On a humid, moonlit night in the fall of 1998, Mitch Barefield, Todd Cowart, Matt Thomas, and Cary Cooper exploded onto the music scene for the first time at a class reunion in Waynesboro, GA. Since then these “good ole boys” have used explosive live performances to bring their brand of country-rock to audiences throughout Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida.

Their music is deeply rooted in the working class folks of the Deep South. While influenced by the upbeat and rambunctious ways of singers and bands such as Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Robert Earl Keen, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Paul Thorn, Wilson Pickett, and Bruce Springsteen, the Pups aim to take their audiences to a place they’ve never been before.

Their first album Songs From The Big House, named after the group's long time hideout, captures the band's energetic spirit and drive. It’s been described by listeners as a unique but tangible form of artistic expression. Songs traverse from the older, heart-wrenching loner in “Train Song” and “Blue Skies” to the younger, carefree spirit in “Running Free” and “White Trash Superhero”.

While their goal of writing a clever and different page in music history is evident in their show, their originals and cover make it obvious to the listener that these guys strive to be the best party band in the world!

Southland asked Todd Cowart for the inside story on the Hushpuppies.

Cary, Matt, Mitch and I have known each other forever but we first came to really know each other musically at Harvest Moon, a benefit we were associated with at Wesley Parker's farm out in Jenkins County. We would all put this show on with art and music to raise money for charity. My friend Wesley Parker, who owns Parker Engineering downtown across from French Quarter ironically, remembered growing up how many of the kids we went to school with got nothing after coming back to school after Christmas break so he was inspired to raise money and toys for Toys For Tots in the Jenkins County and surrounding areas. Well all of us got out there playing music with each other or with other folks since it was a concert and we charged admission. A few months later I was actually playing at somebody's wedding and later at the reception a friend came up to me (Ben Hankinson from Waynesboro) and asked if the band could play at a class reunion in Waynesboro, GA. That was almost 10 years ago. We've been together ever since. Cary is married to my first cousin Tara. Matt is married to my sister. Mitch and I've known each other forever so we are ALL like family. (All this is on the website.)

We used to practice at The Big House which is on my Dad's farm in the corner of an old field. It was really rundown old farmhouse back then but we really loved it because we could get a lot done way out in the country. I can remember the rats would run out every so often when we were playing and we'd all jump and have to get back on time. I blame that for our bad tempo and the reason Cary now is a manager at Delta Pest Control in Waynesboro. We really cut our teeth out there. I can remember playing Saturday night and then going to practice all day on Sunday at The Big House and sweat like mules but we loved every minute of it and still do. Thank goodness Jimmy Barefield, Mitch's Dad and the Godfather of the Hushpuppies along with his wife Ms. Sally have allowed us to practice in their den in Waynesboro for years now. It's centrally located and it works great. Jimmy and Sally have spoiled us rotten. Jimmy has all the equipment set up when we get there and we go to work and then they feed us half way through practice. We have a routine down. With all of us working and about to be parents it's hard; especially when everyone lives away from each other.

MATT THOMAS: Viracon Statesboro, GA (Lives in Statesboro, GA) (From Cairo, GA)
CARY COOPER: Delta Pest Control Waynesboro, GA (Lives in Millen, GA) (From Millen, GA)
MITCH BAREFIELD: Monsanto Lives in North Augusta, SC (From Waynesboro, GA)
TODD COWART: Wells Fargo Athens, GA (Lives in Athens but is from Millen or Four Points (About 10 miles south of Millen, GA)

Two groups that have emerged that have really helped us over the years. THE DIRTY DIXIE POSSE is the security branch (tongue in cheek) of the band and has been with us since the early days when there was blood on the floor and many nights we needed some help to get out of the places we played. THE PUPHEAD NATION has emerged as the vast network of loyal friends that come to our shows. The Hushpuppies are really more than a band. It's a family and a movement. My wife and I have personally introduced a ton of people to their future husband or wife at a Hushpuppy show. I'm proud of that. I just hope the marriages last!!

A question often asked is "What's your favorite show ever?" Without a doubt my personal favorite is "The Tootise's Show" in Nashville last year. We had RCA and a lot of other record people look at us at different times in Atlanta and elsewhere but to go into the heart of music city, pack the house and turn on every single person in the bar where Hank Williams stood was a dream come true. John Taylor, the guy that runs the place, was jumping up and down and screaming THE HUSHPUPPIES! It was awesome. I almost lost it when we played "This Old Town". It's the closest I've ever come down to breaking down. It was just awesome. We played Chattanooga the night before after working all week and we slept in the van on the way to Nashville. We had a lot of folks come see us from Georgia and we just had a blast! A total blast. Let's just say it was a long night after that one and it took me a week to come down from that natural high.

Dana and I just had triplets. (Cash, Copleand, Maggie)Cary is about to have a son (Pacey) on the end of next week. Mitch has a son that is a champion on Guitar Hero (Mitchell). Matt has two daughters (Sara and Audrey)

We truly love the music. Matt says all the time "Let the music take us where we need to go." That's our mantra. We aren't happy unless EVERY person at the show is not only having a good time but on their feet and yelling wildly!!!!