Connie Freeman Morris - Banjo and Vocals

Connie grew up in a household which loved music. Her dad, Murray Freeman, always played guitar and was very active in the bluegrass music community of Atlanta. Connie started playing piano at age 7, played alto saxophone in high school and also sang in the school's top choral group. She started playing bluegrass around age 15, first playing bass with her dad's band, “The Ridgerunners”, then moving on to banjo. She became a full time member of the band at age 17. In 1979, Connie was a founding member (along with Frances Mundy) of the all female bluegrass band, "Cherokee Rose”, and also played banjo with the well known North Georgia group, "Bluegrass Generation." In 1980 Connie relocated to New York City and lived there for almost four years. Upon returning to Georgia in 1984, she began playing with her dad again and also formed Georgia Bound with a group of friends. During the mid to late 1980’s, Connie played regularly with both “The Ridgerunners” and Georgia Bound. As personnel changes evolved in both bands, Connie and her dad decided to merge the two groups. As a result, in 1992 Connie and John Farley joined forces with Murray, Mike Patton and Tracy Burdette which produced the current line-up of Georgia Bound.

Connie has been an active and enthusiastic supporter of bluegrass music in the Atlanta area for many years. In recognition of her contributions and efforts, Connie received an Appreciation Award from Billy and Fay Johnson at the Marietta Bluegrass Festival in November of 2000. Connie was also inducted into the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Honor in November 2001. Then in 2003, Connie was presented with the “Female Vocalist of the Year” award by the Atlanta Society of Entertainers.