Masters week aka Augusta spring break is always a great time for music in the area but in recent year’s music in Augusta has picked up so much it’s become hard to tell the difference between any given week. Every week in Augusta is a great week for music. What sets this particular week apart though is the annual tradition of Rock Fore! Dough.

Now one thing Augusta peeps have continued to mention when it comes to Rock Fore! Dough is the repeat performers, in particular Hootie and the Blowfish and/or member of Hootie and the Blowfish. Yeah it’s true that the Hootie guys have built a great relationship with the annual event but year in and year out the show is filled with other great performers including up and coming artists and incredible Augusta acts. One of my fondest memories is rocking to one of my fave childhood bands Cheap Trick on my birthday at a Rock Fore! Dough event a few years back that also featured Dashboard Confessional. And while it’s also true that Hootie’s DARIUS RUCKER will be appearing this year, Rucker is now a bonafide modern country star with several top charting non-Hootie hits. Hits that will draw an even wider audience. But even with Rucker and the return of popular college party guy COREY SMITH on the bill this year, for me the big selling point is the rest of this year’s incredible lineup that features 7 Southeastern acts on not just one, but TWO stages! THE FARM INC. is an up and coming Nashville trio made up of three singer-songwriters from across the south. South Carolina is further represented by amazing roots rockers NEEDTOBREATHE and incredible Atlanta singer-songwriter TIM BRANTLEY brings his Springsteen inspired energetic show to Augusta. As if that isn’t enough, two young up and coming Augusta acts go to bat for the home team in country gal JAYCIE WARD and pop rockers FIVE’S A CROWD. Both appeared on last year’s 12 Bands of Christmas CD and look to bring additional energy to what is sure to be a great concert and great cause! More info and tickets at ROCKFOREDOUGH.COM.

So there may still be a couple months left until Mother’s Day but truth be known, we think about the great ladies in our lives every day. With that in mind, I’m proud as a Georgia peach to announce that the RockHer Music & Arts Festival will be held May 11th at Sky City and will have great on stage performances by area acts featuring some great gals as well as lots of female-created visual art on display. To make it even cooler, the event will be free for the ladies (sorry guys…you gotta shell out five bucks) with proceeds to benefit the Lexie’s Legacy Scholarship Fund at ASU. For info on the event on how to take part, contact me, Stoney, by email MOC.SSENDUOLLAKOLnull@OFNI.

I’d like to mention a typo in last issue’s column – my apologies to anyone confused by the wrong posting of the date for the GEORGE LYNCH (Dokken guitarist) show at Coyote’s also featuring a couple area acts rocking your fave cover hard rock hits, PIT BOSS and HELLS 40 ACRES. The date is actually set for March 29th so if you’ve managed to read this before then, get out to Coyote’s and rock your tush off!

Well until next time, get and get your rocks rolled in all the great Augusta clubs pimpin’ great live music and remember to check out the Daily Planner every month in 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

In the past early week bookings and day after First Friday shows have been avoided like a Justin Bieber set at a death metal festival. So far this year downtown venues have had statistically higher attendance the first Saturday of each month and a slew of Monday night club shows have done very well, the most recent being a rocking full house at the Playground for a show featuring little known Greek punk rockers Barb Wire Dolls and Augusta heavy-hitters Shotgun Opera. Over the course of a little over one week I ventured out to four different venues over five times out and about (including the previously mentioned Monday night show at the Playground) and each time the venue was well attended, if not totally packed out, including a five-band benefit concert at Sky City the day after First Friday earlier this month.

With well known acts such as MOTHERS FINEST (March 16 at Sky City), GEORGE LYNCH (March 29 at Coyote’s), THEORY OF A DEAD MAN (April 11 at the Country Club), GODSMACK, STAIND, and HALESTORM (April 13 at James Brown Arena), CHEVELLE, SEETHER, and BLACK STONE CHERRY (May 3 at the Lady Antebellum Pavilion in Evans), and LADY ANTEBELLUM (May 22/23 at James Brown Arena) all set to hit the area, Augusta will see its biggest half year of music activity in a long time eclipsing even many full years of music. Toss in shows by lokal to mid level acts at area clubs and bars and Augusta will easily continue the trend started a few years ago of having plenty of choices for lovers of all genres of music. Yes, music is LIVE and GREAT in Augusta, GA!

In the last few weeks music has lost a couple of its finest in the Monkee’s Davy Jones, who passed away February 29th from a heart attack, and guitarist extraordinaire Ronnie Montrose, who lost his long battle with cancer on March 3rd.)
In addition to being an amazing guitarist Montrose also introduced the world to former Van Halen frontman and solo artist/Tequila connoissuer/Cabo Wabo party host Sammy Hagar. Davy Jones of course was the short English guy from under-appreciated pre-fab TV band the Monkees who’s influence would be felt years later via the creation of music television aka MTV. The Monkees performed live in Augusta twice – in 1969 at Bell Auditorium and in 1987 at the James Brown Arena (then called the Civic Center) – both times as a trio.

Well until next time, keep going to the shows and supporting the area bands and businesses that help in bringing great live music to Augusta. It’s well worth the time and believe me, well appreciated! Also remember to check out the Daily Planner every month in 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

WILL “Willie Mac” McCRANIE makes his second Augusta “Winter Acoustic Tour” stop this Saturday at Stillwater Taproom when he presents “Will McCranie & Friends.” McCranie’s “& Friends” shows usually pull out a talented guest list of onstage performers leading to some pretty incredible musical moments at times and after two weeks on the road with guitarist Michael Baideme the guys should have some funny stories. Willie Mac asks that all his hometown buds “join us for a night of drinks to celebrate our survival.”

Now if a couple guys strumming acoustic and telling road weary tales of drunken debauchery ain’t quite your thing, there’s other different show options this weekend including MOTLEY CRUDE (tribute to Motley Crue in case you’re wondering) with G-CITY ROCKERS at the Playground March 2nd and the next night, the Beth Camley Hep C Benefit featuring the stellar lineup of LIVINGROOM LEGENDS, THE HOLLERERS, SIBLING STRING, JESUP DOLLY, and SHE N SHE. Yep, you can always be sure that there’s some kinda rockin’ goin’ on every week in the CSRA.

Speaking of upcoming shows, there’s one in particular coming up that I’m pretty hyped about! Many moons ago, when I was just a music lovin’ early 80’s teen discovering rock radio in Atlanta for the first time after four years of Armed Forces Top 40 Radio in Germany, I got hooked on the catchy tunes of Atlanta pop band THE PRODUCERS and now over 30 years later, on Saturday March 10, not only will they be playing Sky City but they’ll be joined by 80’s Augusta band THE WOMBATS! I don’t think I ever got hits “What She Does to Me”, “She Sheila”, and the marvelously infectious “What He’s Got” out of my head. Make sure you get your tickets early at SKYCITYAUGUSTA.COM.

Now if you’re a young budding musician (or even an old rock & roll warhorse) and looking for a nice, relaxed way to show of your progressing talents without the work of booking a gig then let me be he first to throw out an invite to Big City Music’s Second Saturday Open Mic. Starting March 10th Augusta music store Big City Music (located at 2115 Windsor Spring Road, Suite 16 – just below Sconyers) will present an afternoon open mic series the second Saturday of each monh. Sign up is at 1:30 PM with performances to begin at 2 and open to acoustic performers and poetry/spoken word artists. Store discounts all afternoon during open mic for performers as well as treats, goodies, contests, and giveaways. Hit up MYBIGCITYMUSIC @ YAHOO.COM for more ino.

Now it’s looks like I’m already late getting a start on next issue so before I totally blow my deadline let me offer you a “c-ya” and get the heck outta dodge. 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

Then I walked in on my buddy Jerry Blanchard (who was a couple years older and in my eyes many years wiser) playing this weird record that kinda sounded like Elvis fronting the Troggs after a weekend drinking binge. Then he hit me harder with a record by a new band that sounded like nothing I had ever heard. Fast, fun, catchy, and weird. All of a sudden Kiss was no longer the only band taking up space on the rock & roll altar to which I bowed down to – there was now also two more New Yawk rawk bands – The New York Dolls and the Ramones. Soon I was deep into the NY punk scene and even branching out into the UK scene diggin’ on bands like the Sex Pistols and the Clash. Then New Wave hit and I went back to old my wild rock & roll ways. Punk was dead in my eyes and the new metal out of the UK was it. Some say punk made a comeback to the mainstream in the 90’s but let’s get real…Green Day and Good Charlotte sure ain’t the New York Dolls or the Ramones. Not even close.

These days I’m lucky if I even catch a cool local punk show. Yeah it was fun to share the stage with local rockers Sick Sick Sick a few weeks back but as cool as they were, it’s still that frenetic fast drumming punk that I never really caught on to as a kid. Gimme the Dolls, Ramones, Pistols, yeah.

So when my buddy Mike hit me up to come out to catch this punk band outta Greece called the Barb Wire Dolls and fronted by this blonde chick that looks like a cross between an early still hot Debbie Harry and a semi-sober maybe hot for a sec young Courtney Love, I was immediately skeptical. What would a bunch of young cats from Greece even know about punk. REAL punk. Not that homogenized pop punk (note – I only use this term for reader familiarity. I hate that I even have to use the word punk when describing this drivel) bullshit that brought guyliner back to mainstream music. I mean real from the heart goodness to honest pissed off but willing to have fun being pissed off punk rock. Well turns out that these Grecian rawkers turned out to be at least half schooled.

With an obvious nod to the likes of the Pistols and other old school punk bands, Barb Wire Dolls wear their punk hearts on their ripped up sleeves. And like the Pistols the band, which feature the previously mentioned blonde chick Isis Queen on vocals, Pyn Doll (guitarist), Voodoo Doll (bassist), Krash Doll (drummer), Barb Wire Dolls are a band with a lyrical agenda which becomes obvious about two and a half minutes into the band’s set when Miss Queen kicks off a night of pretty much demanding that the audience fend for themselves or f**k off. Yeah the rest of the guys held down the fort pretty solid but Miss Queen is obviously the show, a fact clearly made in the headline of the band’s bio…which reads – “Greek Girl-Fronted Barb Wire Dolls Invade America…” It’s clear the hype machine for Barb Wire Dolls is built around this blonde bombshell with tons of energy and a big mouth and it’s cool. The songs are solid, obviously 70’s era influenced punk, fun, and full of energy. Overall the band is a fun watch. Worth the $5 ticket price easily. Unfortunately though a lot of the bands music tends to get lost amidst Queen’s bantering. Yeah I can dig a genuine comment or middle finger here or there but the insulting, cussing, and punk rawk preaching was thrown out so much that after a while it was like catching a cool commercial on TV then sighing after it pops up on every commercial break there after. Don’t get me wrong…I dig a gal who can boldly front a band, and there’s not many out there doing it that way, and yeah I’ll admit when Miss Queen jumped up the bar and knelt down in front of me, looked into my eyes, and sang to me while playing with my hair…well yeah that was cool as shit, but when I go to a rawk show I….I WANNA RAWK! Yeah rock & roll has always been about being yourself and listening to yourself first…so listening to someone scream in your face about how you should be tends to get old after a while…even if it is a punk rawk band doing the screaming. Would I go see the Barb Wire Dolls again? Yeah, why not. The show was fun and like I said, the band was solid and Miss Queen is a helluva frontwoman…I’ll just use the in-between song time to take care of other biz…like ordering a drink, smoking a cigarette, or maybe even a trip to the loo. I was even able to kiss my girl a time or two so as far as I’m concerned, it’s a win-win for everyone.

Besides, you gotta dig a band that closes their set sayin’ “f**k the Pussycat Dolls…listen to more New York Dolls.”

After all the punk rawk madness, Augusta hard rockers Shotgun Opera were left with the task of keeping the energy going for an audience of pumped up punk crazies and while it took the crowd a minute to jump on board, by the time the band kicked into “Vanity”, the title track from their debut full-length CD, things were picking up. The guys have been kicking it hard as of late, this actually being the their third show in four nights, and looked a bit worn out at first but like all true rockers took charge head on and put on the kind of in-your-face set that Shotgun Opera fans have come to expect. Yeah maybe they were an odd choice to share the stage with a band the likes of the Barb Wire Dolls but when it comes down to it, Shotgun Opera does what they do better than just about anybody in the area.

In the end it was a loud and crazy time for a Monday night in downtown Augusta…NOW can we rest up for the weekend?!?!?!

www.barbwiredolls.com / www.shotgunopera.com

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

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