Fresh faces to Rome mixed with local all-stars this weekend.
Thursday, October 6th, 2011
By Bryan Mullins
TONIGHT: Russell McClanahan & the mOOn Crewrecollect Appalachian roots with old time string band music in the Harvest Moon dining room, one of Rome’s favorite weekly events.
Jon Byrd performs acoustic favorites and originals in the downstairs bar at 333 on Broad. It’s a laid back, family friendly performance that has become a staple in Rome’s rising music scene.
AYF Grill House is hosting International Salsa Night featuring the pulsing rhythms and sweet melodies of Havana Son, an Atlanta based band formed by Cuban nativeRene Herrera, an award winning composer and former Mercury recording artists. This will be a great opportunity to put your salsa dancing skills to use and have some pre-weekend fun.
FRIDAY: The Van Lears are the Bentley brothers from Calhoun. Having been raised around musical parents, Trey and Andrew were literally making music before they could walk. A couple of decades later they’ve assembled a heck of a band including guitar slinger Scotty Knight. They’ve taken residence in Nashville to build their careers but will be in town Friday night at 333 on Broad.
Johnny’s New York Style Pizza has been bringing in fresh talent to Rome over the past year. Friday night they’ll host Brent McDonald, an up-and-coming acoustic indie rock artist from Columbia, S.C. He’s been working hard playing all over the Southeast and we’re glad that he’s included Rome on his schedule.
Coming to the 400 Block Bar this Friday is Kid Dynamite, a South Georgia swamp blues and roots rock duo from Valdosta. Drummer Adam Sikes has relocated to Rome and since then we’ve been fortunate to add Kid Dynamite to our local music scene. Blues fans should make sure to check them out as they have no problem bringing the heat.
SATURDAY: 333 on Broad has done an excellent job of bringing in nationally touring names that are helping put Rome on the map as a destination for talented music.Matt Stillwell is no exception and he’ll be in the upstairs lounge. The North Carolina native earned his keep the old-fashioned way, one bar at a time and now he is signed with Average Joe Records, home of Colt Ford, Corey Smith and Montgomery Gentry. His album Shine Deluxe already contains two hit singles.
The Cornbread Killers are back in action this Saturday at the Moon Roof Bar. Jeff Caldwell, Jeff Bridges and Shane West make up an acoustic pop rock band with a funky edge playing a wide range of covers and cool originals, some of which were featured on their self-titled CD released last year.
Jordan Hallquist is a Chattanooga-based singer/songwriter that has been singing since he was three and playing instruments since he was ten. He’s currently recording his third cd and his influences range from Bo Diddley, to Neil Young, to Ben Harper. His favorite place to play is a laid back room with good folks, which is good for him because he’ll be performing at Johnny’s New York Style Pizza on Saturday.
Rubber Solstice is a band of familiar faces including names like Jan Pruitt, Gene Brigham, John Schroeder and John Littlefield. If you throw them all in a band together you’ve got a massive catalog of original music and choice covers. Check them out this Saturday evening in the Schroeder’s Courtyard as they put a fresh twist to the golden age of classic rock.
It’s a bummer that we are losing a venue and cool place to be in Rome due to the closing of Cups & Mugs on Broad Street. However, this Saturday you’ll get the chance to hang out for the last time and listen to the acoustic genius and original music of David Elliott. We hate to see you go, Cups & Mugs. Thanks for the good times.
This Saturday night, the 400 Block Bar will host yet another powerful two-man band.Thunderbolt Patterson is the incredible duo of Tim Bowen and David Bell, along with a stockpile of assorted instruments that will be played and played well. These guys put out an amazing amount of sound between the two of them.
-Hear Bryan and Matt D weekdays from 7-9 a.m. on The Ridge 95.7 FM.