Atlanta quartet Vonnegutt recently collaborated on Big Boi's solo album "Sir Lucious Left Foot: Son of Chico Dusty" and will release its debut album, "Falling Up the Stairs," in 2011 via a partnership between Big Boi's Purple Ribbon label and Manchester Orchestra's Favorite Gentleman Records.

FRIDAY
B.o.B
Decatur’s Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. (aka B.o.B) has a lot to celebrate with this homecoming gig. There’s his Grammy nod for record of the year, for starters. “Nothin’ on You,” a No. 1 hit that features it-boy Bruno Mars, will compete for that prize. His debut album, “B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray,” debuted at No. 1 when it was released in April and provided two more Top 10 singles in “Magic” (featuring Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo) and “Airplanes” (featuring Paramore’s Hayley Williams).
8 p.m. Dec. 24. $25 in advance. Smith’s Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Road, Atlanta. 404-875-1522.

SUNDAY
Drivin’ N’ Cryin’
For many years, you could count on …

Continue reading Live music picks: Dec. 24-30 »

If anyone needed proof that Ed Roland is a good guy, the evidence was on full display Friday night at Eddie’s Attic.

For the fourth or fifth year –Roland wasn’t sure exactly how long – the Collective Soul frontman and Attic legend Eddie Owen teamed for a weekend of charity-driven concerts highlighted by guest performances.

 At last night’s show (a second is tonight), the  intimate venue was packed early with a crowd filled with fans, charity volunteers, Roland’s family and friends and even The Weather Channel’s Nicole Mitchell (happily pointed out to me by my husband).

 While Roland, looking erudite in glasses and a crisp white button-down, was the primary draw, his first guests of the night threatened to overshadow his veteran status through their sheer excellence.

 The sister act von Grey (their last name), based in Alpharetta, was nothing short of stunning on their original songs “With You I Can” and “Rise Up,” written in response to the Nashville …

Continue reading Collective Soul’s Ed Roland shines at Eddie’s Attic charity show »

North Carolina quartet Chatham County Line brings its Christmas celebration to the Variety Playhouse on Dec. 17. Photo: Dave Wilson

FRIDAY
Chatham County Line Special Holiday Show
North Carolina’s Chatham County Line puts an alt-country spin on bluegrass and on Christmas. The band’s holiday celebration began six years ago as a party for friends and family, but last year they decided to take it on the road. The show opens with an acoustic set, followed by a full electric set with bassist Jay Brown and drummer Zeke Hutchins joining in. Johnny Irion plays emcee and will join in on a few songs.
8:30 p.m. Dec. 17. $18. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-524-7354.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY
“A Charlie Brown Christmas” with T.T. Mahoney and Jeffrey Butzer
These Atlanta musicians are back again for the third year to perform Vince Guaraldi’s classic jazzy score from the ’60s “Peanuts” holiday special. Sorry No Ferrari will also be on hand with a run through …

Continue reading Live music picks: Dec. 17-23 »

"American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken, one of the show's most commercially successful artists, will play thye Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Feb. 16. Tickets go on sale Dec. 17. Photo: Eric Ogden / RCA Music Group

ON SALE  NOW
Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, Teena Marie. 8:30 p.m. Jan. 1. Fox Theatre. $80-$110. TM.
The B-52s. 8 p.m. Feb. 18. Classic Center. $39.50-$59.50. www.classiccenter.com.

ON SALE DEC. 17
Hinder, My Darkest Days, Koppek. 6:30 p.m. Jan. 23. Masquerade. $22 in advance. TM.
Arson Anthem, Warbeast, HAARP, Primate. 7 p.m. Jan. 26. Masquerade. $18 in advance. TM.
Times of Grace, War of Ages, Straight Line Stitch. 6:30 p.m. Feb. 2. Masquerade. $13 in advance. TM.
Broken Social Scene. 8 p.m. Feb. 10. Buckhead Theatre. $26. TM.
WhiteChapel, The Acacia Strain, Veil of Maya, Chelsea Grin, I Declare War. 6 p.m. Feb. 11. Masquerade. $16 in advance. TM.
Clay Aiken. Feb. 16. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. TM.
Plain White T’s. 8 p.m. Feb. 16. The Loft. $20; …

Continue reading Hot tickets: Dec. 14 »

The Indigo Girls, Shawn Mullins and Chely Wright filled the packed Tabernacle with holiday cheer Friday night, December 10, on their Holly Happy Days tour finale show. The first set of the evening had the four singer-songwriters performing onstage acoustically and singing several of their hits together and individually. After an intermission, Indigo Girls appeared with their band and played an inspired electric set to the delight of their many loyal fans who have followed Emily Saliers and Amy Ray since theirEmory and  Little Five Points coffeehouse days in the 1980’s.

AJC photographer Robb Cohen covered the show with his camera. Check out the 20-photo online gallery: The Indigo Girls at the Tabernacle . What did you think of the show? What is your favorite Indigo Girls story or concert experience?

(Photo Credit: Robb D. Cohen/ www.robbsphotos.com)  For other concert photography linked to Access Atlanta, please visit  Atlanta Concert Photography Galleries.)

Continue reading Indigo Girls & Shawn Mullins Bring Holiday Cheer To The Tabernacle Friday Night »

Atlanta singer-songwriter Richard Bicknell will preview songs from his upcoming album, "Shakedusting Lazarus," when he and his band the Shameless Lovers play Smith's Olde Bar Friday. Photo: Angela Myers

FRIDAY
Richard Bicknell and the Shameless Lovers
Longtime Atlanta singer and songwriter Bicknell will preview songs from his upcoming recording project, “Shakedusting Lazarus,” as well as old favorites. The new album will include original songs, plus covers of songs by such artists as Emmylou Harris, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Maria McKee, David Olney, Townes Van Zandt and Jesse Winchester. That list gives a good indication of Bicknell’s work, a stylish blend of rustic Americana and urbane alt country.
10 p.m. Dec. 10. $12; $10 in advance. Smith’s Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Road, Atlanta. 404-875-1522.

FRIDAY
Jimmy Herring Band
The Jimmy Herring Band is led by Widespread Panic’s lead guitarist, who is also a favored sideman for several former Grateful Dead members. The …

Continue reading Live Music Picks: Dec. 10-15 »

Soulja Boy is the star of a new concert series on MySpace that tapes Saturday and streams Dec. 21.

“MySpace Music Presents” will feature the Atlanta-based rapper performing songs from his recently released third album, “The DeAndre Way,” from the Pipeline Café in Honolulu, HI. The show, which will feature guest DJs Jimmy Taco and Rick Rock, plus celebs from “America’s Best Dance Crew” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” will stream at www.myspace.com.

Continue reading Soulja Boy kicks off new MySpace concert series »

Comedian Chris Tucker takes the stage at the Fox Theatre on New Year's Eve. Tickets go on sale Dec. 10. Photo: Quinn Hood

ON SALE  NOW
Travis Tritt. 8 p.m. Jan. 29. Buckhead Theatre. $50-$75. TM.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey: Barnum’s Funundrum. Feb. 24-27. Gwinnett Arena. $14-$130. TM.

ON SALE DEC. 10
10 Miles Blue. 8 p.m. Dec. 27. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $10 in advance. TA.
Chris Tucker. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Fox Theatre. $49-$79. TM.
Angie Aparo. 7 p.m. Jan. 1. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $15; $12 in advance. TA.
Against Me!, Cheap Girls, Fences. 7 p.m. Jan. 16. Masquerade. $13 in advance. TM.
The Shadowboxers. 8 p.m. Jan. 19, Feb. 2 and 16 and March 2. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $10; $8 in advance. TA.
Tesla Rossa. 8 p.m. Jan. 20. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $8 in advance. TA.
PleaseRock Presents “Dark Side of the Moon,” “Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band” and “Black Sea.” Members of Please PleaseRock Me and Yacht …

Continue reading Hot tickets: Dec. 7 »

From the opening moments, when he drifted over the crowd on a metal platform, and then, suspended like Spider-Man, walked across its vertical peak, it was evident that this Usher show would be as much flash as substance.

But 32-year-old Usher Raymond has carved a substantial career out of being not just a dancer, not just a singer and not just an entertainer, but an anomaly in music – an impressive combination of all three.

At Sunday’s homecoming show in front of a sold-out and squealing Philips Arena audience, the multi-hyphenate Alpharetta resident spent two hours dripping sweat, exhibiting his sculpted physique and touring a catalog of almost 15 years of hits.

He opened with “Monstar,” from his recent “Raymond v. Raymond,” but a few songs later Usher ditched his futuristic-military-black outfit to go retro in a red zipper jacket and swoop back to 1997 for “You Make Me Wanna” and “Nice and Slow.”

Usher’s musical heart might now beat to the electro-Euro …

Continue reading Usher swaggers and seduces at Philips Arena homecoming show »

Carolina Chocolate Drops, just nominated for a Grammy for best traditional folk album for "Geniune Negro Jig," will play Variety Playhouse Saturday. Photo: Julie Roberts

FRIDAY
Claire Lynch Band
Lynch has Grammy nominations for best bluegrass album and has been named female vocalist of the year by the International Bluegrass Music Association (in 1997 and this year). She deserves all the accolades we can toss her way. “Crowd Favorites” is a good place to start for those new to Lynch. It’s a 2008 compilation of the cream of her recent recorded output along with re-recordings of a few songs she did in her days with the Front Porch String Band.
8 p.m. Dec. 3. $15. Eddie’s Attic, 515 N. McDonough St., Decatur. 404-377-4976.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY
84th annual Spelman-Morehouse Christmas Carol Concert
A yearly tradition that can put the Grinchiest of Scrooges in a festive holiday mood, the program features Spelman and Morehouse glee clubs’ hallmark blend of carols, spirituals and …

Continue reading Live music picks: Dec. 3-9 »