Bulletin Blog

…as seen on HometownHeadlines.com…

By Bryan Mullins

www.mullinsmania.com

TONIGHT

The monthly Poetry Night in the Schroeder’s Courtyard falls this evening revisiting an earlier series called Speaking of Tuscaloosa. The occasion features three Tuscaloosa poets and donations are graciously accepted to benefit the Tuscaloosa Tornado Relief Fund, as they are still recovering from the devastating tornado in late April. The visiting poets this time are A.B. Gorham, and Brian Oliu.

Russell McClanahan & the mOOn Crew will pick old time string band music in the Harvest Moon dining room. Jon Byrd is one of Rome’s favorite acoustic artists and he’ll be playing originals and favorites from multiple genres in the downstairs bar of 333 on Broad. Both of these have become very welcome Thursday night dinner events.

FRIDAY 

If you’re looking for some good grub and dinner music then definitely keep Johnny’s New York Style Pizza in mind as they’ll host the unquestionable talent of Backswing, consisting of Lee Shealy and Alan Smith.

Kevn Kinney is one of Georgia’s favorite musical treasures and his band rocks. They’ve been criss-crossing the Southeast with their nitty-gritty roadhouse sound for years, playing to the most diverse crowd you’ll find, not to mention that his legendary band Drivin N Cryin just released a brand new album. This guy is as real as it gets when it comes to the honest American songster and loves small town gigs just as much as sold out arenas. We’re looking forward to the Kevn Kinney Band’s Friday night performance at 333 on Broad.

The Moon Roof Bar is proud to host Clay Broome’s blues drenched rockabilly ensemble, the John Lee Hookers. This is Broome unleashed with his former student Chris Carter on bass and Chuck Harris holding it down on the kit with the ease. If you love the raw side of early rock ‘n’ roll then these guys are a must.

It looks like we are taking it back to early American music no matter where you go on Friday night because The Rick Byers Band is returning to the 400 Block Bar with their Southern rock and country combo that tends to lean towards that early ’50s and ’60s country and western sound. He has earned a reputation around town to put on one heck of a show.

EmJay Qubed features members of the local world fusion group Devidasa with a more stripped down lineup of Jeffrey Lidke on percussion, multi-instrumentalist Marc Johnson, Josh Stephenson on the keys, and Jim Watkins on guitar. This is a fresh groove and world music oriented sound that can be seen and heard this Friday night in the Schroeder’s Courtyard.

SATURDAY

It’s finally time for the Rome Celebrity Dance Challenge, a fundraiser benefiting the essential efforts of the Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia. This is going to be a showdown including the likes of familiar local faces including veterinarian Dr. Dan Pate, retired Shorter University president Harold Newman, City Commissioner Duane Reed and many more including my main man Matt D! I can’t wait to see these guys break it down for the greater good this Saturday evening at the Rome City Auditorium.

Kneckdown is tried and true one of Rome’s favorite bands, whether it’s just Chris and Jay delivering the goods on their acoustics or if they’ve got their band full of tremendous talent. These guys are always having a great time whenever they play and it has proven to be contagious. This Saturday night you’ll get a chance to catch the stripped down version in the comfy confines of Johnny’s New York Style Pizza.

Ben Deignan and Suburban Soul is an Atlanta-based pop rock and soul band that has been making massive amount of commotion over the last few years with a solid band that drops some really funky tunes over Ben’s original tunes that have earned high remarks from members of Collective Soul and Blues Traveler frontman Jon Popper. They’ll be laying down a nice groove at 333 on Broad this Saturday night.

McNary is a thoughtful and soulful Atlanta based pop trio that seems to dwell amongst a dreamy landscape while presenting down to earth lyrics. They’ll return to the 400 Block Bar this Saturday.

-For more, please click www.mullinsmania.com

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

…as seen on HometownHeadlines.com… 

By Bryan Mullins

www.Mullinsmania.com

Dinner and music has become a staple in downtown Rome thanks to Harvest Moon Café and 333 on Broad.

The Harvest Moon dining room will host the old time string band music of Russell McClanahan & the mOOn Crew, a group of Skilled musicians loyal to the early Appalachian sound.

Acoustic artist Jon Byrd will perform at the downstairs bar of 333 on Broad for a later but still family friendly dinner show that has become a pre-weekend highlight to many.

Rex Garner will lead an open mic that usually consists of an excellent gang of top shelf pickers at Café 212 in Rockmart.

FRIDAY

Chattanooga songwriter Jordan Hallquist has been playing around the southeastern U.S. for over five years and has been building a solid fan base in the regions that he’s frequented. He’s currently working on his third CD. He has no problem fronting a full band but also excels at solo acoustic performances, which he will be doing at Johnny’s New York Style Pizza this Friday.

Jason Lyles is another Chattanooga songwriter but is no stranger to Rome as he’s been performing here for the better part of the last decade. His original songs and covers are an upbeat power pop and alternative medley that flat out sounds great and he’s got some great CD’s for sale that hopefully he’ll bring with him to the Moon Roof Bar on Friday.

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 Friday.

There’s no doubt that 333 on Broad will be hopping Friday night as they’ll host Jerry on the Moon, a group that has quickly become a force to be reckoned with over the last two years. Their combination of alt rock, improv funk jams, and solid original songwriting has left many a friend and fan plum tickled and wore out…in a good way.

SATURDAY

Cedartown bred Sam Hunt has been making a name for himself for some time now whether it be on the football field or on stage performing his down home country rock all over the Southeast. He’ll be at 333 on Broad Saturday night with his backup, the Second Chance Band and a bunch of folks who can’t wait.

Jon Byrd has not become one of Rome’s favorite singer/songwriters by accident. Attribute much hard work, first-rate talent and skill, and being a cool guy that feels right at home playing for you and your friends and you’ve got a Byrd in flight. Sorry Jon, had to do it, especially with your day job and whatnot. He’ll blend a grand selection of favorites and originals at Johnny’s New York Style Pizza on Saturday.

Donny Hammonds is an acoustic country and Southern rock artist loaded with tunes. You name it, this guy can play it and he does all over the place and fortunately he’s included Rome into has many gig dates. Saturday night it will be at the Moon Roof Bar.

CRBI will be hosting their annual River Revelry at Heritage Park that is always a great time because there’s good people, BBQ, brews, great music, and an essential organization in this day in age. This year the music is from Red Eye Jedi and Jerry on the Moon. Both of those bands are on fire and both kept in time by kit master Jedd Lovell. Rome’s location on this three river convergence has been celebrated for way longer than our historical records can provide, which adds to the authenticity of this biodiversity bash.

-Join Mullins and Matt D on The Ridge 95.7 FM weekdays, 7-9 a.m.

…as seen on HometownHeadlines.com… 

By Bryan Mullins

www.mullinsmania.com

Russell McClanahan & the mOOn Crew will perform old time string band music for the dinner crowd at Harvest Moon, which has become a downtown tradition.

The Rome Area Songwriter’s Association will return to the Schroeder’s Courtyard to host this month’s Songwriters Night. Tonight will feature two of the original members that are honest songwriters through and through, David Elliott and Gary Greene.

Jon Byrd continues his Thursday night residency in the downstairs bar at 333 on Broad. This is a family friendly evening dinner show that is perfect for a weekend wind down. Byrd has earned his spot as one of Rome’s favorite songwriters and acoustic performers.

FRIDAY

Jordan Hallquist is a Chattanooga-based singer/songwriter that has been playing all over the Southeast over the last five years, blending all styles of American music and building a solid fanbase in the many cities that he frequents. Friday night he will perform at Johnny’s New York Style Pizza, another fine venue that is introducing fresh faces to the Rome music scene as well as featuring some of Rome’s favorites.

Backswing returns to the Moon Roof Bar to effortlessly perform their groovy tunes that cross all multiple musical genres. With this guys your liable to hear anything from “Walking in Memphis” to “Little Red Corvette.”

Schroeder’s Courtyard will host an evening of Northwest Georgia slop rock with Muletide Perkins Trio along with Graham and Vann. Both bands are deeply rooted at Schroeder’s and began their dubious adventures in the famous courtyard. The fact that their first show of this year’s courtyard season falls on a full moon eve in the dog days of summer is probably not an accident. Come sweat and howl with the Floyd County freaks.

If you want to get a quick lesson into the roots of rock ‘n’ roll then all you have to do is show up to the 400 Block Bar this Friday night and check out Atomic Boogie. Their name is derived from a ’50s radio show that was the first to have the audacity to combine black and white American music. With Atomic Boogie you get a mix of that raw soulful Chess Records Chicago blues and the rockabilly rumble that emerged from Memphis’ Sun Records, and a bit of all the other pieces to the rock ‘n’ roll pie.

Daddy Irv is a Northwest Georgia music supergroup featuring the likes of Lee Shealy, Clint Ledford, Bill Carroll, Randy Baker and Jon Ledford. If you recognize these names then you can also appreciate the combined amount of talent that builds the foundation of this ultimate party band. The list of influences and catalog is too vast to even begin to mention. Daddy Irv will take the stage at 333 on Broad this Friday.

SATURDAY

In the Rome singer/songwriter community, there is an remarkable individual that not only acts as an amazing songwriter, but also one heck of a storyteller. The Schroeder’s Courtyard is proud to host the Grand Imagineer Gary Greene as he celebrates the release of his new album simply entitled “Songs & Stories.” The musicians that appear on Gary’s album are of an all-star cast of friends some of which will be there to perform with his band, the Green-Go’s.

Brent McDonald is a singer/songwriter that has recently moved to Georgia from Columbia, S.C., where he grew up listening to Motown and beach music. He’s been dead set on making music ever since and he has already made quite a name for himself in the Georgia songwriting community. He’s another fresh face that will appear at Johnny’s New York Style Pizza.

HootN’Annie is a group of fearless young ladies that mix splendid inventive songs with a varied range of tunes that you won’t hear anybody else play. It’s perfect that they will be performing at the Moon Roof on a hot August full moon.

Another one of Rome’s optimum assemblages will appear at the 400 Block Bar this Saturday night. Thunderbolt Patterson is the duo of the David Bell and Tim Bowen, two modest guys that have every right in the world to not be modest, which makes them particularly cool. Living in a world of cynics and critics, this is one of the only bands that I’ve never heard a bad thing about.

The Stevie Monce Band has been playing all over the Southeast non stop and is returning to 333 on Broad this Saturday. Stevie is a go getter who decided in 2007 that he was going to make music that people could really enjoy and relate to. His ambition has paid off well as he has earned much respect among many Georgia artists and listeners.

-Join Mullins and Matt D on The Ridge 95.7 FM weekdays, 7-9 a.m.

..as seen on HometownHeadlines.com..

By Bryan Mullins

Mullinsmania.com

TONIGHT

The City Club above Old Havana is hosting a special performance tonight featuring Gypsy Wind, a Florida-based acoustic newgrass, swing, and gypsy jazz ensemble that carries their listeners across borders and time. Also performing are The Groundhawgs, Northwest Georgia’s own bluegrass and old time string band started almost a decade ago by the brothers Clark and Clayton Jones. This should one that you won’t want to miss if you have a love for fine acoustic music.

Thursday evenings just wouldn’t be the same with out the Russell McClanahan & the mOOn Crew at the Harvest Moon, featuring some of the areas finest string band pickers and players. This has become one of Rome’s richest new traditions.

333 on Broad is working on a dinner tradition of its own, featuring one of Rome’s favorite singer/songwriters Jon Byrd on Thursday evenings in the downstairs bar. This is also a family friendly show.

Johnny’s New York Style Pizza is holding an open mic night on the first Thursday of every month starting tonight. Local favorite Scott Thompson will host this opportunity for new faces to share their talents.

FRIDAY

One thing to look forward to at the beginning of each summer month is the First Friday Concert Series. This Friday the series presents The Infinity Show Band. I’m not sure what they mean by infinity but it could very well be used to explain their catalog and variety of genres that they play including Motown, R&B, disco, beach, country, blues, reggae, rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, Latin and Zydeco just to name a few. These guys are serious professionals known all over the Southeast as knowing how to shine at any occasion. (7 p.m., Bridgepoint Plaza, free).

The Moon Roof Bar is thrilled for the return of the John Lee Hookers this Friday night. Clay Broome is a blues and rockabilly guitar powerhouse that has formed this talented combo in order to pay homage to the delta blues greats, honky tonk heroes, and rockabilly ramblers that have defined Southeastern music and gave birth to rock ‘n’ roll.

Thomas Tillman is a Georgia boy through and through and has lived all over the state in his life which has allowed him to soak up the rich and diverse music that can be found in different regions of the state. He has made a name for himself in Nashville and is one of 333 on Broad’s biggest draws. They are very much looking forward to his return on Friday.

The 400 Block Bar is pleased for the return of It’s My Island, which started as a one-show band for a St. Patrick’s Day party. It turned out to be a huge success and they’ve been playing by that name ever since. The duo consists of the combined talents of Stephen Smith and Ian Griffin.

Johnny’s New York Style Pizza has done a great job of bringing in fresh names and great new talents to Rome. Friday night they are excited to welcome Sarah Peacock, who keep a tight schedule playing all over the country and internationally. The Atlanta-based country rock vocalist is recently released a new album that was recorded at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur.

SATURDAY

The Moon Roof Bar will have Cory Tucker on Saturday. Cory is a local singer/songwriter that plays a mix of blues, country, and acoustic soul. He plays a lot of stuff that you wouldn’t expect to hear, and has built up quite an audience in the last few years.

Scott Warren will bring his merry band of Booze Mountaineers to the 400 Block Bar this Saturday night with the intentions of filling the room with the wholesome sound of Appalachian Rock that Warren has honed in on for years. A local staple to the existence of a music scene in Northwest Georgia, Warren is a local powerhouse and his recent conglomerate of regional talent is a must see.

Curiosity Shoppe is another band that has been rocking the Southeast for some time now, at least since the mid-90s. They have made a name for themselves as the ultimate party band and have recently had some huge shows at 333 on Broad. They’ll return there this Saturday night.

Scott Thompson is yet another one of the areas finest performers and is equipped to play any room. Johnny’s Pizza is a perfect spot for him to play his acoustic show loaded with favorite covers and his own originals that have become favorites as well.

-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.