Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Music news Earl "Bubba" Maddox 1957-2013
Posted by James Kelly on Tue, Mar 19, 2013 at 12:42 PM
Born in Augusta, Earl discovered music early on, and one of his first band gigs was with the Grease Guns, which included Gregory Dean Smalley, who would later move to Atlanta and help create the legendary Bubbapalooza festival at the Star Bar. When Greg succumbed to AIDS related illness in 1996, it was Earl who helped take care of him to the end. His devotion to his friends was that strong.
Earl's involvement in the local music scene was fairly comprehensive. Always willing to sit in with a band and try new things, he is remembered for playing drums with four different bands at one particular Bubbapalooza festival. In addition to the Grease Guns, at various times Earl was a member of many bands, including the Convicts, Gregory Dean & the Bubbamatics, the Chant, and the Diggers, among others.
Earl eventually relocated to his second home - New Orleans. Picking up his music, he played frequently with Grayson Capps and the Stumpknockers, even touring Europe for a short time. Having found a way to get involved in film, he became a fairly popular bit actor, and appeared in films such as A Love Song For Bobby Long, The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, The Gift, and many others. His various roles included a drug dealer, farmer, preacher, convict, and even a racist. During his film career, his infrequent but always entertaining phone calls were filled with anecdotes about his interactions with various celebrities and upcoming roles, Earl's message being "I'm having the time of my life." Sadly, when he became ill, he was unable to complete a part in "Django Unchained" written exclusively for him by Quentin Tarantino.
Earl's many friends in New Orleans took good care of him during the early phase of his illness, and his Mother Miraim stayed with him while he was going through treatment. Sadly, Earl's younger brother Paul passed away in October, followed by his estranged Father's death in November. Earl and Marion moved back to Augusta, and he spent his final months back at home, enjoying occasional visits from his many friends.
Earl Maddox was truly one of a kind, a lover of life who found great pleasure in the simple things - friends, family, lovers, adventure, and in the arts. The loss is immeasurable to those of us who knew and loved him, and had the great pleasure to be his friend. There are so many great Earl Maddox tales that his life story could be a film. He is survived by his Mother Marion and several other family members, hundreds of former bandmates, and thousands of dear friends. A memorial celebration will be held sometime in the future.
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