Gwinnett Daily Post

Photo by Tori Boone

It's the first show of the spring season in the semi-annual Bowman House Concert series and already reservations have exceeded the capacity of Art Bowman's Lawrenceville home.

"This is foreign territory for us," he said. "We've never had such a response to a concert."

The draw is award-winning singer-songwriter Gretchen Peters, whose most well-known hits include the song "Independence Day," which was released by country singer Martina McBride and was named the Country Music Association Song Of The Year for 1994.

Bowman has received almost 100 reservations for Saturday's concert and has begun placing guests on a waiting list.

Concerts typically average about 40 guests.

To accommodate the drastic increase in reservations, Bowman has moved the concert from his home to a neighbor's barn.

Peters played there the last time she came through Lawrenceville a couple years ago.

"We just had a magical night," she said. "We played out in the barn and had about 100 people on a beautiful fall night and it was just really a memorable show for us. Beautiful weather and the crickets were kind of playing with us. I said, 'I feel like I'm in a Willie Nelson movie,' because it just had that great vibe."

Bowman is already considering moving the next concert in the series to the barn. He has received more than 30 reservations for country/folk musician Terri Hendrix's show May 8, and 23 reservations for the June 12 concert featuring blues rocker Bonnie Bishop.

"The response has been awesome," he said.

Gwinnett residents can still get their reservations in for those shows, though. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Bowman at 770-979-1314 or e-mailing bowmanhouseconcerts@gmail.com. Those who attend are invited to bring a dish to share. Admission is $20 with all proceeds going to the performer.