It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Anderson Downtown Historic District gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Anderson, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“ABC helped me take care of my mother in her last few weeks. Trudy the”
“I’ve been a employee for 3 years I love working here”
“Great Place. Really caring people. would recommend if a friend of family member need”
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“ABC helped me take care of my mother in her last few weeks. Trudy the Caregiver was wonderful! Trudy was so gentle with mom, very compassionate and professional. You could tell she loves her job. she started helping in the evenings, then on weekends. Mom's health got really bad and she was hospitalized and Trudy changed her schedule so she could stay up at the hospital all night with my Mom. I never had to worry because I knew mom was in good hands and that Trudy would te… See more”
“I’ve been a employee for 3 years I love working here”
“Great Place. Really caring people. would recommend if a friend of family member need non-medical care.”
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“The best care anyone can offer.”
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Greeley Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Sullivan's Metropolitan Grill or visit North Anderson Historic District, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Anderson, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Anderson, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Anderson, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Inside: Local mom visits The Shores of Asbury on Lake Hartwell and shares all the fun things to do there!There may not be a traditional water park in Anderson, SC but there is an amazing aqua park and sandy white beach at the Shores of Asbury on Lake Hartwell! It is the only one of its kind in the Upstate and less than an hour from Greenville, SC. We checked it out and have all the information for you and your family to have a blast on this floating obstacle course.Media tickets were provided for this revie...
Inside: Local mom visits The Shores of Asbury on Lake Hartwell and shares all the fun things to do there!
There may not be a traditional water park in Anderson, SC but there is an amazing aqua park and sandy white beach at the Shores of Asbury on Lake Hartwell! It is the only one of its kind in the Upstate and less than an hour from Greenville, SC. We checked it out and have all the information for you and your family to have a blast on this floating obstacle course.
Media tickets were provided for this review and all opinions are those of the author.
This article includes:About the Shores of AsburyWhite Sand Beach at Shores of AsburyAqua Zone- floating obstacle courseWaterfront GrillTips for Visiting Shores of AsburyTickets and Admission
Karen McCullough used to camp at Lake Hartwell as Asbury Park when she was a child. Then the campground closed and remained that way for many years. But that special place was always on her heart and she often thought about it as she made her way to Nashville as a professional musician who also managed dozens of campgrounds and RV resorts and traveled to every state except Hawaii through her music career.
When the opportunity arose to turn her old stomping ground into a legit resort and entertainment mecca on the shores of Lake Hartwell, she jumped right in and moved back home to Anderson.
Millions of investment dollars later, The Shores of Asbury opened up on Lake Hartwell as a campground with spots for RVs and the floating aqua park, less than an hour from Greenville.
If you live near Anderson, water park isn’t a name you hear very often. The creation of The Shores of Asbury combines the lake with fun, creating a truly amazing aqua park and RV campground. It opened up in the summer of 2022 but the planning has been happening awhile before that because once you see this beautiful spot, you’ll appreciate all the thought that went into creating it. This water park in Anderson is unique, and has so much more to offer!
There’s the RV campground, an arcade, individual bathrooms, the Waterfront Grill, a white sandy beach, and the big aqua zone floating obstacle course all at the Shores of Asbury.
There are outdoor games like cornhole and you can rent kayaks and paddleboards as well. There are some big plans in the works at the Shores of Asbury: yurts and treehouses! The yurts and the treehouse village are being designed and worked on by the team at the resort. Currently, RV and tent sites are available. Karen is laser-focused on her vision for the resort and believes it will continue to be a fantastic addition to Anderson.
Anyone who has been to an Upstate lake knows about all the red clay that infiltrates shoes, bathing suits, kayaks, you name it. Karen isn’t a fan of the red clay and wanted something really unique and special for the beach at the Shores of Asbury so she decided to bring the sands of Florida beaches to Anderson.
She literally ordered sugar white sand from Pensacola, Florida, and had it shipped to Lake Hartwell. It is glorious. There are two sections of the beach – one on each side of the dock walkway. One side has a sandbox and volleyball sand course that overlooks the kid’s aqua zone and the other side has a beautiful view of the bridge that goes over the lake. There are cabanas and beach chairs for guests to rent and that sand does feel pretty good under your feet, just like the sand at the ocean. You can also bring your own beach chairs.
Because of the red clay under the sugar-white sand, you are not allowed to dig in the sand like you would at the beach. There are actually big piles of white sand on the beach for that purpose under a shade sail for kids to play and dig in set a little further back from the lake. No dogs are allowed on the sandy beach either.
The aqua park is huge and is from a company called Wibit out of Germany. Karen told me they went with Wibit because they have better safety measures than other floating obstacle courses.
There’s a giant trampoline, rope climbing wall, trapeze, and obstacles reminiscent of one of my favorite shows, “Wipeout”. Admittedly, when we first got on the course and people started slipping and sliding off and into the water, I was cracking up. I thought this is like the show except I was on the course and laughing at people right in front of me – then I slipped and fell into the water and heard other people laughing at my clumsiness so I figured I deserved it then. It was a lot of fun!
The Aqua Zone is more than 167 feet across and the park caps each hour session. The course is big enough that even if there a lot of people, there will be obstacles free to run around on. You must be 47” tall to do the big Aqua Zone course.
For smaller kids, they have an entirely separate Kids Zone aqua course and kids have to be 37” tall to play on that. It’s really close to the shore, which is perfect for parents to watch their kids slip and slide all over the place on it.
Everyone has to wear life jackets, which are provided by the park and included with your admission. Aqua Zone is open for the 2024 season daily from 11 am – 7 pm. Sessions start on the hour.
In 2023, the Mexican restaurant, El Arriero, opened. The restaurant has all outdoor seating. Most of it is covered and the menu is fantastic with traditional Mexican dishes plus some American ones like chicken sandwiches and burgers thrown in. There has never been a Mexican restaurant on the shores of Lake Hartwell so the Shores at Asbury were pretty excited to bring the first one there.
We had shredded chicken nachos and chicken quesadillas. Both were delicious and the perfect thing to eat after being out on the aqua course for a couple hours. It’s a workout!
The views from the restaurant are really pretty and the vibe is laid back and easy-going. Most people were in their bathing suits, which was nice since we wanted to go back onto the aqua course after eating and didn’t want to change.
The restaurant is open from 11 am – 10 pm daily.
The Shores of Asbury will host live music and events during the summer. They had a big July 4th celebration and plan to have more fun things to do with your family.
The best way to stay up-to-date is to follow them on their Facebook page.
Reserve your tickets online because you can sign the required waiver, save time, and you can save a couple of dollars off your admission ticket versus if you buy it at the resort.
You don’t need to be camping or staying in the RV park to enjoy the Aqua Zone.
Check the Shores of Asbury Facebook page because they typically offer deals on admission tickets during the week at this Anderson water park.
When you and your kids are playing on the Aqua Zone, be sure to keep an eye on them, especially if it’s crowded. There are lifeguards stationed on the course and dock but with many kids playing, a smaller kid could accidentally get pushed in the water unexpectedly. And if you have big kids, tell them to watch out for the smaller ones.
Plan to stay awhile. You can hang out at the beach before or after your time on the Aqua Zone and swim in the lake or just chill and play games. It’s a beautiful spot.
Bring water (a lot of it), sunscreen, a change of clothes, a hat, and towels, and be sure to drink a lot of water and reapply that sunscreen.
Before you go, take a look at the rules. I always try to read up on the regulations of places before I go so I’m not surprised by anything once I get there with my kids, who just want to play.
No dogs are allowed on the beach or sod area at the restaurant.
The beach is not free. You can either purchase a beach pass or buy an Aqua Zone ticket to enjoy it.
There are a few different ticket options per person (all of these are based on online ticket purchases): a one-hour time slot is $19.98; a two-hour time slot is $26.98 and an all day session is $36.98. Wet & Wild Wednesday tickets are $15.98 for a one-hour time slot. A family four-pack all-day pass is $130.
If you just want to enjoy the sugar-white sandy beach, you can do that! A day pass is $10/person and that allows you to play and relax all day. A parking pass for beach use is $9.33.
The Shores of Asbury does offer birthday parties and corporate events. Birthday parties are for two hours, including cupcakes, a kid’s meal, and reserved covered tables, and costs $359. More information on other types of events and details are on their website.
Hours are 11 am – 7 pm daily. The restaurant is open daily 11 am – 10 pm.
The Aqua Zone will likely be open until the end of September, weather permitting.
The resort hosts all kinds of events so stay tuned to their Facebook page for the latest updates and to see their daily specials at the Aqua Zone.
The Shores of Asbury Website1600 Asbury Park Road, Anderson, SC864.844.9002 Facebook page
ANDERSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns has provided an updated on the first Buc-ee’s expected to be built in the Upstate.Burns said infrastructure improvements at exit 21 will cost $60 million for the bridge, roadways and I-85 interchange leading up to the store. The interchange has needed upgrades for years, whether Buc-ee’s goes in this spot or not, but Buc-ee’s will not be built until these upgrades are done.According to Burns, of the $60 million needed, there has only bee...
ANDERSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Anderson County Administrator Rusty Burns has provided an updated on the first Buc-ee’s expected to be built in the Upstate.
Burns said infrastructure improvements at exit 21 will cost $60 million for the bridge, roadways and I-85 interchange leading up to the store. The interchange has needed upgrades for years, whether Buc-ee’s goes in this spot or not, but Buc-ee’s will not be built until these upgrades are done.
According to Burns, of the $60 million needed, there has only been $6 million committed so far. $1 million was committed by Buc-ee’s and Senator Lindsey Graham secured $5 million in federal funding to fix the interchange.
Officials said the county will not use penny tax to fund this project.
“They are still committed to building the Anderson location, but the county has to find the funds...Buc-ee’s can’t wait forever,” said Burns.
As of right now, Buc-ee’s still owns the land and is willing to commit more than $1 million but not the entire remaining $54 million that is needed.
The county administrator said the county is currently exploring funding options. It’s wanting to become eligible to apply for funding from the South Carolina Transportation Infrastructure Bank.
The bank only funds large interstate projects. If approved, this could provide enough funding or a large portion of what is needed to fund the project.
ANDERSON, SC – The Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center is proud to host Jamey Johnson for the Last Honky Tonk Tour and welcomes concert promoters, Cardinal Music Group to South Carolina.“It’s always a thrill to be included in a national touring date. We are going to transform the Civic Center into a ‘Honky Tonk’ for the night and give the fans a great night out.” said Rusty Burns, County Administrator.The tour will route to 36 cities...
ANDERSON, SC – The Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center is proud to host Jamey Johnson for the Last Honky Tonk Tour and welcomes concert promoters, Cardinal Music Group to South Carolina.
“It’s always a thrill to be included in a national touring date. We are going to transform the Civic Center into a ‘Honky Tonk’ for the night and give the fans a great night out.” said Rusty Burns, County Administrator.
The tour will route to 36 cities from June to October starting in Wichita and ending with two nights in Nashville. “We chose Anderson because the fan base for Jamey Johnson is strong in the upstate of South Carolina and because the venue offered an incredible fan experience,” said Zack Johnson, Cardinal Music Group.
Radio sponsor, WESC, will be hosting contests for tickets and sharing more information about the show. Kix Layton, Sr VP of Programming for iHeart Media, shares the enthusiasm for this show, noting that getting to hear Jamey Johnson’s rich vocals and storytelling in an intimate setting is special.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Award-winning country singer/songwriter Jamey Johnson will launch his 36-city headlining tour, The Last Honky Tonk Tour, on June 4 at Wichita Riverfest in Wichita, KS. Artist presale is on now and tickets for the public on sale begins Friday, June 6th.
“The tour will be a lot of fun,” says Johnson. “It’s a chance for us to hang out every night, where we get to walk onstage and show off what we’ve learned over the past 20 years. This is my 20th year on the road, not counting the road gigs I did in the 10 years before that.”
The tour’s name comes from the song he recently recorded, which was the title track of the 2010 album by The Wayne Mills Band, featuring musician Jason “Rowdy” Cope on guitar. “I thought that the name sounded pretty good as a tour name—The Last Honky Tonk Tour,” he adds.
The tour title’s lyrics include, “I’ll be there when they burn the last honky tonk down/
In body, mind, and spirit, under the table, or under the ground/
The fading echoes of a barroom band might be the only sound/
I’ll be there when they burn the last honky tonk down.”
Johnson’s new recording – which was completed with producer Buddy Cannon a few weeks ago – and the tour name are in tribute to Mills and Cope, both of whom were his dear friends. Mills was murdered at a Nashville bar in 2013. Jason “Rowdy” Cope, a member of The Steel Woods who had previously been a member of Johnson’s band, died in 2021 from complications from diabetes.
“When Wayne and Rowdy got together and did that record, that song made it on my radar,” he says. “Back then, I played that song several times with Wayne. We would do it at shows. So, it is one I haven’t done in a while.
“And now Wayne’s son, Jack, is a badass guitar player. He says he learned it all from Rowdy. I don’t doubt that at all. Jack really is something else!
“I thought, ‘Man, his dad would be proud. Let’s break that song out and get Jack to play guitar on it.’ I am proud to have him playing on it.”
This is one of more than 50 new songs Johnson has recorded since releasing Midnight Gasoline, his first new solo album in 14 years, in late 2024. He will preview some of the new songs during this tour and begin releasing them later this year.
“We are going to do some of the new stuff,” Johnson adds. “We will do some of the songs from Midnight Gasoline from last year and all the years before. Whatever album you like, we will do some of those songs.
“It’s exciting to play the new songs,” he says. “I like it when people tell me they have heard the new stuff and they like it. I like it when people have something else to listen to. Sometimes it’s as simple as that.”
About Jamey Johnson The 10-time GRAMMY nominee has been called “one of the greatest country singers of our time,” by The released a 2012 duets project, the GRAMMY-nominated Living for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran.)
“In Color” has received a 5X-Platinum certification for sales/streams of five million, and “High Cost of Living” was certified platinum. “Between Jennings and Jones” and “That Lonesome Song” have been certified gold for sales/streams of 500,000.
Washington Post. His music has garnered international acclaim and is embraced by fans of classic and contemporary country, as well as Americana and mainstream rock.
The Grand Ole Opry member is also widely regarded as one of the greatest country songwriters of his generation. He is one of only two people in the history of country music (along with Kris Kristofferson) to win two Song of the Year awards in the same year – for “Give It Away” and “In Color” – from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
A consummate storyteller, his songs have been recorded by George Strait, Trace Adkins, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, James Otto, Joe Nichols and others. He is “a first-rate preservationist of classic country songwriting,” says The New York Times.
His 2024 album, Midnight Gasoline is a musical continuation of his last two solo studio albums, That Lonesome Song, which was certified double platinum for 2 million in sales, and the gold-certified 2010 album, The Guitar Song, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Album Chart. Rolling Stone and SPIN named The Guitar Song to their all-genre Top 5 Best Albums of the Year.
(123rf.com Image)Duke Energy announced this week announced the company's intent to submit an application to the Public Service Commission of South Carolina (PSCSC) for approval to build a new natural gas power plant in Anderson County.As part of the company's responsibility to serve nearly 860,000 retail electric customers across 30 South Carolina counties, Duke Energy needs to build and enable large...
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Duke Energy has announced a proposal to build a new natural gas plant in the Upstate.The Charlotte-based company said Monday it plans to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to build a 1,400-megawatt plant in Anderson County that Gov. Henry McMaster said will help meet the state's growing energy demands.Duke Energy's ...
Duke Energy has announced a proposal to build a new natural gas plant in the Upstate.
The Charlotte-based company said Monday it plans to seek approval from the Public Service Commission to build a 1,400-megawatt plant in Anderson County that Gov. Henry McMaster said will help meet the state's growing energy demands.
Duke Energy's announcement comes on the heels of McMaster's signing of an energy package — the South Carolina Energy Security Act — that in part would require regulators to review project permits faster.
The proposal said the plant would sit on nearly 200 acres off Highway 81 South, near True Temper Road in Anderson. Duke Energy said the project would create 600 construction jobs and add up to 30 full-time openings for plant operations.
The utility serves more than 860,000 electric customers in 30 South Carolina counties.
"We are at a critical point in planning for South Carolina’s reliable, affordable and resilient energy future. By enacting the S.C. Energy Security Act, Gov. McMaster and the Legislature have provided a comprehensive path forward for energy policy that will guide our state’s continued success for many years to come," said Tim Pearson, president of Duke Energy South Carolina. "Committing to building this modern energy facility in Anderson County is a critical piece of that strong energy future for the region.”
The utility plans to submit its application to the Public Service Commission later this year.
If the PSC approves the request, the project will have years to go before it is up and running. The company said construction could start mid-2027, with the plant running as early as 2031.
Duke Energy already runs a natural gas plant in Anderson County, an 810-megawatt site that went online in 2018.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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