Interview with Bill David, May 2, 2017

Partial Transcript: So you grew up in Comer...

Segment Synopsis: David talks about coming to Athens from Comer, Georgia as a teenager and the appeal of the city. David talks about the businesses that were around in Athens during the time and the emergence of new businesses during the 60's and 70's.

Keywords: Broad Street; Comer, Georgia; The Last Resort Grill; The Onion Dome; The Palace Theater

Partial Transcript: Do you recall if there were a lot of...

Segment Synopsis: David explains the atmosphere of Athens downtown as having a business culture. David talks about the few clubs that were around during the time and the slow transformation of Athens. David talks about the stigma surrounding counterculture.

Keywords: Memorial Hall; downtown Athens

Partial Transcript: So at what age did you start...

Segment Synopsis: David talks about his decision to grow his hair out in the late 1960's which was perceived as supporting the counterculture. David recalls playing his first guitar and his appreciation for Bob Dylan's music. He then describes the transformation of the Last Resort Grill to a major component of the Athens's music scene and shares memories of Terry Melton.

Keywords: Bob Dylan; Last Resort Grill; Terry Melton; guitar

Partial Transcript: The Last Resort, and so we've got Memorial Hall...

Segment Synopsis: David names the Last Resort Grill and Memorial Hall as the two primary music locations during the late 60's and early '70's. David talks about the rise in fame of the B-52's and R.E.M., and the impact that it had on the Athens community.

Keywords: B-52's; Ken Sperry; Last Resort Grill; The Georgia Theater; The Squalls; UGA (University of Georgia)

Partial Transcript: So, I'd like to talk a little bit...

Segment Synopsis: David talks about meeting Ken Starratt, the guitarist of the Squalls. David describes some of the rehearsals that he would have with members of the Squalls and the band's practice location.

Keywords: Ken Starratt; Squalls

Partial Transcript: So did you have

Segment Synopsis: David talks about his first impressions of the members of the Squalls, and the ways he adjusted his music style to fit in with that of the band. David describes some interactions with members of the B-52's.

Keywords: B-52's; Bob Hay; Keith Strickland; the Squalls

Partial Transcript: Did you ever see them play...

Segment Synopsis: David describes the early days of the band, the B-52's, and shares his impressions of the band, Pylon. David talks about moving to Athens and meeting Michael Guthrie and how he came to play bass in the Michael Guthrie Band.

Keywords: B-52's; Bob Hay; Kemp Jones; Ken Starratt; Michael Guthrie; Pylon; Vanessa Briscoe

Partial Transcript: I remember playing one...

Segment Synopsis: David talks about playing at the Athens Human Rights Festival with the Michael Guthrie Band. David describes the impact of the Human Rights Festival on Athens. David talks the Downstairs Cafe where he played as the bassist with the band Rat Stabbers.

Keywords: Downstairs Cafe; Kemp Jones; Michael Guthrie Band

Partial Transcript: Was alcohol served at the....

Segment Synopsis: David and Grace Elizabeth Hale talks about the Downstairs Cafe, a coffee shop that became a common performance area. Hale and David discuss the business model of the Downstairs Cafe and the atmosphere during performances.

Keywords: Downstairs Cafe; The Rat Stabbers; performance

Partial Transcript: We were open for lunch, too...

Segment Synopsis: David continues to describe the Downstairs Cafe, and the manager's effort to give local Athens artists a chance at performance.

Keywords: Downstairs Cafe

Partial Transcript: I don't think Mike was really...

Segment Synopsis: David talks about his hiatus in playing after the Squalls broke up. David describes playing with the band, The Yams and the Jolly Beggars. David explains his return back to the Squalls.

Keywords: Big Al-Wash; Bob Hay; Ken Starratt; The Yams; the Squalls

Partial Transcript: Do you know what year is was when...

Segment Synopsis: David talks about his introduction to playing the mandolin and the bluegrass method he adopted as a playing style. David describes the reasoning behind his decision to play the mandolin, and his return to the Squalls.

Keywords: Jolly Beggars; Mandolin; The Squalls; bluegrass