Rising Stars: Meet Matt Donald Jennifer Wells of Decatur/Tucker

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Donald Jennifer Wells.

Hi Matt Donald, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Gin Joint Rascals is devoted to sharing the joy that is found making music with friends. Before we started playing together, most of us were acquainted for years through the local music community.

Then—beginning in the spring of 2022—as everyone was emerging from the upheaval and isolation of the pandemic, we all showed up in each others’ lives in a way that fostered renewed connection and healing through music.

Matt Donald (guitar, banjo, vocals) was recovering from throat cancer and literally finding his voice again; Jennifer Wells (ukulele, vocals) was grieving the death of her brother and her recent divorce. We were reacquainted when Conner Allred (harmonica) hosted a party in his backyard and that marked the earliest stirrings of GJR. Influenced by a mutual love of music from shared favorite artists, we began recreating songs from the canons of Americana, Folk, and Traditional songs.

When Lewis Newmark (Token Rhyme) offered us a residency at Contrast Artisan Ales in Chamblee, it gave us a chance to start working together as musicians in front of an audience. Here, we were often joined by Conner on harmonica and were thrilled to debut our first original song, Nothing.

We were crazy-lucky to open for The Mosier Brothers at a private party in February of 2023. Here, as well as at many previous campfire jams, we were joined by Patricia Richmond (acoustic guitar, vocals). She soon became a permanent addition to our harmonies and musical aesthetic.

Sandy Nichols joined us on the stand up bass in March of 2023 and our sound/feel/groove was fully established. When Nichols decided to move on to other projects Stanley Metz (Old Matt Donald’s Farm) became GJR’s permanent bass player in the fall of 2024 adding to our vocal strengths and well as laying down that low end.

Thanks to support from T-Dawg Presents and love from friends and family, GJR has performed on stages around Atlanta, including Distillery of Modern Art, Oakhurst Porch Fest, Wallers Coffee Shop, Napoleons, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, the Pine Lake Festival and the Pine Lake Lounge, Lake Claire Community Land Trust, Candler Park Fall Festival, Stone Mountain Village’s lawn concert series as well as many private parties.

We’ve also had the privilege to take our sound across state lines to the wonderful Roadmaster Stage in Black Rock Mountain, NC, just outside of Asheville, NC. When Hurricane Helene hit, we helped to organize a benefit at the Moonshadow Tavern in Tucker, GA for the community of Asheville raising over $6K with the help of other local bands involved for the relief efforts.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
As with many bands, we’ve had some personnel changes. Nichols left the band in the spring of 2024 to pursue other musical projects, and Eddie Cortes (Sweet Melissa’s Blues Review, The Surly Trolls) was a welcomed talent on the bass when we needed him.

Additionally, Jennifer and Patty are novice musicians, learning to play their instruments as we go. So we lean into our vocal performance since that’s a big strength of ours. Patty has decades of choral experience that she brings to our vocal work and Jennifer has theater experience to lean on. We love singing together, so we work on and write songs that highlight what we are really good at.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We are a 5 piece, non-traditional, vocal forward string band with guitar, banjo, ukulele, acoustic bass guitar, and harmonica. We blend our shows with a mix of originals songs and covers.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Well, for us, nothing will ever replace the sound and feel of playing and singing together, preferably around a campfire. And of course, it’s hard to beat going to see live music.

And as a result of the pandemic, artists and fans can engage beyond live shows in ways they never could before. A simple “like”, “follow”, and “share” on social media platforms can go a long way in boosting artist/band recognition and developing fans. We are inspired by so many independent artists who are building grass-roots support this way and producing music that is authentic and meaningful.

So we don’t fret too much about the future of the industry. As a local independent band, we are encouraged by the creativity and su

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ginjointrascals.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/gin_joint_rascals
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/gjrascals
• Youtube: youtube.com@ginjointrascals