In just over a year from their Athens debut, the band was headlining weekend nights at the legendary Georgia Theatre. The Theatre became the Avetts' home in Athens; the living room in which they connected with their listeners, each show building upon the last, year after year. When The Georgia Theatre burned on June 19, 2009, Athens lost more than a building. It lost an irreplaceable bridge between artists and music lovers. It comes as no surprise that the Avett Brothers, known for their incorruptible bond with their audience, are eager to help re-build the meetinghouse essential to an artist's connection with fans. 

Scott Orvold, Manager of The Georgia Theatre, has watched the Avett/Athens relationship unfold in real time. "I feel there as always been a mutual respect and appreciation between the Avetts and The Georgia Theatre. Wil (Greene, owner of The Georgia Theatre) and I both have North Carolina roots and were fortunate enough to watch them grow out of that area from early on in their career. We are very humbled by their gesture and genuinely excited for them and their continued success. 

The Avett Brothers are not alone in doing their part for The Georgia Theater Re-Build. The March 29 event is being made possible in part by UGA's Terry College of Business Music Business Program. In an unprecendented commitment of resources and manpower, each student in the program will be involved with the event in some way. 

"We are excited to be involved", says David Barbe, the program's Interim Director. "This is a great opportunity for all parties. Our students get to work on a larger-scale project with experienced promoters and accalimed artists in a venue that is bigger than anything else they have worked with to date. Richard Mullinax and Georgia Theatre Presents get a bright, energetic, creative-thinking work force who will give the concert the level of detail it deserves. Most importantly it is an opportunity to show what we can accomplish when we pull together the various sectors of the Athens music community."

This much is for certain: the Avett Brothers are a grassroots phenomenon, built from the ground up through years of relentless touring and giving communities like Athens unwavering honesty in their art and performances. Their latest studio project, I and Love and You marks the point at which they're poised, with perfect timing, to break through to a broader audience. 

The Georgia Theatre and Rich Mullinax present The Avett Brothers, March 29, 2011, at The Classic Center Theatre, 300 N Thomas Street, Athens, GA 30601. Tickets go on sale Friday January 14, 2011 at 10:00 AM and can be purchased on line at www.ClassicCenter.com or through the Classic Center Box Office (706) 357-4444.