IRS-Recognized 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization — Est. 2022 — All Donations Tax Deductible
Our Mission
BLUES. BBQ.
COMMUNITY.
The Flint River Blues BBQ & Heritage Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating the blues music tradition and BBQ heritage of Southwest Georgia.
Albany sits at the crossroads of the Delta blues tradition and the Georgia soul sound. Ray Charles was born 90 miles east. The Chitlin' Circuit ran straight through here. This is not a history we invented — it is one we inherited, and one we take seriously.
Preserve the Blues
The blues was born in the American South — and the Flint River corridor runs through the heart of that story. Albany, Georgia is the birthplace of Ray Charles, who carried the sound of this region to the world. We exist to keep that music alive, not as a museum piece, but as a living tradition.
Celebrate BBQ Heritage
Championship BBQ is a craft, a culture, and a community. The Flint River competition honors the pit masters who have kept the tradition burning for generations — from the headwaters in College Park down to the river's end near Bainbridge.
Invest in Every Community
The festival is designed to travel the length of the Flint River — from College Park, Georgia to Bainbridge — bringing economic and cultural impact to every market where it is presented, not just Albany. We partner with local vendors, hire local crews, and invest in the arts education programs of each host community.
Geographic Mission
THE FLINT RIVER CORRIDOR
The Flint River begins at College Park, Georgia and winds south through the heart of the state before ending near Bainbridge — more than 340 miles of river, history, and community. The Flint River Blues BBQ & Heritage Festival is designed to exist in any community that borders or sits in close proximity to this corridor.
Our mission is not limited to Albany. Every market along the river is a potential home for this festival — and every event is designed to deliver real economic and cultural impact to the host community, not just pass through it. Local vendors, local crews, local arts programs. The festival invests where it lands.
Albany holds a special place in this story. It is the birthplace of Ray Charles — who was born here before his family moved to Florida, and who still has family members in Albany today. That connection to one of the most important figures in American music is not incidental. It is the foundation.
"The blues doesn't belong to one city. It belongs to the river — and to every community the river runs through."
Festival History
HOW WE GOT HERE
The Night It Started
It rained. It didn't matter. A determined crowd gathered at Chehaw Park in Albany, Georgia for what would become the spark that lit everything. The show moved inside, and what followed was something nobody forgot — national, regional, and local Blues & R&B artists sharing a stage, the room electric despite the weather. The Zac Harmon Band stole the show. That night made it undeniable: Albany needed this festival, and this festival needed to be organized properly. The work began the next morning.
The Next Chapter
Building on the energy of that first unforgettable night, the festival is moving forward with its next event — Billy Rigsby live at the VFW facility at 315 Philema Rd in Albany, Georgia on August 1, 2026.
Legal Status & Governance
OUR ORGANIZATION
The Flint River Blues BBQ & Heritage Festival is organized and operated by a federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation incorporated in the State of Georgia. Our tax-exempt status was granted by the Internal Revenue Service and is maintained in good standing.
As a charitable organization, we are governed by a volunteer board of directors drawn from the Albany community. All net proceeds from ticket sales, vendor fees, and sponsorships are directed toward festival operations, arts education grants in Albany-area schools, and the preservation of Southwest Georgia's blues heritage.
FESTIVAL TEAM
Prof. Joël C. Johnson
Director
Associate Professor of Music Industry & Modern Strings — Albany State University, GA
Joël Johnson brings over 23 years of university teaching experience in music industry, music theory, modern guitar, and American Studies (Hip-Hop) to the Flint River Blues Festival. He has recorded on internationally released albums and performed and lectured in over 36 countries. Prof. Johnson has shared the stage with world-renowned artists including Dr. John, Fred Wesley & The New JB's, Cody ChesnuTT, and The Drifters.
In addition to his accomplished performance and academic career, Prof. Johnson is a BMI artist and music publisher — owner and CEO of Sonic Warrior Music (BMI).
Quan Williams
Vendor Coordinator
Owner — Naked Eyes for You LLC
Quan Williams is the proud owner of Naked Eyes for You LLC, a beauty and wellness brand dedicated to helping people look good, feel confident, and embrace self-care without apology. Through a thoughtfully curated collection of natural bath and body products, hair care, beard care, satin accessories, and intimacy products, Quan is passionate about creating quality products that promote confidence, relaxation, and healthy self-expression.
In addition to her business, Quan enjoys connecting with the community by hosting pop-up markets and vendor events that provide opportunities for small businesses to grow, network, and thrive — a mission she has championed for over 10 years. Her goal is to inspire others to invest in themselves, support local entrepreneurs, and build a thriving vendor community, one event at a time.
Festival Founders
Patricia & Thomas Swain
Founders — Flint River Blues BBQ & Heritage Festival
Founders — GA State African American Chamber of Commerce (GSAACC, Inc.)
Patricia & Thomas Swain are the founders of both the GA State African American Chamber of Commerce and The Flint River Blues Fest. The festival is a production of GSAACC, Inc., which is solely responsible for its contents. The two are the epitomes of independent entrepreneurship and are responsible for the launching of several companies under the heading of GSAACC, Inc. — to include Friends of GSAACC, Inc., GSAACC Friends Ventures, LP, and The Flint River Blues BBQ & Heritage Festival, Inc., a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization duly recognized by the IRS.
Both are keenly focused on economic development in the Black community and believe that wholesome, culturally uplifting entertainment is a powerful means of delivering family-oriented messages driven by music. They believe a major festival can assist in changing the economic dynamics of any community by driving tourism and music-oriented businesses.
Music production is in their blood. Credits to their names include The Ray Charles Music Festival (2012), featuring Sheila Ray Charles, and The Beach & Blues Music Festival (2006), featuring The Drifters and Eric Culverson. The Flint River Blues Fest is on its way to being the Best of the Best!
WEAR THE BLUES
MAKE A DONATION
Your donation directly funds arts education programs in Albany-area schools and preserves the blues heritage of Southwest Georgia for generations to come.
The Flint River Blues BBQ & Heritage Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit — all donations are fully tax deductible. Founded by Patricia & Thomas Swain, every dollar stays in the community.