Classic City Pickin': Peach Ice Cream at Paloma Park

Athens has never struggled to produce great musicians. On any given night, you can wander into a local bar, brewery, or backyard stage and stumble upon artists who could easily be playing much bigger rooms. While the city is often associated with names like R.E.M., Widespread Panic, and well on this weekend... Billy Strings, its heartbeat has always been the local musicians who keep the scene alive week after week. Peach Ice Cream is a perfect example of that tradition.

Lead singer Cam Norton, percussionist Max Seldges, bassist Garrett Gray, and banjo player Josh Bennett make up the core of Peach Ice Cream. True to their Instagram bio, "Just a couple friends pickin' some tunes", the group regularly welcomes other talented local musicians into the fold, making every performance feel a little different.

Each member is already woven into the fabric of Athens' music scene. If you've spent much time around the Classic City, there's a good chance you've crossed paths with Cam Norton, whether through his former project, Cam and His Dam Jam Band, or one of the countless stages he seems to occupy throughout the week. Bassist Garrett Gray is another familiar face, having also played with Wim Tapley & the Cannons and alongside Norton in Cam and His Dam Jam Band. Together with Seldges and Bennett, the quartet is helping preserve the roots of traditional bluegrass while bringing a fresh energy to a music scene that's constantly evolving.

For this particular occasion, Peach Ice Cream served as the perfect warm up before Billy Strings' second night in Athens. The band hosted a pre-show performance on Paloma Park's outdoor stage, with proceeds benefiting Nuçi's Space, one of Athens' most beloved nonprofits dedicated to supporting musicians through affordable mental health services, rehearsal spaces, and wellness programs.

A hometown bluegrass band and music supporting one of the organizations that helps make Athens' music community thrive was the kind of event that reminds you why this city is so special.

Here's a look back at the afternoon:

Date: February 7th, 2026

Location: Athens, GA

Venue: Paloma Park's Outdoor Stage

Occasion: Pre-BMFS Party

Song of the Afternoon: Free (Zach Browne Band Cover)

Honorable Mention: Down by the Creek (Original)

Attendance: 350

Peach Ice Cream live at Avon Theater in Georgia on April 19th, 2026 (Credit: Mark Raker)

Peach Ice Cream - Pre BMFS Party - 2/7/26

After an unforgettable first night with Billy and the boys, my brother-in-law and I met back up early the next morning, ready to do it all over again We knew we had an entire day ahead of us with the kind of energy that only a special weekend in Athens can provide.

Our game plan was simple: start the afternoon at Paloma Park to catch Peach Ice Cream, grab a few beers, swing by early merch access, make our rounds through Shakedown, and then settle into Akins Ford Arena for night two. If you haven't read my recap from night one yet, be sure to check it out here. That's where I mentioned that my brother-in-law and I spent the evening with Peach Ice Cream frontman Cam Norton.

I've been following Cam's music for about five years now, dating back to his days leading Cam and His Dam Jam Band. It's been genuinely rewarding to watch his journey and continue supporting his projects over the years, so catching Peach Ice Cream before Billy felt like the perfect way to kick off the day.

The afternoon got underway with John Hartford's "Steam Powered Aereo Plane," which immediately settled the crowd into PIC's laid-back bluegrass style. The tune carries a gentle, nostalgic feeling, and hearing it drift across Paloma Park on a sunny February afternoon couldn't have been a better way to kick things off.

A few songs later came one I was especially excited for. PIC dusted off "Gypsy Magic Woman," an original from Cam and His Dam Jam Band. I've been lucky enough to hear that song several times over the years at AthFest and at Live Wire, but this version offered something completely different. Gone were the soaring saxophone solos and jam-heavy energy of CDJB. Instead, PIC transformed it into a stripped-down acoustic number that leaned into the song's songwriting rather than its improvisation. Somehow, it hit just as hard. It was an unexpected treat and one of my favorite moments of the afternoon.

Not long after, the band rolled into Zac Brown Band's "Free." Being in Georgia, hearing a hometown band's music covered by another hometown band just felt right. It also served as a nice bridge for audience members who may not have known every bluegrass standard being played throughout the set. Midway through the song, Cam motioned for the band to pull everything back, leaving only their voices to carry the famous chorus. Before long, the crowd joined in, creating one of those simple moments that reminds you live music isn't just about who's on stage... it's about everyone sharing the experience together.

Another highlight came in the form of Peach Ice Cream's original "Down by the Creek." If someone asked me to describe modern bluegrass in one song, this might honestly be the first one I'd play. It has that timeless, front-porch feel that makes you want to gather around a campfire or spend an afternoon beside a river with friends. The melody is simple, the groove is infectious, and it captures exactly what PIC does so well.

Unfortunately, we had to duck out a little early to meet up with some friends before heading toward the arena, but not before catching the band's take on Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again." It was a fun way to leave the show, with plenty of people singing along as Garrett Gray's infectious bass lines bounced underneath it all. Then again, Garrett always seems to be smiling on stage, and that positive energy is impossible not to feed off of.

One thing I've come to appreciate more and more over the years is just how important it is to support your local musicians. They're the heartbeat of communities like Athens, keeping live music thriving week after week. If Peach Ice Cream is playing anywhere near you, do yourself a favor and go catch a set.

And just like that, it was time to head out. We said our goodbyes and made the short walk toward Akins Ford Arena!

Want to Get in the Groove?

Here are some tracks to get you started with Peach Ice Cream Bluegrass: