KEEP DOING GOOD
Despite the place's ongoing popularity with mojo-seekers,
it was looking as if the landmark might vanish into the
memories of rockers with graying ponytails. Mama Hill died
in 2007, and Mama Louise, struggling with health-related
issues, closed the restaurant in 2013. Happily, though, The
Moonhanger Group, an outfit of preservation-minded
businesses led by Wes Griffith, took over the property the
following year. For a while, Mama Louise played an emeritus
role at the fryer and held court until she retired.
"The H&H is such an important part of Macon's cultural
and artistic heritage that we couldn't stand the thought of
losing it," said Griffith, whose father worked with Phil Walden
at Capricorn.
Last year, to make the shrine complete, Griffith
commissioned a mural for the side of the H&H building. The
result is a stunning 30-feet by 77-feet portrait of Hudson
and Hill with the Allman Brothers on the side, completed by
artist Steven Teller. He drew inspiration from photos taken by
Twiggs Lyndon, the Brothers' tour manager.
"The women are up front because I wanted them to be the
primary presence," Teller said, noting that he added several
mushrooms and some subtle peach blossoms to allude to
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: MATT NEWTON DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
- MOONHANGER GROUP, LINDSIE BROUGHTON ASSISTANT
MANAGER - H&H, TANGIE MYERS GENERAL MANAGER - H&H, JERRY
DAVIS H&H, WES GRIFFITH OWNER - MOONHANGER GROUP
"IT WAS STARTED
BY TWO STRONG,
AFRICAN AMERICAN
WOMEN, AND WE
WANTED TO KEEP THAT
TRADITION GOING."
– WES GRIFFITH
JUNE/JULY 2022 | maconmagazine.com 43
