By Barney Quick

He remains that way even as the accolades pile up. On November 29, 2008, he was recognized for his contributions by the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame at its annual awards gala. In 2005, he was named Songwriter of the Year by the Georgia Music Industry Association. Buzz within the Nashville Songwriters Association led to an April 2008 performance of “No Bottom in the Hole,” his humorous look at hard times, at Nashville’s prestigious showcase venue, The Bluebird Café.

That tune is the title cut of his latest CD, which is enjoying area airplay around his home base, Carrollton, Georgia. His first album, Another Shot, featured another favorite with his fan base, “Go Brain Go,” a song about a man trying to keep his composure while dining at Hooters with his wife. “I marketed myself,” notes Britt. “I sold 2,000 copies of the first record locally within a year.”

His latest album was recorded at Reveal Audio, with engineer David Leonard. “He’s a songwriter as well, so he can critique a tune before you get too in-depth with it,” he says.

Britt spent his childhood in a large, itinerant family in which resources got so scarce that at one point they were living in a bus. His father was a well-digger, who introduced young George to that line of work early on. When his dad began plying the cabinet-installing trade, George learned that as well.

At this point, George is the proprietor of West Georgia Kitchen and Bath. His dad is on staff, installing cabinets for his son and boss.

The interest in aviation began when Britt’s wife gave him a remote-controlled miniature airplane for Christmas one year. “I went to a local park where other guys with the hobby congregated,” he recalls. “One guy invited me to ride in his actual plane, which I’d never done before. That was it for me. I took flying lessons and sent off for an experimental-plane-building kit.” His homemade craft tops out at 100 mph.

The hangar for his plane serves another purpose: home to his variety show and concerts for up-and-coming area country acts. The show features dancing and comedy along with music. “My wife and stepson play characters in the various skits,” he says. Acts currently on the calendar include Backstreet, South 70 and Dana Rampey.

He finds his association with Marines of 3/5, a Vietnam veterans’ group, particularly rewarding. He was approached a few years back about singing a couple of patriotic songs at one of their events, and is now a regular at their memorial services. “Those guys have added a lot to my life and career,” he says.

Britt’s band consists of Charlie Vaughan on steel guitar, Olin Ivey on keys, Jerry Rawlins on bass, Mark Lyle on lead guitar and Jim Finley on drums. The sound takes its cue from the classic-period country - Conway Twitty, George Jones, Charley Pride - of Britt’s youth.

When he was getting started, he sought out area songwriters from whom to learn that craft. While some of his work is a little reflective in nature, the grin with which he engages life comes through most of it. “It’s lighthearted,” he says. “In some songs I poke fun at my wife and family. They’re okay with it.” “Honest Man” is perhaps the most notable exception, a straightforward look at his upbringing.

He advises country-music aspirants to be genuine. “The style of this genre is such that people can read you regarding your sincerity,” he observes. “The reward is that people relate to your story.”

Indie-Music Profile - Play "No Bottom in the Hole"

Artist Website: http://www.georgebritt.com/