Turkey Day Festivities Abound!
Friday, November 26th, 2010
…as seen on HometownHeadlines.com…
By Bryan Mullins
WEDNESDAY
One of the most enjoyable things about Thanksgiving in Rome is the nightlife that comes along with it. It begins on Wednesday. It’s made up of folks who are returning, visiting, or folks that are here and just enjoy not having to work the next day. Here’s what’s in store this year.
David Bell is one of the most respected singer/songwriters in Northwest Georgia. Former frontman of the Dirt Dobbers, one half of the power duo Thunderbolt Patterson, and long time member of the Rome Area Songwriters Association, Bell is a natural with unquestionable passion for his art. His latest album, Raw Nerves, is a must have. Check him out at the Moon Roof Bar and pick up the album for yourself.
It wouldn’t be the holidays without The Groundhawgs. For almost a decade now The Groundhawgs have been picking, stomping, and wailing out a stripped down, gather-round-one-mic, old time string band sound. For at least the last 5 years they have thrown memorable Thanksgiving shindigs at the 400 Block Bar. It’s time for another round of what has become tradition this Wednesday. An added special treat is an opener by Payton Bradford, multi-instrumentalist member of the Athens-based space country band, Futurebirds.
THURSDAY
Today is the day you enjoy your loved ones and be thankful for all that you have. Don’t take anything for granted.
FRIDAY
By now you’ve either been with the extended or immediate family a little too long and are feeling a bit claustrophobic. Or perhaps you want to take the whole family out and show them a good time. You’re going to want to go to see Atomic Boogie at 333 on Broad. This band radiates enough energy to shake off your tryptophan coma and shake your turkey leg to some upbeat jump blues and rockabilly swing. This is one of those rare bands that can actually be enjoyed by your little brother home from college, your mom who has every Elvis record, and your biker uncle who rolled into town a few days ago.
Renee Mixon is a well loved local singer/songwriter who has built a loyal fanbase through her honest and heart to heart songwriting over the last ten years. Her love of people and song is widely apparent in her music and in her two albums If I Could Live in a Picture and Just So You Know. She will return to the Moon Roof Bar on Friday night, a cozy venue that is perfect for Renee’s music.
SATURDAY
Sam Hunt went from quarterback to country songwriter in a flash. Hunt is a Cedartown native moved on to be a star quarterback at UAB. After graduating from college he shifted gears, and headed up to Nashville to try out his hand at a recording career. He’s had a lot of great success but always loves coming back to the area for the holidays. He’ll be at 333 on Broad this Saturday night.
If you don’t know who Scott Warren is then you just haven’t been paying attention. He’s the guy that wails on the guitar, blasts out booming vocals, sings and plays bass for Captain Soularcat, and has his own acoustic group called the Booze Mountaineers. He’s got no problem with Southern blues, rock, and country as long as it’s from the heart and soul. If you still don’t know, check him out Saturday at the 400 Block Bar and you’ll see what I mean.
So what if you like it raw, loud, and intense? Is there a punk rock venue in Rome? No, unfortunately. But there are ambitious artists and there are house shows and there will be a great one this Saturday at 7 Myrtle Street. Scheduled to play are Drop Dead Nasty, The Pox, Hill Street Hooligans, and Local Union. I haven’t seen the latter two but I can vouch that The Pox and Drop Dead Nasty are not your average modern mall store accessory having punk rockers. These guys are the real deal, in-your-face, high energy, raw rock n’ roll that you’ve been missing.
Everyone have a safe and happy holiday!
-More Mullins: Check his website, MullinsMania, for expanded entertainment coverage. Join Mullins and Matt D on The Ridge 95.7 FM weekdays, 7-9 a.m.
