Goin' South | Coming Soon 2021

Ryan Abel is a singer, songwriter and director based in Augusta, GA. He is a two time winner of Augusta Magazines Male Vocalist of the Year Award making him one of the most accomplished singers in the Greater Augusta Area. In 2018 he created Goin' South. In addition to his leadership and vocals in Goin' South, he's also the front man for Ed Turner and Number 9, a band that has helped raise over $1,000,000 for local charities. Ryan also enjoys performing Improv and supporting Theatrical Arts with his time and talent.

Born and raised In Augusta Georgia, Keith Jenkins began playing guitar at age 11, and by age 14 was performing at local night clubs. After getting an opportunity to audition for his idol and fellow Augustan, James Brown, Jenkins at age 20 began touring with Mr. Brown all over the world. Jenkins spent twelve years with The Godfather of Soul until the latter’s passing in 2006. Most recently, Jenkins has been focused on the Southern Rock tribute ensemble Goin’ South, in which he gets to play the music that first inspired his desire to pick up a guitar and rock.

Grady Nickel is a songwriter, guitarist, and producer from Augusta, GA. He has lived in Athens, GA and Nashville,TN and has played with a multitude of diverse bands and artists over the last 30 years. Some of these include horsepower, In Like Flynn, Hundred Year Sun, Scarlet Begonias, and now, Goin' South. He is excited to be playing in Goin' South, reuniting with the drummer from his first band (Russell Jarrett), continuing his long-standing collaboration with his partner in crime/lead guitarist (Keith Jenkins), and getting to play with musicians he has admired for many years.

Jaycie Ward is a singer/songwriter based in Augusta, GA. She has been singing around the CSRA for over 15 years, and has performed with many musicians from the area. You may have seen her play with Taylor Swan in her group “Jaycie + Taylor”, or with Goin’ South’s own Brooke Lundy. The variety of music reflects on the music she was raised on - which consists of southern rock, pop, and country. You can mention that if you’d like! I’ve done that several times since I was a kid. She has opened for Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Luke Bryan, Lady A, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town... to name a few.

Scott Terry is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist who has toured with The McKameys (southern gospel), The Lewis Family (bluegrass) and Heartland (country). He was featured prominently in special Thanksgiving shows with the late banjo legend Earl Scruggs and has been seen playing for some of Nashville’s hit songwriters. Most recently, he served as Terri Gibbs’ bass player and bandleader, coordinating concerts which celebrated Ms. Gibbs’ Billboard chart success. Equally at home in the studio, Scott has recorded with a diverse group of artists ranging from Clinton Gregory all the way to Afroman

Caleb Wilkerson was born in Tupelo, MS but has been living in the Augusta area since he was 5 years old. He grew up around music and was greatly influenced by his late father, a local minister of music. He started performing at church as a youth, singing and eventually playing bass, piano, and drums as a part of a praise team. He earned a degree in Music Education at Augusta University, focusing on piano, and played in the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. He now teaches private music lesson, plays in several local bands, and resides in Evans, Georgia with his wife Chrissy and new baby Leo.

BAND BIOS

RYAN ABEL

KEITH JENKINS

GRADY NICKEL

RONNIE HILL

JAYCIE WARD

RUSS JARRETT

BROOKE LUNDY

SCOTT TERRY

CALEB WILKERSON

ROB FOSTER

Brooks Andrews

Trey Maxwell

Mike Grigsby

Jeffery Thomas