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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2008 > December
December 2008
Sonia and Shane’s Top CDs of 2008
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Of course, Sunday’s recap of notable moments in local music wasn’t our only look back at 2008.
On this last day of the year, we round up our Top 10 albums. Tomorrow it’s the Top 10 singles. And Friday, top local shows and local indie releases.
Feel free to add your own.
And now, drumroll please:
SONIA MURRAY’S TEN FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2008
1) “Evolver,” John Legend. 2) “Paper Trail,” T.I. 3) “Tha Carter III,” Lil Wayne 4) “Leave It All Behind,” The Foreign Exchange 5) “Year of the Gentleman,” Ne-Yo 6) “New Amerykah, Pt. 1 4th World War” Erykah Badu 7) “19,” Adele 8) “Fearless,” Jazmine Sullivan 9) “Here I Stand,” Usher 10) “Viva la Vida,” Coldplay SHANE HARRISON’S TEN FAVORITE ABLUMS OF 2008 1) “Heretic Pride,” Mountain Goats 2) “Vampire Weekend,” Vampire Weekend
Tightly wound indie-pop bounce meshes with the trebly guitar of African pop and some call-and-response vocal interplay on the freshest-sounding debut album of the year. 3) “Glasvegas,” Glasvegas
Spector goes to Scotland and gets pummeled by a quartet of sensitive young punks. 4) “Made in the Dark,” Hot Chip
The latest slice of electro-pop eclecticism from this British quintet is like aural pop art: In some moments it’s pleasantly familiar and in others it skitters and crackles with icy techno funkiness. 5) “The Age of Understatement,” The Last Shadow Puppets
Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner does haunting ’60s pop melodrama 6) “Vagabond,” Spiers & Boden 7) “Rook,” Shearwater
Since both band and album are named for birds (leader Jonathan Meiburg is an ornithologist), the music offers plenty of opportunities to use the word “soaring.” Those high-flown moments — and occasional jolts of shattering musical thunder —are balanced with stretches of intimate beauty starring Meiburg’s shiver-inducing voice. 8) “A Piece of What You Need,” Teddy Thompson
The son of British folk-rock legends Richard and Linda Thompson finally made the album we knew he had in him with this pitch perfect piece of pop-rock. 9) “In Ear Park,” Department of Eagles
Innovative New York outfit Grizzly Bear took the year off, but this sweet slab of pop experimentalism from GB’s Daniel Rossen filled the void. 10) “Carried to Dust,” Calexico A BAKER’S DOZEN HONORABLE MENTIONS “Matachin,” Bellowhead “Alopecia,” Why? “The Stand-Ins,” Okkervil River “The Rhumb Line,” Ra Ra Riot “Hold On Now, Youngster,” Los Campesinos “Shallow Grave,” The Tallest Man on Earth “Lust Lust Lust,” The Raveonettes “The Seldom Seen Kid,” Elbow “Real Animal,” Alejandro Escovedo “Santogold,” Santogold “Blood’s Too Rich,” Luke Doucet “Everything That Happens Will Happen Today,” David Byrne and Brian Eno “Fleet Foxes,” Fleet Foxes 
John Darnielle’s smart, incisive and occasionally acidic lyrics have never been this fetchingly presented. The hooks gleam, but the real barbs are just beneath that catchy surface.
Traditional British folk is dragged into the new millennium by this high-energy melodeon-and-fiddle duo.
The Arizona outfit sounded re-energized on this follow-up to the more subdued “Garden Ruin,” a lovely album that was a little light on the band’s usual Mexican spice. “Carried to Dust” brings that flavor back full force.
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Keri Hilson Talks Lil Wayne Tour
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On her way to the I Am Music tour’s stop in Greensboro, N.C. Monday night, Atlanta singer-songwriter Keri Hilson gave us her quick report card on one of the most anticipated hip-hop and R&B shows of the year is going.
“So far, so great,” Hilson (pictured above with Ne-Yo) said of the bill headlined by the biggest artist of 2008, rapper Lil Wayne; and stopping at Philips Arena New Year’s Eve.
“The response has been growing with every city. Last night in Philly was amazing. They were singing every song — which means a lot to me, because I never expect that. I’m the scrub of this tour [which also includes Atlantans T-Pain and Keyshia Cole, along with Gym Class Heroes]. The freshman. And I feel like it. But it’s not a bad season opener at all. I’m very grateful!”
Hilson has been a major name behind the scenes for some time, having written for Usher (“Red Light”), Ludacris (“Runaway Love”) and Omarion (“Ice Box”). But this marks the first time she’s really gotten out in front of national audiences. And what has she learned about the live aspect of the music business?
“It’s kind of funny because you don’t realize that the artists only see like the first couple of rows of people,” offered Hilson, whose opening set only lasts about 10 minutes. “We really just imagine the crowd is there…I mean you can hear people; and feel energy. But what I have learned abourt performing, in general, is when you hit the stage give it your all. Go harder than even you think you can go. That is really a rush!”
Hilson — whose latest single “Turnin Me On” is with the inescapable Wayne — added she expects a lot of surprise appearances on the Atlanta date. “It’s home for so many of us, so many stars, so I know it’s going to be the livest show,” she said. “And afterwards, I’m going to hang out and party it up. I’ve had a really great, great year as a new artist. Yeah my [debut] album [‘In A Perfect World…’] still hasn’t come out…And the release date is still unknown…But this tour has reignited the performer in me. I’m living my dream every night.”
Planning to go tomorrow night? (If so, fair warning, ticket prices go up $5 Wednesday.) What do you think of what you’ve heard from Hilson so far? (See YouTube clips of her “Energy” and “Turnin Me On” videos BELOW)
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Rate Your Robin Thicke Experience
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Reports are coming in that last night’s “Sexy, Soulful” set at the Atlanta Civic Center — with Terence Howard, Eric Benet and Robin Thicke — was a little, well, soul-impaired.
Specifically speaking, that headliner Thicke (above, see the rest of our gallery HERE) gave less than an hour show. And Oscar nominee Howard didn’t show at all.
Were you there last night? And if so, what did you think?
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T.I. Talks Prison Time In 2009
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In its Winter 08/09 issue — on sale Dec. 30 — Rap-Up magazine’s cover story finds Atlanta rapper-actor T.I. wrapping up what has to have been one of the biggest years of his seven as a recording artist; and looking towards March 2009, when - if he satisfies his 1,000-plus hours of community service — he will be sentenced to a year and a day of prison for pleading guilty to weapons charges.
Here’s what he says about:
How his children are going to deal with his time in prison: “My oldest is 12 — she understands. She’s strong and smart. The three weeks I was in, before I got to come home, she said to me “Don’t worry. I’ll hold things down ’til you get back.’ I”m more worried about how my boys are going to deal.”
How the recession has affected him: “I think I’d be selling more houses had the economy been in better shape. I think I’d be selling more records had the economy been in better shape. I’d be selling more clothes, too.”
Winning awards: “No disrespect to Kanye, but that kinda stuff just doesn’t mean nothing to me,” said the two-time Grammy winner, who is up for four more Feb. 8. “Whether or not I win an award, I mean that’s nice, but at the end of the day I understand that I’m a man. What being a man means to me is not defined by an award or an amount of records sold.”
Interested in reading this entire interview? Are you a Rap-Up subscriber — and if so, how do you think it compares to the Source, XXL and/or Hip-Hop Weekly?
Backstage at NBA TV Holiday Special
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tonight at 11 p.m. on NBA TV you will see Ahmad Rashad help NBA champion Kenny Smith count down his Top 10 moments in the NBA this past year — bookended with performances by R&B singer-songwriter Robin Thicke, Atlanta rapper Soulja Boy (above) and Smith’s daughter Kayla.
But what you probably won’t get a glimpse at — or maybe even hear — is Smith “reinterpreting” guests Boris Kodjoe and Keshia Knight Pulliam’s names. (It’s pronounced “Ko-joe”, not “Ku-jo”, right? And that’s “Pulliam” Mr. Smith, not “Pullman”).
How intentionally funny Smith is off camera. (“Ladies — this is for you,” he told audience at Turner studios. “Boris Ku-jo is here! Ladies — this is for you too: His wife (actress Nicole Ari Parker) is here!”
And lastly, before the tape started rolling, there was the reunion of most of the members of hit Bravo reality show “Real Housewives of Atlanta”. (And we are happy to report that NeNe, Sheree, Lisa and DeShawn greeted each other warmly over the cold cuts laid out in the green room. In fact, they all couldn’t stop cooing over Taste boutique owner Teresa Caldwell’s fur-lined Louis Vuitton bag.)
Thus were the sights and sounds at Monday afternoon’s taping, which also included celeb guests Chris Webber — “I’m here to do a little Luther Vandross, and moonwalk,” the former NBA star/current TNT analyst joked, Eric Snow, Ed Hartwell, Monica and a noticeably-slimmer Fat Joe.
Planning to watch it tonight? Bought Robin Thicke and/or Soulja Boy’s latest CDs yet - and if so, how would you rate them?
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Rate New Young Jeezy/Shawty Redd Video
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Though local radio airplay may indicate otherwise, Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy’s latest CD “The Recession” is enjoying quite the post-“Put On,” post-Michael Phelps, existence.
Jeezy’s video for “Crazy World” is in the top 10 on BET’s “106 & Park” countdown, and “Who Dat” — with Atlanta producer Shawty Redd — just made its bow on the cable channel.
See a YouTube clip of it below - as well as one of his performance of “My President,” his next video, on “Last Call with Carson Daly” — and tell us what you think:
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Posthumous honors for Atlanta blues musician Sean Costello
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sean Costello. Photo: Delta Groove Productions.
The Blues Foundation has just announced the nominees for the 30th annual Blues Music Awards, and they hold a bit of bittersweet news for local music fans.
The late Sean Costello, who died earlier this year just one day shy of his 29th birthday, is up for two awards. He’s among the five nominess for contemporary blues male artist of the year, along with Michael Burks, Elvin Bishop, Watermelon Slim and Buddy Guy. “We Can Get Together,” Costello’s lfifth and final album, is up for contemporary blues album of the year.
Just after Costello’s death on April 15, Atlanta blues record producer and musician Bryan Cole compared the young guitarist and singer to one of the men he’ll compete against. “Sean was an immense talent. He had the fire of Buddy Guy,” Cole told the AJC. ”He had his whole career way in front of him. He’ll be missed.”
The awards ceremony takes place on May 7 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis. For a full list of the nominees for the Blues Music Awards, go to the Blues Foundation’s Web site.
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Corey Crowder - From The Road
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today’s Dispatch From The Road comes from southern rock singer-songwriter Corey Crowder, who’s having his CD release party/performance at Vinyl Saturday.
Already have your ticket? Happen to grow up with Corey?
Well here’s his “postcard” to you…
Hey
This is Corey Crowder. I am very excited to be coming back to my home state of Georgia on December 20th for my CD release show at The Vinyl in Atlanta. My new record, “Gold & The Sand”, hit stores on November 11th. I feel that this record is very reflective of my roots in GA. I grew up in Lilburn listening to music of the 60’s and 70’s from artists like The Allman Brothers and Creedence Clearwater Revival. In High School, after moving to Loganville, I began taking music a little more seriously by writing and singing my own songs. But, being a typical teenager, I was trying to rebel from the music that my parents had raised me on. After many years of musical experimentation, I have come back to my roots and written an album that I feel is my strongest yet. I hope that everyone back home in GA will dig the record and come out to the show on December 20th to celebrate the release of the new album!
-Corey
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Akon — The Cartoon?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Yesterday Atlanta rapper-singer-songwriter-producer Akon took a step backwards in the image control department, pleading guilty to harassment for tossing a fan off stage at an upstate New York concert last year; (resulting in an agreement to perform 65 hours of community service and a $250 fine).
Today, a nudge forward perhaps?
Akon has signed a deal with Goanimate.com, where — according to the press release — “users can create custom, movie-style animations with Saturday morning cartoon characters, politicians and celebrities
A winning animation using Akon’s hit songs and characters will be posted on Akononline.com, MySpace.com/Akon, Loud.com and UniversalMotown.com. And the ones with the most views will earn the creator an autographed copy of his new CD “Freedom,” and other prizes. (For contest details go HERE ).
“We are thrilled to have found an innovative partner that gives Akon fans a creative way to interact with their favorite artist and each other,” Ayal Kleinman, VP of Marketing and New Media said in a news release. “The GoAnimate software is the perfect tool to enable all music fans to express themselves on the web without extensive internet knowledge and skills.”
“We are very pleased to announce this partnership with music superstar Akon,” added Stone Newman, Senior VP of Licensing and Business Development for GoAnimate.com. This partnership marks our first music license and allows us to reach a completely different fan base. “GoAnimate.com gives Akon fans the chance to actively interact with one another.”
(Mind you, this deal was inked and the release was sent out before Akon’s plea).
Have some ideas for an Akon cartoon? Think you’ll want to enter the contest? Or that this a good move for Billboard magazine’s pick for top pop artist of the year last year?
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Morrissey Playing Atlanta In March
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Morrissey’s “Tour of Refusal” will take its fifth American step here, stopping at the Variety Playhouse March 7.
The onetime Smiths frontman’s world tour is in support of upcoming February release, “Years of Refusal”. And joining him on his nine-city U.S. run will be longtime bandmates Boz Boorer, Jesse Tobias, Matt Walker and Solomon Walker.
Tickets are $50, and will go on sale Friday at Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at 404-249-6400.
Looking forward to seeing this beloved singer of despair in such an intimate venue? Ever gone to a Morrissey show before? The one at the Tabernacle in 2004, perhaps?
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Brandy In Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PHOTO CREDIT: FreddyO/freddyo.com
For a minute Wednesday evening it felt like Atlanta Music Scene circa the late ’90s at 595 North.
In the audience for V-103’s Soul Session was Grammy winners Monica and Q and Daron from 112, Brandon from Jagged Edge and recent transplant Sunshine Anderson.
And on stage - after opening act Slim from 112 - was 1998 Grammy winner Brandy, back on the scene in support of her latest CD “Human” — and welcomed by the listeners of the city’s top radio station like it hadn’t been six years since her last major hit. (Though the video for recent single “Right Here” has topped BET’s “106 & Park” daily countdown; and — as she noted from the stage — new single “Long Distance” “is getting played in Atlanta, thanks to [V-103 program director] Reggie [Rouse]”).
An energetic and appreciative Brandy started the free mini-concert with “What About Us” and “Full Moon,” sung to a track, but in full, familiar voice. Midset she brought Monica (above with Brandy) on stage — with whom she won their first Grammy — to sing that winning hit, “The Boy Is Mine”. And after inviting an extra-excited guy in the crowd up with her to serenade — a favor he returned with a good version of her breakthrough 1994 single “I Wanna Be Down” — she closed with “Right Here”.
Minutes later in the VIP area upstairs, a throng that included “Project Runway’s” Mychael Knight, former WSB-TV anchor JaQuitta Williams and V-103 personalities Joyce Littel, Greg Street, Miss Sophia and Tangie waited to have their picture taken with the multi-million seller. And when Brandy heard Miss Sophia’s voice just outside the door, she peeked out of her room and yelled “Miss Sophia I told everybody you have a big mouth!” To which the playful entertainment reporter on The Frank and Wanda Morning Show replied: “Uh huh - that’s why I’m gonna bust you in the face!”
Were you at 595 North last night? Bought “Human” or Slim’s “Love’s Crazy” yet — and if so, what do you think?
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Indigo Girls Launch Their Own Label
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
What started out as — and has long felt like — an independent movement is now officially one, again.
Legendary Atlanta folk duo Indigo Girls have established an imprint — IG Recordings — and its first release will be their own: a two-disc set they’ve already recorded titled “Poseidon And The Bitter Bug.” Emily Saliers and Amy Ray’s first studio CD in three years — actually a full band version of the album and an acoustic version with a bonus track — is due in stores March 24, 2009.
“I am overwhelmingly excited to be independent because it really is where the heart of music sits for me,” Ray said in a press release. “I don’t have many regrets about the major-label life of the band because we certainly got a lot out of it. We were lucky enough to be on Epic when Pearl Jam and Rage Against The Machine were our label-mates and the company was developing bands with the intent of creating catalog artists. That has all changed, and it’s just not worth being on a major. It hasn’t felt worth it for a long time. Beyond that, it never fed my soul the way an independent career can.”
“I feel a great sense of freedom in finally being rid of the major-label world,” Ray continued. “It’s been a burden for a while for me. I felt an honesty and sincerity making Poseidon, because I fully believe in independence.” Saliers added: “It feels liberating and centering, even in the midst of change.”
Looking forward to “Poseidon”? What did you think of the Indigo Girls’ independently-released debut album, 1987’s “Strange Fire”?
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Shawn Mullins - From The Road
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today’s Dispatch From The Road comes from Atlanta singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins, out promoting his latest Vanguard Records CD “Live at the Variety Playhouse” - and playing tonight and tomorrow at Eddie’s Attic.
Planning to be at Eddie’s? Been a longtime fan of Mullins?
Well here’s his online postcard to you:
I’ve been on the road a lot this year. This year and last year too. I love the road, but I see it clearly as a way to make a living. I usually can’t wait to get back home to Atlanta when I’m on tour for more than a couple of weeks. It’s weird, fifteen years ago, I couldn’t wait to tie on my flyin’ shoes or tour the country in a Ford mini van (where I slept and lived for two month stretches). And I admit that there’s a real freedom in that kind of living. But then Kristofferson’s ‘Bobby McGee’ comes to mind. “Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose, nothin’ aint worth nothin’, but it’s free.” When I first started out, I had nothing left to lose. Then in 1998, the sudden success of my song Lullaby skyrocketed me to a planet I’d not planned on visiting. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it, and I’m thankful for having had the chance to know what that experience is like. But as I got older and more financially bolted down to the system, the same system that now appears to be failing us all, I lost some freedom.
I guess we all end up chasing our freedom. If we’re lucky, we catch a moment here and there. Some part of being an adult seems to require that we drop all the childishness and do adult things; Buy a house, start a family, follow the dollar, not the dream. But that childlike dreamy state of mind is where the essence of true art lies. And I like to think that’s also where freedom lies. These days, I spend more time with my family and my close friends, although when the road calls, I always answer. I guess we all end up chasing our own freedom. If we are lucky (and I believe we make our own luck), we might catch a moment here and there.
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Ne-Yo Delivers — A $30,000 Gift To Atlanta School
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Students should have known it wasn’t going to be Monday as usual at M. Agnes Jones Elementary School when the convertible blue Bentley pulled up in front of the auditorium. Followed by a tinted, high-end Mercedes-Benz. Followed by another bright blue sport utility vehicle.
That’s how Atlanta R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo arrived to present director Arthur McClenton and his band students an oversized $30,000 check for instruments; courtesy of VH1’s Save The Music Foundation, and a generous anonymous donor.
“Music is not what I do, it’s who I am,” said Ne-Yo, a VH1 Save The Music ambassador and this city’s leading Grammy nominee - with six — this year. “If you cut off off my arm right now a song would probably fall out…And I know it may be cliche, but these kids are our future. And we are going to have some very smart, but very boring, very bland kids if we don’t keep programs like these in the schools”.
Ne-Yo was joined by his sister and mother — “who helped me fall in love with music” — and entertained questions from the students. Nine-year-old bass clarinet player Mylan Johnson (pictured above, with Ne-Yo) started the brief Q&A, asking when the Grammy winner when he first knew he wanted to be a musician. (“I’ve wanted to do it since I was 5-years-old,” Ne-Yo replied).
For the most part though, the children were almost motionless and incredibly quiet. “I think they’re in shock Ne-Yo,” prinicipal Margul Retha Woolfolk remarked.
Ever contributed to or benefited from VH1’s Save The Music program? Are you or were you ever a band student? And if so, do you agree with Ne-Yo in that it made a less boring, less bland person?
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Help A Restaurant, Have Doria Roberts Play In YOUR Home
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta singer-songwriter Doria Roberts needs you. So we’ll just let her e-mail explain: Hi All- Doria here… As many of you know, I’ve been doing a residency called “Soul Food Fridays” at Calavino’s restaurant for the past two months since touring has become too expensive. It’s been going so well that Calavino has decided to change her concept. Unfortunately, it may be too little too late. Instead of raising prices like so many small businesses have had to do, she chose to lower her prices to accommodate the neighborhood’s needs in this economy. And while everyone has been grateful for the option of healthy, organic, affordable, homecooked food, the restaurant is in trouble and needs the community’s help to both convert and stay open. The restaurant will close permanently on December 21 if necessary operating funds are not raised. Because she gave me a place to work while I’ve been off the road avoiding high gas prices and because I truly believe in her and her work, I’m offering to the cause the following: A free signed “Woman Dangerous” CD with donations of $50 or more. A free t-shirt and a signed CD (or 2 signed CDs) with donations of $100 or more. For $1,000 or more you get a house concert (with me) and cooked on site catering (by Chef Calavino) in your home for 20 people. NOTE: Restrictions apply so please contact me first before donating.
*You must be located within 20 miles of Atlanta or Decatur.
*There can only be 20 people max.
*The event needs to happen before Dec. 21 but not on Dec 12, 15, 19 or 21.
*You must have a full kitchen. Of course, any donation in any amount is appreciated. READ ABOUT THE STORY AND HOW TO DONATE HERE Or donate directly to the cause via paypal using e-mail: calavinos@yahoo.com If you want these CDs before Channukah or Christmas, your donation must be in BEFORE December 20. PLEASE INDICATE IF YOU NEED THEM PERSONALIZED!
e.g For Christy! or For Dad! If you are unable to donate, please try to come to the restaurant between now and December 21st and spread the word! LOCATION:
Calavino’s
350 Mead Rd.
Decatur, GA 30030
http://www.calavinosoakhurst.com
404.373.5220 thanks in advance!
doria OK now that you’ve heard the request from Roberts herself, want to help?
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Atlantans On The Charts
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta rapper-actor T.I.’s single with Rihanna, “Live Your Life,” returned to the top of the pop charts this week - its sixth non-consecutive week at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 listing.
And locals joining T.I. (pictured above) in that top 10 are Ne-Yo (at No. 9 with “Miss Independent”), and T.I., yet again (at No. 5 with “Whatever You Like”).
Over on Billboard’s pop album chart, only one Atlantan is in the top 10 of the Top 200 — Akon, whose CD “Freedom” debuted at No. 7 in the country.
Montgomery Gentry’s “Roll With Me” knocked our Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” out of the No. 1 position on Hot Country Songs, to No. 2. But Atlanta duo Sugarland (at No. 4 with “Already Gone”) and Newnan’s Alan Jackson (at No. 7 with “Country Boy” are keeping them company in the Top 10.
On Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Atlantans are on 7 of the Top 10 hits: “Live Your Life” (at No. 2); “Miss Independent” (No. 3); “Chopped ’N’ Skrewed (T-Pain featuring Ludacris, No. 4); “Trading Places” (Usher, No. 6); “Green Light” (John Legend featuring Andre 3000); “Mrs. Officer” (Lil Wayne featuring Bobby Valentino and Kidd Kidd, No. 8); and “Whatever You Like”.
Six singles in the Top 10 of Billboard‘s Hot Rap Tracks also include local recording acts: “Live Your Life” (No. 1); “Whatever You Like” (No. 2); “Mrs. Officer” (No. 3); “One More Drink” (Ludacris co-starring - that’s how it’s listed — T-Pain, No. 5); “Swagga Like Us” (T.I. & Jay-Z featuring Kanye West and Lil Wayne, No. 7) and “Got Money” (Lil Wayne featuring T-Pain, No. 10).
And Casting Crowns (at No. 5 with “Slow Fade”) and Third Day (at No. 10 with “Revelation”) are the hometown bands on Hot Christian Songs Top 10.
Did you buy Akon’s “Freedom” its first week in stores, and if so, what grade would you give it? As big as “Live Your Life” is, do you think it should have been a contender in the Grammy’s record of the year category?
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Usher Gives V-103’s Frank and Wanda’s Christmas Promo A $20,000 Assist
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It pays to have a city full of celebrities - literally, Wednesday morning, as V-103’s Frank Ski and Wanda Smith rang Usher for some help with their annual Christmas Wish List promotion, and Atlanta’s multimillion-selling R&B singer responded with a $20,000 check.
“You can always rely on me, no question,” he told the duo. “Atlanta has always supported me and it’s unspoken for me to help.”
Shortly afterwards, Mayor Shirley Franklin was on the air for her monthly V-103 visit and applauded the five-time Grammy winner for his efforts — calling him a longtime, great ambassador of Atlanta. “He is amazing,” Franklin said. “It really shows Usher’s compassion and makes me so proud of him. Atlanta is a great place because of people like Usher.”
“We’ve been close to Usher and his family and have watched him grow tremendously,” Smith added in a press release. “I knew Usher would step up to the plate because that’s the kind of man he is. Usher is a special person and will continue to be blessed because of his heart.”
Each year the top-rated morning show has people write in 2,000 words or less why their family or a family they know of deserves to have a wish granted. The deadline to submit an entry is Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. at www.v103webmag.com
Usher’s generosity kick-started what Ski and Smith hope will be a big money-generating weekend. Saturday Smith hosts her annual Wanda Smith & Friends comedy show at the Atlanta Civic Center. And Sunday Ski and his wife Tanya have their fifth annual celebrity wine tasting and live auction fundraiser for the Frank Ski Kids Foundation at their home. Minimum contribution $250. (Pocket change to our Usher types).
Ever benefited from the morning show’s annual Christmas Wish List effort? Planning to attend “Wanda Smith and Friends” and/or the wine tasting and auction fundraiser?
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Little Big Town Playing Atlanta In January
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There’s more news about just-announced Grammy nominees Little Big Town: The contender for country collaboration with vocals will be showing its vocal - and musical - prowess off live Jan. 30 at the Tabernacle.
Ashton Shepherd opens.
Tickets go on sale Friday at LiveNation.com, Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone (404-249-6400. They are $36 for reserved seating balcony and $32 for general admission standing room floor.
Planning to see the foursome with Georgia connections? Of the others in Little Big Town’s category (for “Life In A Northern Town,” with Atlanta’s Sugarland and Jake Owen) — Kenny Chesney and George Strait for “Shiftwork,” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for “Killing The Blues,” George Strait and Patty Loveless for “House of Cash” and Trisha Yearwood and Keith Urban for “Let The Wind Chase You”— who do you think will take it?
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The ACLU Honoring Jermaine Dupri in L.A. Today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta music mogul Jermaine Dupri will receive the Bill of Rights Award from the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California today at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
He and fellow honoree, NBA great and businessman Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be celebrated for “a long history of philanthropic work, and will be recognized for their shared views on community uplift and development,” a press release from Dupri’s publicist said. “Dupri has been a long time member of the board of directors of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN). He’s also worked to repeal the Rockefeller Drug Laws, designed a signature pair of Cartier sunglasses to benefit the Hurricane Relief Fund, and has been a significant voice for the “Rap the Vote” campaign.”
The rapper, songwriter, producer, author and president of Tag Records (pictured above with longtime girlfriend Janet Jackson) will join Rosa Parks, Barbra Streisand, Martin Scorsese, Harry Belafonte, Ellen Degeneres, Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds — also recognized by the ACLU of Southern California in this way.
Think Dupri gets the recognition he deserves locally - and/or nationally - for what he’s done outside of the music business? Know of any others on the local music scene who are really making a difference in the community?
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How Was Your Musical Weekend?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Our general assignment reporter Ben Smith put on his music critic hat and wrote about Sunday’s Yes concert at the Tabernacle last night, HERE.
Social Butterfly Jennifer Brett met up up with Atlanta hip-hop favorites Ludacris and Soulja Boy before their AT&T post-SEC performance at the same downtown venue the night before. (Read about it HERE).
And surely some of you out there saw Atlanta rapper/actor T.I. on “Saturday Night Live” later that evening. (If not, watch the YouTube clip of him performing “Whatever You Like” BELOW)
What was your take on any of these happenings — or something else musical, of note, that you heard here over the weekend?
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The Bridges — From The Road
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Today’s Dispatch From The Road comes from the Alabama pop-rockers that still consider Atlanta their base, The Bridges — who are playing for the “hometown” crowd tomorrow night at Vinyl.
Planning to be in the audience? Did you catch the cousins recently on MTVU’s “Freshman 5”? (If not, see it HERE) What about their blog entries on YouTube from the road? (If not, watch HERE).
And again, speaking of posts from The Bridges, here’s what they had to say to the Atlanta Music Scene (through Stacey Byrd):
Life on the road is busy! It’s a work day that lasts almost all day. We’re driving our own van, booking our own hotels, loading our own gear, selling our own merchandise, and for now, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
We enjoy touring so much because it’s an experience that will make us stronger and better as a band. I think we all have different reasons why we love touring, but the main ones are being able to travel, seeing cities all across America, meeting new people every night, and seeing our fans. It’s so exciting for us. We love listening to a good album, but when seeing a band live it gives you a whole new feeling. Sometimes it can make you finally understand what the band is really about.
When we play shows we feel like we give the audience a peek into how we interpret our songs. The energy from night to night differs which keeps it interesting for us and hopefully makes it special for each crowd.
We try to create a routine while we’re on the road, but it’s nearly impossible! We try really heard to have every morning consist of us, being typical girls, trying to workout, getting a good breakfast in, and still have at least an hour to do our hair and makeup- but it’s not always certain! When all that is done, we wake up Jeremy and hop in the van. Ahead is usually a long drive, stops at the best gas stations we can find, and Starbucks coffee.
When we get to the venue we load out, sound check, eat dinner, play our show, sell merch (hopefully), load up, and drive out. I guess when I think about it, it kind of is a routine. It sounds like a lot of work, but at least it’s fun work.
These shows are coming to an end and going home for us is always nice. We love spending time with our family. when we get home we plan to relax, visit family, and enjoy the holidays and all the food that comes along with it! We’re also thinking, maybe a little prematurely, about our next album. We have lots of song ideas bouncing around in our heads. With some time off, I’m sure you’ll find us in the basement trying to write some new ones- and we’re definitely excited about doing that!
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Georgia’s Grammy Nominees React
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Talk about great birthday presents.
Atlanta R&B singer-songwriter Anthony David (above) will be blowing out the candles tonight at Sutra with his fiancee on one arm and his first Grammy nomination in his pocket.
Just don’t shake that free hand if you see him out at the Midtown lounge. “I have a cold,” David sniffed when we reached him Thursday afternoon. “And I was just about to enter that feeling-sorry-for-myself mode,” he added with a laugh.
But then he started getting e-mails last night about his nod for R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals - the contenders for the music industry’s highest honor were revealed for the first time during prime time Wednesday [see gallery HERE] - and that feeling sorry business began to feel silly.
“[Longtime friend] Richard [Dunn] came by my place and we drank some vodka to celebrate,” said David, who shares the nomination for the ballad “Words” with fellow local talent India Arie —for whom he once sang background. “It was just plain ole Absolut though. They don’t take Grammy nominations at the liquor store.”
Meanwhile up in New York tonight, Atlanta jazz guitarist Earl Klugh (above, left) plans to have a great Greek or Italian meal, to mark his pop instrumental album nomination for “The Spice of Life”.
“I’ve been recording 32 years,” the one-time Grammy winner said. “And at my advanced age [laughs] it just makes me feel good to still be recognized. I put a lot of time into this record. It is the first record I’ve done with a full band in nine years. So again, this feels really good.”
Across the country in Las Vegas, Davis’s fellow first-timer Janelle Monae (above) was still processing the words “Grammy Award nominee” being said before her name.
“I’m still in the clouds, still in shock,” said the Atlanta singer up for urban/alternative performance for “Many Moons”. “I did a show here for Pepsi this morning and when they introduced me [inhales deeply and pauses] it just still hasn’t registered with me.”
She should have known something was going on last night when her record label president, entertainment mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, was ringing her phone off the hook while she was at Cirque du Soleil. “There I was, so excited, enjoying my birthday present from the guys, The Wondaland Arts Society — my birthday was Monday - and Puff [another Combs nickname] was calling all of our phones. He was so excited. Nobody was expecting this…I mean, I have an EP. I don’t have a major, big album. I don’t have a big radio single…and to still be recognized among so many talented people is just a blessing.”
And how will she celebrate that blessing when she lands backs at home tonight? “You know, I’ve learned to lower my expectations and heighten my appreciation. So we’re just going to work on getting Suites 2 and 3 out there in the first quarter of next year.”
“Oh - and please send everybody there my love for their support!”
We also caught up with Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum in Sin City, where the band had just finished their last shows for a while. They now have the rest of the month off to bask in the Grammy glow, and spend some time at home for the holidays. The band’s sole female member — and only non-Georgian — Hillary Scott had already taken off on vacation with her family.
When we told Dave that maybe we’d catch up with them again before the ceremony to see what they’d be wearing, he said: “Oh gosh, now Hilllary’s going to be thinking about that for three months.”
“I’ve been on the phone with my parents and my friends this morning just trying to make sense of it all really. I mean, what do you even say to that. I’m still in complete shock”
“A year ago our first song was coming out, so this has been an unbelieveable year for us. We started off this year with a win at the ACM awards (where they’re pictured above) and, at the time, that was unbelievable and looking back it still is. After that I was like, you know what, we weren’t that deserving of that, so hopefully in another few years we’ll get a nomination for something else. And then the CMA awards came in last month and then we won that and I was like ‘oh my gosh, you’re kidding.’ Then last night. We’re out here in Las Vegas and we actually had two shows last night. In between the shows we walked off the stage to a text message from our tour manager that just said ‘congrats on your two Grammy nominations.’ And we were like ‘oh my gosh.’ It’s just insane, because it’s an international thing for all genres of music.”
“I’ve got to say looking at the best new artist category — with Jazmine [Sullivan] and Duffy and Adele and the Jonas Brothers— I have to say I’m so, so honored to be part of the only country artist in that category. I think that was the thing that was most humbling.”
(They also face Atlantans Sugarland for best country performance by a duo or group with vocals).
“My parents were just flipping out. It was just so unexpected. I know we said that for the CMAs as well, but this was just completely unexpected. I’d read some stuff online and they were looking at people like Flo Rida and Katy Perry and OneRepublic, all these huge artists that have sold, you know, ten times as many albums as we have for consideration for that category.”
“We’re in Vegas, so last night we definitely did some celebrating. I’m just waking up, to be honest. We went out together with our band guys and our crew guys and had a few toasts.”
See a list of Grammy nominees with Georgia connections HERE - and our gallery HERE — and weigh in on the choices/possible winners.
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Grammy Nominees With Georgia Connections
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first ever prime time unveiling of the Grammy Awards nominations began Wednesday night on CBS with Atlanta R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo announcing that Lady Antebellum - a country group with Georgia members - was on the list for best new artist.
Then after Celine Dion perfomed, she told Ne-Yo his “Year of the Gentleman” CD was up for album of the year.
After that, the Foo Fighters played, and founder Dave Grohl revealed that Lady Antebellum and local duo Sugarland would battle each other for best country performance by a duo or group with vocals.
And co-host Taylor Swift took the stage, after which she told the Los Angeles audience four out of the five nominees for best rap performance by a duo or group included Atlantans: OutKast (with Raekwon for “Royal Flush”); T.I. (with Jay-Z, Lil Wayne and Kanye West for “Swagga Like Us”); Ludacris and T.I. (“Wish You Would”); and Young Jeezy (with Kanye West for “Put On”).
Any surprises among the broadcast nominees? Think an act got slighted?
As you contemplate your responses, here’s our list of many of the nominees with Georgia ties:
Andre 3000, rapper-singer (rap performance by a duo or group, rap/sung collaboration)
India Arie, R&B singer (R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals)
Big Boi, rapper (rap performance by a duo or group)
Michael Bishop, engineer (engineered album, classical)
The Blind Boys of Alabama, gospel group (traditional gospel album)
Casting Crowns, Christian group (gospel performance)
Keyshia Cole, R&B singer (female R&B vocal performance, R&B song)
Shondrae “Mr. Bangladesh” Crawford, producer (album of the year)
Danger Mouse, of Gnarls Barkley (producer of the year)
Anthony David, R&B singer-guitarist (R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals)
Dust-To-Digital, indie record label (album notes, historical album)
Gnarls Barkley, pop group (pop performance by a duo or group with vocals, alternative music album, short form music video)
J. Holiday, R&B singer (contemporary R&B album)
Earl Klugh, jazz guitarist (pop instrumental album)
Lady Antebellum, country group (best new artist, country performance by a duo or group with vocals)
Little Big Town, country group (country collaboration with vocals)
Patty Loveless, country singer (country collaboration with vocals, country album)
Ludacris, rapper (rap performance by a duo or group)
Janelle Monae, singer (urban/alternative performance)
Nas, rapper (rap solo performance, rap album)
Jennifer Nettles, of Sugarland (country song)
Ne-Yo, R&B singer-songwriter (album of the year, male pop vocal performance, male R&B vocal performance, R&B song - twice, contemporary R&B album)
Karen Peck & New River, Christian group (southern, country, or bluegrass gospel album)
Shawty Redd, songwriter-producer (rap song)
Trey Songz, R&B singer (male R&B vocal performance)
Sugarland, country duo (country performance by a duo or group with vocals, country collaboration with vocals)
Phil Tan, engineer (record of the year for Leona Lewis’s “Bleeding Love”, album of the year, dance recording)
T.I., rapper (rap performance by a duo or group-twice, rap song, rap album)
T-Pain, rapper-singer-producer (album of the year, rap/sung collaboration - twice, rap song)
Usher, R&B singer (male R&B vocal performance)
Bobby Valentino, R&B singer (album of the year)
CeCe Winans, contemporary gospel singer (gospel performance, pop/contemporary gospel album)
Trisha Yearwood, country singer (female country vocal performance, country collaboration with vocals, country album)
Young Jeezy, rapper (rap performance by a duo or group)
You can also view our local Grammy gallery or photos from the nomination show
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See Ludacris and Soulja Boy For Free
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta rap phenoms Ludacris and Soulja Boy will be performing at a free, post SEC Football Championship concert Saturday at the Tabernacle.
For a chance to win a mobile ticket good for two people, text ATTLUDA to 66937. Those tickets will be sent to the winners by the end of the day today. And the first 1,000 fans in line Saturday with that mobile ticket will be admitted. Doors open at 8 p.m. .
“I’m excited to be helping AT&T recognize and celebrate the SEC Championship, which is such a time-honored tradition,” Ludacris said in a press release.
“I receive an amazing amount of love from the South when it comes to supporting my projects — especially in college football games where I see some of the players and fans doing my dances when they score,” added Soulja Boy in the release. “We even tried to capture some of that excitement in the video for my new single, ‘Bird Walk.’ Performing a free show at an SEC Championship game afterparty is the least I can do to give some of that support and love back.”
And not just there — Soulja Boy is scheduled to appear at the AT&T Camp Creek store (3618 Marketplace Blvd. in East Point) Friday at 4 p.m. .
AT&T will carry exclusive ringtones from their new albums (“Theater of the Mind” and the “iSouljaBoyTellem”), available for download in the AT&T MEdia Mall directly from handsets and online at www.att.com/mediamall.
Also after the concert, AT&T will also have exclusive concert footage available for viewing through Cellular Video. Text ATTLUDA to 66937 to receive an alert when the footage is available for viewing.
Planning to go to the concert and/or the signing? Heard “Theater of the Mind” yet?
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The Prodigal Pogues Return to Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Pogues are finally headed back to Atlanta. The London-formed band that first turned tin whistles and accordions into instruments of punk mayhem will start its 2009 U.S. tour here at the Tabernacle.
The March 9 date marks the band’s first Atlanta show with original frontman Shane MacGowan since 1989 (just a few years after that promo shot at the right was taken). The $38.50, general admission tickets are on sale through LiveNation, all Ticketmaster locations, or charge by phone at 404-249-6400.
MacGowan and the rest of the band parted ways in 1991, but regrouped in 2001 for some gigs on the other side of the Atlantic. Then, in 2006 the Pogues played their first U.S. dates with a re-installed MacGowan since the first George Bush was in the White House. Even with more U.S. jaunts in 2006 and 2007, the band never made it back to Atlanta.
Formed in 1982, the Pogues proved the compatibility — heck, it’s practically a kinship — of raucous punk and Irish folk. It’s a marriage that seems common now, but the Pogues did it first, spawning a whole mass of followers such as Black 47, Flogging Molly and the Dropkick Murphys. Even the Eastern European-flavored gypsy-punk of Gogol Bordello owes a huge debt to the Pogues.
The Pogues landed at No. 8 on British magazine Q’s 2002 list of 50 bands to see before you die. Here’s your chance.
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Rate New Brutha Music
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With a new episode of “Brothers To Brutha” airing at 10:30 p.m. tonight on BET, it seemed like as good a time as any to post a YouTube clip of the Atlanta-groomed act’s “She’s Gone” BELOW — previewing the show, as well as their self-titled debut CD in stores Dec. 23.
Listen and tell us what you think. Also, have you been watching the reality series?
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Akon Outtakes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta rapper-singer-producer Akon talked to the AJC about his new CD in stores today, “Freedom” — as well as the between-album reports by The Smoking Gun that he fabricated a great deal of his criminal past.
But what didn’t make it into today’s Q&A was his take on…
What happened with that Whitney Houston single, “Like I Never Left” (Hear it BELOW): “You know, I’m wondering too. It got leaked and I just kind of lost sight of that record…I hope it shows up on her album, whenever she puts it out. Working with her was great though. That’s my girl! Talk about someone who is rich and famous and doesn’t act like it.”
Working with Michael Jackson: “It was a dream come true…I learned so much from him. He was humble. And mad funny…He gave me a lot of room to do ‘Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ ’ [Hear it BELOW] and I thought we were going to do more. I hope we’ll still do more.”
That inescapable Auto-Tune sound he and T-Pain have revived: “I’m planning to change the whole game with ‘Freedom’. Everybody’s doing that sound now. What I’m bringing with ‘Freedom’ is a European club vibe that I hope people can get into.”
And while he was clearing up things, those reports about him having more than wife: “I just played into that to promote [his second CD] ‘Konvicted’…I have one wife, and we’ve been together like 15 years.”
Does it matter to you if Akon used to run a car theft ring or not? Picked up “Freedom” yet? Like the first singles “Right Now (Na Na Na)” and “I’m So Paid”?
(See a YouTube clip of the “Right Now” video BELOW)
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Britney’s Playing Atlanta In March
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Not only is Britney Spears back as a recording artist — with a new CD (“Circus”) in stores today — but she’s headed back to the concert stage.
Tickets for her March 5 show at Philips Arena — “The Circus Starring Britney Spears 2009 Tour” — will go on sale Monday at the Philips Arena box office, philipsarena.com, all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone (1-800-745-3000) and Ticketmaster Express (866-448-7849). They range from $39.50 to $129.
And rounding out this pop package is opening act The Pussycat Dolls. Plan to see if Spears still has it, live? (The shot above is from her 2001 stop here). Remember when she performed at the Atlanta Civic Center almost a decade ago? (Pictured below).
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12/2: Zac Brown Band goes No. 1 with “Chicken Fried”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The song’s been around awhile. Here is Zac Brown performing “Chicken Fried” on January 17, 2007 at the Variety Playhouse in Atlanta. And the band’s dedicated fans were already singing along.
Atlanta-based Zac Brown Band has pulled off something fellow Georgia natives Alan Jackson and Sugarland couldn’t do: go No. 1 with their first single.
The exuberant ode to Southern life “Chicken Fried” hit number one just in time for Thanksgiving, knocking out Taylor Swift’s crossover hit “Love Story” and staying ahead of Tim McGraw’s pesky “Let It Go.” The song is poised to stay No. 1 for a second week as well. It’s relatively rare for a new artist to go No. 1. The only other one this year is Darius Rucker, who actually had many a hit on the pop chart with Hootie & The Blowfish back in the 1990s.
I called Wyatt Durrette, the songwriting partner for Brown who first came up with the skeleton of the song, to get his reaction.
“We’re really thankful,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll have a few more under our belt. We’re honored and blessed. We have a lot to be thankful for.”
He said the band found out after on November 22 after a concert in Nashville at Exit In before 600 to 700 fans. The label people were there, and Durrette said he and the band celebrated with well-earned glasses of champagne.
The song has an interesting history because Zac Brown and Durrette originally licensed the song in 2006 to fellow Atlanta band the Lost Trailers. The song was about to be released to radio and had already begun getting airplay on some radio stations. But Brown changed his mind, according to this account.
RCA VP of legal and business affairs Katherine Woods wrote a letter to country radio noting: “In pursuit of his own recording career, the writer decided that he wanted to hang on to this song and make it a hit for himself,” Woods wrote in the letter. “In spite of a diligent effort, we have been unable to reach a resolution of this issue and have no choice but to select another single.”
And there ya go. Brown kept it for himself and indeed made it a hit himself to boot! (I do need to get a hold of the Lost Trailers and get their reaction!)
The band’s first major-label release “Foundation,” out November 18, debuted at No. 17 on the Top 200 chart and No. 3 on the country chart. The next single will likely be the sweet ballad “Whatever It Is.”
Oh, by the way, another Georgia native Trisha Yearwood did go No. 1 with her first single, “She’s In Love With the Boy.”
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Elton John and Billy Joel Face 2 Face In Atlanta - Again
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tickets go on sale this Saturday for the return of piano men Elton John and Billy Joel’s “Face 2 Face” tour, at Philips Arena March 14.
As many of you know, it will be a homecoming of sorts for John, a part-time Atlantan. But Live Nation president Peter Conlon said at this morning’s unusual press conference that Joel has a hometown connection as well.
According to Conlon, a then-unknown Joel called Conlon’s partner Alex Cooley and asked if he could play at a festival the promoter was having in Puerto Rico. Cooley said come on down. Joel played a set of Joe Cocker tunes (hours before Cocker himself was supposed to hit the stage, mind you). And when Joel walked off legendary record exec Clive Davis gave him his card and said, “Call Me Monday.”
So Joel, Conlon said, has always credited Cooley with the launch of his career.
Now here Joel and John are with 350 million albums sold worldwide — Philips Arena president Bob Williams said at the press conference — back with a tour first put on here in 1994 at the Georgia Dome. (A sell-out. The shot above of is from their 2001 local stop).
Tickets this time around will range from $55.50 to $181 at Live Nation and Ticketmaster outlets. (Believe it or not, these price points are virtually the same as they were the last time they were in town in 2002 when tix ranged from $47 to $177. Conlon said artists are very cognizant now of the economy, even in a situation like this where a sellout is virtually guaranteed.) Plan to go? Seen the “Face 2 Face” tour before? And if so, let us know if it’s worth it.
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Who’s Your Hometown Grammy Pick?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is “Live Your Life” by Atlanta rapper-actor T.I. and Rihanna feeling like the record of the year? (See a YouTube clip of them performing it at the Key Club in Los Angeles BELOW)
Think local Christian rockers — and three-time Grammy winners — Third Day should be on the list again? (See a YouTube clip of the official music video for “Call My Name” BELOW)
Surely after the success of “Love On The Inside” our country duo Sugarland will get a nod — and maybe its first win as a group — right? (See a YouTube clip of their performance of “All I Wanna Do” at the ACMs - where they won song and single of the year - BELOW)
Well we’ll all find out if those three acts will at least be in consideration Wednesday evening when (as we previously reported here) the nominations for the 51st Grammy Awards will be announced live from Los Angeles; and for the first time, in prime time, at 9 p.m. on CBS.
But we want to get the prognosticating going earlier. So tell us what Atlanta recording artists you think merited the music industry’s highest honor this past year?
