Shoal Creek Music Park (also known colloquially as Shoal Creek and Gypsy Farm) is a recording studio and former amphitheater in Hart County, Georgia. It is owned and operated by Zeke Sayer. The venue is best recognized by its namesake, Shoal Creek, which the venue runs alongside of.
While the venue in its time as an amphitheater (1962–2011) was primarily known for hosting concerts and music festivals, other events of various types and sizes were held throughout the year.
The venue played host to a wide variety of acts throughout the years, with notable performers including; The Carter Family, Roy Acuff, Marty Robbins, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Ernest Tubb, Johnny Cash, Ralph Stanley, Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buck Owens, Skeeter Davis, Conway Twitty, The Statler Brothers, The Louvin Brothers, Hank Williams Jr., David Allan Coe, Loretta Lynn, Barbara Mandrell, and Ronnie Milsap, among numerous others.
History 1960s-1970s
In 1961 Alton and Bertha Mae Walters purchased a 162 acre farm, they would turn it into a concert venue on the suggestion of Bill Anderson. On May 5, 1962, the venue would open, hosting Mel Tillis as their first ever act, with him and his band playing on a small stage constructed from a former sand house.
An indoor venue was added to the park in 1967. The indoor portion was expanded in 1971 to a seating capacity of 3,500, allowing the facility to host events at capacity during rain and winter months. Its first concert played host to Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner on Halloween 1971.
In the 1970s, the Georgia State Bluegrass Festival launched at the park, hosting acts such as Bill Monroe, Lester Flatt, The Osborne Brothers, Jim & Jesse, Jimmy Martin, Ralph Stanley, Mac Wiseman, The Country Gentlemen, J. D. Crowe, and Doc Watson.
In 1975, founder Alton Walters was recognized by the CMA for his contributions to the venue and development of country music.
1980s-Present In the 1980s, the park started to decline as costs increased and managing the facility became more difficult. In May 1989, Clem Sayer purchased the facility, and would begin to add additions onto the facility.
Clem Sayer would pass away in his sleep at the park on February 15, 2011. The park played host to its final performance in May 2011, in a 3 day memorial festival in Clem's honor.
The park still operates as a recording studio today under the guidance of Clem's son, Zeke Sayer.
Notable performances 1960s Mel Tillis — Inaugural concert on May 5, 1962. Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, and Speck Rhodes — August 29, 1967 Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys, The Osborne Brothers, and Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys — July 26, 1969 Del Reeves — August 2, 1969
1970s Charlie Louvin and Skeeter Davis — May 30, 1970 Stonewall Jackson — June 27, 1970 Loretta Lynn — July 18, 1970 Nat Stuckey — August 1, 1970 Carl Smith and Jean Shepard — August 8, 1970 Hank Snow and Lester Flatt — August 15, 1970 Conway Twitty — August 22, 1970 Ray Price — September 5, 1970 George Jones — September 6, 1970 Mel Tillis — September 12, 1970 David Houston — September 19, 1970 Faron Young — September 26, 1970 Jerry Lee Lewis — September 27, 1970 Tompall Glaser & The Glaser Brothers — June 19, 1971 David Houston and Barbara Mandrell — June 26, 1971 Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner — Performed 1st concert at indoor venue, October 31, 1971 Cal Smith — April 21, 1973 Mother Maybelle Carter and The Carter Family — May 12, 1973 Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner — May 20, 1973 Tom T. Hall — June 9, 1973 Ernest Tubb & The Texas Troubadours — June 16, 1973 Conway Twitty — June 23, 1973 Charlie Rich — June 30, 1973 George Jones and Tammy Wynette — July 13, 1973 Hank Williams Jr. — July 14, 1973 Johnny Cash — September 15, 1973 Conway Twitty — July 12, 1975 David Allan Coe — August 14, 1976 Mel Street — September 25, 1976
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