Meet Scott Freeman | Executive Editor of ArtsATL

We had the good fortune of connecting with Scott Freeman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Scott, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
I grew up in West Georgia, in a little one-red light town near Carrollton. It was a nice way to grow up, in a place where times were simpler. It many ways it was like growing up in Mayberry. But I also got to see the not-so-pleasant seedy underbelly of rural Southern life. My dad was a school principal who integrated his school, and then a superintendent who oversaw the integration of an entire school system. I’d answer the phone at times to hear a voice snarl at me, “Hey boy, we’re gonna kill your daddy tonight.”

Music became one of my strongest passions. I heard on the radio a bluesy version of “Your Cheatin’ Heart” by Elvis and it changed my world. I’d never heard anything like that. I’m still drawn to blues and to roots music, which is reflected in my own guitar playing.

I discovered journalism in college. Writing was something I was good at, and I wanted to sign up for a creative writing course. This anonymous person changed my life forever when he said: “That class is full. Why don’t you take this journalism class; it’s basically the same thing.” At that point, journalism became my second passion. I’m grateful that I’ve been able to combine them throughout my career in both my books and my journalism, and now at ArtsATL.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve had an interesting journey. I started out as a police reporter at the Macon Telegraph, then covered city government there and at the Providence Journal in Rhode Island. But I also made time to write about music whenever possible and when I was in Macon, I played in a band with Jaimoe — drummer for The Allman Brothers Band. I did a story for the paper’s Sunday Magazine in Providence on Ken Lyon, who was a blues legend in Rhode Island. That led to a deep friendship and I wound up playing in his band.

The Allman Brothers are my favorite band. I met the band members when I lived in Macon, and wrote extensively about them. And that led to my first book, Midnight Riders: The Story of the Allman Brothers Band, that was published by Little, Brown in 1995. And then my book on Otis Redding that was published by St. Martins Press in 2000.

I’ve also lived undercover in a South Georgia migrant camp, covered the Atlanta Braves for Atlanta magazine, written about the Mafia for the Providence Journal and gone on the road with both The Allman Brothers and The Rolling Stones. My career has given me some real adventures.

All that was great preparation for ArtsATL.

I think the major lessons I’ve learned through all this is to not be wed to expectation, which can lead to disappointment. And to trust in a power greater than myself who can see a path that’s not always visible to me. For example, when I was first starting out, I got a job offer with the Savannah Morning News. Except it was for the job I didn’t want, staffing their bureau office in Jesup. I turned them down, even though I desperately needed a job. A couple of weeks later, the Macon Telegraph called. If I had taken that job in Savannah, which my head told me I had to accept, my life would have been dramatically altered. But I trusted my instinct, said no, and went to Macon, which led to my two books and to some of the most meaningful friendships of my life.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d take them to some Atlanta landmarks: Manuel’s Tavern, the Varsity, Little Five Points. I’d want them to check out a blues band at Blind Willie’s, Fat Matt’s or the Northside Tavern.

I’d probably also take them on a road trip to Macon to see the Big House Museum, Rose Hill Cemetery, the Douglass Theatre and some of the other music landmarks. When I lived in Macon, my apartment was 200 yards from the Big House, where the Allman Brothers lived. Directly across the street was a house where two of the band members married their wives. And three houses up the street was mansion where Elizabeth Reed lived. There’s a lot of history there.

And definitely they would have to experience Atlanta’s arts scene. A show at Eddie’s Attic, or a performance by Terminus ballet or The Atlanta Opera or theater at Theatrical Outfit. There’s so much to choose from in Atlanta, and that’s one of the gifts of this city.

We’d also have to sample some of the restaurants here. Chai Pani is a favorite, and Bobo Garden on Buford Highway or Spoon in East Atlanta for Asian. And one of Kevin Gillespie’s restaurants; I’m a huge Top Chef fan.

There’s also a great park in northwest Atlanta to experience the Chattahoochee River. I have Native American ancestry, and have a deep attachment to that river. I live southwest of the city, and the Chattahoochee is pretty much my backyard.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ll give a shout out to Catherine Fox, who co-founded ArtCriticATL and then hired me as it became ArtsATL. She was a wonderful mentor and leader as we forged ArtsATL. Also, a shout out to Patti Siegel, ArtsATL’s current executive director. When ArtsATL was on the verge of closing three years ago, she and I worked together to save it and put together a new board of directors to take charge. And, finally, a shout out to all the writers and critics who help make ArtsATL what it is.

Website: ArtsATL.org

Image Credits
1. On the railroad track in Macon where an iconic Allman Brothers band photo was taken — which was later used for the cover of my book, “Midnight Riders.” (Photo by Brenda Stepp) 2. When an interview with Dickey Betts turns into a guitar lesson and you find yourself playing his famed 1957 Les Paul goldtop. (Photo by William Berry) 3. Relaxing on the Chattahoochee River. 4. Playing with the late Ike Stubblefield at the Northside Tavern. (Photo by Vincent Tseng) 5. Editing an ArtsATL story at a local sandwich shop. (Photo by Ariel Wise) 6. With Jaimoe before his show at Smith’s Olde Bar. (Photo by Brenda Stepp) 7. ArtsATL mug shot.