Bulletin Blog

Renee Mixon is excited about the release of her third CD, Dance With Me. You can hear some song samples and see some photos on her website, ReneeMixon.com. The CD release party/concert will be upstairs at Old Havana on March 29th at 8pm. There will be a $5 cover.

Harvest Moon Café has consistently supported local art and music since its move to Broad Street in 2001. As a restaurant and music venue, the Moon is always prepared to experiment. The addition of the Moon Roof Bar has provided a fantastic outlet for treasured local musicians like David Bell. Russell McClanahan leads a crew of pickers and singers for down-home dinner music on Thursday evenings in the dining room. I am most thankful that the Moon granted us folks the opportunity to watch the legendary Kasper “Stranger” Malone perform almost weekly until his passing in 2005

As the progression continues, the Moon is adding a new flavor to their cultural music menu. On the first Friday of each month, they intend to close the kitchen at its usual time, keep the dining room open serving beverages, and provide featured acts from around the Southeast. February kicked off the season with Rome’s own Little Country Giants, and was a great success

The March rendition of the series brings Atlanta based jazz/funk septet Cadillac Jones. The combination of bass, drums, guitar, keyboard, turntables, tenor sax, and trombone allows for very thick rhythms and groove. The band observes the era of films like Shaft and Superfly, and groundbreaking jazz/funk artists like Herbie Hancock or The Crusaders. Their first album, 2003’s Junk in the Trunk, took off and launched the band to steady gigging around the Southeast. Their second album, The Big Takedown, is a soundtrack to a movie concept in the classic blacksploitation genre of the 70’s. It was released in 2006 by the Atlanta based indie hip-hop label ATF Records, and has been a quite an achievement. I think Jody told me they were working on a new release.

Jody Howard, who bartends evenings at the Moon Roof Bar, invited me to ride with him to see the band several years ago. I had heard of them and I do like the funk, so I decided to tag along. The band was smokin’ hot on stage and the crowd was equally enthused. There were some very smooth sounds, let me tell you. Before too long, a break-dance circle erupted in front of the stage. The act that followed got postponed because the fire marshal declared that the room was too full. Will this happen at Harvest Moon? I doubt it, so don’t let this description dissuade your attendance if you are a mild-mannered concert goer. The gents exemplified nothing but class and professionalism throughout the show. Positive energy was abundant.

The show will begin this Friday night at 10pm in the Harvest Moon dining room. The cover charge is ten dollars and includes one free drink. To listen to Cadillac Jones, visit them online at www.cadillacjones.com or at www.myspace.com/cadillacjones. Check out the video for “Tarzan.”