Crib Notes

Best Buy Co. Inc. recently announced its plan to open as many as 85 in-store music instrument centers by the end of this year in time to service all your holiday musical needs.

No word yet if one of the dozens of Best Buy stores in the Atlanta area will grab a golden ticket, but Atlanta’s indie music stores aren’t fretting over the possibility of new competition.

“I’d rather them not be selling exactly what we’re selling, but I really don’t see it as a threat,” said Dave Strohauer, president of Earthshaking Music, about one mile from a Best Buy. “Maybe, I’m wrong, but I don’t think they can offer what we do in terms of sales and service.”

While the Associated Press reported that the up-and-coming instrument retailer is “hoping to cater to everyone from the garage guitarist to a recording musician,” it’s pretty vague on exactly what type and what level of products will be carried.

“It would seem that a primarily electronics and media retailer would lack the credibility to be able to support the advanced [musician],” said Aaron Rathone, manager of Dirt Cheep Music in Smyrna. “I think they will stick to what they do best, which is sell the top name brands at the lowest price.”

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Decatur CD
356 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
404.371.9090

For week ending 8/7/2008

1. Conor Oberst Conor Oberst
2. Randy Newman Harps and Angels
3. Amy Ray Didn’t it Feel Kinder
4. Gentleman Jesse and His Men Gentleman Jesse and His Men
5. Nas Nas
6. Avett Brothers Second Gleam
7. Dr. Dog Fate
8. The Hold Steady Stay Positive
9. U2 Boy (Reissue)
10. She & Him Volume One

Moods Music
1131 Euclid Ave.
404-653-0724

For week ending 8/7/2008

1. Stacy Epps The Awakening
2. Conya Doss Still
3. J*Davey The Beauty In Distortion/The Land Of The Lost
4. Lalah Hathaway Self Portrait
5. Raheem Devaughn Love Behind The Melody
6. Various Artists Brownswood Bubblers: Volume 3
7. Little Dragon Little Dragon
8. 2000 Black A Next Set Of Rockers
9. Various Artists Verve Remixed, Vol. 4
10. Reel People Seven Ways To Wonder

Criminal Records
466 Moreland Ave.
4o4.215.9511

For week ending 8/7/2008

1. The Faint Fasciinatiion
2. The Hold Steady Stay Positive
3. Conor Oberst Conor Oberst
4. Beck Modern Guilt
5. Killer Mike I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind, Vol. 2
6. Jean Grae Jeanius
7. People Under the Stairs The OM Years
8. Neil Halstead Oh Mighty Engine
9. Ratatat LP3
10. Mike Gordon Green Sparrow

Ella Guru
2993 N. Druid Hills Rd.
404.352.1350

For week ending 8/4/2008

1. Randy Newman Harps & Angels
2. Faint Fasciinatiion
3. Conor Oberst Conor Oberst
4. Paul Weller 22 Dreams
5. Crosby Still Nash & Young Deja Vu Live
6. Watson Twins Fire Songs
7. Sugarland Love on the Inside
8. Carrie Rodriguez She Ain’t Me
9. Ratatat LP3
10. Alejandro Escovedo Real Animal

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Criminal Records

466 Moreland Ave.
404-215-9511

For week ending 7/24/2008

1. Gentlemen Jesse and His Men Gentlemen Jesse and His Men (vinyl and cd)
2. Beck Modern Guilt
3. Sigur Ros Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust
4. Avett Brothers The Second Gleam
5. The Hold Steady Stay Positive
6. Dr. Dog Fate
7. Noot D’Noot Goofer Dust
8. Gentleman Jesse and his Men Gentleman Jesse and his Men (CD only)
9. Old 97’s Blame it on Gravity
10. The Melvins Nude with Boots

Moods Music
1131 Euclid Ave.
404-653-0724

For week ending 7/25/2008

1. J*Davey The Beauty In Distortion/The Land Of the Lost
2. Dwele Rize
3. Sy Smith Conflict
4. Algebra Purpose
5. Unwrapped V/A Vol. 5
6. Anthony David Acey Duecy
7. Eric Roberson Left
8. Dain Harris/Brandon A. Thomas For The Moment/A Soul Acoustic
9. Hil St Soul Black Pearl
10. Al Green Lay It Down

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Of all the cross-collaborations possible, rap and acoustic seemed like the most unlikely pair. That is until Cisco Adler (offspring of the mega-producer who brought us Cheech and Chong’s Up In Smoke and The Rocky Horror Picture Show and former love item with some of Hollywood’s hottest — Mischa Barton, Kimberly Stewart and Lauren Conrod, to name a few) found the self-claimed “only black kid in Malibu” Shwayze, aka 22-year-old Aaron Smith.

It’s West coast beach music meets raw rap and simple beats, making a finished product that’s better than the originals, and raising the question, why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?

The California duo has certainly been getting national attention, from signing on to do an MTV show, performing at a slew of parties at Superbowl weekend and securing a spot in this year’s Warped Tour.

“Buzzin’” premiered on MTV last night in a home video meets professional taping format, making the output look something like MTV’s “Rob and Big” (RIP) and HBO’s “Entourage” joining forces. It has the surprisingly chill and what-the-hell factor that “Rob and Big” brought, and the celebrity parties and the plight to stardom featured in “Entourage.”

Even if you missed the premiere yesterday, you still check out the whole episode via MTV.com.

And be sure to pick up Shwayze’s self-titled album on August 19. But if you can’t wait, the single “Corona and Lime” is already available to download on iTunes.

(Photo courtesy www.myspace.com/shwayze)

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Decatur CD
356 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
404.371.9090

For week ending 7/17/2008

1. The Hold Steady Stay Positive
2. Beck Modern Guilt
3. Alejandro Escovedo Real Animal
4. Gentleman Jesse and His Men Gentleman Jesse and His Men
5. Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis Two Men With the Blues
6. The Baseball Project, Vol. 1 Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails
7. The Homemade Jamz Blues Band Pay Me No Mind
8. She & Him Volume 1
9. Coldplay Viva La Vida
10. Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes

Moods Music
1131 Euclid Ave.
404-653-0724

For week ending 7/18/2008

1. Naked Music Re-Creation
2. J*Davey The Beauty In Distortion/The Land Of The lost
3. Ledisi Lost & Found
4. JSoul Love Soldier
5. Osunlad Passage
6. Choklate Choklate
7. Esperanza Spalding Esperanza
8. Various Artists Verve Remixed, Vol. 4
9. Dain Harris/Brandon A Thomas For The Moment/Soul Acoustic
10. Tony Remy & Bluey First Protocol

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They hoist themselves up on the back bumper of the 1988 Chevy T30, peering over the high backside, eyes glazed-over, gleaming at the goodies like little kids in a candy shop.

Then they dig into their pockets and surface with a couple of crumpled dollar bills — most likely leftovers from a paid-out tab — and ask in a sort of sad, begging way: “How much can I get for a dollar?”

It’s 2 a.m. and these mid-twenty-something scenesters are in a candy shop of sorts, fully equipped with an assortment of concession stand snacks, imported goodies and frozen delights.

Bodega Nights, the newest addition to promoter Preston Craig’s entourage, is Atlanta’s only mobile convenience store and ice cream truck, catering exclusively to the after-hours club scene and the socialites that come with it.

The truck premiered at Graveyard Tavern June 16, and even though it’s barely a month old, Craig’s club goers have come to expect it at his gatherings.

So it was no surprise that Bodega Nights came back to Graveyard for the opening of his newest Friday night party, Eastern Bloc — a $5, three-club, multiple DJ block party spanning East Atlanta’s Glenwood Ave.

But yeah, it’s really an ice cream truck.

(more…)

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It was the hip-hop version of American Idol, except with more attitude and a lot more soul.

“Atlanta does have flavor,” said Shaggy Bajirami, one of the casting directors at the open-call audition Wednesday.

Hundreds of performers swarmed Dance 411 Studios last Wednesday with hopes to be cast as one of the 10-20 aspiring stars for — yet another — MTV reality series: Janet Jackson’s search for her prodigy.

After her wardrobe malfunction, a couple of not-so-hot album releases and a tiff with her record label, Ms. Jackson — like many other pop stars on the wane — is going after reality television in an attempt to re-publicize herself.

Wright-Crear Management, 25/7 Productions and Doron Ofir Casting, the force behind a slew of popular reality shows, collaborated with the famed flasher herself to find the best raw talent to mold into a singing/dancing pop sensation.

“Janet will be in every taping,” said Doron Ofir, executive casting director. “This is not like Randy Jackson’s dance crew.”

Whew, that’s a relief.

Jackson specifically singled out Atlanta as one of the four cities to host an open-call audition. “Every city brings something different,” Bajirami said. “New York had Broadway, Chicago had break dancing, and Atlanta? Atlanta has the energy, the hoopin’ and hollerin’.”

(more…)

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Ella Guru
2993 N. Druid Hills Rd.
404.352.1350

For week ending 7/7/2008

1. Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
2. My Morning Jacket Evil Urges
3. Alejandro Escovedo Real Animal
4. Wille Nelson/Wynton Marsalis Two Men With the Blues
5. Ry Cooder I, Flathead
6. Wolf Parade At Mount Zoomer
7. Supergrass Diamond Hoo Ha
8. Silver Jews Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
9. Earlimart Hymn & Her
10. Sigur Ros Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

(more…)

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In June at Telluride’s 35th Annual Bluegrass Festival, the DejaBlue Grass Band picked, plucked and harmonized their way to second place in the nationally-recognized contest that has launched acts such as the Dixie Chicks and Nickel Creek.

One month earlier, theses Atlanta originals lit up Red Light Cafe to release their debut CD, Bucket Full of Rain.

One year earlier, they were playing street corners at the same festival.

“I’ve seen DejaBlue perform in the vestibules of Telluride and literally felt their energy as it rocked late night crowds. But what is so amazing is how that energy translates to a much larger venue,” says Atlanta resident and Telluride festivarian Bo Simmons.

Out of twelve talented bluegrass acts, DejaBlue Grass Band took one of only four spots to play the main stage.

“We are truly a band of husbands and fathers,” said lead vocalist Joey Bowers. “We have day jobs, families and everyday lives. Our goal was simply to make it to the main stage – and we did. We never dreamed we would take second place in such a tight competition.”

Want more? The DejaBlue Grass Band has gone digital with its first music video for the title track, “Bucket Full of Rain,” and the music is now available for download through iTunes.

But for the full effect, check them out live at Red Top Mountain State Park on July 12.

Bookmark to:

Ella Guru
2993 N. Druid Hills Road
404.325.1350

For week ending 6/30/2008

1) Alejandro Escovedo Real Animal

2) Sigur Ros Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

3) Ry Cooder I, Flathead

4) Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes

5) My Morning Jacket Evil Urges

6) Coldplay Viva la Vida

7) Supergrass Diamond Hoo Ha

8) Wolf Parade At Mount Zoomer

9) Various Artists Eccentric Soul: The Tragar & Note Labels

10) Etran Finatawa Desert Crossroads

Criminal Records
466 Moreland Ave.
404-215-9511

For week ending 7/3/2008

1) Sigur Ros Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust

2) My Morning Jacket Evil Urges

3) Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes

4) Coldplay Viva la Vida

5) Withered Folie Circulaire

6) Silver Jews Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea

7) Wolf Parade At Mount Zoomer

8) Islands Arms Way

9) Portishead Third

10) Spiritualized Songs in A & E

Moods Music
1131 Euclid Ave.
404-653-0724

For week ending 7/4/2008

1. Dwele Sketches of a Man

2. J Davey The Beauty in Distortion/The Land of the Lost

3. Anthony David Acey Duecy

4. Hidden Beach Presents Unwrapped Vol. 5

5. Conya Doss Still

6. Sy Smith Conflict

7) Sabrina Malheiros New Morning

8) Osunlade Passage

9) Dain Harris & Brandon A. Thomas For the Moment/A Soul Acoustic

10) Esperanza Spalding Esperanza

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Fri., June 27

Emmylou Harris, Sam Bush, Jimmy Gaudreau and Moondi Klein. $25-$75. 7 p.m. Chastain Park Amphitheater, 4469 Stella Drive. 404-249-6400. — Chart topping new album and recent induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Emmylou Harris headlines this impressive lineup, followed by mandolin picker Bush and bluegrass duo Gaudrea and Klein.

Behind the Sun. Free. 10 p.m. Luby’s Live, 1098 Herrington Rd. 678-442-0088. — Since Anthony Kiedis and crew aren’t on tour, the next best thing is Atlanta’s only Red Hot Chili Pepper tribute band, Behind the Sun.

Sat., June 28

Cruis-o-Matic. $5. Eddie’s Attics, 515-B N. McDonough St. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com. — Founded in the 70s but influenced by the 60s, this self-proclaimed ultimate human jukebox will pound out the best tunes from classic faves like Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Holly and The Monkees.

Anthony David. $15. 9 p.m. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St. 404-249-6400. www.centerstage-atlanta.com. — Desert Storm vet and first artist signed to Indie.Arie’s new label, Soulbird, Anthony David is half blues, half soul and totally electrifying, performing for the release of his first major-label album, Acey Ducey.

Sun., June 29

GA to PA Tour with Seven Miles Walking and Uppers Downers Screamers Laughers. $6. The Five Spot, 1123 Euclid Ave. 404-223-1100. www.fivespot-atl.com. — Punk rock quartet Seven Miles Walking and Orlando progressive-rock outfit Uppers Downers Screamers Laughers kick off the six-show tour at The Five Spot that’ll span the East Coast in seven days.

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Moods Music
1131 Euclid Ave.
404-653-0724

For week ending 6/27/2008

1. Anthony David Acey Duecy
2. Unwrapped Vol. 5
3. Dwele Sketches Of A Man
4. Ledisi Lost & Found
5. Sy Smith Conflict
6. Conya Doss Still
7. Liv Warfield Embrace Me
8. Eric Roberson Left
9. Al Green Lay It Down
10. Hil St Soul Black Rose

Decatur CD
356 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
404-371-9090

For week ending 6/26/2008

1. Alejandro Escovedo Real Animal
2. Coldplay Viva La Vida
3. Emmylou Harris All I Intended to Be
4. Sigur Ros Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust
5. Lil Wayne Tha Carter III
6. King Khan and the Shrines The Supreme Genius Of…
7. Wolf Parade At Mount Zoomer
8. Al Green Lay it Down
9. Foxboro Hot Tubs Stop Drop and Roll!!!
10. Guitar Red Lightnin’ in a Bottle

Criminal Records
466 Moreland Avenue
404-215-9511

For week ending 6/26/2008

1. My Morning Jacket Evil Urges
2. Cold Play Viva La Vida
3. Wolf Parade At Mount Zoomer
4. Silver Jews Lookout Mountain, Lookout Sea
5. Jay Reatard Singles, O6-07
6. Islands Arms Way
7. N.E.R.D Seeing Sounds
8. Alejandro Escovedo Real Animal
9. Death Cab for Cutie Narrow Stairs
10. Fleet Foxes S/T

Ella Guru Records
2993 N. Druid Hills Road
404.325.1350

For week ending 6/23/2008

1. Coldplay Viva la Vida
2. Alejandro Escovedo Real Animal
3. Sigur Ros Med Sud Ieyrum
4. Supergrass Diamond Hoo Ha
5. Fleet Foxes S/T
6. Wolf Parade At Mount Zoomer
7. Sloan Parallel Play
8. Peter Gabriel and Various Artists Big Blue Ball
9. Etran Finatawa Desert Crossroads
10. My Morning Jacket Evil Urges

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Cellphones have upgraded.

Thanks to Atlanta native and Grammy Award winner Ludacris, cellphones can now be used as personal, on-the-go recording studios.

Ludacris’ multi-genre music website WeMix announced last week that it has teamed up with network exchange providers VoodooVox to launch MyVox Voice API, the newest — and cheapest — way to “drop a flow.”

Now, any WeMix.com member can use their cellphone as a microphone to lay down vocals, tracks and beats and instantly broadcast their original content worldwide.

What’s it mean? Musician hopefuls will no longer need over-priced recording equipment and expensive producers to record their own music. As long as you have a cell phone — which is most everyone between the ages of 10 and 75 — you can cut your own original track.

“A&R, marketers, the radio game, million-dollar videos, predictable producers: this system makes it really tough for new blood or new ideas to rise to the top,” said WeMix founder Chris “Ludacris” Bridges. “Using WeMix allows new artists to get their voice heard.”

(more…)

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Fri., June 20

Lizz Wright with Heston. $21. 9 p.m. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St. 404-249-6400. www.centerstage-atlanta.com. — Saucy and seductive, Lizz Wright mixes jazz with contemporary R&B in her third album, The Orchard. She teams up with singer/songwriter Heston, who seasons soul with an original island flare.

Shawn Colvin with Paul Thorn. $35. 8 p.m. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. 404-876-5859. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org. — Shawn Colvin spins her original pop-folk sound into songs like Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy.” Former pro boxer turned blues singer/songwriter Paul Thorn opens as part of SunTrust Concerts in the Garden.

Raheem DeVaughn and Chrisette Michele. $32.50-37.00 8 p.m. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. 404-659-9022. www.tabernacleatl.com. With two smoking vocalists, there’s no need to wonder why its billed the Art of Love tour. DeVaughn delivers ecstatic R&B licks, while Michele puts an exquisite, contemporary twist on classic soul.

Florez, Ben Deignan, Rantings of Eva. $10. 9 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Ave. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — Rock duo Florez combines driven chords with catchy lyrics for a classic sound. Heartthrob and soul junky Ben Deignan and indie rockers Rantings of Eva complete the bill at Smith’s.

Sat., June 21

moe. with Keller Williams. $33. 6:30 p.m. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park, 2200 Encore Pkwy. 404-733-5010. www.vzwamp.com — The lineup says it all. Over 19 years and 17 albums, jam band quintet moe. and the quarky, one-man band Keller Williams is sure to spark metro-Atlanta’s newest outdoor venue.

Groove Stain, BPM, Suburban Soul. Free. 10 p.m. Luby’s Bar and Grill, 1098 Herrington Road. 678-442-0088. www.lubys.us. — A two-time part reggae, part rock night with Groove Stain and BPM. Alternative quartet Suburban Soul will kick off the night at Luby’s.

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Criminal Records
466 Moreland Avenue
404.215.9511

To 10 Album Sales for week ending 6/20/2008

1. Cold Play Viva La Vida
2. Silver Jews Lookout Mountain Lookout Sea
3. Wolf Parade At Mt Zoomer
4. Fleet Foxes S/T
5. Black Angels Directions to See a Ghost
6. Mudhoney The Lucky Ones
7. Supergrass Diamond Hoo Ha
8. Portishead Third
9. Vampire Weekend We, Vampire
10. OM Live at Jerusalem

Ella Guru Records
2993 N. Druid Hills Road
404.325.1350

For week ending 6/16/2008

1. My Morning Jacket Evil Urges
2. James Hunter The Hard Way
3. Emmylou Harris All I intended to Be
4. Orchestra Baobab Made in Dakar
5. Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
6. Supergrass Diamond Hoo Ha
7. Sloan Parallel Play
8. Wooden Shjips Vol. I
9. Mogwai Young Team (Reissue)
10. Aimee Mann @#%&! Smilers

Decatur CD
356 W. Ponce de Leon Ave.
404.371.9090

For week ending 6/19/2008

1. Coldplay Viva la Vida
2. Emmylou Harris All I Intended to Be
3. My Morning Jacket Evil Urges
4. Fleet Foxes Fleet Foxes
5. Teddy Thompson A Piece of What You Need
6. Lil Wayne Tha Carter III
7. The Homemade Jamz Blues Band Pay Me No Mind
8. Ladytron Velocifero
9. Martha Wainwright I Know You’re Married But I’ve Got Feelings Too
10. Aimee Mann @#%&! Smilers

Wuxtry Records
2096 N. Decatur Road
404-329-0020

1. Coldplay Viva la Vida
2. Death Cab for Cutie Narrow Stairs
3. Bonnie “Prince” Billy Lie Down in the Light
4. Portishead Third
5. Weezer Red Album
6. She & Him Vol. 1
7. Dark Meat Universal Indians
8. My Morning Jacket Evil Urges
9. Wedding Present El Rey
10. Emmylou Harris All I Intended To Be

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In its July issue, Decatur-based Paste magazine celebrates its list of the 17 coolest record stores that have outlasted the digital era, and Atlanta’s own Criminal Records made the cut with its enormous inventory of CDs, vinyl, magazines, comic books and DVDs.

“The resources on the Internet are supplements to actual record stores, not replacements,” said Josh Jackson, Paste editor in chief. “The digital era has its benefits, but I hope we can keep opening up new ways of discovering music without losing the best of the old.”

Look out for the soon-to-be released July issue of Paste for its complete listing of the 17 Coolest Record Stores in America, or click here to read it online.

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Bands? Check. Beer? Check. Art? Check. Burlesque? Sure, why not.

Saturday, Alcove Gallery hosted multi-media mastermind Justin Curfman’s fundraiser for his up-and-coming, spot-motion animated film, Ticks. The day was fully equipped with live music, a silent-auction art gallery, film screenings and Atlanta’s own neo-burlesque performers, Blast-Off Burlesque!

Originally planned to be held at the Five Spot, Curfman and crew were short a venue when the Five Spot was forced to close Thursday night after a water heater break and gas leak.

Frantic, Curfman secured Alcove Gallery at 6:30 Friday night, leaving only 18 hours to spread the word and set up shop.

“We spent 12 hours in one night moving locations,” Curfman said. “And it went off perfectly.”

“Sure, there were problems,” he continued. “We had to move. It was hot. It was crowded. But, we overcame it, kicked its ass, and did it better.” (more…)

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Congratulations to Hightide Blues for winning the 2008 92.9 Dave FM Search-a-Roo contest. The Atlanta-based southern rock band beat out local blues artists The Reeds, and will play at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn.

Hightide Blues will play Saturday, June 14, at noon on the Sonic Stage.

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As if Auburn and UGA needed another rivalry.

Auburn alums Hightide Blues and University of Georgia grads The Reeds will compete in the ultimate battle of the bands Saturday for their chance to share a stage with the likes of Pearl Jam, Metallic, Widespread Panic and Jack Johnson.

“I share my room with these bands,” said Josh Reid, leader singer of The Reeds. “They’re on my walls as posters. I can’t even imagine playing with them.”

The Third Annual 92.9 Dave FM Search-a-Roo contest scoured the city for the best local band to send to Rolling Stone magazine’s “Best Festival,” Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn.

The winner will be chosen after the bands perform live at the 2008 Virginia-Highlands Summerfest.

“It’s crazy. We’re just normal guys, not hardcore rockers or anything,” said Paul McDonald, lead singer of Hightide Blues. “We’re just college kids. And now we’re getting a shot at Bonnaroo; there are just no words to describe it.”

92.9 Dave FM is the only radio station that runs a contest specifically for local bands, said Zac Altheimer, marketing director for Music Allies, the radio marketing agency that handles promotions for Bonnaroo.

So why Atlanta?

Dave FM has partnered with Bonnaroo since the beginning, and Atlanta is a top-notch market for heavy ticket sales and incredible talent, Altheimer said.

This year, more than 300 musicians entered, said Will Davis, marketing director for Dave FM.

Longtime Bonnaroo lovers, Hightide Blues band mates were already planning to trek to Tennessee as fans of the festival when they heard about the contest through drummer Scott Rollins’ girlfriend.

With only the mastered copy of their new CD, Love Come Easy, Manager Bowe O’Brien dropped off a raw, unofficial copy to Dave FM studios.

Reviewing three songs from each band, the Dave FM staff narrowed the number to 25 based on song style, quality of sound and performance ability, Davis said.

Music Allies then chose the final four, looking for “simply good music,” Altheimer said.

What made Southern rockers Hightide Blues and jazz artists The Reeds stick out from other submissions?

Both bands have a unique sound that brings something different to the festival, he said. They’ve got strong fan bases, and they’ll keep going after Bonnaroo.”

Bonnaroo is its own genre,” he said. “It’s not a jam band festival; it’s not a southern rock festival. It’s its own thing. So we wanted a really fun band that will make you dance and have a really good time.”

The rest was up to the fans.

The bands swarmed Facebook, MySpace and listservs with desperate pleas for votes to score a 30-minute slot at Summerfest, beating out other Atlanta locals Ocha la Rocha and Groovestain.

Together since 2006, Hightide Blues stacks quite the resume, having shared the stage with Sister Hazel, Graham Colton and Sara Bareilles, played more than 150 shows in 2007 and will tour with Benjy Davis Project this summer.

Saturday will be The Reed’s first live performance after months of recording their new CD, Bleed Lust. Reid and violinist Ben Austin have been a duo since high school, but the full band wasn’t added until December 2007.

Both bands will use Saturday’s slot to test out their up-and-coming records.

“I was shocked,” Reid said when he heard The Reeds were chosen. “We usually don’t win contests. We never even make the top 3 at Eddie’s Attic [Songwriter’s Open Mic], so we never thought we’d get this.”

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They come from Utah, Texas, South Carolina, Alabama and Decatur, but The DejaBlue Grass Band has blended the roots from their regions to bring something new to the Atlanta bluegrass scene.

Friends, family, former band members and even in-laws crowded into Red Light Café Thursday night for the band’s CD release party for their first album, Bucket Full of Rain.
The burgundy, cinderblock walls of Red Light Café aren’t ideal for acoustics, but this 5-piece lit up the dingy room with sharp vocals, crisp chords and one hell-of-a fiddler.

The night was filled with The DejaBlue Grass Band’s unique sound — bluegrass twang meets country lyrics sauced with a whole ‘lotta soul. It was spun into mostly covers, but they did toss in a few originals: the title track “Bucket Full of Rain” by lead vocals and guitarist Joey Bowers and about three new songs from mandolin player and harmonies Rutland “Rut” Walker.

“It’s nerve-wracking as hell playing a song you wrote in front of people,” Walker confessed to the crowd

Obviously, this band is in unfamiliar territory.
(more…)

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