ATHENS-The musical duo Della Ray found its name from a tragic story based in Tuscaloosa lore.
The pair, Adam Morrow and Natalie Jensen, will bring their passion for powerful stories and songs to Athens on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 7 p.m. at Athens State University’s McCandless Hall. This is the second of five concerts Athens Arts League is hosting for its Alabama Music Series.
Morrow said the duo are in the Shoals but originally lived in Tuscaloosa, where the pair enjoyed Sokol Park and its trail system. One of the trails bares the name Della Raye, reportedly named for a girl falsely deemed insane and wrongfully placed in an institution.
“For a long time, I thought that’d make for a powerful song, but when we started this duo project, it just fit (as our name),” Morrow said.
Della Ray dropped the “e” and began its musical journey. Morrow is known for his work with artists like Grammy-winner John Paul White and Belle Adair. The ever-evolving duo spins out its own brand of dreamy, haunting indie rock. In 2018, Della Ray was among an Alabama media outlet’s “25 Essential Alabama Musicians to Know.”
Morrow said concertgoers in Athens could expect a show that is not necessarily a strict playlist.
“Well, to be honest, we’re not totally sure what to expect, and I’m excited about that,” Morrow said. “We’ve spent the majority of the last couple years in the studio and playing in other people’s bands. I am really looking forward to getting these songs out into the world. The band really started because Natalie and I needed a name for the songs we were writing at home that didn’t fit in any other projects at the time.”
He said the basis for much of this show is “our voices blending together.” Joining the duo for the Athens concert will be Hayden Crawford on bass and Kevin Leigh Robinson on drums.
“I’m more interested in what the four of us can make happen together than recreating what we’ve been doing in the studio, which is usually the temptation in this situation,” Morrow said and promised, “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
The Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area and current and former members of the Limestone County Legislative Delegation are helping sponsor the entire Alabama Music Series. In addition, Morell Engineering is helping sponsor the Della Ray concert for several Birdie Thornton Center clients and their families to attend at no cost.
Two college and one high school students will obtain hands-on experience at the concert in various aspects such as stage setup, sound check and photography.
Morrow said it is “vitally important” for students interested in the arts to see a life in the music world is possible, especially in Alabama.
Tickets are $15 and are available at High Cotton Arts or online at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
