Rock Fore Dough concert raises money for First Tee of Augusta

Samantha Winn, Aiken Standard, S.C.
·3 min read

Apr. 5—Rock and country music took center stage Tuesday at the Evans Towne Center's Lady A Pavilion for Rock Fore Dough, a longtime Masters week concert tradition.

With acts including Riley Green, Cody Webb, Sister Hazel and Voice of Harold, the concert raises money for First Tee of Augusta.

"I think being an original band from the Southeast, knowing the history of this area, having so much history ourselves, this is such a good fit for us and feels like coming home," said Ken Block, a member of the band Sister Hazel which is based in Florida. "It's just being a community and getting behind a cause and all of these events around it so strongly, it's just a blast and that never gets old for us."

"I'm thrilled to be back at this event because I have been involved in this event through Hootie and the other band I'm in, Occasional Milkshake, for the last 15 years or so," said Mark Bryan with Voice of Harold. "What an honor to be coming back and playing with Joe (Steveson) in a band that is paying tribute to one of the great Georgia bands of all time. Anytime where you get to do anything like this, play music and have fun for charity, I'm in."

"You think of the Masters and Augusta, you think of traditions and years of traditions," said Stephanie Mitchell of North Augusta who was attending the concert.

Rock Fore Dough has previously raised over $1.65 million dollars for the First Tee of Augusta.

"We haven't done this (at Evans Towne Center) in three years," said Jill Brown, executive director of First Tee of Augusta. "We did a virtual Rock Fore Dough, we did an inside Rock Fore Dough, but nothing is like this kind of Rock Fore Dough. I just want to take the time to thank you all for coming out this evening. It is great to be back, great to be safe and great to be pandemic free."

Cody Webb, another artist performing at Rock Fore Dough who hails from Ridge Spring, was excited to see the community come together.

"There are so many people that I haven't reached here yet so it's so cool to meet new people in this area," Webb said. "To see just friends and family get to come out to these (concerts) because this is where I grew up and where my wife grew up and I get to see so many old friends and family members so it is just a cool thing."

"The Masters is such a historic event anyway, it is cool for me being from just across the line in Alabama and I grew up a big fan of the Masters and being able to play a country music show for a good cause makes it more enjoyable," country music artist Riley Green said.

The Masters Tournament begins Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club. For more information, visit masters.com.

Samantha Winn covers the cities of North Augusta and Augusta, with a focus on community oriented business and events. Follow her on Twitter: @samanthamwinn and on Facebook and Instagram: @swinnnews.