallery, and a tattoo shop,” he explains, as well as a gift shop selling “everything we make.” Like what? Southern Grind, his metalworking shop, recycles saw blades and repurposes them as hunting knives — Zac grew up hunting and fishing. Southern Hide, his leather-working shop, custom designs everything from his leather vests and the band’s instrument straps to fan-club badges and concert posters. “The affinity for leather came from the knives, because they have to have a sheath, so you have to be able to build the leather for that,” Zac explains. When he’s not home, zac sidles up to “cookie,” the tractor trailer–size commercial kitchen that accompanies him on the road and feeds fans as part of “eat-and-greets.” To keep track: That’s leading a chart-topping band, releasing his own cookbook and food line, metalworking, leather-tooling, and running a new restaurant, not to mention his marriage of six years to his wife, Shelly, and their four daughters. Whew! In addition, his record label, Southern Ground Artists, is one of Zac’s most important accomplishments. “I want to be a part of a movement of music just like Stax records was back in the day or like Motown was,” Zac says. “I want to empower great artists . . . and help mentor them in the business but let them grow as artists.” Take Sonia Leigh, an up-andcomer on his label. She’s a little bit country, tinged with rock and blues, and she’s been called a cross between Joan Jett and Johnny Cash. “There’s a music machine out there, but the artists on the Southern Ground label have the freedom to be themselves and not have that pressure to write cookie-cutter material,” Leigh says. “It’s very original and real.” Her original songs such as “Bar,” “My Name Is Money,” and “Ain’t Dead Yet” have garnered enough music cred for her to tour with the likes of Willie Nelson and Loretta Lynn. But she gives it all up to Zac Brown. “He’s a wonderful friend, a wonderful father, a wonderful businessman, and a wonderful musician,” Leigh says. “I’m very, very blessed and lucky to have someone like him in my life.” And that brings us to Camp Southern Ground. In his formative years, while listening to Garth Brooks and dreaming of one day becoming the same brand of clever businessman and passionate performer, Zac was also involved with summer camps that combined children with typical needs and those with special needs. “A lot of my inspiration was going to Camp Glisson and Camp Michael Healing at Camp Southern Ground Just like the hit song, kids will get “knee deep in the water somewhere,” at zac Brown’s camp southern ground, expected to open in the summer of 2014. horseback riding, fishing, canoeing, and swimming are just some of the fun activities for children ages 7–17. While traditional, this camp is far from ordinary. it will cater to kids with typical needs and those affected by neurobehavioral disorders, in particular asperger’s syndrome, tourette’s syndrome, and autism spectrum disorders, as well as learning differences such as add/adhd and dyslexia. “during certain programs, we will integrate the two groups, and that’s where the magic begins,” says executive director Jean peck. “We’re showing children with special needs that they can do certain activities they might never have been able to achieve. on the other side, we’ve got photos (from top) courtesy of southern ground and By allyson Warrington children with typical needs who are able to help kids they may never have come in contact with.” and she is quick to give credit to zac Brown, the visionary behind the camp. “i think that he’s going to be known as a world-class, grammy award–winning musician,” peck says. “But he will be most famous for creating this amazing camp.” for more information about camp southern ground and to make a donation, go to campsouthernground.org. 30 september 2012 usairwaysmag.com http://www.campsouthernground.org http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - September 2012

Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen: Flying Past
Hot Spots: Best Group Getaways
Wine & Dine: Best Feet Forward
Adventure: The Joy of Tranquillity
Adventure: The Zac Brown Band
Great Escapes: Nova Scotia
Gear Up: On the Go
An Island Apart: Puerto Rico
Trained for Takeoff
Kentucky: A Great Place to Live and Work
Charlotte, N.C.: Crowning the Queen City
University Spotlight: Liberty University
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - September 2012