Crib Notes

Back when India.Arie and Donnie were getting their start in Atlanta, there was no such thing as a soul music summit. For the most part, they were it. It took local artists collectives like the Groovement/Earthseed label to help launch them to a national platform.

In the decade since then, soul has taken on a life of its own — growing from coffeehouse open mics to Internet cafes and sites that digitally connect artists and enthusiasts all over the world. But Atlanta’s still seen as a hub, which makes it the perfect host for Terry Bello’s annual International Soul Music Summit.

In its fourth year, the three-day event is a conference, networking event and party rolled into one. Some of this year’s panels include Women, Sex and Music; Media and Marketing; Soul Star – Who is Next; How I Wrote That Song; My Music My Brand, etc.

Participating artists/panelists include Eric Roberson, Natalie “Floacist” Stewart, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Vikter Duplaix, Anthony David, Sy Smith, Joi, Lady Alma, Gordon Chambers, Slakah the Beatchild, Salakida Kali, Kelly Love Jones, Rhonda Thomas, etc.

See a full schedule of events, including nightly concerts at venues including Over Da Edge and Cafe Circa, below the jump. Or visit soulmusicsummit.net. Onsite general registration – $200. Thurs., Sept 24 – Sat., Sept. 26. Renaissance Atlanta Hotel, 590 West Peachtree St. 404-881-6000.

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With over 30 Grammy nominations going to Georgia artists, the Peach State will be well-represented at Sunday’s Grammy Awards (airing at 8 p.m. on CBS). But Anthony David won’t be there, he told the AJC this week:

“It just started getting to be a little expensive, thinking about flying my mom and everybody out there. So I just decided to stay here and party with the fam[ily]”.

David’s Sunday night viewing party at Cafe Circa (464 Edgewood Ave.) is also open to the public. RSVP at muddywatermgmt@gmail.com. For more information, call 404-477-0008. R&B singer/songwriter David and long-time collaborator India.Arie are nominated together in the Best Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals category for their song, “Words.” CL wrote about the song and it’s fortuitous trek to commercial radio last year.

(Photo courtesy Alan Friedman)

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Yep, you read right.

In a recent interview with Marie Claire, Michelle Obama was asked what she’s rocking in the iPod and she gave Atlanta’s own Anthony David some major play:

I have a pretty eclectic mix of everything, from Beyoncé to Stevie Wonder. He’s my favorite artist of all time, so I probably have every song he’s ever recorded. But if I hear something I like somewhere, I’ll add it. I just heard this CD by Anthony David, who’s an R&B guy — I put him on there. That’s brand new, so I’m kind of enjoying that a lot now. I also have some old Mariah Carey; the girls have reintroduced me to some of her older stuff. So I have a good mix: some pop, some R&B, some jazz.

AD released Acey Duecy at the beginning of the summer via friend and long-time collaborator India Arie’s new Soulbird Music label, a Universal Republic venture. Click here for a sample on his MySpace page.

And is it just me or does Anthony David not give off a cool presidential vibe on his album cover? Shoot, Barack better watch out.

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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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No, we haven’t been snoozing on Atlanta’s soul scene. Just nodding a bit — head-nodding, that is.

But seriously, a lot has been happening while we’ve been busy keeping you up to date on all things underground hip-hop and rock in the city.

In case you still haven’t heard, India.Arie has a new label deal, SoulBird Records, under Universal Republik; and the first artist she signed is her homeboy, Anthony David. His first release, Acey Ducey, is due in stores June 24. It’ll be an amalgamation of the best tracks from his previous releases (2004’s Three Chords and the Truth and 2006’s Red Clay Chronicles).

So, while I was on Anthony David’s MySpace blog — which I check out darn near every day ’cause he’s always got something thought-provoking or just stupid funny to post/say — I saw that he had posted Algebra Blessett’s new video for “Run and Hide.” So I had to jack it from his page and post it above. (I’m pretty sure neither one of them will mind.)

After you peep that, check out the recent stories CL ran on both Anthony David and Algebra Blessett.

What else, might you ask, is going on in Atlanta’s soul scene? Well, besides the must-see Harmony in Life monthlies (the next one is Sat., May 24) and Joi’s Tuesday Night Jam sessions at Sugarhill, a whole helluva lot. But we’re gonna give it to you in bits and pieces so you keep coming back for more. I’ve definitely got my eye on ChantaeCann, who is supposed to be working on her debut album with P.J. Morton — another cat who deserves a head nod.

And I can’t wait to tell y’all about Sarafina. Later, I promise.

Here are some happenings you should check out this weekend:

Heston and Julie Dexter perform A Tribute to Bob Marley, featuring music by Swatt Band. $12. Sat., May 10. 9 p.m. Sugarhill in Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St. 404-658-0068. www.sugarhillatl.com.

Atlanta Unplugged featuring Salakida. Sat., May 10. 9 p.m. Lattetude Bar and Bistro, 501 Dekalb Industrial Way. In lieu of door cover, bring used DVDs for donation to cancer patients at Emory Winship Cancer Institute. 404-298-8787. www.lattetudebistro.com.

Creative Control: Legends Edition presents A Tribute to Mary J. Blige. DJ Shakim, DJ Applejac and DJ Grandman spin 16 years worth of classics, remixes and rarities! $10 (Ladies $5 before midnight). 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Cenci, 1259 Glenwood Ave. 404-627-0533. RSVP: CreativeControl@TheKaosEffect.com.

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ACEY DUCEY: Atlanta’s Anthony David throws up the deuce sign at Sound Shop record store in the Mall West End. The label deal he signed last week with Universal Republic means his record will finally get major distribution.

Two months after V-103 (WVEE-FM) began playing “Words” — Anthony David’s duet with India.Arie from his 2006 sophomore release, Red Clay Chronicles — David has signed a major label deal with Universal Republic.

Though the deal was in the works months before V-103 began playing “Words,” David says getting airplay on Atlanta’s top-ranked radio station helped speed things along. (Click here to read the back story about how the independent artist’s song made it into V-103’s rotation.)

The wheels started turning late last year when David went to New York to perform a showcase for the label execs. Universal Republic is also home to artists such as Amy Winehouse and David’s long-time collaborator, India.Arie.

His first release on the label could come as soon as May ‘08, he says. It will include a re-release of several songs from both of David’s previous albums, 3 Chords and the Truth and Red Clay Chronicles (both released on local indie label Brash Music), as well as a few new songs.

The deal struck by David and his manager, Richard Dunn, will allow David to retain ownership of his masters.

For the last decade, the Savannah native has been a staple within Atlanta’s underground soul scene. David says his independent streak won’t change just because his status has. “All artists should act independently,” he says. “Ultimately, you work for yourself.”

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