Carl's Scrapbook: My 80s Bands: Southern Honey #2 (1981)

Carl Chambers & Southern Honey at the Hartridge - 1981 Carl Chambers - vocals, guitars Duke Burr - vocals, guitar, harmonica, mandolin, xylophone Nancy Chambers - bass, management Joni Canova - vocals, drums Cindy Cromeans - vocals, piano

Southern Honey, "The Second Edition", was same as the first -- only without Denise Helms, our standup female singer. A few songs were dropped because they required a female trio or Denise's pure country styling, but for the most part, the songs Denise had sang were just passed on to one of the other girls.

The band enjoyed a kind of standing job (like a house band) at the Hartridge, but were never hindered from playing any shows, fairs or concert dates that would come up. It was a truly unique relationship between the band and the restaurant's owner, Paul Yates. Southern Honey was growing musically and acquiring quite a name regionally. We usually would play a five set evening that included two "show" sets where we sharpened the material we used when we played the concert dates. We also acted as back-up band for Judy Bailey, when she would have a show booked, and she often joined us at the Hartridge to perform. Local artist, Kevin Pearce, would also front the band from time to time as well as provide an occasional outside booking. The band stayed well rehearsed and the opportunity provided by the Hartridge to play several nights a week was pulling the group together musically.

Local Newspaper Ad - 1981

Southern Honey played in this configuration until early December when Joe Spann would join the group as a utility instrumentalist.

I never much liked playing in lounges, but the Hartridge was a unique experience among establishments that featured "Country Music" and was unlike any other I have ever worked in. Not one time were we ever told to turn down and one time were even told, "Hey, yall could turn up a little if you want to". I don't believe that ever happened anywhere else, before or after.

  "Live At The Hartridge"
Southern Honey #2 Medley

RealAudio Clip