Georgia Boy Choir Auditions Now Being Held

I received a press notice from the Georgia Boy Choir saying they're holding auditions. They sent a pdf file, which means I have to re-type it and I'm just basically lazy so I thought I'd write a short blog instead. Yep, I prefer to copy and paste, so shoot me.

It's for boys 5 to 12. I can see from reading the pdf that there are a lot of great benefits and opportunities. I'll let you go to the web page to read about them... The phone number for more info is 404-402-4083, the web address is...well, it's not on the pdf. Huh. Let's see if the 'register here' button works... yup, it works. It took me to www.georgiaboychoir.org/audition (no S after boy).

I've heard the Georgia Boy Choir and they are fabulous. If you have a boy in the age bracket who has a voice that more than just Mom thinks is good, give it a shot.

Here's a sampling:

99X Announced Mistle Toe Jam

Switchfoot, American Bang and Paper Tongues Scheduled to Appear

After a two-year hiatus, 99X, Atlanta's Alternative rock station now on 97.9FM, has announced the return of its legendary holiday concert, Mistle Toe Jam. This year's concert, taking place at Center Stage Atlanta on December 7, 2010, will feature performances from Switchfoot, American Bang and Paper Tongues. Past performers have included: Modest Mouse, Silversun Pickups, The Shins, OK GO, Jet and AFI amongst others.

Mistle Toe Jam tickets are on sale for $19.79 at all Ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000. Mistle Toe Jam is 21+ and brought to you by Bacardi.

When: December 7, 2010
7p.m. - Doors
8 p.m. - Show

Where: Center Stage
1374 W. Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
404.875.9364

Who: Switchfoot, American Bang and Paper Tongues
Cost: $19.79. www.ticketmaster.com
Ages: 21+
Website: www.99X.com
Parking: There is ample parking beneath Center Stage and in the surrounding areas. Cash only.

Canadian Tenors to Make Southeast Debut Nov 20th

Atlanta Symphony Hall, Memorial Arts Building, Woodruff Arts Center

Saturday, November 20, 2010, 8:00 p.m.

Canadian Tenors
Members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Single tickets for these performances are $25 to $75. All single tickets for the 2010–2011 are on sale now, and available online at atlantasymphony.org, or by calling (404) 733-5000. Tickets may also be purchased at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office, located in the Woodruff Arts Center at 15th and Peachtree Streets. Box office hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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Heard them on PBS or PBA or GPTV, one of those public broadcasting stations... the Candadian Tenors are fantastic, wonderful, awesome! I'm going to see them when they're here so will let you know how they are live. Talk about a switcheroo when it comes to music --- the following weekend I'm going to see Joe Bonamassa at the Rivers Center in Columbus! If I could see Eric Clapton the following weekend, then Gary Moore the next, then Steve Vai, then Jackson Browne, Scorpions, John Legend, um, the list is long. Ah, another concert I want to see when it hits town is Elton John and Leon Russell. Boz Scaggs... Neil Young... Santana... Creed... Hinder...

Joe Bonamassa LIVE in Columbus, GA Nov 27

Joe Bonamassa (@jbonamassa on Twitter) is going to be at the River Center for the Performing Arts in Columbus, Georgia on November 27th. It is going to be a fantastically phenomenal concert... and I'm gonna be there!



Joe has been playing and touring professionally since he was a baby! His first tour was with B.B. King!!! I can't begin to imagine what it must have been like. Here's a snippet from his "about" page:

"A child prodigy, Bonamassa was finessing Stevie Ray Vaughan licks when he was seven and by the time he was ten, had caught B.B. King’s ear. After first hearing him play, King said, “This kid’s potential is unbelievable. He hasn’t even begun to scratch the surface. He’s one of a kind.” By age 12, Bonamassa was opening shows for the blues icon and went on to tour with venerable acts including Buddy Guy, Foreigner, Robert Cray, Stephen Stills, Joe Cocker and Gregg Allman."

I love his music! Here's a link to his website so you can grab your own tickets: http://jbonamassa.com/

This is one of my favorites on his new release, Black Rock:


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www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com

Random Act of Culture

Talkmaster Neal Boortz (Atlanta) had a random act of culture segment on his radio show this morning. I didn't get to listen, but just saw this tweet (@talkmaster) and thought it was a fabulous 'random act of culture', had to share!

Paolo Nutini - It Must Be Love

One of the things I love about Twitter and Blip is that I get to hear music that I might not ever hear in my normal travels. @DaveGrossBlues tweeted a link to a Paolo Nutini tune, I clicked and listened, and I really liked it... so of course I went on a discovery tour of Nutini's music. I'll be blipping his music again! Here's one of my all-time favorite tunes that he covered (Crazy):



Now I'm off on a search for Crazy covers... listening to Nelly Furtado version as I type this last bit.

p.s. Thanks @DaveGrossBlues

Wow, Handel's Messiah ROCKS!

...and it's going to rock out at the Fabulous Fox Theatre! I was just over on YouTube listening to a few clips and it's great. I was amazed at how they've taken this well-known classical oratorio and turned it into a fun concert that any age or music-type lover can enjoy. I think hearing Handel performed in a rock version is going to give some people who yawn at classical music a better appreciation. They definitely won't be yawning at this show!

Here's a sampling from a performance from a while back --- these might not be the same performers that they'll have at "our" Fox show, but it'll be just as good if not better!



Classic Music Meets Classic Rock: Handel’s Messiah Rocks @ Fox Theatre One Night Only: Sunday, Nov 21

“We are delighted to bring a glorious night of music to the Fabulous Fox Theatre with Handel’s Messiah Rocks on Sunday, November 21 at 7 pm,” states Christopher B. Manos, Producer of Theater of the Stars. “This groundbreaking musical event blends classical music with classic rock and breathes new life into George Fredrick Handel’s most performed oratorio. It is sure to be an unforgettable evening! Tickets are on sale NOW at Ticketmaster outlets, the Fox Theatre Box Office, by calling 800-982-2787, or online at www.ticketmaster.com.  And there are special group rates available through Fox Theatre... More

Macy Gray at Buckhead Theatre Tomorrow Night!

Macy Gray will be at Buckhead Theatre Wednesday night. Doors open at 8 p.m. She's just released her album "The Sellout". Can't wait to see her here in Atlanta!

Here's Kissed It from her new album:



and then an older tune you may remember (should!):



Arts Across Georgia
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com

Ian McFeron and Alisa Milner Live at Java Monkey Nov 10

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 – 8:00 pm (Free!)
Java Monkey, 205 East Ponce De Leon Avenue, Decatur, GA 30030 - (404) 378-1852

Seattle-based, singer/songwriter Ian McFeron has big plans for 2010. This year he is slated to perform over 200 shows, all while functioning as his own, independent record label, booking agency, and management company.

“The music industry and the economy at large are facing a lot of challenges right now and there is a lot of speculation about when things are going to turn around, and what that will look like. It’s left a lot of people in limbo, wondering which way to go. I figure that’s a good time for musicians to get back to basics and do what they’ve always done: travel the nation, inspire listeners, and build community.”

The age of digital sharing and declining music sales has been coupled with a receding global economy, hitting independents particularly hard as the middle class budget crunch leaves less disposable income for entertainment.

“You see a lot more people coming up in groups to buy cds, pitching in a couple bucks each to buy one album and then pass it around digitally. You hear a lot of the clubs say their attendance is down 30% or more.”

But when times get tough, musicians have always relied on their creativity to find opportunities in the midst of adversity.

“I know some folks that are excited about building an online presence through social networking; others talk about publishing revenue from the growing number of web stream music sites and how to get a buzz on YouTube. For me, music has always been about community and there’s no substitute for in the flesh live performance. I’ve always found that if I take the risk and get out there, if I play with sincerity and sing from the heart, the money works itself out somehow. If you can create those spiritual moments of intimacy with the audience they’ll encourage you to come back.”

With his first national tour under his belt, a full schedule of summer concerts and festivals, and another run of the nation planned this fall, McFeron estimates he will perform over 200 shows in 2010.

“There is something very blue-collar about being an independent touring musician, and that has always been comforting to me for some reason. I have a friend whose parents have a family farm outside Boise, Idaho, and talking with them I’m always surprised by how many parallels there are between what we do and what they do. When we break new ground in new parts of the country, I always feel like we’re out there sowing seeds, getting our roots going and nurturing strong, healthy stalks. And if we’re successful in doing that, we can come back through and reap the harvest. But you don’t get to escape the first part- you have to put your time in and take the risks and pour your heart into it first. Real success always follows some passionate gamble, I think.”

Ian McFeron takes the stage at Java Monkey on Wednesday, November 10th at 8:00pm, joined by long time musical partner Alisa Milner, a Texas-style fiddler, cellist, and harmony vocalist.

"Ian McFeron plays an earthy yet sophisticated blend of folk, rock, alternative-country and blues that belies the band's youthfulness. And it's danceable, too.” - Gene Stout, Seattle Music Critic
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Arts Across Georgia
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com

Fran Healy - New CD

Rolling Stone mag tweeted a link to a live session they filmed at RS. I just listened to the three tunes and loved 'em all. Paul McCartney plays on one (not at RS, on the album). I think you'll like them, too!

Joe Bonamassa with Eric Clapton, Further on up the Road, Royal Albert Hall

I tweeted this a little earlier, sorry to those who're seeing it twice (although it's worth seeing a hundred times!). Wanted to post on my blog... which feeds to Twitter... which then feeds to Facebook. So you're all going to double-dip. Wonder if there's a way to turn off the feed selectively on here? Hmmm... I'm not seeing anything in the post options. Guess if I remember I'll send a suggestion to blogger. I have the ability to turn it off and on in Twitter and Blip.

Enjoy Joe Bonamassa with Clapton. Quite a combo.

The Buckhead Theatre Presents Macy Gray

Grammy award winning, multi-platinum artist, Macy Gray will grace the stage of the Buckhead Theatre Wednesday, October 27th. For over a decade Gray has parlayed her utterly unique voice into R&B stardom offering a fresh alternative to mainstream soul. Gray’s most recent album, The Sellout, is her first album released in three years and proves that she hasn’t missed a beat. Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

Buckhead Theatre
3110 Roswell Rd
Atlanta, GA 30305
www.thebuckheadtheatre.com

General Info: 404-THE-BUCK
Box Office: 404-981-6168

When: Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Time: Doors open at 8:00 pm
Cost: $26 General Admission in advance
Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com
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