Meet Luke Latimer! Luke, 20, was born and raised in Hall County and would not change it for the world.
“I love the people here. It’s the most unique thing about Hall County, I can’t explain how many people I have met in Hall County,” Luke says.
Luke graduated from East Hall High School in 2017 and you can catch him locally playing music at local eateries and venues. Last year, Luke had the amazing chance to fly out to California for two and a half weeks and practice his passion for music. Luke has released three songs with his band ‘Burning Castles’ and is releasing a new song ‘Hello Gorgeous.’   
We want to thank Luke for spending time with our intern Grace Brown and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “I think I’ve always been into music ever since I was little. My mom sings and my grandpa sings, my grandpa is Don Elrod, he was always involved with church and was involved with a gospel trio. I think just always being around music was my basis for my inspiration. I started to take guitar lessons and hated it at first but I decided to stick with it. I would try and copy everything I would hear like alternate rock. That’s when I really started to learn.”  
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “There are a lot of good places to eat in Gainesville but I would probably have to say Bluefin. I’m a huge sushi fan. If I’m in the mood for hibachi I’ll get that. I really love their spicy tuna roll and the Gainesville roll is super good, too. It’s just a great place because they have so many options.”
Q: How long have you lived in Hall County?
A: “19 years, I was born and raised here.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Hall County?
A: “Michael Valley. He was my high school art teacher at East Hall. He is an amazing artist, teacher, and he ended up becoming someone who I really admire. I haven’t seen him since I graduated, but he is someone I would enjoy seeing and talking to anytime.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “Australia. I’ve always wanted to go there it is so pretty. It’s far away and out of the states and would be such a cool place to travel. I think it’s really gorgeous.”
Q: What is your favorite movie or what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “’Law Abiding Citizen’ is my favorite movie.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “I would say really trust in the Lord and him guide whatever decisions you have. Go to him for clarity. Always tough things out just stick with what you want to do and follow your dream.We are only here for a short time do what you love. You’ll never work a day in your life if you are doing something you love.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “Definitely that trip to Australia. I would also love to tour with my band that’s a must. I really want to tour the United States. That’s on the top of my bucket list right now.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “My favorite type of music is rock. I’d probably have to say Queen, Nirvana, and someone recent is Foo Fighters.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in Hall County would you have lunch?
A: “Drake for sure. I’d probably take him to The Collegiate. I would chose him because he’s the coolest person it seems like and I love his music.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Hall County?
A: “The people. I love the people here, growing up here all my life I’ve met a lot of people. I have made a lot of friends. There’s also a lot of great places to eat, too.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “I see myself hopefully doing something involved with music. I really hope to see my band Burning Castles still doing great. I would love to be making albums and still be writing.”
Q: (Even for friend or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “Something interesting that most people don’t know about me is I love to draw and paint. Art is another passion of mine behind music. I could sit and paint all day long. It’s very relaxing to me and I really enjoy it.”
Q: What are three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word home?
A: “Georgia, my home state, East Hall, and my family.”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.