Welcome to the first Sandfly Songwriter Series live music podcast episode with host Josephine Johnson, recorded for a live audience at Driftaway Café in history Sandfly, Savannah, Georgia.

Josephine introduces Savannah-based songwriter and performer Aaron Paul Zimmer, noting his work with the folk bluegrass trio City Hotel, solo gigs around town, and his background growing up near Cartersville, Georgia, attending UGA, and teaching eighth grade English. Zimmer performs “Cutting Teeth,” “Anything But Everything,” the City Hotel bluegrass murder ballad “Katie Brown,” and “Like They Used To,” which he co-wrote with his wife, who contributed old-movie details.

In conversation, he describes moving with his parents to an off-grid cabin at 12, reading, walking the woods, and developing his songwriting and guitar playing, which his father first taught him. Audience questions cover his favorite cereals, whether he writes lyrics or music first, musical inspirations, and how teaching gives him hope through his students’ peaceful diversity.

CONNECT WITH US:

VISIT DRIFTAWAY CAFE

MEET JOSEPHINE JOHNSON

MEET AARON PAUL ZIMMER

LIVE MUSIC, SOUND & PRODUCTION TEAM DEE DANIELS MEDIA

FIND A FAVORITE SPOT IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Meet Aaron Paul Zimmer

02:24 Housekeeping and Questions

03:39 First Songs Live

09:50 Roots in the Woods

13:30 Bluegrass Murder Ballad

19:05 Audience Q and A Fun

21:43 Writing Process Talk

23:35 Like They Used To

27:46 Teaching and Hope

29:36 Musical Inspirations

27:57 Closing Thanks

Welcome to the Sandfly Songwriter Series, hosted by musician and artist Josephine Johnson and recorded live at Driftaway Café in historic Sandfly, Savannah, Georgia.

Each episode features live local music, honest conversations, and the stories behind the songs. From intimate performances to behind-the-scenes moments with featured singer-songwriters, this series celebrates the heart of Savannah’s creative community.

Subscribe now and join us for live music, storytelling, and authentic conversations from one of Savannah’s most unique listening rooms.