Since the day I first met Chuck Williams I have considered myself fortunate to call the guy a friend and ally. Yeah these days Chuck looks a little rougher around the edges than years ago but he’s lucky – it’s suits him well. But even though Chuck looks older, and even though I can barely recall a time since I arrived back in Augusta in the early 80′s that he hasn’t been a part of Augusta radio, it’s still hard to believe that Mr. Williams is 60. Holy cow! Hey Chuck, if you ever get around to reading this…in 15 years when I turn 60…I hope to look even half as good…heck…I just hope I’m even still alive and able to use the can on my own. For Chuck this this year’s birthday has been special not only because of that magic number 60…but also because after months of fighting, Chuck and the crew at 95Rock are back on a strong signal via 95.5. Yeah modern rock fans rejoice…Chuck has made it possible for you to listen to those Nickelback tunes that personally drive me crazy. But Chuck knows you love ‘em and you want to hear ‘em loud and clear. And if ever a man in Augusta worked hard to give the peeps what they want…it’s Chuck WIlliams. But that’s not all!

Chuck had a killer birthday bash (my apologies for missing it….you know I love you Chuck)…he was featured as the cover story in the Metro SPirit…his beloved Patriots are back in the Superbowl (and yes, I STILL love you Chuck despite your love for that evil Tom Brady)…and this morning 95Rock announced a kicker of a concert coming to Augusta April 13th – Godsmack, Staind, and Halestorm…James Brown Arena.

Yeah if anyone deserves to turn 60 in such grand fashion, It’s Chuck WIlliams. I may not have the sway but I am officially proclaiming January Chuck Williams month.

Much Love Chuck,
Stoney

On January 21st Augusta hip hop band Dredneck make their official debut at Sky City as they move to support popular single “Glitterbone”, a track that gained popularity as a track on the band’s previous incarnation Jemani. This has created extra talk for Dredneck who feature four members from Jemani’s final recording lineup. Could this be a final grasp to salvage what was left of Jemani’s popularity or the culmination of moving into a more hip hop direction? Either way what’s important is how Dredneck stands its own musical merits. Tune in January 21st to find out. Until then keep up with the band at DREDNECK.COM.

In this day and age, with music fans able to download not just entire albums but select cuts, it’s easier for a band to get their music out but harder to get fans to take in the vanished art of letting an entire album grow on you. These days music buyers can listen to clips and decide which tracks to purchase letting only the tracks make a quick impression and making decisions before really giving the tracks a chance. South Augusta native Carey Murdock has decided to make the supreme sacrifice to get fans to enjoy his most recent release “Baby Don’t Look Down” by offering the album free through his blog site THEMURDOCK.TUMBLR.COM. If Springsteen, Tom Waits, and just soulful rootsy rock and roll is your thing then here’s your chance to get 11 tracks by this up and coming singer-songwriter free.

As the world waits for a possible James Brown tribute album to come out of the Brown camp Tom Sanders, a 20-year music vet based out of Ripley, Tennessee has decided to release his own tribute. With two self-penned songs Sanders has taken advantage of the lack of effort by name artists to create musical tributes to the Godfather since his passing by releasing his own tribute through Portra Records. The tracks, “You Can’t Touch Him” and “I Got It-On the Good Foot” are available for download through 38 music companies including iTunes and Amazon and a video for “I Got It-On the Good Foot” is on Youtube to check out. Continued proof that the influence of James Brown continues to inspire over five years after his passing.

Speaking of influence, after two months of online voting the end of last year the nominees for the 2012 Lokal Loudness Choice Awards are now up and ready for you to vote on at LOKALLOUDNESS.COM. Once the dust has settled winners of all 17 awards will be announced at Sky City on February 10th, the official 20th anniversary of Lokal Loudness.
Well once again I’ve gone over my allowed space so please remember to check out the Daily Planner every month in print and online at www.vergelive.com for great live shows to get out and support and to get an earful of what’s happening in Augusta music stop by and listen to me rant with my good buddy Brian “Stak” Allen each on CONfederation of LOUDness which can be found ironically enough at www.confederationofloudness.com and of course as always…

Make it LOKAL, Keep it Loud,
Stoney

Speaking of rock & roll, 2011 was filled with some pretty kick ass rock & roll moments and since we just wrapped up the final countdown of 2011, allow me to throw out the first of 2012 – Stoney’s Top Ten Lokal Loudness Moments of Last Year!!!!

10. Metro Music Makes a Comeback – After Metro A Coffeehouse & Pub opened New Years Eve 2000 it quickly became a hot spot for great music particularly for singer-songwriters. After a lull that lasted several years the venue, newly renamed Metro Pub & Coffeehouse, brought back live music 3-4 nights a week in a big way and have been rockin’ Augusta ever since.

9. The Godfather Rocks RockBand 3 – In late July it was announced that classic James Brown track “Superbad” would be made available for download to use with game RockBand 3 along with classic tracks by Heart, Rufus, and the Beastie Boys. No word on if player get fined for missing notes on the James Brown track or not.

8. Willie Mac Wraps Up 52/52 Project – On January 3rd, a year after uploading the kick-off track, Augusta boy turned New York troubadour Will McCranie completed his huge mission of releasing 52 tracks online in 52 weeks when he posted the video for “Brand New Year” on the 5252PROJECT.COM website. Along the way McCranie also released an acoustic CD, joined two new bands, and played two huge Augusta shows – Rock Fore! Dough and the 12 Bands of Christmas concert.

7. Lady A Pulls the Rug Out from Under Graduation – Say you work for 18 years only to be told that your high school graduation plans have been compromised because of the biggest country music act in world? Get over it! Diplomas will be handed out, Lady A will rock, and graduates will have a cool story to tell the grandkids years from now!

6. JB Goes Old School in the UK – What do Deee-Lite, Martha & the Vandellas, Donna Summer, The Bee Gees, Fatboy Slim, Abba, Amy Winehouse, The B-52’s, and Michael Jackson all have in common? All had tracks topped by James Brown’s classic “Sex Machine” in a survey of 2,000 UK festival, club, and dance attendees polled to determined the top track that pulls butts on the dance floor. Who feels good now?

5. Jemani Plays Final Show…Then Returns to Play Final Show – So it was announced that Jemani would play their final show opening for a national act and would return with a new name and sound and then…they played their final show as Jemani a few months later. Any chance a reunion show announcement could be next?

4. Seladora Sign with National Entertainment Group – In May Kaedyn Entertainment announced the signing of Augusta metal band Seladora. The band’s debut single was set for less than a month later and the band was ready to take off…by years end Seladora was down to two members and on searching.

3. Easterlin Jazz Rocks Lollapalooza – On August 6 at noon Davidson Fine Arts alum Julia Easterlin was scheduled to rock the same festival that would feature such names as Eminem, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Muse, My Morning Jacket, and A Perfect Circle. What else can I say?

2. M-Tank Roll Van and Return to Rock the House – In August Augusta band M-Tank suffered injuries after an accident while traveling home from a gig in Columbia, SC. A couple weeks later a benefit show at Sky City took place and in November, at the Firehouse, the band was scheduled to make its return. Proof that you can’t stop rock & roll!

1. Laws Leaves Sector 7G – He saw a need, rolled up his sleeves, and with a dingy little building helped make Augusta a hot stop for bands to play all-age shows. A month shy of hitting the six-year mark owner Nick Laws decided to get “out of the game” and though the club has continued under new ownership, the “Law-less” Sector 7G is not quite the same.

Well there you have my top rockin’ memories of last year…Happy New Year, be good to one another, support not just lokal music but ALL things lokal and remember to check out the Daily Planner every month in print and online at vergelive for great live shows to get out and support and to get an earful of what’s happening in Augusta music stop by and listen to me rant with my good buddy Brian “Stak” Allen each on CONfederation of LOUDness which can be found ironically enough at www.confederationofloudness.com and of course as always…

Make it LOKAL, Keep it Loud,
Stoney

Yeah I know it was a sad day in Whoville and all that smack what with having to read a Stoney-less verge but it’s OK, I’m back. Once you’ve recovered from the excitement, please feel free to read on.

So in just a few days friends, family, and neighbors will gather for yet another rousing 12 Bands of Christmas concert. This year’s CD is a doozy and as always the concert, to be held this Sunday December 18th at the Imperial, should rock. Surprising? Nah, the show always rocks.

But all this 12 Bands talk has got me thinking what Augusta-related Christmas tunes I would dig while I was putting up the tree, re-gift wrapping, or even setting up booby traps on the roof for Santa. Yeah everyone’s got their fave Christmas tunes, and normally I could get by with Billy Squire’s “Christmas Is a Time to Say I Love You”, but I’m thinkin’ a bit homegrown.

James Brown – Santa Go Straight to the Ghetto: James Brown’s Funky Christmas is probably the coolest album ever by an Augusta-related artist and even though it’s filled with a ton of funky holiday goodness, “Santa Go Straight to the Ghetto” has gotta be my fave tune of it. Play this one loud, the kids are gonna love you so!

Hellblinki Sextet – Emmet Otter’s Jugband Christmas: This medley of tunes from the 1977 Jim Henson Christmas television classic somehow manages to be pure Hellblinki while paying proper homage to the original. Andrew Benjamin and his rotating cast of musicians never failed to bring interesting tracks on their appearances on several 12 Bands of Christmas CDs but this may be the best of the bunch.

Brenda Lee – Rocking Around the Christmas Tree: “Little Miss Dynamite” may have gotten her start right here in Augusta but her version of this Christmas tune is well known far outside of the Garden City and is easily regarded as THE classic version. We’ve all heard it on radio, television, and in movies and even now, 53 years later, it still rocks!

48 Volt – Lights on the Boulevard: Ok so maybe I’m a bit biased but how can anyone with a heart not be touched by a song like this one off of 12 Bands of Christmas: Volume 6? It’s touching, beautifully graphic, and contagiously catchy. Yeah I may have a few extra reasons to love this song but take those reasons away, it’s still an incredible song.

Whether on the radio or on CD, there’s plenty of Christmas tunes out there to choose from and they make for great listening when heading out to your favorite Christmas rock & roll event such as 12 Bands of Christmas, Festivus at Sky City, or the 18th Annual Kevin Scott Brown Rocking the Stocking Concert at Metro Pub & Coffeehouse (December 22nd) and now that it’s actually December, you can crank the Christmas tunes without fear of evil stares and comments. If you’re worried about jacked by any Scrooges, just bring along a few candy canes for protection.

Well looks like Augusta and semi-area country trio Lady Antebellum got an early Christmas a couple of weeks ago. Despite the fact that they just hit town not that long ago, tickets for next year’s May 22nd show at James Brown Arena sold out in 3 minutes prompting the band to add a second show May 23rd. Correct me if I’m wrong, but by the time those shows are over the group would have performed in Augusta more times in a two-year span than Amy Grant has the past ten…or may twenty years. Not sure, it’s not like I’m keeping count. But Amy shouldn’t feel bad, Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs/Morse Code/Kansas/Deep Purple) hasn’t been here since the mid-80’s. But that’s o.k., Merry Christmas to ‘em both anyway. Between Lady A, Sharon Jones, and Terri Gibbs we have more than enough big league Augusta love to go around.

Speaking of Augusta love, I’d like to ask that everyone take these last few days before Christmas to bundle up and enjoy a nice brisk walk downtown and check out the lights and sights with someone close. This is a great time of year and even the chill seems to add a little something to the experience. It is a beautiful at night with all the holiday lights and decorations, people walking, sounds pouring out of bars and restaurants, yeah I know that sounds like any other time of the year, but right before Christmas, it’s an even more special feeling.

Well I guess I better finish wrapping a few last minute gifts before those evil zombie elves (or Sprowls) stop by and make off with all the nifty presents I picked up to give this year. But before I go let me extend my wish for everyone to have a beautiful love-filled Christmas surrounded by family and friends, and if you decide you want to get out during the holiday check out the Daily Planner every month in print and online at www.vergelive.com for great live shows to get out and support and to get an earful of what’s happening in Augusta music stop by and listen to me rant with my good buddy Brian “Stak” Allen each on CONfederation of LOUDness which can be found ironically enough at www.confederationofloudness.com and of course as always…

Make it LOKAL, Keep it Loud,
Stoney

If I learned anything on my week-long cruise it’s that it doesn’t matter where you are in the world, or who you’re with, everyone knows SOMETHING about Augusta music. Of course the majority of that is due to the Godfather and on a ship in the middle of the ocean filled with employees from all over the globe it’s always cool when you can say you’re from the home of James Brown to the Romanian bartender singing along to “I Feel Good.” All week long the music of the Godfather followed us around. From a song snippet in the welcome show in the theater, to a guy from Texas singing karaoke, to JB funk playing in the market in Freeport, to ass shakin’ Godfather tunes in the couple dance clubs on the ship, it was everywhere. Even the Lido Deck reggae band kicked up some James Brown. But if you think all this Augusta music love was solely because of James Brown, think again – a country duo from New Zealand (yeah I said country duo from New Zealand) cranked out a couple Lady Antebellum tunes in our fave walk through bar Metropolis. (the Metro Bar for short…no wonder it was our fave bar on the ship lol) I woulda shown some love but we all know I ain’t funky enough to cover James Brown and I barely know any Lady A. The closest I could find outside of that was some Edwin McCain at karaoke and the Otis Redding/Black Crowes classic “Hard to Handle” that I sat in and sang with the ship’s house band during the talent showcase. (Yeah I know…but my wife kinda made me…but I did get a ship on a stick for me effort lol) Hey at least I kept it in the Georgia-lina vicinity!

Now just when you thought it was safe to come out of the water…or the ocean as in my case…Hip-O Select has released the final edition in the ongoing series dedicated to the task of compiling every James Brown single from 1956 to 1981 – James Brown: The Singles Volume 11: 1979 – 1981, a 2-CD 28-track retrospect of the Godfather featuring mostly tracks from his journey into disco music. Pulling from tracks featuring on a pair of Brian Shapiro produced albums – “The Original Disco Man” (1979) and “People” (1980) and several 12-inch singles (many one-sided re-released promo-discs for DJs), Singles Volume 11 is an interesting release to say the least but not without some variety with a couple tunes “flavored” with mild hints of soul and country. All in all a good addition if you already have the first 10 volumes…but for the less than die-hard fan…maybe purchasing individual tracks via download might be the way to go.

Just the other day I kinda got ripped a new one by this sweet old lady for ragging on Amy Grant in my last few columns (kudos to you Ma’am for keeping up with local music!) so I thought just for her I would mention that Ms. Grant, or shall I say “Mrs. Gill”, will be performing on the ABC television program “CWA Country Christmas” December 11th with country music stars sharing their own recollections of Christmas. In addition to her TV appearance Grant also has a tune on “WOW Christmas” release which features 32 Christian artists at their holiday best. So yeah…why settle for just this year’s awesome “12 Bands of Christmas” CD when you can have this one too? (Am I forgiven now Ma’am?)

So now that I’ve traded my beach wear back in for jeans and a fleece pullover, it’s time to put this edition to rest and huddle up with some hot cocoa and some cool tunes so until next time…check out the Daily Planner every month in print and online at www.vergelive.com for great live shows to get out and support and to get an earful of what’s happening in Augusta music stop by and listen to me rant with my good buddy Brian “Stak” Allen each on CONfederation of LOUDness which can be found ironically enough at www.confederationofloudness.com and of course as always…

Make it LOKAL, Keep it Loud,
Stoney

I’m pleased to share with you some great news. Hodges Usry has just finished directing a video for Jaycie Ward – “It’s Christmas Everywhere”. The song is the second track on The 12 Bands of Christmas Volume 8 CD available now at 12 Bands.org and iTunes. Please take a moment to check out the video…

Special Thanks to Vintage Ooollee and Georgia Health Sciences Children’s Medical Center.

Hodges will be showing his recent works at the Imperial Theater this Wednesday November 16th at 6pm. This is a private showing but all 12 Bands Supporters are welcome. Feel free to bring a guest. Free Beer and Wine will be served! Just RSVP here moc.liamgnull@gniwohSlairepmiPVSR

In other news, our Drum-a-Thon was a huge success! We raised over $2300. Drummers joined Jay Jefferies all night long and made the full 26 hours. Special thanks to Rock Bottom Music, Verge, WBBQ, Phoenix Printing and of course NBC 26.

Thanks for your support and we hope to see you soon!

Joe Stevenson

12 Bands of Christmas
P.O. Box 12623
Augusta GA 30919

One of the first things that comes to mind when I think of fall is an old 30 minute TDK cassette I had made years ago. Ok, so maybe back in the day mixed tapes were pretty common things for a kid with a love of music and a way too big boom box to have (and I made my share!) but on this particular cassette I scratched out the words “radio tunes” and prepared to recycle (yeah…I was green way before there was a “green”) this at least once used audio canvas into the perfect autumn soundtrack.
At least the perfect fall soundtrack for me and to be honest, with the exception of maybe adding Neil Young’s 1992 song “Harvest Moon”, I don’t think I would change a thing. Just the fact that I can pretty much remember what songs were on that tape speaks volumes. I may not be able to remember the order but in bits and pieces, but I can hear each song like it was yesterday and if I close my eyes? They sound even better.

Frank Sinatra – September Song: So many artists have recorded this Kurt Weill penned tune including Bing Crosby, Lou Reed, and even James Brown but for me, Sinatra captured it best not only once in 1946, but also twice in the first half of the sixties. The final version Sinatra recorded is one of the first sounds to be recorded in my musical memory and holds not only a special place in my childhood heart, but also a regular spin on my life’s fall season soundtrack.

Journey – Wheel in the Sky: This track, released in 1978 on Journey’s “Infinity” album, helped kicked off a four-year military brat tour in Hoechst, Germany, just outside of Frankfurt and just below the Taunus Mountains. Talk about cold, dark, and dreary. Sure it may have been a sad song but at the time it was also a fairly rockin’ tune by a band the girls liked. Definitely a no-brainer to put on a mixed tape back then.

Led Zeppelin – Ramble On: In the late 70’s (around the time of supposed fall mix tape creation) no other band could write about just about anything and make it sound mystical and spooky like Led Zeppelin could. Back in the day these guys were the topic of all kinds of bizarre rumors and the music became a magical soundtrack to every recess and after school discussion. Granted, back in the day I had no clue who or what Mordor or Gollum were but they or it sounded pretty cool. Great lyrical imagery pulls in the creeping start of fall. Great track.

Mamas & the Papas – California Dreamin’: Few songs in history capture the desire to escape winters sullen grasp to escape to the warmth of the west coast like this legendary Mamas & Papas song. This tune battled it out with “The Ballad of the Green Berets” during the final weeks leading up to my birth in 1966 and perhaps best captures the feel of fall better than any other song. The band may have been dreamin’ about California but this certainly isn’t a sunny song.

Nat King Cole – Autumn Leaves: This pop/jazz standard based on 1945 French song “Les Feuilles Mortes” (Dead Leaves) has been recorded by several artists but the version sung by Nat King Cole in the 1956 Joan Crawford flick “Autumn Leaves” is a personal fave thanks to my grandfather on my father’s side. The closing lines “But I miss you most of all my darling, when autumn leaves start to fall” just oozes the somberness of fall.

Van Morrison –Moondance: The title track off Morrison’s 1970 classic release holds the odd distinction of not being released as a single until 1977 when it was added as the A side to track “Cold Wind in August” off Morrison’s then newly released album “A Period of Transition.” The beauty of this track is that despite its jazz fusion leanings, it somehow became a rock era classic years after similar style tracks fell out of mainstream popularity. Once again the lyrics speak of falling leaves which could explain why this is just as special a track to my wife and I as it was in the late 70’s when I was just beginning my teen years.

So there you have it, my very own fall soundtrack. Sure there are probably many more tunes that manage to create a fall vibe but for me, these hit the spot now as much as they did in the late 70’s. Maybe you’ll be inspired to put together your own fall “mix tape” who knows. In the meantime, check out the Daily Planner every month in print and online at www.vergelive.com for great live shows to get out and support and to get an earful of what’s happening in Augusta music stop by and listen to me rant with my good buddy Brian “Stak” Allen each on CONfederation of LOUDness which can be found ironically enough at www.confederationofloudness.com and of course as always…

Make it LOKAL, Keep it Loud,
Stoney