The pre-show for tonight’s Dove Awards — which will air Sunday on gmc — (yes, it’s now lowercase and yes, it’s the network formerly known as the Gospel Music Channel) – just kicked off.

Of the 43 awards, 35 will be dispersed during this untelevised portion.

Though there is no feed in the press room, we’ve been informed that “Wait on the Lord,” by Lola Godheld, won urban recorded song of the year.

Atlanta resident VaShawn Mitchell, nominated for his first two Doves, just lost contemporary gospel album of the year to Israel Houghton’s “Love God. Love People.”

Hopefully, we’ll see some winners back here soon.

Continue reading The Dove Awards begin »

Sixty-five year old Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band performed Tuesday night at Philips Arena in a hit-filled two hour show. Robert Clarke Seger was born on May 6, 1945 in Dearborn, Michigan. He is one of rock music’s most successful singer-songwriters, mostly writing and recording songs that dealt with blue-collar themes. Seger is best known for such rock and roll hits as “Night Moves”, “Turn the Page”, and “Like a Rock”, and also co-wrote the Eagles number one hit “Heartache Tonight”. His iconic signature song “Old Time Rock and Roll” was named one of the Songs of the Century in 2001. “Old Time Rock & Roll” charted #2 as the most played Jukebox Singles of all Time, second only to Patsy Cline’s “Crazy”.
His songs have been covered by many artists including Thin Lizzy and Metallica. Bob Seger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

AJC photographer Robb Cohen covered the show with his camera. Check out the online gallery. What did you …

Continue reading Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band Rock Philips Arena »

Before the lights dimmed, by way of introduction, a voice intoned, “Are you ready for the real thing?”

 The “thing,” of course, being Bob Seger and his Silver Bullet Band, a veteran clan often referred to as the Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band of the Midwest.

 The comparison is true to an extent. Both possess endless catalogs of meaty rock tunes and have acquired admirably loyal fans who also share an affinity for beer and help sell out venues – though last night’s Philips Arena attendance was close, with about 85 percent of its seats filled.

 But Seger’s gigs have never tried to ape the manic intensity of a Springsteen show and his Atlanta stop on this tour, slated to roll through May, exemplified his unassuming approach.

 With his shaggy gray hair, goatee and glasses, Seger, who turns 66 in a few weeks, looked like the neighborhood bar keep – albeit one with a gravelly growl of a voice that instantly ignited blue collar rockers “Roll Me Away” and …

Continue reading Bob Seger brings authenticity to Philips Arena »

Wiz Khalifa comes to the Masquerade Music Park in July on the heels of his new album, “Rolling Papers.” Photo: Darren Ankenman

ON SALE NOW
Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash with Chris Brown, Keri Hilson. June 18. Philips Arena. $10.79-$104. TM.
Children Of Bodom, Devin Townsend, Obscura, Septic Flesh. 7 p.m. July 8. Masquerade. $22.50. TM.
Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Chevy Woods. 6 p.m. July 12. Masquerade Music Park. $35. TM.
Furthur Festival with Phil Lesh and Bob Weir. 7 p.m. July 31. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. $39.50-$59.50. TM.
Guster, Jack’s Mannequin. 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. Delta Classic Chastain Series. $26-$36. TM.

ON SALE APRIL 22
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. 9 p.m. May 28.  The Loft. $25. TA.
David Jacobs-Strain. 8 p.m. June 9. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $15. $12 in advance. TA.
The Parlotones. 8 p.m. June 16. Smith’s Olde Bar – Music Room. $15; $12 in advance. TA.
Animal Collective. July 8. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre. $30. TM.
Natasha …

Continue reading Hot tickets: April 19 »

Photos: Mariano Vivanco

About halfway through her show, Lady Gaga rose from the bowels of the stage seated behind a scorched-looking piano, a chauffer’s cap sexily tilted on her head.

 She leaned forward into a real microphone – not the headset clamped on her most of the night – and unleashed a stripped, potent version of “Born This Way.”

 In its rawest form, steered by Gaga’s monster of a voice, the song bore zero resemblance to the dance classic it is universally compared to – Madonna’s “Express Yourself” – and instead, shuddered through the Gwinnett Arena with searing poignancy.

 By following it up with the torchy new “You and I,” a sweeping power ballad straight out of the early Elton John songbook, Gaga proved in four minutes what her entire show strived to accomplish in nearly two hours: She’s nobody’s wannabe.

 While there is no denying that the girl formerly known as Stefani Germanotta has spent thousands of hours studying not only …

Continue reading Lady Gaga proves she’s no wannabe »

Couldn’t get a good seat to Bob Seger’s gig at Philips Arena Tuesday night?

Try again.

Some seats production seats have just been released and are available for purchase through Ticketmaster.

Also, country duo Steel Magnolia has been added as an opener. Show time is 7:30 p.m.

Continue reading New seats available for Bob Seger Tuesday at Philips »

It’s “Concerts in the Garden” time at Atlanta Botanical Garden. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday for members of the garden and on May 6 for everyone else.

This season’s lineup is:

June 3: Jonny Lang with Moreland and Arbuckle, $37 ($35 for members)

July 8-9: Indigo Girls,$45 ($42.75 for members)

July 15: Steve Earle and the Dukes, $39.50 ($37.50 for members)

July 22: Emmylou Harris, $52.50 ($50 for members)

Aug. 26: Los Lobos, $39.50 ($37.50 for members)

All concerts start at 8 p.m. (gates open at 7 p.m.) and are rain or shine events.

For more information, visit www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

Continue reading Atlanta Botanical Garden announces summer concert lineup »

Country superstar Tim McGraw brought his Emotional Traffic Tour to the nearly sold out Aaron’s Amphitheare Saturday night, along with special guests Luke Bryan and The Band Perry.

Samuel Timothy “Tim” McGraw was born in Delhi, Louisiana on May 1, 1967. Many of McGraw’s albums and singles have topped the country music charts, leading him to achieve total album sales in excess of 40 million units. He is married to country singer Faith Hill and is the son of former baseball player Tug McGraw. McGraw had 11 consecutive albums debut at Number One on the Billboard albums charts. Twenty-one singles hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country 100 chart. Three singles became the No. 1 country song of the year (”It’s Your Love”, “Just To See You Smile”, and “Live Like You Were Dying”). He has won 3 Grammys, 14 Academy of Country Music awards, 11 Country Music Association (CMA) awards, 10 American Music Awards, and 3 People’s Choice Awards. His Soul2Soul II Tour with Faith Hill is the highest …

Continue reading Tim McGraw & Luke Bryan Open The Concert Season At Aaron’s Amphitheatre Saturday Night »

Decatur-based singer-songwriter Caroline Herring will celebrate the release of her wonderful new children's CD, "The Little House Songs," at two family-friendly shows Saturday, April 16, at Eddie's Attic. She'll also play a show for the grown-ups on Friday night, April 15. Photo: Jeffrey Fasano

TODAY-SATURDAY
Caroline Herring
Herring makes thoughtful and emotionally resonant music for adults, but there’s often a hint of wonder and innocence beneath the grown-up exterior. That takes center stage on her marvelous new album for children, “The Little House Songs.” It’s based on the 1942 book by Virginia Lee Burton, but you don’t have to know the story because Herring vividly recreates it in song. The Decatur-based singer-songwriter has always been a brilliant musical storyteller, and she really shines on “The Little House Songs.” There will be a show for the adults on Friday night and two shows for kids and families on Saturday. See our story on the genesis of the …

Continue reading Live music picks: April 15-21 »

Country legend Loretta Lynn comes to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center June 10. Tickets on sale April 15. Photo: Russ Harrington

ON SALE APRIL 15
Marcia Ball. 8:30 p.m. May 27. Variety Playhouse. $22.50; $20 in advance. TM.
The Atlanta Jazz Festival presents DMS featuring George Duke, Marcus Miller and David Sanborn. With Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue. 7 p.m. May 30. Chastain Park Amphitheatre. $35-$55. LN.
Toots & the Maytals. 8:30 p.m. June 3. Variety Playhouse. $27.50; $25 in advance. TM.
Loretta Lynn. June 10. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. $34.50-$79. TM.
Dinosaur Jr., Off. With Henry Rollins interviewing Dinosaur Jr. live. 8 p.m. June 26. Variety Playhouse. $30.50; $28.50 in advance. TM.
David Gray, Lisa O’Neill. 8 p.m. June 28. Fox Theatre. $39-$59. LN.
John Butler Trio, Gomez. 8 p.m. July 22. The Tabernacle. $30; $27.50 in advance. LN.
Celtic Thunder. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 15. Fox Theatre. $46.50-$65. TM.

ON SALE APRIL 16
Rockstar Energy Mayhem Festival with …

Continue reading Hot tickets: April 12 »