Acoustic Jeremiah's mission is ‘inspiration and motivation'

“You get to see the person behind the music…if we don’t get to that side of the artist, then I don’t feel like we’ve put on a good show,” Hughes said.

The Canton native started Acoustic Jeremiah in October 2007, inspired by his visits to the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville where, in a casual setting, songwriters take turns singing and talking about the inspiration for writing their songs.

Hughes wanted to focus on secular-sounding music with a Christian message, hoping to appeal to the unchurched and folks who aren’t comfortable with a standard church format.

The first couple of seasons were hosted by Field’s Chapel United Methodist Church, a small, rural church. Hughes secured a new venue for this season. The Cherokee Arts Center, just off the square in downtown Canton, is easier to find and seats 260, about 100 more than the church. Shows are held every other month.

Artists who’ve performed at Acoustic Jeremiah in the past include Christopher Williams, Brandon Heath, Echoing Angels, Tyler Burkham, DecembeRadio, Shaun Groves and Jenny Owens, whose performance was especially memorable for Hughes.

“By the way she describes her songs and the way she tells her stories, she can see more clearly than anybody I know ... You would never be able to tell she’s blind.”

Thanks to enthusiastic crowds who take video of the performances, news about Acoustic Jeremiah has spread around the world.

“What blows me away the most is getting e-mails from people in other countries who keep up with AJ through YouTube videos,” Hughes said. “On Facebook, I got a friend request from a girl in Indonesia. I asked her, ‘How do I know you?’ and she said she found AJ online.”

Acoustic Jeremiah, is a mission, not a money-making venture. When donations and ticket sales aren’t enough to cover the costs for rental and artists’ lodging and performing fees, Hughes doesn't hesitate to dig into his own pocket to make up the difference.

“My wife and I feel very strongly about the impact these shows make,” Hughes said. The impact he hopes to attain? “Inspiration and motivation.”

Concert Preview

Acoustic Jeremiah presents Leon Timbo, Chantae Cann and Dre Marshall. 7:30 p.m. May 8. $10. Cherokee Arts Center, 94 North Street, Canton 30114. 770-490-1924. www.acousticjeremiah.com.