AMG's Atlanta Music Blog

Corndogorama Lineup Announced! On SALE TODAY!

Now with 100 bands, over 4 days, on 4 main stages, 2 indoor and 2 amazing outdoor stage in the shadow of historic Cabbage Town at the legendary Lenny's. This year's signature back-to-back format is a line up only Atlanta's mainstay Corndog-o-rama mastermind and founder David Railey can deliver: Artists: Independent music artists and fans will reap the benefits of the festival's outdoor stage experience with pro-level sound, lighting, and staging music festival lovers expect, we think the local artists deserve, and the Corndogorama now delivers to America's breakout independent music scene.

Announced Lineup:
OPENING PARTY JUNE 26, 2008 AT LENNY'S BAR

8:00 PM SPECIAL OLYMPIAD main stage
8:30 PM Trial by Fire side stage
9:00 PM LOOSE SCREWS main stage
9:30 PM The HOLLAND DUTCH side stage
1000 PM Attractive 80's women main stage
1030 PM TENTH TO THE MOON side stage
1100 PM THEE Crucials main stage
1130 PM HEINOUS BIENFANG mainstage
1200 mid BLOOD VESSELS main stage
1245 AM Grey GOO main stage

CORNDOGORAMA DAY 1 FRIDaY • 6/27/2008

8:00 PM SPY FOR HIRE
8:30 PM PROTON Outdoor Stage
9:30 PM Janelle Monae Outdoor Stage
9:30 PM Holly Faith Main Stage
1010 PM JAMES HALL Main Stage
1050 PM Noot D' Noot Main Stage
1120 PM Judi Chicago, Main Stage
1145 PM DAN DEACON, Main Stage

CORNDOGORAMA DAY 2 • 6/28/08- The Return of BEACHTITTI

4:00 PM THE BEER FACTOR OLYMPICS
5:00 PM THE CORNDOG EATING CHALLENGE
6:30 PM BATTLE CAT Side Stage
7:00 PM JEFF MYERS SPINS THE BEACH PARTY
7:30 PM THE HISS, Outdoor Stage
8:15 PM THE ALL NIGHT DRUG PROWLING WOLVES,Outdoor Stage
8:45 PM DJ KWAKU , Beach Party outside
9:00 PM Gringo STAR, Outdoor Stage
9:45 PM snowden, Outdoor Stage
1000 PM THE LIFE AND TIMES
1030 PM dropsonic
1100 PM The HOWLIES Side Stage inside
1130 PM Anna Kramer, Main Stage inside
1200 MID ABANDON THE EARTH MISSION

LaTE NIGHT DaNCE PaRTY-
FEATURING FRINGE FaCTORY and BEACHTITTIE

CORNDOGORAMA CLOSING DAY • 6/29/08 • SUNDAY MUDDY SUNDAY

STARTS AT 12 NOON- SO COME EARLY FOR BLUEGRASS FROM WHOA NELLY aND THE RETURN OF THE SLACKEY FAMILY, + COUNTRY, HEAVY INDIE METAL, AND OH, YEAH; THE BEACH PARTY WILL STILL BE GOING WITH DJ CORVETTE AT 2:00 PM AND MANY OTHER SPECIAL DJ GUESTS THE ENTIRE DAY

6:00 PM caddle Outdoor Stage
7:30 PM summer birds in the cellar Side stage inside
7:30 PM BITCH Outdoor Stage
8:00 PM The Cassavetes Main Stage inside
8:30 PM Blackberry Smoke Outdoor Stage
8:30 PM cinemechanica Main Stage inside
9:00 PM Maserati Main Stage inside
9:45 PM The Khans
1059 PM Zoroaster

Buy tickets in advance here

Special Hump Day Treat

This Wednesday at Smith's Olde Bar, The Sweetness Presents: A Special Hump Day Edition featuring Effie's Club Follies, Goldenfro, and We Won't Stop. Also catch TJ, last seen at 500 Songs for Kids doing a hilarious rendition on Whitney Houston's "I'll Always Love You," he'll be performing stand-up at intermission. Don't miss the fun! Get your tickets now!

Ferron, Bitch, Sage play Eddie's

by Al Kaufman

All testosterone will be left at the door Tuesday night, as the past, present, and future of women’s music invade Eddie’s Attic. Yet the music of Ferron, Bitch, and Rachael Sage is so good that it transcends gender in much the same way Jackie Robinson and Muhammed Ali transcended sports.

Ferron is much more than the answer to the trivia question, “What if Bob Dylan had been born a Canadian lesbian?” For one thing, unlike her nasal counterpart, Ferron’s voice is rich and beautiful. Yet like Dylan, Ferron is a poet who is able to convey emotion without becoming maudlin, and beliefs without edging toward the pedantic. Like the great artist that she is, she paints a picture and has the listeners derive from it what they will, based on their own personal experiences.

             Among female singer/songwriters, Ferron holds goddess-like status. It is why so many of them show up to play on her new CD, Boulder(available June 17^th).  Ani diFranco, the Indigo Girls, and Samantha Parton of the Be Good Tanyas all make appearances. Their impact is minimal, and one gets the sense they just wanted to be a part of a record made by their idol, and maybe, in doing so, introduce their fans to her. Those fans would be richer for the experience.

The CD is produced by Ferron disciple, Bitch, and is released on Bitch’s new record label, Short Story Records. While Bitch’s songs tend to be more blatant and humorous than Ferron’s (she sings odes to strap-ons and rants against rapists), she wisely tones it down in her producer role. Boulderis a sparsely produced reworking of many of Ferron’s songs, both recent and classic (as well as one Bitch original, “Highway”). Her voice has retained its richness and depth through the years. It is as soothing as it is passionate. Bitch offers some of gentle electric violin, which compliments many of the tracks. The only song that really get the remix treatment is Ferron’s classic, “Misty Mountain,” which becomes a talking song with beats and howls in the background that remind us of Ferron’s American Indian (part Cree and part Ojibwa) heritage. It’s interesting but obvious, and ultimately does not work with the otherwise flawless CD.

On stage together, Bitch and Ferron offer playful banter that lighten the weight of many of their songs. In short, they’re a mutual admiration society and they’re having fun together.

Opening for them is another woman who enjoys having her fun. Rachael Sage, who also started her own label, MPress Records, is all about glitter and glamour. It’s just that she has this remarkable talent as well. Her previous CD, The Blistering Sun, was a sort of coming out party for Sage. It was there, on her 7^th CD, that she made the effortless transition from folk singer to pop singer. With her swirling piano and crystalline voice, her songs drill themselves into the listener's head and stay nestled there for years.  Imagine a less weird but more artsy Tori Amos with better pop sensibilities.

The fact of the matter is that Rachael Sage is so damn talented that everyone would hate her if she weren’t so self-effacing and charming. She’s genuine. She’s just like us, only with a boatload more talent.

Her latest CD, Chandelier, offers more gems. It opens with “Vertigo,” a song about a man she had a brief relationship with before she found out he was married. She sets the mood with her ominous opening piano lines. But, like Ferron, she does spend the song navel gazing. She takes a real life situation and makes it art. The end result is a song that sounds like a film noir waiting to happen.

Like another of her idols, Elvis Costello, Sage also pays strict attention to detail. She loves to experiment with horns, often to great effect. They skip along through songs like “Angel in My View,” and offer a jazzy backdrop to “Site-Seeing.” Like Costello and Jill Sobule, Sage puts a great deal of effort into making her songs sound deceptively simple. The melody carries the listener along. It is not until the twentieth or so time after pressing play that listeners realize they have not tired of the music. And that is simply because it offers something new and different each time.

An accomplished ballerina and painter, Sage’s live shows have a certain theatrical quality to them. She should do more than hold her own opening for Ferron. It’s just a pity that someone has to be the opening act.

These are three strong, independent women who all represent themselves differently, but all do so with great energy, creativity and beauty. This show recommended for all lovers of good music, men and women alike.

Ferron, Bitch, and Rachael Sage play Eddie’s Attic on Tuesday, May 13^th.
$18/$22 door.
Doors 6:30 pm.
Show 8:00 pm

Coldplay announces Atlanta date

COLDPLAY ANNOUNCE "VIVA LA VIDA"
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR

Details Released For Free Madison Square Garden & Brixton Academy Show Tickets On Coldplay.com

Coldplay announce their "Viva La Vida" North American Tour in support of their new album of the same name, which will be released on June 17th. The US tour will kick off on June 29th in Philadelphia, PA. Ticket information is available at http://www.coldplay.com. British/European dates will be announced shortly.

Before kicking off the "Viva La Vida" tour, Coldplay will play free concerts in London (June 16th at Brixton Academy) and New York (June 23rd at Madison Square Garden). Information on how to win tickets to these shows will be available at http://www.coldplay.com beginning today. The contest will run from May 9th through to June 1st. Winners will receive notification on June 5th.

Viva La Vida, Coldplay's forthcoming album, will be released by Parlophone on June 12th. Produced by Brian Eno and Markus Dravs, the record is the follow-up to 2005's X&Y, which debuted at #1 in 32 countries and has sold 10 million copies worldwide to date.

The album's lead single "Violet Hill" was downloaded by two million people during the recent one-week period in which the band made the song available to fans for free. It is now for sale at all digital retailers.

Coldplay will perform "Violet Hill" on the Today Show on NBC on Friday, June 27th. US fans are encouraged to check out the performance in person. Viewing is on a first-come, first-served basis outside the show's Window on the World Studio, located at 49th Street and Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The band will also perform on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" on June 26th.

"[Lead singer Chris] Martin broods over a lost lover with a snarling acidity that makes him sound more human than ever - miles away from the dreamy romantic he was on soaring ballads like 'Speed of Sound,'" said Rolling Stone, naming "Violet Hill" a must-have in a recent "Downloads" column. "Jonny Buckland rips jagged, bluesy riffs that match Martin's mood while drummer Will Champion and bassist Guy Berryman maintain a stalking beat...primal rock & roll."

Coldplay will play in Atlanta on November 11th at Philips Arena. The on sale date will be announced soon. For tickets click here.

Jewel Goes Country?

Jewel. The name brings back so many college memories... driving around with the windows down and her songs blaring on the radio.  Now, she is releasing a new album. And... IT'S COUNTRY?!?!?!?! The album, Perfectly Clear, produced by John Rich, is due to come out on June 3, 2008. The first single, Stronger Woman, is currently #14 on the Billboard Top 200 Hot Country Songs chart. Jewel will tour this summer with country star Brad Paisley. They have announced a show September 18, 2008 at Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta. Tickets go on sale at Ticketmaster soon.

Watch Jewel's new video AND her new genre here:

Memphis isn't too far From Atlanta- right?

Three magical days. Four big stages. Thirty-three acres overlooking the Mighty Mississippi, right on the heels of historic Beale Street. More than sixty top artists. One outrageous party.

Single Day in Advance: $27.50
Single Day - Day of: $33.00

Friday, May 2, 2008
My Chemical Romance , Sheryl Crow, The Roots, Keb 'Mo', Richard Johnston, Hellogoodbye , Jonny Lang, Ben Folds, Charlie Musselwhite, Robert "Wolfman" Belfour, Flyleaf , Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Project Pat, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, Lord T & Eloise, Amy LaVere, JJ Grey & Mofro, Lurrie Bell

Saturday, May 3, 2008
Santana, Disturbed, Matisyahu, Bettye LaVette, Richard Johnston, Lou Reed, Seether, The John Butler Trio, Pinetop Perkins & Hubert, Sumlin W Billy Gibson, Blind Mississippi Morris, Buddy Guy, Simple Plan, Arrested Development, Watermelon Slim, Cat Power, The Whigs, Colbie Caillat, Back Door Slam, Duman, Saving Abel, Tegan and Sara, Kenny Neal, Muck Sticky, Oracle and the Mountain, Al Kapone, Preston Shannon, Eli "Paperboy" Reed

Sunday, May 4, 2008
Fergie, Michael McDonald, The Black Crowes, Doyle Bramhall, Richard Johnston, Finger Eleven, Aretha Franklin, O.A.R., Magic Slim & the Teardrops, Robert "WOLFMAN" Belfour, Gavin DeGraw, Jerry Lee Lewis, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Nick Moss & The Flip Tops, Rue Melo, Duman (from Turkey), Umphrey's McGee, Samuel James, Carney, Billy Lee Riley, Pete Francis, Calvin Cooke

*Artists scheduled to appear. Line-Up subject to change.

For more info visit the Beale St. Music Festival Official Site

For tickets visit go here

Nik Freitas is making his way to Atlanta

Nik Freitas' releases Sun Down on May 6th, fresh off his signing with Team Love Records. The album is equal parts wry, warm and sonorous. It is the end product of several years of ups and downs. Freitas writes, plays, engineers and produces every note on his records. Not that he's got a lot of expensive gear. A visit to his Poppy Peak studio/shed reveals that Nik is working low-budget minor miracles, The kind of miracles one receives via hundreds of hours on Craigslist.   

One listen to Sun Down and you know you're hearing a certain hard-won grace.It all began several years ago for Freitas, when a co-worker sold him an antique piano that was "used by a street musician before the dawn of the Casio." Nik taught himself how to play the thing, and it became the cornerstone of his three earlier records, Here's Laughing at You, Heavy Mellow and Voicing the Hammers. Nik lent his guitar skills to the upcoming Conor Oberst solo record and often plays with the Mystic Valley band. 

Sun Down is a succinct, concentrated record that will take the listener from Paul Simon's Graceland to David Bowie's Hunky Dory. Each song - each moment - is endowed with a striking mix of self-possession and gravity. There is no reaching, no going for the gold, just ten lovely four minute thesis statements.

Nik is scheduled to stop in Atlanta on his current tour. He will be performing with Maria Taylor and Jonathan Rice at Smith's Olde Bar on Friday, June 13, 2008.

Click here to

For more info visit Nik Freitas' Official Myspace Page

You can also listen to Nik's music here on

Are You Still Hangin' Tough?

Wow! 30-somethings all over the US are freaking out right now! Here's an official announcement from New Kids On The Block (and we have to add- Where is Atlanta on this list?):

We’ve been hard at work rehearsing and are VERY excited to announce our initial tour dates to our nkotb.com members FIRST!

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK LIVE IN CONCERT!

Check out the below dates for AMERICAN EXPRESS cardholders pre-sale and general public on-sale information!

VIP TICKET PACKAGES will be available starting Friday May 2. Visit nkotb.com for more information.

Don’t forget to tune in to The Today Show on Friday May 16!

Day	Date	City/State	Venue	Pre-sale	On-Sale
Sat	9/20/08	Montreal, Quebec	Bell Centre		Noon 5/10/08
Sun	9/21/08	Toronto, ON	Air Canada Center		11 am 5/12/08
Tue	9/23/08	East Rutherford, NJ	Izod Center	10 am 5/5/08*	10 am 5/12/08
Wed	9/24/08	Uniondale, NY	Nassau VETERANS MEMORIAL Coliseum	10 am 5/5/08*	10 am 5/12/08
Fri	9/26/08	Boston, MA	TD Banknorth Garden	10 am 5/5/08*	12 pm 5/12/08
Sat	9/27/08	Atlantic City, NJ	Borgata Hotel and Casino Event Center		10 am 5/17/08
Sat	10/4/08	Chicago, IL	Allstate Arena	10 am 5/5/08*	10 am 5/10/08

* - Offered Exclusively To AMERICAN EXPRESS cardholders

To reminisce about your favorite NKOTB song, visit

Tigers Attack

Next week, The Republic Tigers will release their debut album Keep Color.  Right now the indie pop band is riding high off a string of high profile performances, including the Tribeca Film Festival, as well as the release of their new music video, "Buildings and Mountains"- check it out below. Tigers will coast into town on May 30 to open for Nada Surf at Center Stage. Snatch up your tickets now!

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