By Bryan Mullins

Mullinsmania.com

What an exciting weekend ahead. For the fourth year in a row, Rome is hosting the NAIA National Championship football game, which means that downtown Rome will be full of football fans on a mission to have a great time. Here are a few highlights of other events to check out this weekend:

The Acts of Random Theater group will somehow manage to fit in every Christmas story every told in their fun dinner theater production called Every Christmas Story Ever Told.

There will be some great live music this weekend including local favorites likeBackswing, Jon Byrd, and Scott Thompson; rock ‘n’ roll party bands like Daddy Irvand MissUsed; an evening of jazz featuring vocalist Rai Ragland; the new wave grooves of My Ninja; and the Southern heavy metal thunder of Black Friday.

I can’t forget to mention an exciting event coming on Sunday. The DeSoto Theatre will host a live radio broadcast of A Christmas Carol. It’s in the style of old-time radio broadcasts equipped with sound effects, live commercials and a talented group excited about the show. You can attend the show at the DeSoto or listen to the live broadcast on WLAQ 1410 AM and The Ridge 95.7 FM.

-Hear Bryan and Matt D weekdays from 7-9 a.m. on The Ridge 95.7 FM.

By Bryan Mullins

Mullinsmania.com

I can’t believe we are well into the final month of 2011. Where did the time go? I guess time flies when you’re having fun, and there’s no doubt that 2011 was full of it. I hate to sound like a broken record but this weekend is, once again, full of talented entertainment.

Choose from a splendid variety of acts including the alternative pop rock of After the Crash, the talented and witty duo of Ian Griffin and Stephen Smith; the county fried Southern rock of Bush Hawg; the indie Americana ofPrecious Lemons; the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll power duo of Thunderbolt Patterson; and the acoustic power pop of Jason Lyles; just to name a few. That was the longest sentence I’ve ever written. I’m sure my previous English teachers are disgusted. Nonetheless, do take advantage of these great opportunities. And as always, have a good time but make sure to keep safety first.

-Hear Bryan and Matt D weekdays from 7-9 a.m. on The Ridge 95.7 FM.

Mullinsmania.com

How about that Thanksgiving week? When it came to good tunes, there was a feast! I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable time with their family and friends. I’m thankful that I managed to. If you didn’t get to hit the town and check out any live music, do not fear. There will be plenty to go around this weekend as well.

Don’t forget that Thursday nights offer some great opportunities to enjoy some acoustic entertainment and a nice dinner simultaneously. Russell McClanahan & the Moon Crew have become a Thursday night fixture with their homage to old time string band music. Fans of Jon Byrd have enjoyed his intimate acoustic performances on Thursday evenings as well.

Friday and Saturday host a smorgasbord of local and regional talent including the ragtime blues of Lon Eldridge, the swamp boogie blues of Kid Dynamite, the sonic roots rock of Thunderbolt Patterson, the lively pop rock of Stevie Monce, the Georgia slop rock of Muletide Perkins Trio, and the acoustic soul of Scott Thompson, Cory Tucker and Brent McDonald. I love having great options and 2011 has been an incredible year for that. And I am still thankful for it.

AND, this is the opening weekend of Rome Little Theatre’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life!

-Hear Bryan and Matt D weekdays from 7-9 a.m. on The Ridge 95.7 FM.

 Wednesday night will host to good times aplenty with some of Rome’s finest and favorite musical acts, including David Bell, Scott Thompson, Jerry on the Moon, and Kneckdown. With a lineup like that, this Thanksgiving will surely be one to remember, but make sure to play it smart and safe because nobody wants to ruin their own or anyone else’s holiday.

 Thursday will obviously be pretty quiet but there may be some places open if you must get out of the house. Friday and Saturday are business as usual downtown and will offer more great live music from acts like My Ninja, Sarah Peacock, Donny Hammonds, Dixie Duncan, and the Sam Hunt Band. Gobble, gobble! Enjoy your giblet gravy!

By Bryan Mullins

www.mullinsmania.com

There are a couple of cool events going on this weekend that are not on the typical weekly roster. For one, the City Club above Old Havana is hosting an Open Mic Comedy Night featuring local cut-ups. If you have a short routine up your sleeve get in contact with James Schroeder on Facebook. It’s free to get in but donations never hurt.

It’s also the season finale for the Rome Rollergirls. I’ve been meaning to catch them all season long but always have conflicting schedules. From what I’ve heard, these roller derby bouts are super fun and something fresh for Rome. I’ve also heard that this is not a sissy sport. They’ll be taking on the River Region Rollergirls.

When it comes to music, then have no fear. There are top shelf acts in the respected venues in town including Thunderbolt Patterson, the dynamic duo of song and sound. The blues drenched rockabilly ramblings of the John Lee Hookers are on tap, as well as the cranked up country and Southern rock of Runnin’ Wild. Badluck Road is an alternative and modern rock band from Cedartown. They’ll be getting down this weekend as well as the funky fresh keyboard driven stylings of My Ninja.

By Bryan Mullins

www.mullinsmania.com

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable Halloween. It was definitely exciting and eventful. Typically the week after Halloween is pretty mellow but this year has been full of fun things to do throughout Rome.

If you still have a hankering for some Halloween action and some good laughs, then you’ll want to check out the dinner theater this weekend at 333 on Broad. The Acts of Random Theater group strikes again with a family dinner theater comedy called Dracula’s Daughters. Make reservations as soon as you can because seats are going fast.

The local venues will be providing great music this weekend including the funky alternative rock of the Cornbread Killers; great singer/songwriters like Cory Tucker and Brent McDonald; the wild space jams of Dingus Con; the rock ‘n’ roll favorites performed by Daddy Irv; and the Atlanta area’s number one jump blues and rockabilly swing band, Atomic Boogie.

With artists like this in town this weekend, folks who aren’t still worn out from Halloween will have plenty of great options to choose from. For the venues and more entertainment options, please see MullinsMania.

-Hear Bryan and Matt D weekdays from 7-9 a.m. on The Ridge 95.7 FM.

By Bryan Mullins

www.mullinsmania.com

Thursday evenings are perfect for dinner and some live music around the Rome area. Russell McClanahan & the mOOn Crew perform old time string band music in the Harvest Moon dining room, which has become a downtown Rome tradition.

Johnny’s Pizza has expanded its live music to Thursdays and tonight they’ll host David Elliott, a local songwriter who guitar playing is equally as impressive as his original material. Both are great.

Jon Byrd performs acoustic originals and favorites in the downstairs bar at 333 on Broad, which has recently become a weekly favorite as well.

Brother Huff’s Microbrewery is hosting a Thirsty Thursday event tonight with bar poker, beer pong, and buy one get one free brews with a college ID. They’ve also got a seasonal pumpkin ale that has already made a name for itself around town.

FRIDAY

This weekend is going to be filled with fun options to celebrate Halloween.

On Friday night, the Chieftains Museum will host Haunted Ballads by the River featuring music from Lynn West Bains and Phil Helton. This is a great opportunity to listen to some great spooky tunes by two great artists.

The Rome Little Theatre’s production of Dracula is a hit and there are multiple opportunities to catch their performance this Friday and Saturday night, a matinee show on Sunday, and then the final performance on Halloween night, which is of course, is Monday.

Jason Lyles will bring his acoustic power pop and alt rock sound to Johnny’s New York Style Pizza this Friday. Lyles is a Chattanooga-based artist who has released multiple albums over the last couple of years and has really developed a sound of his own.

The John Lee Hookers will light up the Moon Roof Bar with their excellent tribute to classic blues and rockabilly swing. Clay Broome has thrown together an amazing combo with former student Chris Carter on the bass and Chuck Harris holds it all together on the drums. If you like early roots of rock ‘n’ roll, these guys are a must see.

The 400 Block Bar will host music by Stephen Smith and Ian Griffin. These two guys really know how to play and have a blast every time they get together. You may recognize them as It’s My Island. Not sure what they’ll be called this time around but I’m sure it will be something clever.

The Ledge is opened in the old McCrobie’s building and they are kicking it off right with a punk rock Halloween extravaganza featuring three of the areas most supercharges bands: Unseen Stimuli, Nosecone Prophets, and The Pox. These guys really blow it out of the water. Come check it out if you like the old school punk rock.

SATURDAY

Chieftains Museum will host another fun and frightful event called Hallowed Hauntings. A local group of storytellers, the Seven Hills Tellers, will share ghost stories and spooky folklore to those who enjoy a good scare.

This Saturday evening Johnny’s New York Style Pizza will host the music of Scott Thompson. He’s a pro and one of Rome’s favorites when it comes to playing his original tunes, a wide array of crowd favorites, and dispensing good vibes throughout the venue.

Donny Hammonds is another artist who has been very busy this year playing all over the tri-state area. He’s got a stack of tunes that would take three weeks to hear so you never know what you’ll get. Chances are, it’s what you ask for. He’ll be at the Moon Roof Bar on Saturday.

The Schroeder’s Courtyard will be serving up that good ol’ Georgia slop rock with a Halloween Meltdown featuring Muletide Perkins Trio, Graham & Vann, and some surprise guests. These guys are always looking to have a good time so throw on a costume and kick start the night of with the Floyd County freaks.

The 400 Block Bar has been synonymous with Halloween for years now and this year it will be no exception. The night will be in full force with My Ninja providing the tunes. These guys know how to get a party started with their keyboard driven left of the dial ’80s new wave style.

Stevie Monce is an Atlanta area singer/songwriter that is not afraid to get down and dirty with his band. His Americana and pop rock infusion has done very well over the last few years and has sold out 333 on Broad on previous visits. There’s no question that he will be bringing it with 110 percent Saturday night at the 3s.

-Hear Bryan and Matt D weekdays from 7-9 a.m. on The Ridge 95.7 FM.

By Bryan Mullins

www.mullinsmania.com

TONIGHT

Russell McClanahan & the mOOn Crew have made it their business to entertain the Thursday dinner crowd at Harvest Moon with old time string band music, which has become one of Rome’s richest new traditions.

The evening crowd at 333 on Broad has really been enjoying Jon Byrd in the downstairs bar on Thursdays. Jon is one of Rome’s favorite singer/songwriters and this is an all ages dinner show fit for the whole family.

FRIDAY

Friday evening brings the first annual Fall Into Peace Concert hosted by The Rome/Floyd International Association and the MLK Commission of Rome and Northwest Georgia. The goal of this event is to provide an environment where everyone is welcome and to enjoy music influenced from different parts of the world. Some of the bands featured are the Kirtan Bandits, Emjay Cubed, Mountain Top Djembe Experience, and the Sundari Bellydancing Troupe. If you enjoy unity through music then you’ll want to bring the whole family to Bridgepoint Plaza.

Rome Little Theatre presents the opening night of their production of Dracula based on the novel by Bram Stroker. This has been one of the theaters most anticipated productions of the season and the players are ready unravel a frightful tale in Rome’s one and only historic DeSoto Theater.

Sarah Peacock is a countrified pop vocalist and songwriter that is not afraid to bring it to wherever she’s at, which is all over the place. Touring nationally with over 200 dates a year, the Atlanta native is returning to Johnny’s New York Style Pizza this Friday night.

The 400 Block Bar will host Scott Warren and his merry band of Booze Mountaineers. Warren has been an anchor for the Rome music scene through thick and thin. The Booze Mountaineers is his most recent project assembling some of the areas finest musicians and a passion for what he has appropriately coined Appalachian rock.

There’s no question that Brian Collins is about to get his party on this Friday night at 333 on Broad, blending equal parts Americana, Southern rock, and pop. He’s got some great original party tunes and just stepped off the KISS Kruise rock boat. We’ll sea if he’s shaken his sea legs.

Muletide Perkins Trio is geared up for a night of boisterous fun, hyjinks, and a trough full of Georgia slop rock at the Moon Roof Bar, a place that they always look forward to playing, especially this time of year.

SATURDAY

The annual Chiaha Harvest Fair began forty-six years ago in a parking lot off of Broad Street. It has grown so much that Ridge Ferry Park is packed every year with arts and crafts, great fall food, and an incredible lineup of music. Some new musical acts this year include Julie Gribble, Out of the Rain, and The Van Lears. The fall season in Rome would not be the same without it. Chiaha is at Ridge Ferry Park this Saturday and Sunday.

Donny Hammonds is one hard working dude. He gigs constantly all over the region and pulls songs from a huge catalog of favorites that are nonstop crowd pleasers. He performs acoustically Saturday night at Johnny’s New York Style Pizza. There’s a good chance that if you name it, he’ll play it.

The Moon Roof Bar is bringing a fresh face to town with Arlo Finch, a well-known and respected Atlanta area singer/songwriter who feels right at home with a guitar, a microphone, and a head full of original tunes inspired by artists like Guy Clark, Robert Earl Keen, and Jon Prine.

Sam Thacker is a young man whose hard work has really paid off as a songwriter. His most recent album, Lines, has earned him a growing fan base that loves his original music and magnetic personality. His shows at 333 on Broad have been very well received. He’ll return there on Saturday.

Bent in Bama is a young but extremely talented four-piece band that has been invading Rome from the west over the past year. They bring a surprisingly fresh blend of country and rock that really makes for a driving yet smooth sound all at the same time. They have been a great addition to the local music scene and will return to the 400 Block Bar on Saturday.

-Hear Bryan and Matt D weekdays from 7-9 a.m. on The Ridge 95.7 FM.

By Bryan Mullins

www.mullinsmania.com

TONIGHT

The Rome Area Songwriters Association will host its monthly songwriters night in the Schroeder’s Courtyard. These concerts began in the courtyard about 11 years ago and have come full circle having returned this year. Thursdays concert features original music from David Bell, Barry Gables and Jule Medders. The concert is free and everyone is invited.

Russell McClanahan & the mOOn Crew will entertain folks in the Harvest Moon dining room with Appalachian roots music that has been present in this area since the founding of Rome. This weekly show has become a Rome tradition over the last decade.

Jon Byrd will set up shop in the downstairs bar at 333 on Broad for a late dinner show. Jon has become one of Rome’s favorite acoustic artists playing original music and a wide variety of crowd favorites that you can’t help but love.

FRIDAY

This weekend kicks off at lunchtime on Friday with the Walk a Mile In Her Shoes event. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this has been a key event in the community for the last three years. Men, women, and children will walk Broad Street in recognition of victims of domestic violence. The fun catch is that the men will he decked out in fancy women’s footwear. Men from all over the community will participate.

Johnny’s Pizza will be welcoming the dinner crowd with live music from Backswing. Lee Shealy and Alan Smith are two amazing musicians that cover the whole gamut of American music with ease. If you have yet to see them you’re in for a treat.

Jon Byrd will be working overtime this weekend. If you can’t make it out to his Thursday night gig, you’ll have another shot to enjoy his revered acoustic music at the Moon Roof Bar on Friday night.

Mr. Mean’r is one of Rome’s favorite party bands and they’ll be rocking it out in the upstairs lounge at 333 on Broad the Friday night. Melody and the boys cover decades of rock ‘n’ roll favorites and aren’t afraid to crank it up and put on a heck of a show.

The Rome Area History Museum is looking forward to an exciting weekend by hosting a fun fund-raiser called Hog Wild! Bands, Beer, and BBQ! This Friday night at Heritage Park you’ll be able to eat, drink, and rock out to two of Rome’s finest bands in Jerry on the Moon and My Ninja, all while supporting one of Rome’s finest institutions. Also, more fun on Saturday!

SATURDAY

Well, looks like Jon Byrd is seriously working overtime this week! He’ll be returning to Johnny’s New York Style Pizza that Saturday evening to perform his acoustic gems. Big time fans will do their best to catch him all weekend.

Curiosity Shoppe is back in action this Saturday night at 333 on Broad. These guys have been blowing the roof off of venues since 1992. When it comes to modern rock, alternative, and top 40, these guys nail it and put on a very energetic performance that tends to get the crowd really hyped.

Scott Thompson is one of Rome’s favorite singer/songwriters who is known for his honest smile and honest music. He’s earned many fans over the years that always leave smiling as well. He’ll return to the Moon Roof Bar this Saturday to play his acoustic country rock originals and favorites.

Cory Tucker is yet another one of Rome’s favorite acoustic singer/songwriters. His soulful vocals and unique guitar skills draw a loyal following every time he shows up to play. He’ll be back at the 400 Block Bar on Saturday night.

I told you there was more to come for Rome Area History Museum fun. On Saturday night they are hosting yet another fund-raiser called River Reelz where they’ll be showing two great American films down by the river. The films are Night at the Museum 2 and Animal House. Sounds like a blast!

-Hear Bryan and Matt D weekdays from 7-9 a.m. on The Ridge 95.7 FM.