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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2009 > March
March 2009
Second Jennifer Hudson and Classic Chastain Series On Sale Today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Oscar and Grammy winner Jennifer Hudson’s (above) first official stop in Atlanta now has a second date added to it — April 14 at the Fox Theatre — and tickets went up at 10 a.m. this morning. (A very limited number of tickets for her April 16 show with fellow R&B singer Robin Thicke are still available).
Plus the first line-up for the 2009 Delta Classic Chastain summer concert series has been announced, and subscription packages for that are available, starting this morning, as well.
To find out who’s booked at Chastain Park Amphitheatre — and see the rest of this entry — head over to the Atlanta Music Scene’s new home on WordPress.
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Adele In Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the midst of the green-everywhere, Guinness-swigging revelry of St. Patrick’s Day, there was some sublimeness to be found last night.
And lucky for the 900 or so people who were savvy enough to snatch up tickets quickly, it arrived in the form of a one-album artist already - almost - too big for such an intimate venue; who gave a show almost too wonderfully-executed to be the first Atlanta performance by a 20-year-old.
For the rest of this review, head over to the Atlanta Music Scene’s new home on WordPress.
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Zac Brown Band Wins ACM - But Fan’s Work Not Over
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You did it Zac Brown Band fans!
The Academy of Country Music Awards announced that Atlanta’s burgeoning country act won the fan-voted nomination for Top New Vocal Duo or Group; joining a few other prominent acts (Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and Sugarland) with Georgia connections.
But now there is a little more “work” for you to do — and to find out what that is, head over to the Atlanta Music Scene’s new home on WordPress.
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Estelle and Solange in Atlanta
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Though it has only been a little over a month since she last appeared on stage in Atlanta — as an opening act at John Legend’s sold-out Fox Theatre show — Estelle (pictured above) returned Thursday night to draw a near capacity crowd herself.
She’s a force. Though her band wasn’t quite as remarkable as opening act Solange (who we’ll get to in a second), she has personality (demonstrated in her between-song banter), pipes and a fun pop number in “American Boy” featuring Kanye West.
For the rest of this review, head over to the Atlanta Music Scene’s new home on WordPress.
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First Listen: The Dream’s “Love vs. Money”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CD REVIEW
“Love vs. Money.” The-Dream. Def Jam. 14 tracks. Grade: B+ Atlanta R&B singer-producer The-Dream can’t seem to craft a song without inserting a “Hey!”, “Eh-eh” or “Radio killa” in it. And the amazing thing is, as redundant as that is, as redundant as he is — topicwise, boring he absolutely is not. That was evident two years ago when he and fellow Atlantan Christopher “Tricky” Stewart made Rihanna’s inescapable No. 1 hit “Umbrella.” Then Terius “The-Dream” Nash stepped from behind the production board and released his gold-selling 2007 solo debut “Love Hate.” Now he’s back with a whole album basically about wooing women and what he wants to do with them— spilling over with those “Heys” and “Eh-ehs” — that, still, may be the best R&B disc to come out this year. For the rest of this review, head over to the Atlanta Music Scene’s new home on WordPress. 
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Michelle Malone - From The Road
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PHOTO CREDIT: Trish Land
Today’s Dispatch From the Road comes from Atlanta’s longtime, bluesy roots-rock singer-songwriter Michelle Malone, in town tonight for the Atlanta History Center’s new series: “Southern Music: Shaken & Stirred.”
Planning to go tonight — where Malone will be featured along with other “Whiskey Women” Blue Mother Tupelo and Little Country Giants? Remember her from her early Eddie’s Attic days?
Well feel free to reminisce as you read along…
Hey Ya’ll!
I thought I’d send you a little postcard to let you know that I’m doing great, even though I’ve been gone for so long.
I really do miss ya’ll…and the tall pines at Lullwater Park….Ahhh…I used to love walks and runs around the lake…
Oh, and I miss the BLT from Sun In My Belly….hmmm… I may have to swing by…anyhoooo…
I haven’t been in the ATL much since last spring when I recorded my new CD there with Nick Di Dia. He’s the brilliant local legend who records Springsteen, Pearl Jam, The Black Crowes, Train, etc…so you KNOW it sounds great!
We made a good team in the studio - like Lucy and Ethyl…or Starsky and Hutch…or mac and cheese…or Peanut Butter and Chocolate! YEA!
I worked hard on the songwriting, too. Apparently, I had alot to say. It was just an easy, relaxed recording experience…
It didn’t even feel like work! I actually enjoyed it, and that’s a first. Maybe you can tell that I’m in a great place these days - which just makes life easier, don’t you think?!
Repeat after me: “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” Thanks Wayne Dyer.
Am I blabbering too much? Guess the coffee’s kickin’ in!
As I was saying…the new CD, my 10th (where does the time go?!) is called DEBRIS. It’s full of heartfelt fun and good for what ails ya.
There’s plenty of swaggering slide guitar from me and the amazing Peter Stroud. There’s also several sweet ballads sure to bring a tear to your eye. Other hugely talented people who contributed to the record (and who I’m lucky enough to call friends) are Phil Skipper, Jonny Daly, Tony Reyes, Dave Anthony, Harold Sellers, and Trina Meade. They brought the love and the sass to tape!
I’m telling you, this CD will make you want to slap your mama AND will crack your heart wide open like a coconut! Pina Colada, anyone?
You can order your signed copy right here right now: http://michellemalone.com/mmsite2007/debris_store.html
There’s even a “Tell A Friend” special, if ya have any in need of a good time and a big smile.
I’ll be back home April 4th for the big CD Release Party at Eddie’s Attic - count ‘em -2 all ages shows!
I cant wait to see you - fire up the BBQ and put the Conundrum and Bud on ice - I’m coming HOME!!!
WISH YOU WERE HERE!
xo,
Michelle
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Backstage at BET’s “Sunday Best”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PHOTO CREDIT: Ben Rose/BET Networks
To borrow a bit from our own Jeff Foxworthy’s signature quip, You Know You’re At A Gospel Competition When…
— The in-house comedian (Small Fire, once known as Small Fry) jokes that she flips to celeb gossip show TMZ each night “because I feel like the Lord led me to watch it…Them folks be trying to catch you coming out of Kroger even,” she continued. “You got to be saved all the time around those people!”
— Kirk Franklin (second photo) spends off-camera time doing a hilarious imitation of fellow gospel singer and TV host, Dr. Bobby Jones.
— Judge BeBe Winans (pictured in top photo with fellow judges Mary Mary) introduces a new word to our vocabulary: “Authentical.” As in, in response to Franklin’s question about how he likes being in Atlanta, Winans replied: “It’s exciting…There’s just a love for gospel music in Atlanta. It’s authentical.” (P.S. Franklin also let it slip that Winans and sister CeCe - a part-time Atlantan - are making their first CD together in 15 years.)
— The audience members’ hair is as immaculately styled as the 20 contestants. (And Small Fire aided in that appearance, reminding them to powder themselves during the frequent breaks. “Make sure the make-up matches your skin,” she said playfully. “You’ll go back to work and they’ll be calling you two-tone.”)
— And not only was contemporary gospel star Donald Lawrence in the front row of the studio audience, but Usher’s mother Jonnetta Patton was right behind him (she’s friends with Mary Mary’s manager) and Millie Jackson’s daughter Keisha was sanctified enough to be a part of musical director Ray Chew’s “Sunday Best” band.
And those were only some of the sights and sounds at the four hour-plus first taping of BET’s second season of “Sunday Best” Thursday at Turner Studios. The show — taping in Atlanta only this year — start Sunday at 9 p.m. with the auditions.
Planning to tune in? Did you last year? Know anyone from Atlanta who made it to the show?
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Listen To Indigo Girls At Noon Today
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta folk favorites the Indigo Girls will be the special guests on WXPN’s fourth anniversary of the “Free at Noon” concert series it does with NPR Music. Emily Saliers and Amy Ray will be playing from their upcoming double disc “Poseidon and the Bitter Bug” — their first independent disc since their 1987 debut, “Strange Fire” — due in stores March 24 on IG Recordings/Vanguard Records. (And on that same release day, they’ll be playing a Criminal Records in-store). Plan to listen in at noon at http://www.xpn.org/music-artist/xpn-stream — where Shemekia Copeland will also be featured? Looking forward to “Poseidon”?
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Chastain Series On Sale Sunday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For some it’s when we “spring” the clocks forward — which is this weekend, by the way.
For others it’s the offical start day - March 20.
But for many music-loving Atlantans spring has officially arrived when the Chastain Series line-up is announced, and to the ladies and gentlemen, we have it.
(And tickets for the full series or any combination of two or more show go on sale this Sunday at 10 a.m., at www.chastainseries.com or charge by phone at Chastain Tickets, 404-233-2227 . Individual tickets will go on sale at a later date.)
OK — the acts booked for the Live Nation 2009 Concert Series A at Chastain Park Amphitheatre are:
Daryl Hall & John Oates (pictured above)
April 17
$ 56.50 & $ 54.50 Reserved
$ 41.50 General Admission Lawn
Seal with special guest Peter Cincotti
April 18
$ 61.50 & $ 51.50 Reserved
$ 41.50 General Admission Lawn
Heart with special guest
Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
May 24
$ 61.50 & $ 51.50 Reserved
$ 41.50 General Admission Lawn
Zac Brown Band Memorial Day Picnic
May 25
$ 36.00 Reserved & General Admission Lawn
Al Green & Etta James
June 10
$ 66.00 & $ 56.00 Reserved
$ 41.00 General Admission Lawn
The Fray with special guest
Jack’s Mannequin
June 12
$ 66.50 & $ 51.50 Reserved
$ 41.50 General Admission Lawn
Gipsy Kings
June 14
$ 56.50 & $ 51.50 Reserved
$ 41.50 General Admission Lawn
Bad Company & The Doobie Brothers
June 19
$ 83.00 & $ 63.50 Reserved
$ 46.50 General Admission Lawn
John Legend
July 5
$ 77.00 & $ 67.00 Reserved
$ 47.00 General Admission Lawn
Blondie & Pat Benatar with special
guest The Donnas
August 2
$ 56.50 & $ 48.50 Reserved
$ 41.50 General Admission Lawn
Jackson Browne & His Band
August 6
$ 63.50 Reserved
$ 43.50 General Admission Lawn
Bonnie Raitt & Taj Mahal
August 18
$ 58.75 & 53.75 Reserved
$ 43.75 General Admission Lawn
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Last Day To Vote For Lost Trailers or Zac Brown Band
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You have from now until 5 p.m. today to go to GACTV.com and vote for the Zac Brown Band (top photo) or The Lost Trailers (second photo) — two Academy of Country Music Awards nominees with Georgia connections in the top new vocal duo or group category — which closes fan voting this afternoon.
The 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will air April 5 on CBS, live from Las Vegas. Atlanta’s own Sugarland is up for top vocal duo and vocal event of the year - with Little Big Town and Jake Owen, for “Life In A Northern Town”. Also in that latter category is Monticello’s Trisha Yearwood, for “Another Try” with Josh Turner. Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town and The Lost Trailers are competing against each other in the top vocal group category.
Finally, among the nominees with Georgia ties, Augusta station WKXC-FM is a up for radio station of the year (small market); while Duluth’s own Wild Bill’s has been nominated nightclub of the year.
So who’s your pick between the Zac Brown Band and Lost Trailers? And why?
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Usher Apologizes For Criticizing Chris Brown?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta R&B superstar Usher has issued a statement apologizing for the comments he made toward Chris Brown, which appeared in a video posted by his longtime Atlanta producer Jermaine Dupri.
“The comments made during a recent recording session amongst friends were taken out of context and blown out of proportion,” the statement reads. “I apologize on behalf of myself and my friends if anyone was offended. The intentions were not to pass judgment and we meant no harm. I respect and wish the best for all parties involved.”
The comments from the five-time Grammy winner in what appears to be Dupri’s Atlanta studio were in regards to pictures of Brown (above) that emerged over the weekend, showing him hanging out with friends and riding a jet ski during what reports have called his “reconciliation” weekend in Miami with Rihanna.
(Whom Atlanta singer-songwriter Johnta Austin refers to in the video as “the brand new Ike and Tina of our generation.”)
“I’m a little disappointed,” Usher says in the video, part of Dupri’s “Living the Life” series on YouTube. (This particular clip BELOW features “The Ocean 5,” as Usher, Dupri, Austin, Bryan-Michael Cox and — Tyrone?— refer to themselves).
Usher — who is relatively quiet throughout the clip, as compared to Austin and Cox — says that instead of riding around on a jet ski, Brown should “have a little bit of remorse” for his allegedly violent incident with Rihanna. (Brown was charged with two felonies today for the alleged incident on February 8, when a police detective said a brutal argument between the singers occurred after a pre-Grammy party in Los Angeles).
“After the other photo [of Rihanna’s bruised face posted by TMZ last month]? C’mon, Chris. Have a little bit of remorse, man. The man’s on jet skis? Like, just relaxing in Miami?”
Most of the video, however, shows the guys clowning around in rather loose, and occasionally profane fashion — including insulting a recent photo of singer Christina Milian (above) shot at the Atlanta Hawks/Cleveland Cavaliers game. (See the rest of our gallery from that star-studded game this past weekend).
After you watch it, tell us do you think Usher said anything to apologize for?
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Keri Hilson Taking On Beyonce?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As Atlanta singer-songwriter Keri Hilson’s long-put-off debut, “In A Perfect World… ,” rolls up to another release date (March 24), a remix of her No. 2 single “Turnin Me On” (with Lil Wayne) has hit the airwaves, and many say it sounds like she’s taking a swipe at superstar Beyonce.
“That right there could be a career-ending verse,” V-103’s Frank Ski said this morning when Miss Sophia played a portion of it during her “Girl Talk” entertainment report. “She don’t want it with Jay-Z’s wife.”
Hear an uncensored version — fair warning — of a YouTube clip of it below, and give us your take on what Hilson (pictured above, far left, with 95.5 The Beat’s CJ, producer Polow Da Don and publishing executive Ethiopia Habtemariam) is saying:
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See Janelle Monae For Free Tonight
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two Atlanta artists with Diddy connections — recent Grammy nominee Janelle Monae and D. Woods of Danity Kane — along with Jimi Cravity, will all be performing tonight FOR FREE at Sambuca (3102 Piedmont Rd.).
It’s part of Byron Wright of BMI’s weekly showcase, Feng Shui, at the venue. (And if you know Sambuca, you know you can’t get in wearing athletic gear.)
Doors open at 10 p.m. . Planning to be there? Seen Janelle Monae before? (Watch a YouTube clip of her “Many Moons” short BELOW) What about D Woods — solo?
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Rate The New Ciara (With Young Jeezy) Video
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A few weeks ago we solicited your opinions on Atlanta R&B singer Ciara’s latest single “Never Ever” (featuring Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy), from her upcoming CD, “Fantasy Ride.”
Now we have a YouTube clip of the the video. Again, your thoughts…
(Oh - and the bonus below that is the clip Ciara posted on her site from the video shoot of her upcoming single “Love Sex Magic” with Justin Timberlake).
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How Was Your Musical Weekend?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Snow aside, there was still a lot of heat on the Atlanta Music scene this past weekend:
Ben Folds (above) performed with University of Georgia a cappella group With Someone Else’s Money at the Tabernacle Friday; the same evening DJ Doc was celebrating his birthday at the Heaven/Spreadlove party at 595 North.
Pop pin-ups Jonas Brothers surprised moviegoers at the Regal Hollywood 24, where “The Jonas Brothers: 3D Experience” was showing. (SEE OUR GALLERY)
Atlanta’s own Mastodon headlined the Scion Rock Fest at Masquerade Saturday as well. (SEE OUR GALLERY).
And having the King — LeBron “King” James, that is — in town as his Cavaliers faced the Atlanta Hawks Sunday, was reason enough the night before for producer Polow Da Don (above with James) to throw a private party at MF Buckhead; where fellow producers Jermaine Dupri, Jazze Pha and Drumma Boy, TLC’s new “Celebrity Apprentice” Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins, rapper-actor Bow Wow and “Real Housewives of Atlanta’s” Sheree Whitfield were spotted.
Were you at any of these events over the weekend? Know of any other cool happenings? (Like whatever happened at the Lenny’s anniversary show Friday?)
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