As 2009 draws to a close I find myself thinking back over the past year still wondering “did that all really happen?”  So many moments now compiled into one long blur that when sifted through could mark 2009 as one of the, if not THE, greatest year in Augusta music history.

Thinking back I can still remember discussing at the end of 2007 how 2008 was going to be a banner year for area music and truth be told, it was a pretty good year but still a year that left many questions unanswered.  Until 2009 tore out of the starting gate right off the bat and decided not to slow down one bit.  There were perhaps more music releases than any other year (surely more GREAT releases than any other year) and with each and every release show fans and supporters of Augusta music came out in droves!  You only have to take a look at the final five nominees in the fave CD category for the current Choice Awards voting to check out just a small bit of the cool releases that came out in 2009.  Almost all the final release nominated were debuts (L.i.E., My Instant Lunch, and NoStar) and the other two, despite earlier product by The Cubists and Shotgun Opera, are actually considered by both bands to be “official” first releases.  Great releases by artists such as Jemani, Joe Graves and the Dirty Left Hand, Will McCranie, Chairleg, and more could have easily found a place in the top five.  Release shows by all those acts turned out to be greatly attended events and each and every one looks to have planted themselves deeply in the Augusta, Georgia red clay strongly enough to come out swinging even harder in 2010.

While Augusta music made great strides in leaps and bound in 2009, metal by far made the greatest jump forward continuing momentum from the previous year.  Not just for the all-ages crowd anymore, in 2008 metal ventured into the over 21 bar scene full on and completely took over this past year.  Once again, just a quick look at nominees in categories for the Choice Awards is proof of that.   What is unique is that the hard rock/metal genre in Augusta is filled with so many diverse bands that no two sound anything alike.  While this emergence may be surprising to some, I personally am not caught off guard as it would appear that Augusta metal bands as a whole are the hardest working acts in terms of playing in and out of Augusta, promotion, and audience interaction.  Proof that with hard work, much can be achieved.

Of course 2009 was not without its share of controversy.  Followers of area music will surely continue to debate the importance and results of competitive events such as the Augusta Chronicle Singer-Songwriter Contest and Band Aide but one thought about such debates – they keep Augusta music strong upon the minds and mouths of area listeners until the next round of similar events, which are sure to prompt similar discussions, happen.

So above all the CD releases, new bands, veteran acts, and controversy, what are we to take away from Augusta music in 2009?  Well probably the most important thing is that music in our long overlooked area is just as relevant, just as great, just as strong, and just as vibrant as the music found in praised music “meccas” such as Athens and Atlanta, as well as long-time music capitals like Nashville, Tennessee, Austin, Texas, even Los Angeles, California and New York City.   Augusta music quite simply has “got it going on.”

So my hat is off to all the music artists as well as supporters of the artists in the Augusta/CSRA area.  Your hard work and choice to share your musical voice with your neighbors has helped create what could argueably be the greatest year musically in Augusta history.  Of course I’m sure many will discuss and debate that fact as well and with good reason, Augusta has had many great acts over the years as well as many incredible years of Augusta music.

But as we enjoy the final days of this great year…we will just have to jot down 2009 as a great year in Augusta music.  The best?  Maybe..maybe not.  But surely it has to rank somewhere near the top.

Your Brother In Arms,

Stoney