AMG's Atlanta Music Blog

ARE YOU READY TO ROCK? (If You Aren't... Your Kids Are!)

The Paul Green School of Rock is the original and premier performance-based rock music school in the country for kids 7-18. Founded on Green’s original program of weekly, individualized instruction sessions augmented by rigorous group rehearsals, the Paul Green School of Rock effectively motivates students to practice—driven by frequent performances where they discover that how hard they work leads directly to applause, the most beautiful music of all. Each year, the 34 School of Rock branches around the country give more than 1,000 concerts at established venues including The Whiskey, BB King’s and Carnegie Hall and at festivals such as Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits, Zappanale and the first ever SORFest (‘07). The School’s All-Stars have performed with Alice Cooper, Eddie Vedder and Perry Farrell, among others, and have toured with Jon Anderson of Yes as his featured back-up band. Founded in 1998, the Paul Green School of Rock Music was the subject of the documentary Rock School, which regularly airs on A&E since its debut at Sundance in 2005. The School also served as the apparent inspiration for the Jack Black hit comedy, School of Rock. Currently in a period of rapid expansion, the Paul Green School of Rock plans to open in more than 60 locations by end of 2008.

The Atlanta branch of School of Rock opened in early 2008 and general manager, Justin Nihiser, hopes to open a second location of the school in Alpharetta. Nihiser and Greg Lee, the music director, are currently hard at work getting the kids ready for their spring performance. This season's School of Rock band is going to be performing at 2 of Atlanta's well known rock music venues. The first show will be Friday May 17, 2008, 7pm at Vinyl in the CW Midtown Music Complex. The following day, there will be a matinee performance from the group at Smith's Olde Bar at 3pm. Atlanta- this is your chance to get out and support our next generation of rockstars! We expect to see ALL of you there! Atlanta Music Blog will have pictures posted after the show.... Make sure to check back on our site then!

Friday May 17th
Vinyl
7pm

Friday May 18th
Smith's Olde Bar
3pm

For more info about the school, including enrollment for their summer "Rock Band Boot Camp" visit Atlanta School of Rock OFFICIAL SITE or Atlanta School of Rock MySpace Page

Watch the YouTube video below for the Atlanta School of Rock story on 11Alive

Fresh Rhymes and Videotapes Comes to The Loft

Independent record label Decon gears up for their first national tour of the year titled Fresh Rhymes and Videotape with performances from Dilated Peoples, The Alchemist, Aceyalone and 88-Keys. A 19-date tour spanning the entire US, each show will be a multi-media experience featuring video installations from the production powerhouse, surprise guest appearances, and unorthodox content creation.

Throughout the course of the tour, the featured talent will be creating 6 new collaboration tracks while on the road that will be available for purchase after the tour is over. Decon’s own Jason Goldwatch (Damian Marley’s “One Loaf of Bread”, Young Buck’s “A Billion Bucks”, Dilated Peoples’ “The Release Party”) will also be documenting the tour from the road, producing a short format film that will be released with the music and an exclusive music video from one of the 6 songs.

Decon’s newest signing, 88-Keys, will be premiering exclusive music during his set from his upcoming debut, The Death of Album LP. The album which is scheduled to drop in late August is being executive produced by Kanye West, who is also featured on the lead single “Stay Up”. The LP also features the likes of Redman, Bilal, J*Davey, Just Blaze, Phonte of Little Brother and others.

The Fresh Rhymes and Videotape Tour will be coming through Atlanta on June 1tth. The show will be at The Loft in the CW Midtown Music Complex. Tickets will be $20 in advance.

For the rest of the tour dates visit Fresh Rhymes and Videotapes Official Site

To listen to Dilated Peoples or any of the other artists go to

Lakewood Announces VIP Package for 2008 Season

Looking for the best seats at Lakewood Amphitheatre?? VIP Box and Season Seating is now available!! Secure your seats, the BEST seats, ahead of time for the whole season. Upcoming shows already include Radiohead, Jimmy Buffett and R.E.M. - Half Season Packages are available as well. Prices start at $3800.00 each

Packages include:

• Guaranteed premium seating
• VIP Parking
• VIP Club Access
• The ability to order additional tickets to all Lakewood Amphitheatre concerts
• The ability to order premium tickets to Live Nation Venues in the area, i.e. Chastain Park, Roxy Theatre, and The Tabernacle.

For pricing and more information contact:
Bridget Bradshaw (Director of Premium Seat Sales) Direct: 703-754-6886
Email: BridgetBradshaw@livenation.com

More Tabernacle Updates

The Tabernacle is still undergoing repairs due to the tornado that hit the venue last month. Here are some additional changes to the Tabernacle calendar.

Feist- NEW VENUE- The April 18 show will now be at Masquerade Music Park at 8:00pm. All Tabernacle tickets will be honored.

Nick Swardson- NEW DATE- The original April 25 show has been moved to September 27, but the show will still at the Tabernacle.

Tabernacle Updates

The Tabernacle is still undergoing repairs, due to storm damage from the tornado, but several shows originally slatted for the Tabernacle stage have been moved, postponed or canceled. Check the list below to see where your favorite acts will now be staged.

The Mars Volta- CANCELED- Originally scheduled for April 5 has been canceled. Refunds are available at point of purchase.

The Levon Helm Band- NEW VENUE- The April 9 show will now be at Variety Playhouse. All Tabernacle tickets will be honored, but it is no longer reserved seating.

Lifehouse- POSTPONED- The original April 12 date has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon. April 12 tickets will be honored on the new date.

Gigantour with Megadeth- NEW VENUE & TIME- The April 20 show will now be at the Masquerade Music Park at 5:00pm. All Tabernacle tickets will be honored.

Panic at the Disco- NEW VENUE & ONE NIGHT- Tickets for both April 26 and April 27 shows will be honored on April 26 at Masquerade Music Park. This will only be a one night performance. All original Tabernacle tickets for both dates will be honored for the one and only show.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters- POSTPONED- The April 28 show has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon.

Paramore- NEW DATE & VENUE- The orginal March 29 show has been moved to May 16 at Masquerade Music Park. Tickets for the orginal Tabernacle show will be honored at the new date and venue.

Lisa Lampanelli- NEW DATE- Her April 19 show has been moved to August 9 at the Tabernacle. Tickets for the orginal date will be honored at the new date.

Keep checking back with Atlanta Music Guide for more updates.

The Roxy closes on Friday!

The Coca-Cola Roxy will host it's last ever show on Friday March 21st. The Gutter Twins will be the last band to play one of Atlanta's best and most loved venues. The venue is being remodeled as part of the Buckhead redevelopment project. The venue will reopen in about a year.

Masquerade is hiring!

Masquerade seeking somebody who can act as a host and lead promoter for their Old Wave Thursday dance party. In the Hell room they feature Alternative club dance from the 80's to current along with some pop 80's music in the mix. In the Purgatory room they feature a blend of Hip Hop, Funk, and Groovy House. Masqerade will help develop a street and web promotions team, and will help put together and coordinate marketing strategies and campaigns.

Please email Christopher Kind at chris@masq.com if you are interested in this position and would like to request an interview. You must ket him know that you heard about the position on Atlanta Music Blog.

Smiths Olde Bar going smoke free on March 1st

Beginning March 1st Smiths Olde Bar will go smoke free in both it's upstairs concert room and the downstairs Atlanta room. The bar will continue to allow smoking. Smiths Olde Bar has recently switched to Ticket Alternative to handle it's ticketing and you can find a list of shows on sale already here.

For Smiths complete lineup visit www.smithsoldebar.com

East Atlanta Ice House & other Atlanta venue news.

Construction is currently underway at the former EchoLounge location in East Atlanta. The East Atlanta Ice House is expected to open in the next month or so. No word yet on a definite date for The Roxy in Buckhead to close, and HiFI Buys Amphitheatre is back to its original name; Lakewood Amphitheatre. The venue kicks things off its 2008 concerts on May 8th with Radiohead. For more info visit: www.livenation.com/venue/getVenue/venueId/238