We know the Atlanta music scene is a big deal, but it seems National Public Radio knows it, too.

Today, NPR begins a summer music series on "All Things Considered" about cities' local music scenes. The segments will delve into specific aspects of each city's music scene, speak to some of the musicians and examine how a sense of place influences the music.

First up in the series is a piece on Atlanta's indie soul scene, which will air today. This initial installment was the suggestion of an NPR staffer, "Talk of the Nation" director Gwen Outen, series editor Tom Cole says.

"She's just a big fan of the music and she put together a really interesting pitch, talking about how the scene developed, how it evolved and what's happened to it since the heyday of the '90s," Cole says. "We thought it was a good story and decided to start there."

For the inaugural report, NPR spoke with one of the scene's biggest success stories, India Arie, along with fellow musicians Anthony David and Julie Dexter, and Freddy Luster, owner of the now-defunct Yin Yang Cafe, among others.

The series will continue at roughly two-week intervals, at least through the summer.

In the coming weeks, Cole says, there will be segments on a burgeoning rock en Espanol scene in Charlotte, and the thriving avant-garde jazz community in Albuquerque.

"All Things Considered" airs locally on WABE-FM (90.1) from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Frenchie's success

Frenchie Davis managed just fine without "American Idol," thank you very much.

After being unceremoniously booted in 2003 from the show after topless photos were found on the Web, the vocal powerhouse landed a job on Broadway's "Rent," a job she kept for four years.

And this summer, she's doing concerts at a host of Pride festivals across the country, from Boston to Los Angeles to Atlanta tonight at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center with CeCe Peniston, Thelma Houston and Expose.

"As a college student, one way I made money was singing in local gay clubs," Davis told Buzz. "They've supported me and appreciated my talent, so when they call for me to perform, I say yes!"

She spent time earlier this year recuperating from surgery to remove a polyp from her left vocal cord and now says her booming voice is just fine.

She plans to whip out a new dance single, "You Are," as well as some Whitney Houston at the concert. And she's happy.

"I've been making a living doing what I love to do," she said. "My major in college was theater, so I was already groomed for it."

Her next theater role this fall is in "Ain't Misbehavin' " with Season 2 "Idol" winner and recently betrothed Ruben Studdard. The tour lands in Atlanta in mid November at the Fox Theatre.

Grand lineup for Southern Exposure

Bruce Wells, the architect behind this weekend's two-day Southern Exposure concert series at Front Page News on Crescent Avenue in Midtown admits he was possibly a little too enthusiastic when booking the festival.

"Originally, it was going to be a three-day event," conceded Wells, laughing Thursday. "And then I came to my senses. On paper, it was beginning to look like Live Aid!"

Still, the lineup of 22 gay and lesbian singer-songwriters and musical acts Wells has assembled for the 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. shows tonight and Saturday during the city's annual Pride festival is impressive.

Among those participating: Richard Solomon, Mike Rickard, the Sexual Side Effects, Angela Motter, Eric Himan, the Wayne Fishell Experiment, Sean Kagalis, Richard Bicknell and the Shameless Lovers, Guyton Maurice, Tracy Rice and Flat Cat.

Southern Exposure began a year ago as a weekly live music series at Blake's on the Park.

Currently, it runs Thursday nights at F.R.O.G.S. Cantina in Midtown. Wells, a graphic designer and illustrator by day, says the eclectic musical mix of acts reflects his own tastes.

"Typically, whenever you go out to a gay club, the first thing you're hit with is some dance remix of something. I was kinda raised by hippies. I grew up listening to Leonard Cohen, Dylan and punk. Now, I listen to everything from Miles Davis, Nina Simone, Pink Floyd and electronica. I remember thinking: 'I can't be all by myself here.' "

Subsequently, over the course of a year of Thursday nights at Southern Exposure shows, Wells has made a lot of new friends. Atlanta's gay and lesbian musical community, along with photographers and other artists have been introduced to one another and have become fans of each others' work.

In fact, Wells' MySpace page for the Southern Exposure series has evolved into its own networking universe.

"It's so gratifying," he says. "I'm not an activist in the traditional sense, but this has become really important to me to put this music and positive energy out there for everyone to enjoy."

Details: www.myspace.com/southernexposure atlanta.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

Advice columnist Abigail Van Buren is 90. Actress Eva Marie Saint is 84. TV talk show host Geraldo Rivera is 65. Percussionist Domingo Ortiz of Widespread Panic is 56. Guitarist Kirk Pengilly of INXS is 50. Bassist Matt Malley of Counting Crows is 45.

OVERSCENE

Ubiquitous Atlanta hip-hop sensation T-Pain was seen watching the Dethklok concert at the sold-out Tabernacle Wednesday night. This was a live-band version of Adult Swim's cartoon heavy-metal band from its show "Metalocalpyse" and part of 28-city national tour.

Contributing: Rodney Ho, Richard Eldredge, Shane Harrison and news services

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