Georgia Bound was formed in 1984 by a group of friends who wanted to play music together. Connie Freeman Morris had just moved back to Georgia in January of 1984 after spending four years living in New York City. Connie joined with former bandmates from Cherokee Rose, Bluegrass Generation, and Whitewater to start a new group. In the spring of 1984, Mindy Johnson, Jimmy Ross, Matt Mundy and Lisa Ray joined Connie to form Georgia Bound.
Georgia Bound – 1984
Connie Morris, Matt Mundy, Mindy Johnson, Jimmy Ross, Lisa Ray
The idea for the band name came from a song called “Georgia Bound” written by the legendary fiddle player, Chubby Anthony. While the original band members did not play together very long, they did create an early foundation for the band and all five original members remain close friends to this day.
By the late 1980’s, Connie had been joined by Jane Baxter, Onie Baxter, Bob Chappell, John Farley and Debbie Farley for a new line-up of Georgia Bound. This configuration would have a span of at least five years and was known for the unique, all female vocal arrangements.
Georgia Bound – 1988
Jane Baxter, Bob Chappell, John Farley, Debbie Farley
Connie Morris, Onie Baxter
During the mid to late 1980’s, Connie and her dad, Murray Freeman, had continued to play as “The Ridgerunners” and by 1990 that band consisted of Murray, Connie, and two new friends: Mike Patton and Tracy Burdette. By 1992, John Farley had also started to play some shows with “The Ridgerunners” and as such, he and Connie were playing at that time with both bands. As the other Georgia Bound members (Jane, Onie and Bob) pursued other musical endeavors, Connie and Murray decided to merge “The Ridgerunners” into Georgia Bound. So in approximately 1992, Connie, John, Murray, Mike and Tracy became Georgia Bound.
It was not long until Debbie Farley joined the group playing bass and she stayed with the band until approximately 1998 when she left to concentrate on her gospel music projects.
Georgia Bound – 1996
John Farley, Murray Freeman, Debbie Farley, Tracy Burdette, Connie Morris, Mike Patton
Connie, Murray, John, Mike and Tracy continued to perform as Georgia Bound until approximately 2006. This band configuration released one CD in 2004 which is available for sale on this site’s online store.
Georgia Bound – 2004
John Farley, Mike Patton, Connie Morris, Murray Freeman, Tracy Burdette * (Tracy passed away in 2021)
Video: Georgia Bound at Everett’s Music Barn 10-22-2005
Credit Bluegrass Roots TV
In 2013, after a few years of only limited appearances for the band, Connie joined with her husband, Jeff Partridge, plus Jane Baxter, Onie Baxter and J.N. Baxter to revamp the Georgia Bound sound. Although Murray Freeman did not play with the band full-time, he join the group onstage occasionally and was considered an “honorary” member.
Through the years, both past and present members of Georgia Bound have enjoyed playing and singing good quality bluegrass music. But most important, they have all enjoyed the enduring friendships developed with fans, fellow musicians and fellow band-members.
In late 2016, Georgia Bound suffered two great losses when both Murray & J.N. passed away. Since then, Onie and Jane have retired from Georgia Bound. The picture below was at the 2014 Everett’s Music Barn benefit where Georgia Bound performed and was the last photo taken of this group configuration.
Georgia Bound – 2016
Onie, J.N., Jane, Jeff, Connie, Murray
Georgia Bound 2022
After taking a break from stage shows for several years, Connie and Jeff, with the help of longtime friend Jug Rogers, were once again performing as Georgia Bound.
Jug Connie & Jeff
Georgia Bound March 12th, 2022
Special Thanks to Jimmy Ross ( Dobro ) and Todd Freeman ( Bass ) for helping out!
In August of 2022, Ed Roland – Bass and Rance Harrell – Guitar, joined the band. Jeff switched from guitar to dobro.
The August 2022 Georgia Bound Band lineup:
Connie Partridge – Banjo / Lead & Harmony Vocals
Jeff Partridge – Dobro / Lead & Harmony Vocals
Jerry ” Jug” Rogers – Mandolin / Harmony Vocals
Rance Harrell – Guitar / Lead & Harmony Vocals
Ed Roland – Bass / Bass Vocals
Georgia Bound at the Hollonville Opry at Turin August 20th, 2022
Georgia Bound at the Raccoon Creek Bluegrass Festival – July-15th, 2023
Rance Harrell – Guitar
Jug Rogers – Mandolin
Connie Partridge – Banjo
Jeff Partridge – Dobro
Mindy Rakestraw – Bass. ( filling in for Ed )
For health reasons, the Raccoon Creek Show was the last show Jug Rogers was able to play with Georgia Bound. Steve Sosebee began filling in for Jug on mandolin.
Unfortunately, Jug passed away on December 26th, 2023.
Georgia Bound at the Hollonville Opry at Turin show – October 7th, 2023
Rance Harrell – Guitar
Ed Roland – Bass
Steve Sosebee – Mandolin
Connie Partridge – Banjo
Jeff Partridge – Dobro
Georgia Bound 2024: Celebrating 40 years of Bluegrass!
Connie Partridge – Banjo / Lead& Harmony Vocals
Jeff Partridge – Dobro / Lead & Harmony Vocals
Rance Harrell – Guitar / Lead & Harmony Vocals
Steve Sosebee – Mandolin / Lead & Harmony Vocals
Ed Roland – Bass / Lead and Bass Vocals