As Festival Hall remains mostly closed to the public during this current phase of the pandemic, the show must go on. Beginning this week, Festival Hall launches its new YouTube channel and a new series “Festival Hall Presents.” Director, Nicole Chillemi along with DJ and Manager of Dock 103.9 interview Greene County native, Tony Barnhart about his 45 year career as sports journalist, broadcaster and author.
If you’re a serious college football fan, you know Tony Barnhart. He is, after all, known as “Mr. College Football,” a nickname he’s earned from a long, distinguished career as an analyst, reporter, and TV and radio personality. If you’re a longtime Greene County resident you may also know that Barnhart grew up in the county and still considers it home. Tony has written several books about college football and is currently wrapping up his latest and most personal to date: Nineteen of Greene, about his last year on his high school football squad and the first year Greene County football was integrated.
Don’t expect a glossy production with “Festival Hall Presents.” Ms. Chillemi uses Zoom as her platform and aspires to create a space for the artists and friends to tell their stories. The stories and the conversations are the focal points.
“I am not a videographer by any stretch of the imagination, nor am I a journalist,” says Nicole Chillemi. “I just want to share some fun and inspiring stories from people who are connected to the arts or Festival Hall.”
In addition to Tony Barnhart, “Festival Hall Presents” a conversation with Atlanta Braves organist, Matthew Kaminski. Matthew shares his story and some “behind the scenes” as the Braves organist. Of course, more profiles are in the works including: Maurine Brower of Lake Country Players, Crystal Jackson of Southern Spice and singer songwriter, Eliot Bronson.
“I wanted to provide some sort of programming for the public as we are not to be open in our normal capacity,” states director, Nicole Chillemi. “I’ve always been interested in what inspires people to create, so I thought, why not talk to some of the amazing people in our community as well as some of my creative friends, like Matthew?”
To view “Festival Hall Presents,” visit Festival Hall’s website www.festivalhallga where you can click a link to the YouTube channel. Be sure to keep an eye out for future profiles!
Festival Hall would like to thank Tony Barnhart, Matthew Kaminski, Chip Lyness, Kendrick Ward, Mayor Matt Seale, and Katelyn Jenkins for assistance on this project.
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