About The Writers of Fat Shirley's: A Trailer PArk Opera
Thomas J. Brown is a teacher of the visually impaired with Whitfield County Schools. Prior to his current position, Mr. Brown served as a middle grades' science and technology explorations teacher. He currently plays banjo and harmonica with Spatial Effects and the Dirt Road Band. He has written articles for several publications including the SEBA Breakdown, the Georgia Educational Technology Online Journal, and numerous regional and local newspapers. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts, Presbyterian College and a Master of Arts Education from Tusculum College, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
David B. Crawford is a teacher, composer, and professional musician. A graduate of Jacksonville State University, Mr. Crawford is a media specialist with Whitfield County Schools in Dalton, Georgia. Prior to his current position he served as a technology teacher and a band director. In addition to his teaching duties, Crawford plays French horn with the Roman Festival Brass in Rome, Georgia. David plays guitar and sings with the group known as Spatial Effects. He has also composed and arranged many pieces for use in churches and worship services. Recently he completed a Master of Media in Education degree at the University of West Georgia in Carrollton.
Together, Brown and Crawford have co-written numerous songs, sharing their slightly bent bluegrass originals at festivals, school convocations, municipal banquets, retirement facilities, and schools. Billing themselves as Spatial Effects, they are known for such tunes as If You Sink Your True Love and Eating at the Waffle House, Staying at the Weekly Rate, Doggone Lonesome Blues. Previous projects include their CD entitled Spatial Effects: World Tour, used as a school fund raiser and Spatial Effects: NEW DEMENTIA. During the fall of 2003, they were guest songwriters on the Voices From Home program broadcast by WUTC Radio in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Brown and Crawford were showcased songwriter's at the 2003 and 2004 International Bluegrass Music Association World of Bluegrass in Louisville, Kentucky. Brown was also selected for the Songwriter Showcase in 2006. It is worth mentioning that neither has ever run afoul of the law or been incarcerated |
