Alibi: 6-9pm Kevin Hyde

Boar’s Head: 11pm Velvet Runway

The Earl: Bowerbirds

Farm 255: 10pm Catawba

Flicker: 8:30pm Haiti Benefit  w/ The HEAP, Madeline, Mother Jackson, Still, Small Voice and the Joyful Noise

The Globe: 10pm Melvin Mathurin Jazz Quartet

Little Kings: 10pm Valentine’s Party w/ Daffodil, F’n Heartbreaks, Nuclear Springs

Melting Point: 8:3opm Family Counseling Benefit w/ Half Dozen Brass Band

New Earth: 9pm Dark Meat, Judi Chicago

Go Bar: 10pm Immuzikation
Enjoy the snowy night!

Maggie Summers

Photo: Jef Jeffares

by Ashley Thompson

Randall Bramblett’s name has become synonymous with exhilarating powerhouse performances, and he’s played with some of the nation’s most respected artists. With almost 40 years in the business, he’s been in the game long enough to have seen a few things and perfect his best stuff. But what does any good player do when everyone can anticipate his next move?  He throws a hell of a curve ball.

Athens Blur Magazine recently caught up with Bramblett while working at his home studio and discussed the exodus his upcoming album takes from his previous records, his renowned live shows and why this weekend’s performance at The Rialto Room will reveal a new side of the rock legend.

Your upcoming album, The Meantime, has a more romantic feel. How is this album different from Rich Someday or It’s Now Tomorrow?

Well, there’s a grand piano, upright bass and drums. We still have some strings on some things. No guitars, so it’s not an electric guitar record. It’s much simpler and quieter— more melodic and much more space. (The record) has a lot of songs that were not really for our band. They’re not big power songs or rock songs. They’re really a breath of fresh air.

Did you find inspiration for this record in a different way than you have before?

Oh yeah, just sitting at piano at John Keane’s [studio] gave me the inspiration to try some of these songs with this stripped down version – just hearing the grand, really. It kind of opened the door for doing this concept. I think I really just had to hear the grand, because it showed me the possibilities for this. And I think I was just yearning for something subtle…hearing the brushes, the sizzle cymbal, and the upright bass —just wanting to hear that kind of stuff, needing to hear it. The piano really broke things loose for me and I thought “Oh, I can do it this song, and do this…” I was able to think of these songs in an entirely different way. I’ve never done a record like this before.

Is this the first time you’ve produced an entire album?

I’m always co-producing with whoever’s working with me. I’m always involved, probably too involved. I’m always involved with everything — the way we put the songs together and all that stuff. This was the first one when I’ve done most of it myself. But we always kind of work together, we’ll all listen back to the tape and put our two cents in. It’s always a cooperative thing, but I chose the songs on this one and made the arrangements ahead of time.

Is there a formula that guarantees a great live performance?

You start with good songs and good players, and I think everyone gets into it and we feed off the audience.  It just goes back and forth. That’s the formula: To have a good crowd, good songs and good players, and go out and give it everything. Let the thing build, let the excitement build and play and it gets better. You even have to restrain yourself some. This thing we’re doing at The Rialto will be totally different thing, you know, because a lot of things we do with band we do try to rev up the excitement.  This record has a more pulling in and inviting sound. It’s a totally different way to approach it. It’s going to be inviting people to be pulled in to the ballad. It’s going to be quiet and it’s going to be subtle. You know, it’s a different approach. It’s a lot of space and it requires just really of listening. It requires getting into the mode rather than a big rock show. But I needed to do this; I needed that kind of change.

The Rialto Room has quickly become a favorite venue to get an up-close experience with an artist. Are you as excited as we are about the show?

Oh yeah, that’s why we chose it: because it is a listening room. This record is a little bit sophisticated and this room is sophisticated. We’re able to bring some guests in and do some things I think that are going to be great. It’s a nice and small listening room. I can’t imagine a better place for it.

What are some things you hope fans will get out of this performance?

Well, I think it’s just presenting songs that people may not know about. And it’s also very melodic, and in a way romantic, although none of the songs are about my normal topics of loss or things like that. There are some romantic songs in there, so we thought Valentine’s would be a good time to do this. It is romantic in the big sense of the word, not necessarily about love. The songs are deeply melodic, and it will be a chance to feel the beauty of the songs, not like a rock show. And we’re looking for beauty on this record—subtlety and beauty.

You’ve worked with an array of artists in your career from the Allman Brothers to the Greatful Dead. Are there certain characteristics or traits from the artists you have performed and recorded with you’ve taken along with you in your career?

I guess I’ve learned a lot from each one. (Chuck) Leavell taught me that a lot of it is just about playing music and having fun and not getting too serious about everything. (Steve) Winwood is such a high-quality guy all the way around as far as musically and the way he handles things, as well asthe quality of his voice and his playing. Everybody I’ve worked with I’ve learned from. Widespread Panic is like “get out there and do it and have fun and jam.”

You’ve been in the business long enough to see it change over the years. What are some key changes you’ve been effected by? What in what ways are you excited to see the industry moving towards?

The whole idea of being able to build a whole community online is nice, really nice. Being able to contact your fans and spread the word online and let people hear your stuff online —that’s doing a lot for us lesser-known artists. How else would we reach them? You’re just not going to get it on radio these days. It’s great to be able to build your audience online and build an email list and things like that,all that is enabling artists like me to eek out a living when we might not have been able to before. The bad news is you can’t really sell many CDs anymore, I mean, I can’t—not that I ever sold a hell of a lot of CDs anyway. Overall CD sales are down and the budgets we used to get for making records are gone. Back when I was playing with groups like Sea Level, we were able to announce a pretty good promo thing and have a lot of gigs and tours afterwards and sell a good many records. That’s hardly ever possible now. There seems to be a big gap between the people who went to the Grammy’s and are selling tons of records and then the rest of us aren’t. On the other hand, there’s a lot more groups now that are doing what we’re doing and get a fan base together and play live shows. It comes down to playing live, for us as far as us making a living. That’s where you sell the most CDs and that’s where most of your money comes from.

To what do you contribute to your longevity as an artist?

Not dying. (laughs) I think not abusing substances helps a lot and enables you to stay focused. I think just trying to push a little bit as far as doing something a little new rather than just going for the old stuff. I think mainly just hanging in there and continuing to work at it and not getting lost in the side show—whatever craziness that goes on around the music business. That at least gives you a chance to show up for work.

And,you know, the most important thing is having good people around you. I’ve had really great support from my wife and my manager and people like that who really care and work really hard at trying to get things going. They keep me supported and encouraged and do a lot of the stuff I can’t really do. And fans these days are doing a lot of work, too. That’s something that’s changed. Fans will promote shows and help you do things.

Could you peg a few of your favorite things in life right now that have directly manifested from your career in music?

I’m doing a lot of solo things these days —traveling by myself. I’m empowered a little by that. I get to do my own shows and that’s been good. Just having a nice place to live and I have a studio down in my basement now I can work at and that’s helped me out a lot: being able to do the music thing. It gives me a place to work every day.And I actually got a good used car this year (laughs).

Randall Bramblett appears at The Hotel Indigo’s Rialto Room Saturday Night. For more information, visit www.therialtoroom.com/events.html

There are a ton of tours being announced every hour on the hour. I mean, come on, there are more “indie” bands out there than even SXSW can hold and they’ve all got their own paths to follow. But which ones are coming to Georgia: Atlanta, Athens, Old Farmington, well here’s a guide for the months ahead.

February:

State Radio – Atlanta, Ga. – Variety Playhouse – Saturday, February 13

The Generationals – Atlanta, Ga. – The Earl – Tuesday,February 16

Cage the Elephant – Athens, Ga. – 40 Watt Club – Tuesday, February 16

Tegan and Sara – Atlanta, Ga. – Variety Playhouse – Tuesday, February 23

March:

Butch Walker and the Black Widows – Athens, Ga. – 40 Watt Club – Saturday, March 6

Rodrigo Y Gabriela – Atlanta, Ga. – Center Stage Theatre – Saturday, March 13

Spoon, The Strange Boys, Deerhunter – Atlanta, Ga. – Tabernacle – Saturday, March 20

The xx – Atlanta, Ga. – Variety Playhouse – Wednesday, March 24

Wilco – Fox Theatre – Atlanta, Ga. – Friday, March 26

April:

Arctic Monkeys – Athens, Ga. – 40 Watt Club – Monday, April 5

Yeasayer – Masquerade – Atlanta, Ga. – Tuesday, April 6

Vampire Weekend – Tabernacle – Atlanta, Ga. – Thursday, April 8

The Whigs and Band of Skulls – Athens, Ga. – 40 Watt Club – Friday, April 9

Black Lips – Athens, Ga. – 40 Watt Club – Saturday, April 10

Manchester Orchestra – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, Ga. – Thursday April 15

My Morning Jacket – Chastain Park – Atlanta, Ga. – Friday, April 23

- Jessica Cole

Currently Listening to: “When They Fight, They Fight” by The Generationals

The Guitars not Guns Music Program began in 2000 in San Jose, Calif. It has become an international charity that provides lessons (and guitars!) to foster children in a classroom setting with qualified teachers. The program has roots all across the US and Canada.

The Athens class will be taught by Roy Kennedy, Director of Music Therapy and two UGA students.  Caroline Aiken, an Athens guitarist and entertainer, will also be teaching.  The first class began today, on February 8th.

For more information on the Georgia Chapter and to see how you can help, click here.

Maggie Summers

currently listening to “Come Together” by the Beatles

Athen’s own of Montreal has been in the news lately with the buzz that R&B girls Solange and Janelle Monae will contribute vocals to their upcoming album.  Super excited to hear what they have in store next, especially after their crazy weird last album, Skeletal Lamping.

And of course, they’ll be stopping in Athens for two nights on their Winter Tour.  It’s awful hard to pass up an of Montreal show, as they are always guaranteed to be a wonderfully theatrical, trippy time.  They’ll be lighting up the 40 Watt on February 3 & 4.  Tickets are $15 advance.  Grab them at School Kids Records & do it quick.  The shows are sure to sell out fast.

The complete list of dates is below.  The last few shows will be of Montreal guitarist James Husband rockin solo.

01-25 Baltimore, MD – Ram’s Head
01-26 New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
01-27 Boston, MA – Paradise
01-28 Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
01-29 Norfolk, VA – Norva
01-30 Richmond, VA – The National
02-04 Athens, GA – 40 Watt
02-05 Asheville, NC – Orange Peel
02-06 Nashville, TN – Cannery Ballroom

James Husband:

03-13 Miami, FL – Pop Life (at Pickle Electric)
03-14 Orlando, FL – The Stardust
03-16 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon

-Maggie Summers

When Starday Records producer Pappey Dailey told him to quit singing like his idols and try singing like himself, the ex-marine and then 24 year-old country music hopeful, George Jones, mastered his first Top Five hit “Why Baby Why” and set the course for a career that would span more than 50 years and produce 150 chart-topping recordings.

One of seven children, Jones was first introduced to country music listening to The Grand Ole Opry every Saturday night on the family radio. The bellowing sounds of Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Roy Acuff and other artists turned his ear and embedded a deep love for a genre of music that became his life-long pursuit and passion.

After receiving a guitar as a gift at age nine, Jones developed his talent by performing for tips on the streets of Beaumont, TX. Leaving home at 16, Jones moved to Jasper, found a job performing on a local radio station and eventually transitioned to playing the Texas honky-tonk circuit.

Experiencing an explosive rise to stardom and considered the top male singer in country music, in 1969 Jones married Tammy Wynette, at the time country music’s hot new female artist. The stormy union introduced Jones to producer Billy Sherrill at Epic Records and formed a prolific 20-year relationship, resulting in more hits for Jones including, “The Grand Tour,” “A Picture of Me Without You,” and the duet with Wynette, “Golden Ring.”    

With the world at his fingertips, Jones eventually was faced with the harsh realities of the industry, the worldly influences of the road and multiple failed marriages. Swirling rumors of heavy drinking with stories of driving a riding lawnmower to bars, drug abuse and substantial debt impacted his ability to perform and labeled him as “No Show Jones.” Despite the looming demons that seemed to follow him, Jones surfaced with a very personal song, “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” that would etch his name into the country music history books and win several music industry awards.

Added success wasn’t the cure-all, as Jones was told by physicians that he only had days to live if his drinking continued. Jones’ fourth wife, Nancy Sepulvado, and his reaffirmed faith in Christ redirected Jones’ course of self-destruction and delivered him to a life of sobriety and renewed respect within the realm of country music. An added Grammy™ in 1999 for the release of “Cold Hard Truth” and the receipt of the 2002 Medal of Arts, the highest honor for artistic excellence, from President George W. Bush at a White House ceremony, confirmed the rebirth of his career.

A “Career” Song

LuanneByrd: “You’re known for contributing so many profound songs to the historical halls of country music, most notably “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” What personal connection do you have with this song and how pivotal was its success in developing/furthering your career?

George Jones: I think anyone who has ever lost a loved one can relate to this song. I fought recording the song for years because I thought it was just too sad but I was finally persuaded by my great producer Billy Sherrill and it was my biggest hit ever. It was definitely a boost to my career or as they say…a “career” song.

 The Old Nashville Sound

Byrd: You have been regarded as the “greatest living country singer” by Country Music Television (CMT). How do you feel about the new country sound coming out of Nashville today as opposed to the old Nashville sound that was reminiscent when you started your career?

Jones: I have been very vocal about how I feel about the majority of music that is being classified as “country” music. Most of it is not at all what I call country music. I know all genres of music change over time but not as drastically as the music I love has, and I don’t think it is for the better.

A Timeless Genre

Byrd: How does country music seem to remain so timeless between generations?

Jones: I think if you love country music it is timeless because as I said, people can relate to it. I perform all over the United States and I look out and see teenagers and 20 to 30-year-olds singing along to every song. Some of the songs date back to the 50s, so I know they have bought my albums and listened to them many times.

Favorite Collaborations

Jones: I did a duet album titled “Burn Your Playhouse Down” with many of my friends…Leon Russell, Ricky Skaggs, Dolly Parton, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, Vince Gill, Jim Lauderdale, Shelby Lynne, Mark Chesnutt, Mark Knopfler, Marty Stuart, Tammy Wynette and my daughter, Georgette Jones. That was definitely one of my favorites.

 An Award-Winning Career

Byrd: You’ve received so many awards throughout your career for your artistry – which award stands out the most?

Jones: I think being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame was probably the one I am proudest of because that award is voted on by your peers.

 Saved By Family and Faith

Byrd: You often mention your wife, Nancy, for redirecting your course in life. Did your faith also play a role in this change?

Jones: Nancy was the catalyst to get me moving in the right direction, but faith in the Lord got me through some bad times.

 What Fans Don’t Know

 Byrd: Share something unusual that your fans don’t know about you.

 Jones: I love to mow grass at my farm. In the summer, I get on my big tractor and mow for hours. It is a stress reliever for me. People will pull up to the gates at the farm and wave to me.

 The Infamous Riding Lawnmower

 Byrd: What happened to the renowned riding lawnmower that you were rumored to have driven to the bars so many years ago?

 Jones: You know that story had a life of its own. People started saying it was when I was married to Tammy Wynette but that is not true. I couldn’t tell you where that lawnmower is…

 Remember Me

Byrd: What do you feel is your personal contribution to country music and what do you wish to be remembered for in your career?

Jones: I have sung a lot of great songs written by great writers, and toured all over the world to help promote country music. I hope I will be remembered for my music, and that I did it my way. 

Added Advice

Byrd: What advice would you pass onto a young person trying to pursue a career in country music?

Jones: Keep it country, work hard, never sacrifice, and be good to your fans…they can make you or break you.

When asked to share about his earlier touring days and some of the colorful stories that have surfaced throughout the years with other industry legends, Jones remarked that it wouldn’t be a good idea to bring those up.

Jones continues to tour across the United States with more than 100 shows each year. Jones has also entered into a venture to develop a music themed destination, “Country Crossings” in Dothan, AL featuring restaurants, music venues and retail stores.

 The Classic Center Theatre in Athens, GA. will host Jones in concert on Friday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m.

 “Athens is a great southern town that is known for its hospitality. I have appeared in and around Athens in years past,” said Jones. “They (concert-goers) can expect to hear the best of George Jones songs from over 50 years in the business and a great performance.”  

 Tickets for the George Jones concert on Feb. 5 are priced from $32 to $42. For tickets or information call 706.357.4444, visit www.ClassicCenter.com or stop by The Classic Center Box Office at 300 N. Thomas St. in downtown Athens. Located in Athens, Georgia, The Classic Center is a multi-use conference center and 2,100 seat theatre hosting conventions, conferences, meetings, weddings, concerts and special events.

“Vic is in the middle of a serious medical situation, he is in a coma, and his family and friends are with him,” said Constellation Records’ Don Wilkie. “We have no comment right now on the specifics other than that his doctors are continuing to assess his condition. We will issue a full statement at an appropriate time. In the interim, we request that everybody respect Vic’s privacy and that of his family.”

While the cause of Chesnutt’s coma has been rumored as a suicide attempt, there has been no official confirmation to that point.

The 45-year-old Chesnutt is a true gem of Athens, GA music, moving there in the mid ’80s and being discovered by R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, who produced his first two records. Since then, Chesnutt has released over a dozen more albums, including two in 2009.

Stay tuned for details as they become available.

The 13 song album was recorded in Athens by longtime Truckers favorite David Barbe.

“It’s very much a rock album,” says Patterson Hood of the Trucker’s upcoming release. “Very melodic and more rocking than anything we’ve done since disc 2 of Southern Rock Opera.”

In the over two years since Control’s release, the band has been seemingly everywhere, completing major tours with the likes of Kings of Leon, The Kooks and Drive By Truckers. They also boast appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.

For those who can’t wait til March, the band is offering two songs from the record for free download here: www.thewhigs.com/music/in-the-dark-single

-Alec Wooden