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On the morning of September 26, 2004 something wonderful happened on the rooftop of the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta.
The ABB were playing a 3-night run, Sept. 24 - 26, at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. Many members of the band and many fans were staying at the Georgian Terrace or close by. Saturday afternoon Oteil and I had the idea that maybe, just maybe, we could figure out 1) how to get to the roof of the hotel and 2) how to get people to join us there for a sunrise service Sunday morning. Finding the rooftop was fairly easy. Then we drew up and, early Sunday morning, taped up directional signs showing people the way.
Getting the word out was a little harder given the short time frame between Saturday afternoon and 9:00 Sunday morning. So we talked to people, who talked to people, and waited on the roof Sunday morning for them to show up. Which they did!
I honestly can't tell you how many ... a dozen? 20? I was kind of overwhelmed with happiness. There were no scripts, no rehearsed lines. Everything said came straight from the heart. Including Kirk shaking his head saying (from memory), "I thought I'd seen it all with this band ... and then there's the two of you."
Here is what Peach Corps member Josh Chasin wrote in the Forum about the Sunrise Service on the Roof: "10/24/2004 jchasin For the select few of us who were able to drag our happy but over-extended butts out of bed early enough, Sunday began with a 9 AM prayer circle led by Lana and Oteil, in a square on the roof of the Georgian Terrace hotel. Beautiful blue Georgia sky above, the Atlanta skyline all around, the city still, a brisk but gentle breeze hinting at the Indian summer day that was ahead. Cleansing, redemptive, and non-denominational. People can you feel it, love is everywhere. Say amen, brother Oteil."
Thank you, Josh, for sharing your beautiful thoughts and to Peach Corps member Lefty Collins for sharing his photo.
Posted : September 28, 2026 1:22 pm