R.I.P. Mr. Cawthon, Long Live Fuzzy’s!
Sigh. It seems everyday the music dies a little more. Today’s death, however, was big. J. Michael Cawthon died. You might have known him better as Fuzzy. Since 1983, he’s operated a public house on North Druid Hills road with some of the best Creole cooking you could imagine. He also made sure that some of the best musicians played his club in front of tiny houses. Want to see Francine Reed up close? You can do it at Fuzzy’s. You just can’t do it with Fuzzy anymore.
A bar owner sets the tone. In the same way Brian Maloof made Manuel’s better when he took over, and how Tamra Erisman makes Cotton’s one of the friendliest places to get great food, Fuzzy wanted to make sure you relaxed. His bar is everything a Jimmy Buffett song ever aspired to be. The staff is sassy but caring, the food is great tasting but a little bad for you, and they have a fully stocked basic bar. Fuzzy just wanted you to kick back and have some fun.
He meant it too. Once, one of the best guitar players in town was on stage and had played a whole set, but hadn’t sung anything. Fuzzy walked straight up to him and offered him $100 on the spot to sing one song! The guitar player declined and Fuzzy just shook his head. “C’mon man! Sing one song! The people will love you! I will love you and give you a hundred dollars! How much more complicated is life than that?”
If you want to celebrate, make a donation to the Georgia Alzheimers Foundation and then come Nov. 01 to Fuzzy’s Place (on North Druid Hills between 85 and Buford Highway) and celebrate the life of one cool guy.
October 29th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
Wow, for some reason I never guessed there was an actual “Fuzzy”. I used to go there pretty often, they always had good music and food. Hopefully they can keep it going in the same spirit.
October 30th, 2006 at 11:22 am
What a great and fun guy! A true bulldog … we will miss you, Fuzzy. Somehow, Atlanta doesn’t seem the same without you.
November 7th, 2006 at 1:33 pm
[…] Bloglanta reports on the passing of J. Michael Cawthon, the proprietor of Fuzzy’s Place — Atlanta’s home of Creole cooking and great live music in an intimate bar setting. They reminisce: Once, one of the best guitar players in town was on stage and had played a whole set, but hadn’t sung anything. Fuzzy walked straight up to him and offered him $100 on the spot to sing one song! The guitar player declined and Fuzzy just shook his head. “C’mon man! Sing one song! The people will love you! I will love you and give you a hundred dollars! How much more complicated is life than that?” […]
November 7th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
We saw this post and have added the Fuzzy’s Place Web site to the BusyTonight events index. I lived in Atlanta for seven years and was at Fuzzy’s twice (in 2000 and 2001, I think) and remember exactly the ambience you describe — good food (if a little heavy), good drink, good music, and a good time. I should have known that a personality like this one was behind the place.
November 11th, 2006 at 7:35 pm
I bartended for Fuzzy for a couple of years back in the mid 90s… this is sad news to me. He was a super guy and I hope they are able to maintain the bar while continuing his legacy.
January 9th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Fuzzy was my uncle and he was the best. He was so funny, and i will never forget him as long as he stays in my heart. I will also never forget the day he passed, Teusday October 24. Its so sad that he left us but he will always remail in our hearts forever.