Tifton's Derrick Dove & Band Named Entertainer of Year

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Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025

Tifton, Georgia

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Photo by Frank Sayles Jr.

Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers opening for ZZ Top in March at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center.

TIFTON'S DERRICK DOVE & HIS BAND WIN ENTERTAINER OF YEAR

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

Tifton native Derrick Dove's band, Derrick Dove & The Peacekeepers, has been named Entertainer of the Year at the International Singer Songwriters Association (ISSA) Awards.

“We are beyond honored to receive this award,” Dove said. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work, passion, and support of our fans, who inspire us every day. We’re grateful to the ISSA for this incredible moment.”

The ISSA award ceremony was held Aug. 23 in Atlanta, honoring independent music artists.

No stranger to the local music scene, Dove and his band continue to perform around the country, and their self-styled "Southern-fried blues rock" has hit No.1 on blues charts in nine countries.

The band just completed a successful summer tour of performances in 15 states, traveling more than 10,000 miles, and reaching hundreds of new fans. Dove, who handles songwriting, lead vocals, and guitar, is joined in the band by Johnathan “JT” Thomas on keyboards, Walt Dunn on bass, and Jamie Richardson on drums.

Dove & The Peacekeepers were nominated for ISSA awards in five categories. In addition to Entertainer of the Year, they were nominated for Band of the Year, Album of the Year ("Burn It Down"), Single of the Year ("Just Walk Away"), and Music Video of the Year ("Just Walk Away").

To become finalists for the awards, independent artists must meet a rigorous nomination process including top fan support among more than 50,000 votes cast. Winners are selected from the finalists by a panel of judges comprised of their peers in the music industry and former top recipients of the awards.

NBC-TV photo

Tifton native Austin Brown performs his original song "Whiskey" on NBC-TV's "America's Got Talent" Tuesday night. The audience's votes will determine if he advances from the quarterfinals.

TIFTON NATIVE AUSTIN BROWN AWAITS AUDIENCE VOTE ON 'AMERICA'S GOT TALENT'

By FRANK SAYLES JR.

Tifton Grapevine

It's now up to the TV audience.

Tifton native Austin Brown, formerly of the a cappella country singing group Home Free,

performed live Tuesday night on NBC-TV's "America's Got Talent" during quarterfinal competition. Whether or not he advances to the next round is up to the audience.

Voting is available until 7 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 3, via online or mobile app.

To vote, visit here to register on your browser, or use either the AGT app or the NBC App on your phone. You will need to register with an email address, which will let you vote for your favorite act up to 10 times.

On Tuesday night, Brown performed his rousing, original song "Whiskey," which got the studio audience on its feet. Judges Mel B and Sofía Vergara loved the performance, but judges Howie Mandel and Simon Cowell were less effusive.

Mandel said Brown is one of the most talented singers to appear on the show but questioned whether his voice was right for country music; Cowell told Brown he should have lost the cap and jacket, slowed the tempo, and focused more on the song.

But Tuesday's performance is not up the judges. Voters will decide what three acts will advance from the 11 that performed. Everyone will find out Wednesday night during a live one-hour results show.

GDOT photo

The State Road 90 and Lower Rebecca Road intersection in Fitzgerald. Traffic is scheduled to shift Sept. 9 for continued construction of the roundabout.

TRAFFIC TO SHIFT AS WORK

CONTINUES IN FITZGERALD ON ROUNDABOUT INTERSECTION

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Motorists in Fitzgerald will experience a temporary shift in the traffic configuration at State Route (SR) 90 and Lower Rebecca Road beginning Sept. 9, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) says.

As construction continues on the new roundabout at the intersection, traffic entering the intersection from all directions will be required to yield once the shift is in place. Signs will be posted to control traffic.

"As a reminder of roundabout driving etiquette, traffic in the circle has the right of way. Please slow down and remain alert for workers on site as construction will be ongoing," GDOT said.

Although Sept. 9 is the proposed date of the traffic shift, officials said the timing is subject to change. Message-board signage will be installed before the shift.

The roundabout project is scheduled to be complete by the end of the year.

SOUTHWELL USING ROBOTIC SYSTEM FOR MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERIES

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Southwell has recently implemented the da Vinci 5, an advanced, robotic-assisted surgical system at Tift Regional Medical Center.

The system is the most advanced in the da Vinci line, designed for use in urology, gynecology, thoracic, and general surgeries. It features more than 150 design innovations, including improved 3D visualization, technology that helps reduce pressure on tissue, and enhanced ergonomics for surgeons.

“The da Vinci 5 gives us a new level of precision while allowing patients to recover faster and with improved surgical outcomes,” said Dr. Andrew Nackashi, medical director of robotic surgery at Southwell. “It’s exciting to see this level of technology now available in our region.”

Unlike traditional open surgery, robotic-assisted procedures allow surgeons to operate through a few small incisions. The surgeon remains in full control of the system, which translates their hand movements into smaller, more precise instrument movements inside the patient’s body.

Surgeons at Southwell trained to use the da Vinci 5 include Nackashi and Drs. William Hornback IV, David McEachin, Paul Cartwright, Ana Hernandez, Paul Smurda, and Joe Clifton.

GASKINS FOREST EDUCATION CENTER OFFERING FREE YOUTH ACTIVITIES BEGINNING THIS SATURDAY

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

As the weather gets cooler, Gaskins Forest Education Center in Alapaha is scheduling free monthly outdoor activities for children and youth.

On the first Saturday morning of each month, beginning this Saturday, Sept. 6, the NatureQuest program will feature outdoor explorations. Avanlee Kennedy, a natural resources student at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, is coordinating the program.

Sessions each first Saturday, scheduled from 9 a.m.-noon, will focus on a different topic. This Saturday's NatureQuest is about "Fish & Fishing." Kennedy and a team of ABAC wildlife students, all fishing experts, are organizing the session.

Jake Tucker, an ABAC natural resources student, is eager to share his knowledge and passion about fish and fishing. Several of his colleagues will bring local fish species and explain their behavior. They will also demonstrate fishing techniques and help youths practice fishing skills.

Paradise Public Fishing Area will provide fishing rods. The Ga. Department of Natural Resources will lend some ear-stones used to identify and age fish.

Although sessions are free, preregistration is required. Parents need to accompany their children. All are encouraged to bring a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, drinks, and snacks – and to wear closed-toe shoes for all sessions.

Contact Heather Brasell to register or for questions: heather.brasell@gmail.com, 229-339-3966. Gaskins Forest Education Center is located at 3359 Moore Sawmill Road in Alapaha.

KEEP TIFT BEAUTIFUL NAMES

'BEAUTY SPOTS' FOR SEPTEMBER

Tifton Grapevine Staff Reports

Keep Tift Beautiful (KTB), a citizens advisory board, has named the residential and commercial "Beauty Spots" for September.

The Henderson family home on Ferrylake Road, pictured above, is this month's residential Beauty Spot.

McClellan Properties' Virginia Crossing Executive Office Center at the corner of Eighth Street and Virginia Avenue, pictured below, is September's commercial Beauty Spot.

Keep Tift Beautiful promotes recycling, community gardening, litter abatement, and outdoor beautification.

TIFTON GRAPEVINE'S CAT OF THE WEEK

"Rye" is a playful and curious four-month-old male kitten. He is a sweet boy, loves attention, and is eager to find his forever family. Visit Rye and see other pets available for adoption between 1-6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at the Tift County Animal Shelter on Highway 125 South, or call 229-382-PETS (7387).

SCHOOL BUSES ONLY FOR STUDENTS WHO LIVE MORE THAN 1.5 MILES FROM SCHOOL

~ SEPT. 2, 1971

The Tift County Board of Education on Sept. 2, 1971, warned parents on the east side of Tifton whose children attended Annie Belle Clark Elementary that their children may not have been eligible for bus transportation to school. The BOE furnished transportation only for those children who lived more than 1.5 miles from the school they attended, officials said.

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