From the Publisher’s Notebook Has the Bessie Smith Strut a feeling of watching an old seen its last days? friend die. What started out as a show of unity between the black and white communities has sunk into a dismal flop. What used to be huge crowds of blacks and whites enjoying music and mingling together is now a hollow shell.
The city commission should get off their rears and that was for everyone. restore the one event of the entire Riverbend Festival Bring back Bessie.
When Friends of the Festival ran it with help from the city, it was great—bands everywhere, young children, teens, and adults enjoying the event in groups, entire families enjoying the strut up and down the street. Now— older people in groups of two to six slowly wandering up and down the street nursing a $5.00 beer. What happened to the reason it was created— to bring the races together in friendship and fun? I guess it got too expensive to host for free— so the big money support for talent furnished by youknow-who was withdrawn— the city seemed to close the purse, fences went up, a charge to get in was added and the Strut started dying. No more cute little kids in a family group, no more meeting or making friends— now ENIGMA
JULY 2017
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Paul E. Burke Sr.| Publisher
Dear Rocco, I have been dating a guy for two weeks. Last night we went to a club with a group and drinking got out of hand. I ended up sleeping with him. I didn’t mean to. Do you think that was a mistake of me to sleep with him right away? Should I discuss this with him? This is not the way I normally behave. KH
Dear Rocco, Why is music so bad today? It seems like I spend most of my time in the car changing the station while I drive. Is there any real music out there anymore? EP Dear EP, First, it would be best if I warn you not to distract yourself while driving. That’s how people get hurt and worse. If you can’t find anything on the radio to listen to as you drive I suggest connecting your mp3 player or if you still have CDs bring some along for the ride as I do. The music has been in a downward tumble since the 1990s when instead of putting out talent, they marketed to the lowest common denominator that would literally buy and listen to any thing. Radio itself has gone downhill since automation and the elimination of live deejay. You can thank the FCC for their easing the limit of a number of stations a media group can own in each market. Now these radio groups hire someone from Nevada who tells them what you and I want to – or will listen to instead of what we actually do and want to listen to. Add to that modern tech nologies where anybody can technically sing as now there are multiple applications that can take someone off-key and bring them in key. AutoTune is one of the most popular for that. Companies find a good looking girl or guy who they can market strictly on their looks and most of the magic is done behind the scenes ala Britney Spears, who in case you didn’t already know lip syncs in concert. How else would she be able to do all those wild dance moves and her singing still sound as if it was “just like the record”? Technology has replaced talent. Talent is too far and few as many resort to gimmicks like reality TV contests instead of hitting the
road and working on their craft. Most now are after instant gratifica tion and not putting in the time to become good singers and musicians. Is it any wonder some of the biggest concert draws now are deejay?
Dear KH, That depends on you. I have no idea of your lifestyle choices or how many times you’ve had sex. If you’re a grown adult you make up your own mind. And please don’t use alcohol as an excuse for sleeping with him unless you were passed out before consummating the relationship. This is the 21st century and the sexual revolution was over 50 years ago so no one really cares who or what you’ve slept with. What is important is personal responsibility. You have to be responsible for your actions. No one else is – not they guy you were with (unless he forced you against your will) or society. No one will think any less of you. And you might be surprised that many don’t think of you at all.
outside of my race and his asking me out does not offend me. My question is should I accept his invitation to go out on a date with him or not? What are the things that should not be brought up while I am with him? Please help me out on this one! JW Dear JW, You do realize this is the 21 st centu ry don’t you? No one care who you date or what gender they are (pick from about two dozen now). People that worry about stuff don’t seem to realize that all humans do just about the same damn thing. They eat, sleep, work, listen to music, watch TV and moves and so on and so forth. If you like this person go out and have a good time. It’s not like you’re obligated to marry them or anything. If you have similar interests and goals go for it but put your 1960s stereotype or race relations where they belong – ancient history. It’s not like you’re crossing unchartered territory these days.
Rocco is a common sense, tell-itlike-it-is, no-nonsense kind of guy offering real advice on any subject put before him. Why pay thousands of dollars on a high-priced therapist Dear Rocco, when he’ll straighten you out for I am a 32-year-old African American free. If you’d like advice from Rocco Dear HC, him at It’s misguided priorities. What female and a white male has asked e-mail another state unless you live in or me out for a date. I have never dated goaskrocco@yahoo.com. do business there has nothing to do with what you think and vice versa. It’s all about conceived control of a situation for a particular political party or agenda. The trouble is most candidates these days no longer run on a platform. Most of their time and money is spent insulting their opponent and the party affiliation instead of touting their abilities and what their goals are if they are elect ed. Hillary Clinton is the biggest example to date of this. She spent over a billion dollars to slander her opponent Donald Trump. I never heard her say what he plans were for America (other than using it for personal economic gain). Like Trump, hate him, I don’t care but between silly tweets and name-call ing he had an agenda that he brought to the people for better and worse. It is often better to know your enemy than be blindsided after it’s too late. And thanks to our political system we still have free elections (for now) and can change lead ers every couple of years. There is no reason for a candidate in this country to accept money outside their constituency and there is no reason a presidential candidate should accept campaign money from anyone or thing from outside our country.
Dear Rocco, Why do people care so much about the election in states they are not from and donate money to them? HC
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ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Family outings should include visiting friends or relatives. Romantic relationships could be under pressure. Your family may not be pleased with your decisions. Time is money and you must be ready to take action in order to reach your highest potential.
moves that will be prosperous.
coworker. Older members of your family may try to take advantage of Your luckiest events this month will you. You need to be careful not to occur on a Thursday. make promises that you can’t fulfill. Education may be the answer. GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Your luckiest events this month will Problems with colleagues are like- occur on a Wednesday. ly. Your concern with older family members and those less fortunate LEO than yourself will only add to your (July 23-Aug 22) Your luckiest events this month will attractiveness. Avoid friends or Take the whole family and make it occur on a Friday. acquaintances who drink too much. an enjoyable outing. Job changes Help an older member with a prob- are in order. Go for interviews or TAURUS lem that faces them. send out resumes. Unrealistic (Apr. 21- May 21) promises will only get you in trouYou will be able to work in fine Your luckiest events this month will ble. Do the necessary chores and detail and present the best possible occur on a Wednesday. then do things that please you. proposal. Your goals will be in reach if you direct your energy CANCER Your luckiest events this month will wisely. Relationships will become (June 22-July 22) occur on a Friday. stronger. You can make career Don’t get intimately involved with a VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You may want to get involved in financial investments presented to you. Older family members may take advantage of you by making you feel guilty. Consider making pleasure trips or participating in entertainment that will require energy. Take the day to relax and pamper yourself.
you convince others of the possibilities. I Don’t let siblings put pressure on you. You should get out and meet new people this month. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Monday. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) Rely on yourself and you will look good to superiors. You may find yourself changing crowds. You will be quite excitable this month. Overindulgence will mean poor health. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Sunday. CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Secret affairs may be brought out in the open. You may overspend if you travel this month; however, the trip will be one to remember. Secret affairs may only cause complications in your life. Take the initiative and go after your goals. Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday.
AQUARIUS Your luckiest events this month will (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) You should regain some of your self occur on a Saturday. esteem if you get involved in organizational functions. Chances are LIBRA you could get stuck with a col(Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Unreliable people will be negative league’s job unexpectedly. You will about your ideas. Take some time be prone to carelessness that could to change your house around. Do result in accidents. Do your job and not reveal personal information to don’t ask for favors. those you feel may be untrustworthy. You’ve been in a rut and you Your luckiest events this month will need to do something that will help occur on a Wednesday. you break the pattern you’ve fallen PISCES into. (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Your luckiest events this month will Try to make arrangements with close friends or relatives to spend a occur on a Wednesday. few days away. Red tape could be impossible to clear up this month. SCORPIO Don’t make excuses. Expect some (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Your flair for dramatic appeal will flak. unleash itself at social functions. Your ability to visualize will help Your luckiest events this month will occur on a Saturday. ENIGMA
JULY 2017
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Things That Make Me Go Hmmm... A couple of things have been bug- out, phone in hand and started They related that the driver of the ging me so this time I wanted to looking at the front of his car. He car told them he had looked away discuss some issues that as the examined it for a while then start- from the road. Now I admit I did once popular song title says make me go “hmmm.” First up there is texting. If you are driving please DON’T DO IT. There are more and more traffic wrecks every day that are caused by texting. I have been retired from law enforcement for three and half years now. While I was still there we were advised at a Highway Safety meeting that statistics were showing that texting drivers were becoming more prevalent and thus more dangerous than drunk or impaired drivers. Here are just a few examples of texting gone wrong while driving I’ve heard about or observed. Recently I was sitting in a local restaurant eating my food when I heard a loud “thump” sound from the street outside. I knew that sound. I looked up to see that a small car had hit the back of a van. I had not heard any braking sounds. Luckily the cars had not been going very fast as the traffic had been heavy on Hixson Pike. The driver of the car, a probably mid-twenties male got
A few months ago a friend of mine’s wife was stopped on Hwy 153. Traffic had come to a stop in front of her. She looked in her rear- view mirror to see a car rapidly coming up on her. She realized ed pushing on the hood. I never not see the person texting but I it was not going to stop and tried saw him go to the van to check on would like to see his phone record to pull into the median to avoid the other driver. Eventually the van for that time. getting rear-ended. The other car driver got out walking on a cane and rubbing his neck. The elderly van driver was eventually transported by ambulance due to his injuries. I went outside to chat with the responding police officers. I told them I had heard no sounds of braking prior to the impact noise.
enigma
45 Johnson Ferry Rd. NW Atlanta, GA 30328 P.O. Box 825 Chattanooga, TN 37401
Approximately two years ago I had a gentleman in my handgun permit class who was walking on a cane and mentioned that it was hard for him to sit for long periods of time due to injuries he’d received from a texting driver. This victim had been on his motorcycle at a red light when this thoughtless person had plowed into the car behind my student and that car had been knocked into him. He will never be the same. He did not seem bitter. All this because some selfish person had to text while driving.
info@enigmaonline.com (423) 933-5170
Paul E. Burke Sr. Publisher D.A. Weinthal. Editor-In-Chief Chris Eason Photo Editor
Contributing Editors: Mark Haskins, Jim Sells, Mark Bedford. Chris McKay, David N. Marks, William Alexander, Dave Fernandez Founder: D.A. Weinthal Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter @EnigmaMag www.enigmaonline.com ENIGMA
JULY 2017
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took no evasive action and slammed into the back of her car. This thoughtless person NEVER came to her vehicle to ask if she was OK. In fact she said he never said anything to her. Wow. Was he texting? I don’t know if it was determined conclusively but I’d be willing to bet on it. Does texting, e-mail, tweeting etc, lead to so much depersonalization that people don’t have the common decency to ask another person involved in a wreck if they are OK or need help? Hmmm. I wonder. Last comment on texting. I teach the Tennessee Handgun Safety (permit) class. I do not allow texting in my handgun permit classes. It is distracting to both the texter and me. It’s unsafe as the texter is not fully getting safety instructions and I consider it rude. Gasp! Yes I said it. If you are busy texting while someone is instructing, lecturing or otherwise formally speaking then I think in most of those situations that you are being rude. I know that may come as a shock to some Millennials and some “tweens” (those between mid -twenties and fifties). I think many people need to be told that “it’s a we society, not a me society.”
Speaking of a me society. What has happened to using your turn signals? I recently saw a car have to slam on it’s brakes as the car in front of it made an abrupt turn sans turn signal. Think to yourself how many times this happened to you lately. Several I’ll bet. Also what about turn signals to warn drivers you are changing lanes or merging? That is becoming a thing of the past. Perhaps if there was a little more traffic enforcement by law enforcement then perhaps people would slow down and drive a little more courteously. A few weeks ago I saw a car veer across three lanes of traffic to hit an exit at the last second with no turn signals and total disregard for other drivers. About two days later I saw a pack of motorcycles racing down Hwy 153. Traffic was flowing at around 70 miles an hour. I saw a headlight rapidly approaching and then saw the speeding bike rear up on the back wheel. The rider then blasted past all traffic on the back wheel. Real cool huh? There was a crash a few years ago here in town where one rider popped a wheelie then rode into another rider killing him.
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If you don’t think these can go bad over and over at Walmart. just go to you-tube and check out Sometimes I have seen the offending cart leaver at the back of the all the “wheelies gone wrong.” ‘Super-Walmart”. They had walked I have heard the present police all over the giant store to shop but Chief of Chattanooga does not like then would not go a few extra steps proactive traffic enforcement and to secure their cart. What does it that most of the traffic citations matter? Those carts get loose and being issued now are by mail. damage vehicles for one. The other These citations are from infrac- is it’s just plain laziness. tions captured by the so-called “speed vans”. The speed vans do So please don’t text and drive. not stop and cite people texting, Perhaps use your hands free option cutting across lanes of traffic and while driving. Use your turn signals riding wheelies just to name a few. for courtesy and to let other drivWhat has happened to law enforce- ers know your intent. Slow down a little. Motorcycle riders it’s dangerment traffic enforcement? ous enough on the highway so slow Kind of on the topic of the me soci- down and keep it on the two ety not we society thing. I think it’s wheels. You may save someone’s a sad reflection on our society/cul- life and that one might be your ture about how lazy many people own. Don’t make me go hmmm. can be. Sit for a brief time in the parking lot of Target or the mall or - Mark Haskins Walmart and see how many people bother to put their carts in the cart Background music Toto Past to holder. I was recently disgusted Present 1977-1990 when I watched a young girl push Paula Cole This Fire her cart up on a curb and the cart holder was only six steps way! I Happy FIFTY SECOND Anniversary know because I counted the dis- to my Aunt Linda and Jerry tance. Okay, maybe it was eight for Clevenger her as I’m taller than her. I had to Love you go a counted 68 steps to put my cart up. I have seen this happen
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A customer angered over nachos at Roberto’s Taco Shop in Las Vegas reportedly began stabbing employees, police said. Marcos Mendiola, 40, sits in a University Medical Center of Southern Nevada hospital bed, wondering how an argument over carne asada and chicken nacho toppings caused a vicious stabbing spree. Two of his coworkers had their arms slashed. The Roberto’s Taco Shop cook took 14 stabs: seven to the stomach, four to the back, two to the head, and one to the arm. “He and two other
employees were working at around 11:30 last night at the restaurant and that’s when two young Hispanic men walked in demanding meat and chicken on their nachos,” recalled Mendiola. “The cashier told them they could have one or the other but not both per company policy. The men then got angry and went into the kitchen.” Mendiola says one of the men asked if he wanted to fight him. After the first suspect took a swing, another man came from behind and started stabbing Mendiola. A woman was also involved. Mendiola hopes the people who almost took his life are
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caught soon before they do this again. “They need to find them because it’s not right for this to Chief, John Quatieri, told the Globe happen.” that the boy “could easily have broken bones or been very seriA 2-year-old Massachusetts boy’s ously injured.” The boy was hospifall out of a second story window talized overnight, but only to keep may have been much scarier had him monitored, said Chelsea Police the toddler not been clutching a Chief Brian Kyes. large, stuffed cow, police said. The boy was jumping on his bed in A stolen toe used in cocktails Chelsea on Wednesday afternoon returned to Canadian hotel with when he accidentally fell out of a apology. A thief who stole a mumwindow, the Boston Globe report- mified toe used in a Canadian ed. The boy dropped about 16 feet hotel’s signature cocktail returned onto concrete, but landed on the the bizarre ingredient and offered large, stuffed cow he was holding an apology. Royal Canadian at the time. Chelsea’s Deputy Fire Mounted Police in Yukon
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announced the “sour toe,” used in the Downtown Hotel in Dawson City’s “sourtoe cocktail,” had been returned. “On Tuesday afternoon Dawson City RCMP received a phone call from the alleged suspect, stating that he had placed the toe in the mail, addressed to the Downtown Hotel,” police said. “The man then called the Downtown Hotel and provided the same message to staff, along with a verbal apology.” The sour toe was first reported missing on Sunday, when staff at the hotel’s Sourdough Saloon said a man from Quebec with a French accent bragged about plans to steal the toe before it disappeared. Hotel manager Geri Coulbourn said the bar had back-up toes, but the one that was stolen had been cured in salt for six months after it was recently donated by a man who had it surgically removed. Police said the hotel received a package and RCMP Cpl. Jeff Myke was present to ensure it was safe to open. “Located inside the package was an apology letter, as well as the stolen toe,” police said. “At the time that the package was opened, the toe was believed to be in good condition.” No charges are expected to be filed in the case. The hotel’s policy states anyone guilty for stealing a sour toe will be fined up to $2,500, but management previously stated the fine would be waived if the toe was returned safely. It takes a lot of patience to steal $300,000 20 bucks at a time, but a trio of avocado factory workers (of all things) managed to do just that. The suspects, Joseph Valenzuela, 38, Carlos Chavez, 28, and Rahim Leblanc, 30, were employees of the Mission Produce ripening plant in Ventura County, CA. Investigators said they believe the suspects were stealing the avocados over the course of several months and selling them on the side for their own profit to unsuspecting customers. Company officials said the trio got the opportunity when they stopped permitting customers from picking up avocado orders, instead delivering them. But some customers continued to travel to the distribution center. The suspects sold the customers the avo-
cados, but then pocketed the cash. Police said the trio sold the avocados, usually about $50 per box, for $20 to keep the unsuspecting customers from asking questions. Investigators believe they were responsible for thousands of illegal transactions. Eventually, it was one of those customers who alerted the company last month something seemed amiss.
out of Faniel’s apartment. Police officers who arrived at the scene, began questioning Faniel about the drug sales. She denied the allegations. At some point, Faniel’s 3year-old son dragged a toy box and pulled out a loaded gun in front of the police officers. One of the officers quickly grabbed the gun.
According to police in Brooklyn, New York, officers responded to a 911 call of a man who was injured and bleeding heavily. Officers found 20-year-old Manos Ikonomidis dead. He suffered three stab wounds in the chest and back. A resident in the building said that there was a lot of noise coming from one apartment throughout the night, where Ikonomidis allegedly had a consensual threesome with 21-year-old Jack Doherty and a 21-year-old woman. According to witnesses, the woman became upset after realizing that Ikonomidis had recorded the threesome. Doherty drove the woman back to her Staten Island home, while Ikonomidis stayed in the apartment, where three people had sex. Meanwhile, the woman contacted her boyfriend, who was not involved in the threesome, and alleged that she was raped by Ikonomidis. The boyfriend and two other men went to the apartment and confronted Ikonomidis. He was beaten and stabbed as he tried to run from the apartment. Surveillance cameras showed two white men and a black man running after Ikonomidis with baseball bats. Ikonomidis managed to go to a neighbor’s house and ask for help before he collapsed and died. Police officers were shocked when a young boy pulled out a loaded gun from his toy box, according to police in Florida. Boynton Beach police said that they have arrested 34-year-old Rosalyn Faniel, after being accused of keeping a loaded gun within reach of her 3-year-old son. According to the criminal complaint, a neighbor called police to report that a man was selling drugs all night, and numerous drug addicts were going in and ENIGMA
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Police then looked around the house, and found a scale and six small plastic bags containing Oxycodone on top of a refrigerator. Faniel said that she did not know how the gun and the drugs ended up in her apartment. She has been charged with one count of child neglect.
Chattanooga’s Most Fun Night Out
CONCERT CALENDAR
JULY 6-9
“Go See Live Music”
CARLOS MENCIA
MENCIA BEGAN HIS CAREER DOING STAND-UP ON AMATEUR NIGHT AT THE WORLD RENOWNED COMEDY CLUB, LAUGH FACTORY. “MIND OF MENCIA” DEBUTED ON COMEDY CENTRAL IN EARLY 2005. IT BECAME ONE OF THE STRONGEST SHOWS IN THE NETWORK'S HISTORY, AVERAGING ABOUT 1.5 MILLION TOTAL VIEWERS.
JULY 13-15
KILLER BEAZ
KILLER BEAZ HAS BEEN ENTERTAINING AUDIENCES FOR OVER 30 YEARS. TOURING THE COUNTRY SUPPORTING HIS MOST RECENT RELEASE, “DON'T EVER TOUCH ANYBODY YOU DON'T KNOW!”
JULY 16
RYAN DAVIS
RYAN DAVIS IS A COMEDIAN WHOSE INTERNET SHOW HAS GENERATED MORE THAN 100 MILLION VIEWS IN 2016 ALONE. HIS VERSATILE COMEDY STYLE HAS ATTRACTED A DIVERSE AUDIE N C E T H A T S P A N S A C R O S S C O N T INENTS. ALTHOUGH RYAN HAS SEEN AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF SUCCESS ON THE INTERNET, HE PRIDES HIMSELF ON HIS ABILITY TO DELIVER IN HIS LIVE STAND UP SHOWS. WITH SOLD OUT SHOWS ACROSS THE US, RYAN IS PROVING TO BE ONE OF COMEDY'S NEW RISING STARS.
JUNE 20-23
DAVE SCOTT, THE SWINGER
COCKY AND CONFIDENT BUT NEVER DULL, THE MIDNIGHT SWINGER ERUPTS ONTO THE STAGE LIKE THE VOLCANO IN FRONT OF THE MIRAGE HOTEL THAT IS FRESH AND ORIGINAL. THE MIDNIGHT SWINGER COMBINES THE STYLE AND COOL OF A 60'S LAS VEGAS PERFORMER WITH THE FLASH AND EXCITEMENT OF A 21ST CENTURY SUPER BOWL HALFTIME EXTRAVAGANZA.
JULY 27-30
“COUNTRY COOL”
KAREN MILLS, LEANNE MORGAN & TRISH SUHR
COUNTRY COOL IS A STRAIGHT SHOOTIN' COMEDY SHOW THAT LAUGHS AT WHAT WE'RE ALL DEALIN' WITH…. THE “THIS CAN'T REALLY BE HAPPENING” MOMENTS IN LIFE, THAT MAKE US ALL FEEL LIKE WE'RE LOOSING OUR MINDS ONE TRAFFIC JAM AT A TIME. PARKING AVAILABLE IN THE CHOO CHOO LOT, CARTA GARAGE, OR REPUBLIC PARKING LOTS
1400 MARKET ST. 423.622.2233 WWW.THECOMEDYCATCH.COM
This month’s calendar covers for July and beyond. We would be happy to publish your free listing in future Billboards, space permitting. Simply mail us the information so that we have it 7 days before the publication date. A photograph may be sent with the announcement. Send information to: calendar@enigmaonline.com. All dates subject to change without notice.
SATURDAY July 1 SKYZOO (Chattanooga) DJ Av THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) J.B Ball BUD’S (Chattanooga) Sullivan Band REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Diamond Dogs CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Roshambeaux FREDERICK BROWN JR. AMPHITHEATER (Peachtree City, GA) Melissa Etheridge STAR BAR (Atlanta) The Dwarves, Richie Ramone 529 (Atlanta) David Barbe TERMINAL WEST (Atlanta) Parker Millsap THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) Otherwise, Righteous Vendetta, Through Fire THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) H.U.B., JHan, TK Park VINYL (Atlanta) Ezra Kacob THE EARL (Atlanta) Jerome Newton & the Band that Fell to Earth PURGATORY AT THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) Otherwise, Through Fire, Righteous Vendetta, Vices of Vanity DRUNKEN UNICORN (Knoxville) The Well Reverends Bast Black THE ATLANTA ROOM AT SMITH’S OLDE BAR (Atlanta) Carl Culpepper Band, Bill Hart Band, Bending Light THE MUSIC ROOM AT SMITH’S OLDE BAR (Atlanta) Balanze, Rezur THE AMP (Carrolton, GA) Steep Canyon Rangers CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) The Church MERCY LOUNGE (Nashville) Kid Freud, Forest Fire Gospel Choir, The Bumbs 3RD & LINDSLEY (Nashville) Gordon Kennedy, Danny Flowers, Ray Stephenson, Peter Cooper COTTON EYED JOE’S (Knoxville) Granger Smith THE CONCOURSE (Knoxville) Rewind SPRING STREET FIREHOUSE (Birmingham) Lee Bains III & the Glory Fires THE NICK (Birmingham) Empty Atlas, The Green Seed, Little Stranger, Glories
SUNDAY July 2 SKYZOO (Chattanooga) DJ Av THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) J.B Ball EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Little Country
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Giants, Back in the Saddle HELL AT THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) Tetrarch, Beliefs, A Light Divided, Glassworld, Ritual Summons THE ATLANTA ROOM AT SMITH’S OLDE BAR (Atlanta) Ashely Heath, Zaib Kahn 3RD & LINDSLEY (Nashville) Muddy Magnolias
MONDAY July 3 TREMONT TAVERN (Chattanooga) Trivia Night THE OFFICE (Chattanooga) SpeakEasy THE NICK (Birmingham) Birmingham Bandstand PURGATORY AT THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) Devour the Day, Sons of Texas, TACH, Ashes Fall THE ATLANTA ROOM AT SMITH’S OLDE BAR (Atlanta) The Delta Troubadours, Meaning of Everything, Max Norton 3RD & LINDSLEY (Nashville) The Time Jumpers
TUESDAY July 4 TREMONT TAVERN (Chattanooga) Open Mic w/ Mike McDade DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE (Nashville) “Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4” Chris Young, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jonny P, The Sisterhood, Nashville Symphony THE NICK (Birmingham) Becoming Human, Lolas, Skeptic?
WEDNESDAY July 5 RAW (Chattanooga) Open Jam J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Free Kittens Comedy Showcase EXIT/IN (Nashville) TesseracT, Astronoid, Lillake MERCY LOUNGE (Nashville) The Trigger Code 3RD & LINDSLEY (Nashville) Ashley Cleveland, Sylvia, Etta Britt, Lisa OliverGray, Kree Harrison, Nicole Boggs, Sheila Lawrence, Odessa Settles and The Sisterhood THE NICK (Birmingham) John Tolchin, Helen Rose, Chris Simmons Band THE EARL (Atlanta) Big Business EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Erik Dylan DRUNKEN UNICORN (Atlanta) Mr Kitty The Rain Within Midnight Myth
JULY 2017
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THURSDAY July 6 SKYZOO (Chattanooga) DJ Av THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Carlos Mencia THE CAMP HOUSE (Chattanooga) Eliot Bronson, Michael Logen
FRIDAY July 7 SKYZOO (Chattanooga) DJ Av MILLER PLAZA (Chattanooga) “Nightfall” Shawn Mullins, The Mailboxes THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Carlos Mencia J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Hardy and the Hardknocks, Cairo Gang, Elkmilk, CFM, Psychic Baos BUD’S (Chattanooga) Tyson Leamon CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) The Communicators presents “That ‘90s Show” ASCEND AMPHITHEATER (Nashville) My Morning Jacket, Margo Price 3RD & LINDSLEY (Nashville) Joshua Radin, Rachael Yamagata, Brandon Jenner THE LOFT (Atlanta) R5, Hailey Knox, Alexander Jean CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) String Cheese Incident
UPCOMING EVENTS THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Carlos Mencia July 8 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Baby Baby, Tristen, Raisers LA July 8 BUD’S (Chattanooga) Tyson Leamon July 8 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Departure July 8 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Captain Midnight Band July 8 OAK MOUNTAIN AMPHITHEATRE (Pelham, AL) Journey, Asia July 8 LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) Incubus, Jimmy Eat World July 8 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) String Cheese Incident July 8 TERMINAL WEST (Atlanta) Joshua Radin, Rachael Yamagata, Brandon Jenner July 8 WOLF CREEK AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) Slick Rick, Whodini, Doug E. Fresh, Big Daddy Kane July 8 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Carlos Mencia July 9 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Lacing, Planning For a Burial July 9 TUSCALOOSA AMPHITHEATRE (Tuscaloosa, AL) Rod Stewart, Cyndi Lauper July 9 SUNTRUST PARK (Atlanta) Metallica, Avenged Sevenfold, Volbeat July 9 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Dweezil Zappa July 9 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Jill Scott July 9 BIJOU THEATRE (Knoxville) Steve Earle & the Dukes July 9 ASCEND AMPHITHEATER (Nashville) “Honda Civic Tour” OneRepublic, James Arthur July 10 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Comedy w/ Ryan Singer July 11 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Future Thieves, Guthrie Brown, Nick Lutsko July 11
INFINITE ENERGY CENTER (Duluth, GA) James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt July 11 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt July 12 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Killer Beaz July 13 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Cannonball Statman, Caroline Cotto July 13 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE (Alpharetta, GA) Sam Hunt, Maren Morris, Chris Janson, Ryan Follese July 13 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER (Duluth, GA) Paul McCartney July 13 SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER (Nashville) The O’Jays July 13 ZYDECO (Birmingham) Born of Osiris, Betraying the Martyrs, Volumes, Widowmaker July 13 DRUID CITY MUSIC HALL (Birmingham) Dwight Yoakam July 13 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Killer Beaz July 14 MILLER PLAZA (Chattanooga) “Nightfall” Foxygen, Walrus July 14 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) The Unsatisfied July 14 BUD’S (Chattanooga) Outlaw 45 July 14 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Strfkr July 14 ZIGGY’S (Chattanooga) TDz-Silver Tongued Devilz, Silent Monolith July 14 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Urban Soil July 14 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER (Duluth, GA) New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul, Boyz II Men July 14 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) Sturgill Simpson July 14 EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Diane Durrett July 14 VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (Atlanta) Amy Ray Band, The Honeycutters July 14 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) David Blaine July 14 IRON CITY (Birmingham) The New Pornographers July 14 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Killer Beaz July 15 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Behold the Brave, In the Whale, Kerchief July 15 BUD’S (Chattanooga) Outlaw 45 July 15 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Rebirth Brass Band July 15 ZIGGY’S (Chattanooga) This Is Me Breathing, The Creatures In Secret, EMERGE, Age of Atrocity, Sparrus July 15 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Live By Satellite July 15 INMAN COFFEE (Cleveland, TN) Regie Hamm July 15 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) Tedeschi Trucks Band, The Wood Brothers, Hot Tuna July 15 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Shawn Mullins July 15 FREDERICK BROWN JR. AMPHITHEATER (Peachtree City, GA) Brian McKnight July 15 SLOSS FURNACES NAT’L HIST. LANDMARK (Birmingham) “Sloss Music & Arts Festival” Widespread Panic, Odesza, Run The Jewels, Spoon, Needtobreathe, Tycho, Cherub, Conor Oberst, Charles Bradley & The Extraordinaires, Francis And The Lights, The Heydaze, Floss, John Moreland, Wray, Ruston Kelly, cbdb, Nowhere Squares July 15 IRON CITY (Birmingham) Ted Nugent July 15 CONCERT HALL AT BJCC (Birmingham) David Blaine July 15
THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Ryan Davis July 16 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Enfold Darkness July 16 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) 2017 Diva Nation Awards July 16 INFINITE ENERGY ARENA (Duluth, GA) Roger Waters July 16 BUCKHEAD THEATRE (Atlanta) Chevelle July 16 SLOSS FURNACES NAT’L HIST. LANDMARK (Birmingham) “Sloss Music & Arts Festival” Alabama Shakes, Sturgill Simpson, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Phantogram, Judah & The Lion, Vince Staples, Cashmere Cat, K.Flay, Waka Flocka Flame, Kaiydo, Hiss Golden Messenger, Beach Slang, Harrison Brome, Ages And Ages, Lawrence, Shaheed & Dj Supreme, Youth July 16 THE NICK (Birmingham Danielle Howle July 16 ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE (Nashville) Hans Zimmer July 16 EXIT/IN (Nashville) The New Pornographers, Natalie Prass July 16 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER (Duluth, GA) Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, D.R.A.M. July 17 THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) RavenEye July 17 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Kasey Chambers, Garrett Kato July 18 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE (Alpharetta, GA) Hans Zimmer July 18 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) AFI, Circa Survive, Citizen July 18 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) The Coathangers, Residuals, Folk Killer July 19 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE (Alpharetta, GA) Boston, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts July 19 HEAVEN AT THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) Taking Back Sunday, Every Time I Die, Modern Chemistry July 19 WAR MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM (Nashville) AFI, Circa Survive, Citizen July 19 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Ted Nugent July 19 IRON CITY (Birmingham) Rob Bell July 19 BIJOU THEATRE (Knoxville) Kasey Chambers July 19 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) The Swinger, Dave Scott July 20 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Caney Village, Oginilii, Hamel on Trial July 20 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Allman Joy July 20 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Fastball July 20 THE BASEMENT EAST (Nashville) New Found Glory July 20 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) The Swinger, Dave Scott July 21 MILLER PLAZA (Chattanooga) “Nightfall” Fastball July 21 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Socro July 21 BUD’S (Chattanooga) VooDoo Slim July 21 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) The Steel Woods July 21 ZIGGY’S (Chattanooga) Dreamstate Emergency, Praymantha, Sickness In The System July 21 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Dead Affect July 21 EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) John Hammond July 21
ENIGMA
RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Steve Earle & the Dukes July 21 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) The Swinger, Dave Scott July 22 BUD’S (Chattanooga) VooDoo Slim July 22 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Mike Farris, Chattanooga Rock Girls Camp Showcase July 22 ZIGGY’S (Chattanooga) Underground Oasis: Demonic Confection July 22 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE (Alpharetta, GA) Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton July 22 FOX THEATRE (Atlanta) Idina Menzel July 22 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Kasey Chambers July 22 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Moody Blues July 22 ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE (Nashville) ) REO Speedwagon, Styx, Don Felder July 22 3RD & LINDSLEY (Nashville) Bob Schneider July 22 THE LYRIC THEATRE (Birmingham) Patty Griffin, Lee Ann Womack July 22 THE SHED AT SMOKY MOUNTAIN HARLEY DAVIDSON (Maryville, TN) Jamey Johnson July 22 COUNTRY TONITE (Pigeon Forge) Neal McCoy July 22 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) The Swinger, Dave Scott July 23 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Comedy Buffet w/ Caleb Syran July 23 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Jimmy Herring & The Invisible Whip July 23 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Moody Blues July 23 HEAVEN AT THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) Corey Feldman July 23 ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN (Atlanta) Brandi Carlile, Ruston Kelly July 23 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE (Alpharetta, GA) REO Speedwagon, Styx, Don Felder July 23 THE EAST ROOM (Nashville) Daddy Issues, Institute, Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt, Big Ups, Bellows July 23 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Nihillist, Cheerleader, Pinecone July 24 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Bobbyrock, Swanky, Tiger July 25 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) The Alarm July 25 NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Yo Gotti, Meek Mill July 25 BIJOU THEATRE (Knoxville) The Hip Abduction July 25 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Lee Bains III and the Gloryfires, Matt and Marty B July 26 THE FOUNDRY (Athens, GA) The Alarm July 26 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Matthew Sweet July 26 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) “Stars of Nashville Concert Tour” Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, Chris Carmack, Charles Esten July 26 THE FOUNDRY (Athens, GA) The Alarm July 26 CANNERY BALLROOM (Nashville) Nahko and Medicine for the People, The Hip Abduction July 26 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) Kris Allen July 26
JULY 2017
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THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Karen Mills, Leanne Morgan, Trish Suhr July 27 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Sinai Vessel, adjy, ICANJAPAN July 27 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Eliot Lipp, Paradiso July 27 ZIGGY’S (Chattanooga) Scenic City Super Show July 27 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Chase Martin July 27 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) The Alarm July 27 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Rebelution, Nahko and Medicine for the People, Hirie, Collie Buddz July 27 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Matthew Sweet July 27 KNOXVILLE CONVENTION CENTER (Knoxville) Peter Cetera July 27 SATURN (Birmingham) Pylon Reenactment Society July 27 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Karen Mills, Leanne Morgan, Trish Suhr July 28 MILLER PLAZA (Chattanooga) “Nightfall” The Greyhounds, Rick Rushing and the Blues Strangers July 28 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) mmhmm July 28 BUD’S (Chattanooga) Aunt Betty July 28 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Dark Side of the Jam July 28 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Trade Show Troubadours July 28 ASCEND AMPHITHEATER (Nashville) Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience July 28 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) Matthew Sweet July 28 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) “Retro Futura Tour” Howard Jones, The English Beat, Men Without Hats, Modern English, Annabella Lwin July 28 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) 311, New Politics July 28 THE VISTA ROOM @ NAPOLEON’S (Atlanta) Pylon Reenactment Society, Swimming Pool Q’s July 28 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Karen Mills, Leanne Morgan, Trish Suhr July 29 BUD’S (Chattanooga) Aunt Betty July 29 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Milele Roots July 29 ZIGGY’S (Chattanooga) The Unabombers, Mud Sex, Sawed Off’s, Get Hot or Go Home, Nosecone Prophets, My Captain My King & After Apollo July 29 ROSS’ LANDING (Chattanooga) “Riverfront Nights” Gangstagrass July 29 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) The Breakfast Club July 29 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) MARADEEN July 29 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER Duluth, GA) Shawn Mendes July 29 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience July 29 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) 311, New Politics July 29 THE SHED AT SMOKY MOUNTAIN HARLEY DAVIDSON (Maryville, TN) Band Of Heathens July 29 ASCEND AMPHITHEATER (Nashville) Logic, Joey Bada$$, Big Lenbo July 29 IRON CITY (Birmingham) Puddles Pity Party July 29 THE COMEDY CATCH (Chattanooga) Karen Mills, Leanne Morgan, Trish Suhr July 30
ENIGMA
REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Interstellar Boys July 30 OAK MOUNTAIN AMPHITHEATRE (Pelham, AL) Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience July 30 THE COCA COLA ROXY (Atlanta) Logic, Joey Bada$$, Big Lenbo July 30 NASHVILLE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Slayer, Lamb of God, Behemoth July 30 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Shawn Mendes July 31 ASCEND AMPHITHEATER (Nashville) Goo Goo Dolls, Phillip Phillips July 31 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Foster The People July 31 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Idina Menzel August 1 VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (Atlanta) Michelle Branch August 1 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) 2 Chainz August 1 BJCC CONCERT HALL (Birmingham) Idina Menzel August 2 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Queen + Adam Lambert August 2 THE INTERNATIONAL (Knoxville) “The Summer Slaughter Tour” Origin, Dying Fetus, The Black Dahlia Murder, Oceano, Faceless, Betraying the Martyrs, Ring of Saturn, Lorna Shore, Slaughter to Prevail August 2 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE (Alpharetta, GA) Nickelback, Daughtry, Shaman’s Harvest August 2 CONCERT HALL AT BJCC (Birmingham) Idina Menzel August 2 THE MASQUERADE (Atlanta) Origin, Dying Fetus, The Black Dahlia Murder, Oceano, Faceless, Betraying the Martyrs, Ring of Saturn, Lorna Shore, Slaughter to Prevail August 3 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Dishwalla August 3 KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM (Knoxville) Billy Ray Cyrus August 3 MILLER PLAZA (Chattanooga) “Nightfall” Ben Miller Band, Josh Driver & the Dixieland Playboys August 4 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) The Get Right Band August 4 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Tim McGraw, Faith Hill August 4 EXIT/IN (Nashville) The Juliana Theory August 4 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Cosmic Shift, PLSPLS August 5 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) The Sullivan Band August 5 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Tim McGraw, Faith Hill August 5 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) John Kay & Steppenwolf August 5 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) All Time Low, SWMRS, Waterparks, The Wrecks August 5 THE AMP AT ADAMSON SQUARE (Carrollton, GA) Everclear, Vertical Horizon, Fastball August 5 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Seeds? August 6 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Blondie, Garbage, Deep Vally August 6 COCA COLA ROXY (Atlanta) Gov’t Mule, Galactic August 6 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Sabrina Carpenter August 6
JULY 2017
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NASHVILE MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Mary J. Blige, Lalah Hathaway August 6 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Jordan Hallquist & the Outfit August 8 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) John Mayer August 8 VARIETY PLAYHOUSE (Atlanta) Michael Franti & Spearhead August 8 WOLF CREEK AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) Mary J. Blige, Lalah Hathaway August 8 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Dylan LeBlanc August 9 SYMPHONY HALL (Atlanta) Stephen Stills, Judy Collins August 9 LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) “One Music Fest” Jill Scott, Kaytranada, Ro James, Sean Paul, Tank and the Bangas, Too $hort, Yasiin Bey aka Mos Def, Ari Lennox, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Jidenna, J.I.D. August 9 GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE (Nashville) Will Hoge August 9 AT&T FIELD (Chattanooga) “Replay America” Taylor Dayne, Starship feat. Mickey Thomas, Greg Kihn Band, Billy Ocean, Martha Davis and The Motels August 10 LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) John Mayer August 10 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lucinda Williams August 10 OAK MOUNTAIN AMPHITHEATRE (Pelham, AL) Jason Aldean, Chris Young, Kane Brown August 10 PUBLIC SQUARE PARK (Nashville) “Live on the Green” Michael Franti, Arkells, St. Paul & the Broken Bones August 10 MILLER PLAZA (Chattanooga) “Nightfall” Major & the Monbacks, Ashley and the Xs August 11 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) The Aquaducks August 11 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER Duluth, GA) J. Cole August 11 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Air Supply August 11 COBB ENERGY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (Atlanta) 3 Doors Down August 11 ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN (Atlanta) “I’m With Her Tour” August 11 THE ROXY REGIONAL THEATRE (Clarksville, TN) “Gallagher’s Joke’s On You Comedy Tour” Gallagher, Artie Fletcher, Bob Nelson August 11 IRON CITY (Birmingham) Jason Ricci August 11 SATURN (Birmingham) Alejandro Escovedo. Will Kimbrough August 11 SOUTHERN GROUND AMPHITHEATRE (Fayetteville, GA) John Kay & Steppenwolf August 12 THE ROXY REGIONAL THEATRE (Clarksville, TN) “Gallagher’s Joke’s On You Comedy Tour” Gallagher, Artie Fletcher, Bob Nelson August 12 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) matchbox twenty, Counting Crows August 12 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely August 12 ASCEND AMPHITHEATER (Nashville) Dashboard Confessional, All American Rejects, The Maine August 12 ASCEND AMPHITHEATER (Nashville) Santana August 13 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Roger Waters August 13
MARATHON MUSIC WORKS (Nashville) Michelle Branch August 13 THE ROXY REGIONAL THEATRE (Clarksville, TN) “Gallagher’s Joke’s On You Comedy Tour” Gallagher, Artie Fletcher, Bob Nelson August 13 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER (Duluth, GA) Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey August 13 LAKEWOOD AMPHITHEATRE (Atlanta) matchbox twenty, Counting Crows August 13 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Tig Notaro August 13 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely August 13 THE ROXY REGIONAL THEATRE (Clarksville, TN) “Gallagher’s Joke’s On You Comedy Tour” Gallagher, Artie Fletcher, Bob Nelson August 14 J.J.’S BOHEMIA (Chattanooga) Comedy Buffet w/ Dave Waite August 15 CLOUD SPRINGS DELI (Ringgold, GA) Arsonists Get All the Girls, I Set My Friends on Fire, Circuit of Suns, West Cliffs August 15 BIJOU THEATRE (Knoxville) The New Pornographers August 15 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) The Fixx August 15 SYMPHONY HALL (Atlanta) Donald Fagen & The Nightflyers August 16 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) “The Happy Together Tour” The Turtles feat. Flo & Eddie, The Cowsills, The Association, Chuck Negron, The Box Tops, Ron Dante August 17 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Earth, Wind & Fire, Chic Feat. Nile Rodgers August 17 PUBLIC SQUARE PARK (Nashville) “Live on the Green” Minus the Bear, Local Natives, Real Estate August 17 MUSIC ROOM AT SMITH’S OLDE BAR (Atlanta) Jude August 17 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) The Fixx August 17 SLOSS FURNACES NAT’L HIST. LANDMARK (Birmingham) Umphrey’s McGee August 17 MILLER PLAZA (Chattanooga) “Nightfall” Mulligan Brothers August 18 THE BUS BAR (Ocoee, TN) Strung Like A Horse August 18 CARL BLACK CHEVY WOODS AMPHITHEATER AT FONTANEL (Whites Creek, TN) Lifehouse, Switchfoot, Brynn Elliott August 18 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Aaron Lewis August 18 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Umphrey’s McGee August 18 BIJOU THEATRE (Knoxville) Edwin McCain August 18 THE MILL & MINE (Knoxville) Social Distortion, The Jade Jackson Band August 18 LEGACY ARENA (Birmingham) Future August 18 TIVOLI THEATRE (Chattanooga) Donald Fagen & The Nightflyers August 19 SYMPHONY HALL (Atlanta) Lyle Lovette August 19 MILL TOWN MUSIC HALL (Bremen, GA) Bily Ray Cyrus August 19 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE (Alpharetta, GA) Earth, Wind & Fire, Chic Feat. Nile Rodgers August 19 ASCEND AMPHITHEATER (Nashville) Umphrey’s McGee August 19
3RD & LINDSLEY (Nashville) Will Hoge August 19 TENNESSEE THEATRE (Knoxville) Umphrey’s McGee August 20 SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER (Nashville) Donald Fagen & The Nightflyers August 20 3RD & LINDSLEY (Nashville) Will Hoge August 20 ALABAMA THEATRE (Birmingham) Lyle Lovett August 20 ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN (Atlanta) Lifehouse, Switchfoot August 20 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Edgar Winter Band August 21 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) Social Distortion, The Jade Jackson Band August 23 PUBLIC SQUARE PARK (Nashville) Sppon, Portugal the Man, The Weeks August 24 MILLER PLAZA (Chattanooga) “Nightfall” KP and the Boom Boom, Sistren August 25 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) Same As It Ever Was August 25 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER (Duluth, GA) Ed Sheeran August 25 ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN (Atlanta) Buddy Guy August 25 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) Jesse Colin Young August 25 DRUID CITY MUSIC HALL (Birmingham) Moon Taxi August 25 ROSS’ LANDING (Chattanooga) “Southern Brewer’s Festival” The Magpie Salute August 26 ASCEND AMPHITHEATER (Nashville) Gov’t Mule, Blackberry Smoke August 26 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER (Duluth, GA) Ed Sheeran August 26 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Jesse Colin Young August 26 TENNESSEE THEATRE (Knoxville) Corey Smith August 26 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Three Star Revival August 27 SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER (Nashville) Buddy Guy August 27 KNOXVILLE CIVIC AUDITORIUM (Knoxville) Mastodon, Russian Circles, Eagles of Death Metal August 29 PUBLIC SQUARE PARK (Nashville) John Butler Trio, Iron & Wine, Dispatch, Carl Broemel, Roots of Rebellion, Jonny P August 31 TERMINAL WEST (Atlanta) Nathan Angelo September 1 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer September 1 PUBLIC SQUARE PARK (Nashville) Sheryl Crow, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Shel, Goodbye June, Ron Gallo, The Whistles & the Bells September 1 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Annabelle’s Curse September 2 CITY WINERY ATLANTA (Atlanta) Shelby Lynne, Allison Moorer September 2 PUBLIC SQUARE PARK (Nashville) The Lone Bellow, LP, Paper Route, Future Islands, The Delta Saints, The Record Company, Elliot Root, Guthrie Brown September 2 CHASTAIN PARK (Atlanta) Goo Goo Dolls, Phillip Phillips September 4 CENTER STAGE (Atlanta) Apocalyptica September 5
ENIGMA
CENTER STAGE (Atlanta) “Prog Power USA” Haken, Orphaned Land, Serenity, Power Quest September 6 BESSIE SMITH HALL (Chattanooga) Avery*Sunshine September 7 TERMINAL WEST (Atlanta) Afghan Whigs September 7 CENTER STAGE (Atlanta) “Prog Power USA” Metal Church, Between The Buried And Me, Vanden Plas, Twilight Force, Next To None September 7 SATURN (Birmingham) Will Hoge, Lucero September 7 CITY WINERY NASHVILLE (Nashville) BoDeans September 7 CLYDE’S (Chattanooga) Stolen Rhodes September 8 VERIZON WIRELESS AMPHITHEATRE (Alpharetta, GA) Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Young September 8 CENTER STAGE (Atlanta) “Prog Power USA” Mike Portnoy, Myrath, Angel Dust, Lords of Black, Distorted Harmony, Sunburst September 8 OPERA (Atlanta) Breathe Carolina September 8 THE VISTA ROOM (Atlanta) Cowboy Mouth September 8 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Judah & The Lion September 8 ASCEND AMPHITHEATRE (Nashville) Young the Giant, Cold War Kids, Joywave September 8 MARATHON MUSIC WORKS (Nashville) Penny & Sparrow September 8 TIVOLI THEATRE (Chattanooga) Garrison Keillor, Fred Newman, Richard Dworsky, Heather Masse September 9 INFINITE ENERGY CENTER (Duluth, GA) “I Love The 90’S - The Party Continues Tour” TLC, Naughty By Nature, Montell Jordan, Color Me Badd, Snap! September 9 CENTER STAGE (Atlanta) “Prog Power USA” Katatonia, Amaranthe, Pain, Snowy Shaw, Dynazty, Teramaze September 9 EDDIE’S ATTIC (Atlanta) Kurt Thomas September 9 TERMINAL WEST (Atlanta) Will Hoge September 9 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) Judah & The Lion September 9 BRIDGESTONE ARENA (Nashville) Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Young September 9 FREDRICK BROWN JR. AMPHITHEATRE (Peachtree, GA) Pat Benatar & Neil Geraldo, Toto September 10 BIJOU THEATRE (Knoxville) Penny & Sparrow September 10 SCHERMERHORN SYMPHONY CENTER (Nashville) The Cranberries September 11 THE CONCOURSE (Knoxville) Toadies, Local H September 12 REVELRY ROOM (Chattanooga) David Cook September 13 THE TABERNACLE (Atlanta) The Cranberries September 13 EXIT/IN (Nashville) Toadies, Local H September 13 BESSIE SMITH HALL (Chattanooga) Avery*Sunshine September 14 THOMPSON-BOLING ARENA (Knoxville) Tim McGraw, Faith Hill September 14 RYMAN AUDITORIUM (Nashville) UB40 September 14
JULY 2017
15
July 5 Free Kittens Comedy Showcase
July 7
Hardy and the Hardknocks, Cairo Gang, Elkmilk, CFM, Psychic Baos
July 8
Baby Baby, Tristen, Raiders LA
July 9
Lacing, Planning for A Burial
July 11
Comedy w/ Ryan Singer
July 13
Cannonball Statman Caroline Cotto
July 14
The Unsatisfied
July 15
Behold the Brave, In the Whale, Kerchief
July 16
Enfold Darkness
July 19
The Coathangers, Residuals, Folk Killer
July 20
Caney Village, Oginalii, Hamell on Trial
July 21 SOCRO
July 23
Comedy Buffet w/ Caleb Syran
July 24
Nihillist, Cheerleader,Pinecone
July 25
Bobbyrock, Swanky Tiger
July 26
Lee Bains II and the Gloryfires, Matt and Marty B
July 27
Sinai Vessel, adjy, ICANJAPAN
July 28 mmhmm
July 29
Milele Roots
August 5
Cosmic Shift, PLSPLS
August 6 Seeds?
August 9 Dylan LeBlanc
Trump Trumps Watergate It’s kind of happened slowly... like boiling a frog. For months, we’ve all said that the TrumpRussia collusion thing could perhaps be as big as Watergate. Guess what? It’s leaving Nixon, his botched burglary, and the åensuing cover-up in the dust… ... Nixon and his cronies got in trouble for actions by the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREEP). He was in the waning months of his first term when all of the details became known. Donald Trump, on the other hand, has been in the White House for less than five months. He and a lot of his staff are currently being investigated for obstruction of justice and collusion with various Russian
government and financial enti- water heating up… ties.,, ...I’ve said for months now that …Such treachery would not “things are about to get interhave been tolerated with any- esting.” Well, guess what? one else as president. Trump Things are about to get interestfollowers are often angry, une- ings. Ever since Robert Mueller ducated white folks who hated took over as special prosecutor, the idea of a black law profes- the investigations into the sor in the White House. No mat- Trump campaign and its conter how bad things get under tacts with Russian political and Trump, these intellectual bot- financial interests… there’s this tom-feeders will fall back on sense that the probe now has the mantra they use when in the real teeth. No one expects frepresence of their own kind: “At quent updates from Mueller and least Trump’s not black... or a his team. In fact, quite the woman.” Indeed, he’s not. He’s opposite. I fully expect them to an intellectual midget with no emerge in couple of months… moral compass and a narcissis- clutching the piece of string tic “world view.” We are a less- that unravels the whole Trumper nation with Trump as presi- Russia thing. Tellingly, a lot of dent. I hope he can feel the Mueller’s hires for the team
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looking into the matters are specialists in money laundering… ..,For a brief while this past Tuesday, the eyes of the nation were on Georgia… as a special election pitted Republican Karen Handel with Democrat Jon Ossoff in the peach state’s sixth district. Handel did eventually win, but both parties spent a ridiculous of money on a congressional district that will be wide open again in less than two years. Heck… Who knows who might president in two years? Hmmm… — Mark Bedford
Good Night Caped Crusader Batman has passed. No, not the than the actual comic or anyone itive Batman. mythological DC Comics hero, that has ever donned the cowl but Batman himself – at least my Batman, Adam West has died. Adam West just died at the age of 88 after a very brief fight with Leukemia. Batman along with Superman is pop culture and the comic book’s most enduring superheroes that span many generations. And while Batman has been portrayed and voiced by a number of actors since it debuted in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, for myself and many, I believe Adam West will always and cape, I wanted to me like be THE Batman. Adam West’s Batman. Over the years purists have laughed at or Adam West meant more to me put down West’s portrayal of the than an hour of entertainment Caped Crusader, but to many, every week as a kid. More so especially myself he is the defin-
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After the show went off the air it took West a long time to come to grips with his alter ego of Bruce Wayne/Batman following Batman’s cancellation in 1968. West, himself was just an actor
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who was cast as the roll for the TV series that ran for three seasons at that time did not realize the cultural impact his portrayal of the fictional hero would be or what it meant to many easily impressionable youth that watched faithfully in first run and then syndication. I felt bad for West who couldn’t shake the role to go on to other acting roles because of typecasting. A selfish me only saw him as Batman and could not think of him being anyone else. He had the perfect build, voice and demeanor to me. Even as I’ve gotten older and West appeared (usually as himself of a parody of himself) whenever I heard his voice I would and still do get excited, slightly gasp and correct
my posture. That is often followed by my undivided attention be it as “Mayor West” on Family Guy, The Grey Ghost in Batman: The Animated Series, or various guest appearances on shows like The Simpsons, The Big Bang Theory and The Drew Carey Show.
could so they could “reconsider anti-hero. And the TV Batman their bad choices and learn from tried to paint a more idealistic them”. world with colorful bad people that society believed could be Even though in 1966 when the reformed. Sure, I admit it now it show debuted the world was tur- does sound a little silly combulent with Vietnam, race rela- pared to the real world and modtions, gay rights and the drug ern times, but as an impression-
them) and for as old school as it sounds respected my elders and police.
counterculture the more innocent past was still there. The real world hadn’t completely turned cynical as it is now. Heroes were just that – heroes. There was no such thing as an
West became a cautionary tale for actors who avoided these roles or saw them as poison for their careers. I wasn’t until later
I realize this may seem silly to younger people but TV, the comic books and the world in general was a lot different back then. It was a somewhat simpler time to a degree although West’s Batman dealt with the counterculture a lot. And back then it was good vs. bad not good vs. evil. There was that perhaps misguided belief that all people were good deep inside and they just needed to be shown the error of their ways. Nobody died or bled in the Batman TV series. They were arrested and put away so
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able youth I took a lot of it to heart. I still look for the good in people and look for redeeming qualities, I obey the law (most of
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Other actors who have portrayed comic book heroes like Christopher Reeves, Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck have been able to avoid typecasting unlike West and George Reeve who portrayed Superman on TV in the 1950s. Of course in my mindset I see Keaton and company as actors portraying the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman whereas Adam West was Bruce Wayne/Batman. Blame it on my youth at the time perhaps or perhaps because he actually looked like the Batman on the cover of my comic books.
in life that West accepted this fate and embraced it. He expressed anger or resentment for the role but realized it has technically damaged is ability to find meaningful work as an actor. Once he embraced he was forever going to be known as Batman he ironically garnered even more fans and a bigger following. Very few actors can go through life and be as universally loved for one role as West. Add to that West’s own personality that included a sense of humor, humility and grace for the adoration that kids and adults showered upon him once they found out he was “Batman” made him an even more endearing icon. Kind of like Clayton Moore who became the Lone Ranger after the show ended, West was everyone’s Batman even taking part in the fun and jokes made of the original TV show.
A lot of comic book fans and printed in a three-ink process to test and loses. Let us not forget especially fans of Batman were save money. That is why comic Bat-Mite either. The Batman critical of West’s portrayal of the books into the late ‘70s featured franchise was in a downward Caped Crusader, however if you analyze the show it was done to perfection. All camp aside the adventures on the TV were more true to the comic book than Keaton’s, Bale’s or Affleck’s portrayals. The TV show, despite taking a camp approach to the subject was true to the Silver Age of Comics. Sure Batman is now known as the “dark knight” these days but one forgets that the traditional core reader of comic books before fandom took over was age 12 and younger. The camp approach was over the heads of young viewers like myself while the adults saw the humor in how it was being portrayed and literally doubled its audience through this approach. And let us not forget the history of the comic book. Prior to the more realistic portrayals of characters like Batman, Superman and so on comic books were
a lot of primary colors. It was just cheaper to print that way during the Depression. Detractors of the Batman series discuss the “brightness” of the show but in reality the show as an exact representation of how the character was drawn in the series. The “Biff!” “Boom!” “Thwack!” and so on that flashed on the screen was keeping true to how the comic book was illustrated. And while in retrospect some Batman purists want to put down the more humorous tone, they probably forgot the actual comic book character took that tone in the late ‘50s.
spiral until ABC developed it into the show and thanks to West and Burt Ward’s portrayal of Robin “the Boy Wonder” perhaps saved the franchise. With his deep voice, deliberate delivery and naturally squared jaw West actually looked like how we imagined if Batman were real would look and sound like. That too is another reason people like myself take to heart his portrayal of the Caped Crusader. Adam West actually looked like he jumped out of the pages of the comic books into our living rooms. And despite the camp approach to the show, it was the most true to the comic book porOne Batman comic book I have trayal on the screen. dated around 1954 features a cover story where Bruce Wayne There’s a reason why Batman is enters a Batman look-alike con- so popular to kids like me growENIGMA
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ing up. He wasn’t from another planet or the victim of a lab experiment gone bad or bitten by some infected creature; he was of genuine flesh and blood. He didn’t need super powers – although those are cool, but totally unrealistic. Batman was or theoretically could be any man on the street. He was a detective at first – something many forget. After all the “DC” in DC Comics stands for Detective Comics. What Batman brought to the table was brains, brawn and a slew of gadgets to make anyone jealous, not to mention a cool car, boat, motorcycle and helicopter. Bruce Wayne is a philanthropic billionaire (formerly millionaire but adjusted for inflation) that fights crime at night with the aid of his detective skills, cool toys and help from his sidekick and butler. In a child’s mind we could all be Batman.
I really disliked most of Christian Bale’s portrayal of the character in Batman Begins because the Bruce Wayne/Batman I knew growing up wouldn’t go into a drunken psychotic rage and burn down Wayne Manor. Adam West was too cool for that. That and with each movie including Affleck’s portrayal they try to make the suit so realistic as well as the heavily armored vehicles that Batman drives. Sure, we were kids and we all wanted to be Batman, but Batman was a magical thing and we all knew there was only one Batman. We all wanted to be Batman, but knew there was only one. Don’t take away our fantasy by adding fact checking into the suit and modes of transportation. We don’t need to know the brass tacks of how much all the swag would cost. Heck, as a kid it seemed like there was no way anyone could spend a million dollars in their lifetime. As Batman was rewritten as a Unfortunately as adults we obvibrooding “dark knight” begin- ously know that’s not true. ning with Frank Miller’s graphic novels Bruce Wayne/Batman I’ve seen every incarnation on almost became too realistic – a screen and TV going back to the far cry from the idealistic por- two serials from the 1940s (1943 trayal in the original comic and 1949 respectively) to 2016’s books. The dark knight became Batman v. Superman and to me it too real. I really don’t care was Adam West that epitomized about Batman’s backstory to be Bruce Wayne/Batman the best. honest. It was done in a matter Sure, by today’s standards the of cartoon panels back in 1939. portrayal may seem unrealistic I’m more interested in his adven- compare to the world we live in today, but part of comic books is tures as Batman. to escape reality. And while the The writers and the movies made TV show is considered too “carBruce Wayne too realistic toony”, people seem to forget instead of idealistic. Whereas and even the fanboys: it’s just a Batman was a hero he became comic book character. And if the antithesis of the anti-hero. Adam West’s portrayal of He had to have an edge to Batman influenced me in the appease the followers who least little bit to be a “better citinstead of going on to real world izen” so be it. There’s absolutethings cling to the comic books ly nothing wrong with that, ole as adults. And with the way the chum. Rest in peace Caped world is now it has to soil the Crusader. once pristine image of their superheroes to make them more - Dave Weinthal “presentable” to the real world. ENIGMA
Chattanooga is home of the actions that generated the first Medals of Honor to six of Andrew's Raiders. The museum traces the “Paths of Valor” from the Civil War through the War on Terror. Discover the stories of nearly 3,500 recipients of our Nation's highest award for Valor.
National Medal of Honor Museum of Military History 368 Northgate, Chattanooga, TN Hours: Tuesday-Friday-11:00AM-5:00PM; Saturday & Sunday-1:00PM-5PM
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You Say You’re A Public Servant: What Do You Owe Allegiance To? Your Five Options I’m sure you’ve noticed, as have I, our politicians, who claim to represent our interests, often vote, in some other manner! Whether it’s because of fears, lack of a backbone, self - interest, greed, or some combination of factors, when crucial votes are taken, it often seems, these individuals care less about the electorate, than it would appear, they should! How else can you explain, politicians voting strictly along party - lines, rather than focusing on needs, concerns and priorities? Consider this recent health
care legislation, which some are attempting to portray as a better alternative, to the existing Affordable Care Act (ACA, referred to as Obamacare). While the campaign rhetoric blamed the original plan, and said they would repeal, and replace, with a better program, in terms of costs, coverage, etc, this proposal, certainly, accomplishes none of those. While the existing program was certainly flawed, it was an improvement over what used to exist, so, the responsible approach, would have been modifying, tweaking, and
improving it, this approach appears to be more about creating significant tax advantages, for the richest Americans, while eliminating coverage (or limiting it), to those who, often, need it most! Let’s examine the 5 options, elected officials face, regarding where their allegiance goes. 1. Nation: Shouldn’t the best interests of the nation, be a priority over any self - interest, party loyalty, fears, and/ or quest for political advantage/ votes? Ideally, it should, but, all - too - often, it does not! 2. Party: Listen to the rhetoric regarding the upcoming vote on this legislation, and you’ll observe, it’s more polarizing, than unifying! Never before, has there been so many times, votes were almost entirely along party lines! Ask your official, is their allegiance to what’s best for you, or to their party?
4. Constituents: These individuals are elected to be the representatives of their constituents, but, this should be based on the best approaches, and long - term ramifications, needs and priorities, rather than based on polarization! 5. Your conscience: In the final analysis, one must pursue the path, his conscience tells him, is best! Every time, I observe the legislative process, I wonder whether some of these politicians possess one! However, if you believe as I do, that, down - deep, most people are basically good, we must emphasize, to elected officials, to do the right thing, rather than either the expedient one, or the one, based on fear of retribution, etc! Who do you believe, a public official, should owe his allegiance to? Let yours know, you expect a certain level of behavior, and responsible action!
- Richard Brody 3. President: Obviously, there are many unique aspects of the current President! Some make prefer these, while many do not! However, should other elected officials simply play follow - the - leader, either due to fear of ramifications, or political defeat, rather than fulfill their responsibility, to be an independent component, of our Constitutional system, of Checks and Balances? ENIGMA
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PUZZLE ANSWERS
Migrant Crisis: Do Some Celebrities Lack Empathy When They Talk About The Migrant Crisis It seems that not a day goes by without a celebrity sharing their views on something that is not related to their profession. And like everyone else on this planet, it could be said that they are entitled to their own opinion.
Consequently, it is not going to be difficult to control how this person sees the world; their mind is going to be highly suggestible. Now, this could show that they are not very old, but this might not be the case.
The Truth
An Opinion
However, when a celebrity says something it can have a far bigger effect than if the average person said the same thing. Along with the amount of exposure it can receive, there will also be the impact it has on others.
If a celebrity was to say something and they made it clear that this was just their view, it could show that they have been able to keep their feet on the ground, so to speak. But when they act as though what they are saying is the truth, it could show that their success has goes to their head.
As while there will be people who will think about what they have be the only thing that matters. heard, there will be others who don’t. The fact it has come out of a Straight In certain celebrity’s mouth will then When this takes place, it is likely to
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show that someone looks up to this celebrity. Therefore, even though What this can then do is to give they are just a singer or an actor, them a false sense of their own for instance, they are going to be importance and, as a result of this, seen as having all the answers.
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they can see themselves as being repair their car, but there is also an expert in just about everything. the chance that this won’t happen. It is then going to be irrelevant as to whether they actually know Uninformed what they are talking about. When it relates to the latter, one could soon end up being effected For Example by their friend’s lack of knowledge. This is then similar to how some- This could be mean that one will one can do short course on some- end up crashing their car, or it thing and end up believing that could be even worse. they are an expert. In this case, it is highly unlikely that other people Yet, when it relates to the former, one might not even be aware of the would take them seriously. fact that the person they are lookYet when a celebrity positions ing up to is giving them wrong themselves as an expert of some- information. One is then going to thing they know very little about, it be in a position where they think can be normal for other people to they know what they are talking go along with it. As this person can about, but this is going to be nothsing or act, for instance, it will ing more than an illusion. mean that they are qualified to talk The Current Focus about it. Overlooked
doesn’t mean that they will be treated in the same way by these celebrities. Instead, they could label them as being ‘racist’ or as having some kind of phobia, for instance, and make out that they don’t have a heart.
who have helped them to get to where they are. Even so, due to the kind of life that these people live, it could be said that their behaviour is to be expected. While the average person is on the front line, so to speak, these celebrities are in their ivory tower. There may have been a time when they lived like the average person, but the life they now lead is going to be radically different.
What this shows is that these celebrities are not willing to listen to the concerns that these people have and to put themselves in their shoes. It could be said that these celebrities are more cornered with looking right and feeling good Conclusion about themselves than they are with looking into what would be Ultimately, the celebrities that behave in this way are going to be the best solution. out of touch with the real world. What comes out of their mouth is Out of Touch with Reality then going to have very little, if This can cause the average person any, value, and it will be best for wonder why these celebrities are people to take it with a pinch of behaving in this way; it can be as if salt. One thing that a number of celebri- they are betraying the very people ties have been talking about as of - Oliver JR Cooper late is the current migrant crisis. And thanks to social media, it is easier than ever before for these people to share their views with the world.
And as some of these people act as though they know just about everything, there is going to be no reason for someone to look towards the people who actually know what they are talking about. The real experts can then end up being cast A number of them have used this aside, and in their place will be platform to talk about how certain countries are not doing enough. It people who are ill-informed. could then be said that these peoThis is then akin to someone asking ple are putting themselves in the a close friend for advice on how to shoes of the people who are in fix their car, even though their need of somewhere to live. friend hasn’t got a clue what they are talking about. Through taking The Moral High Ground this approach they might be able to Based on how they have been behaving, it can seem as though they have their heart in the right place. These celebrities are then only too aware of what these people are going through.
So, not only can they have special talent, they also have a very big heart to go with it. Their needs are then being put to one side and their priority will be to make sure that the world does more for these people. Selective Empathy If, on the other hand, someone has a problem with letting so many people come into their country, it ENIGMA
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R5: It’s A Family Affair
The family that plays together stays together. Like a Partridge Family for the 21st century minus Mr. Kincaid and mom, R5 are a fivepiece rock/pop band out of California turning heads. Four of the five are siblings with a fifth member being one of their best friends growing up. The band consists of lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist Ross Lynch, (bass/vocals) Riker Lynch, Rocky Lynch (lead guitar/vocals), Rydel Lynch (keyboard/vocals), and Ellington Ratliff (drums/vocals). Formed in 2009
and with a handful of Billboard charting albums and sinles already under their belt the quintet has done non-stop touring trekking to five continents and building a loyal following along the way. After about a year off the road to complete a record their newest EP New Addictions the Fab Five are taking to the road again as we speak. Rocky took the time to talk as the band prepared to hit the road for the rest of the year. Look to see them coming to a town near you/
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Nice EP. How long did it take you and zone out for a day and go in guys to put everything together? because usually we have sound check coming up and we’re doing a We’d like to say it was about a six- meet and greet, an interview or month process. It kind of depends. some sort of radio event. On the We’re constantly writing every day road it’s tough. This EP specificalwhenever the inspiration strikes, ly we did entirely in a house. We but I would day we’ve been writing rented a house in LA for about a for about a year. We were like, year and I built a studio in it. I “cool we’re going to but this built sound panels. I went to Home together and make it work” which Depot, bought Roxul, which is insuwas about a month. Finish the lation for houses, bought fabric songs we wanted to get on the EP, and basically built the studio. And track them, mix them – that took that’s where we did every song. about a month or two altogether. The sad part is we were renting it. After we finished the EP the ownWhen it comes to writing the songs ers wanted to sell the house so we you guys are on the road a lot do had to move out of there and take you do much writing on the road or down the whole studio and now when you get those few and pre - we’re currently homeless. (laughs) cious breaks when not traveling? That should have raised their propThat kind of depends as well. On erty values if they left the studio in the road we do have a portable stu- there. dio that we bring with us. A lot of music these days you can get a That’s what I’m saying, but it was a good vibe. You can get a good feel- guesthouse that we turned into a ing started with a laptop. On the studio but when we took our stuff road we share a lot of ideas but out it’s just a normal guesthouse there are a lot of distractions to be now or something. But yeah, we honest. You can’t quite sit down were bummed about that.
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©Dave Fernandez
Everyone shares writing credits on the new EP. How did it work hav ing so much having input into the songs? Some of the best songs just happen like “Lay Your Head Down” for instance. I basically wrote that entire song by myself. Ross came in and we messed with some of the lyrics at the end. The entire song was written mostly by me. Songs like “If” that was myself, Ross and Ellington. We wrote that entire song on our own. Ryker acts like our “first listen” man. He actually doesn’t write – he’s not part of the
writing process so much like the ter mixer and just figuring out little other people in the band. We kind tricks that all these professional of go to him for the first listen. engineers and producers know We’ll go to him and “I’ve got this idea; what about that?” It’s weird. ©Dave Fernandez It’s good to have someone who isn’t sitting there crafting the music for how many hours it takes because after that you kind of a writer and not a listener. You’re point of view can change. I think it’s healthy to have that – that one guy who can listen with a fresh ear. from being in the business. I kind You were the producer or co-pro- of got over that curve and now that ducer on all the tracks on New I’ve produced a song entirely on Addictions. What was it like to my own it kind of opened a lot of step back from the album as the doors for me as a writer/producer. artist and look at it from the other And in the future that’s what I picside of the glass? ture myself doing. I love touring, I love playing guitar and stuff; for I kind of always liked producing. me the production side of things is Even when we first started the my favorite. I loved finally getting band I was kind of drawn just to to do this on the new EP. more of the production side of music rather than guitar. I kind of On New Addictions it’s all new picked up the guitar first just as a material with the exception of a way of expressing music, but I was cover of INXS’ “Need You Tonight”. always on the computer making What kind of reactions have you beats. It kind of took a while to get gotten on your choice of covers? to this point. On the last record there were a bunch of songs that I You know, people seem to be liking co-produced but my production that track, man. We’ve always was never up to par with what been INXS fans just growing up. other writers are sending in. It They’ve always been one of my took like five or six years of me favorite bands and I feel like they becoming a better producer, a bet- don’t get as much recognition as
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some of the other huge iconic bands that are out there now. But yeah, we’ve always been huge fans and people seem to be digging the cover. Live it kind of opens up even more and we love to do that live. We kind of love to take the song and add elements to it. I think that song specifically got a whole new life live. Yeah, good reaction so far. This is the 30 th anniversary of the song. We actually played “New Sensation” in Australia when we were there. We were in Australia so we need to play an INXS track. And one of the guys in the band heard about it and he reached out. He loved the track of the cover and said to keep it up. We found out it was the anniversary this year, so we had to do something for them. What chances did you or the band take if any writing and recording the material for New Addictions? We’re constantly growing as individuals, writers and producers as well. With this we had a bunch of songs that were in the demo stage where they were kind of almost finished. We invited a number of people from our label out to our
©Dave Fernandez
house and played them the tracks. These were all instrumental and in the indie/alternative vibe. And the label was like no, this isn’t good enough. I think the songs that we had were not that they were not good enough, but were way out there that we kind of needed to take a step back and kind of pull it back a little. I think with New Addictions we kind of crossed the perfect middle line of pop while still being able to throw soul and funk and alternative into this pop genre. And I think we did well with that. We’re always trying to find a new sound and do something new – and so something inspiring. With New Addictions we did the first of that and continue to set new boundaries as musicians and producers.
It’s great to be honest. As you know we all live in a house together. Now Rydel and Ellington are in a relationship. They moved in together and Ryker and his girlfriend moved in together, so we actually took our first step away from each other, which is interesting. When we go to meetings and rehearsals we’re all coming from separate places – and that’s kind of a nice thing. It’s not like you woke up and “hey, how was your day?” and you already know. Now when we see each other we really have something to talk about because we’re not with each other every hour of the day. Now a tour’s a lot different. We’re all in one bus, all crammed together, but we enjoy each other’s company and we all like to go out after the show. It’s a whole lot of fun and I probably wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else to be honest. You guys are embarking on a new tour. What are you guys going to miss about being on the road? I mean, I know you’ll miss sleeping in your own bed.
being on the road again? (laughs) I’m excited to see some of the old school fans that we got out there because we’ve been off the map for a year now. There are so many amazing fans out there that have been to 20, 30 and 40 shows. I’m kind of excited to see then again and say “what’s up?” and see how they’re doing. I’m also curious to see how this new EP is bringing to the road. I’m excited to see the new faces. Whenever you do something new you’re hoping to ©Dave Fernandez get more listeners than just the the rest of the year we’re like cool, people that already know who you we’ll just shack up on someone’s are. I’m looking forward to old couch or in the living room and ©Dave Fernandez just not have a house. Honestly, there’s not much I’m going to be missing. I’m not in a serious relationship with anyone at home. I don’t have a house. All my stuff is in storage. All I really have is some clothes and I’ve been sleeping in the living room art my parent’s house. There’s not much to miss fans, new fans and just playing the for me to be honest. I’m kind of songs. We’re only played them two ready to hit the road and just go or three times live now. I’m lookfor the next six months and see ing forward to see where these songs go live. what happens.
How is it working with so many sib lings and how do you guys keep it Well, no. So Ross and I are the two that don’t have a house right now. So keeping in mind what are you under control? Because we’re going to be touring looking forward to most about
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- Dave Weinthal
The Produers Still Make The Heat reason The Producers would never hit the big time.
©Dave Weinthal
For the first time in years, maybe decades I wasn’t vocal in my displeasure with the lineup of 2017’s Riverbend Festival. I joked with friends that either I’m getting old or the bands I like are now in that age range in which they will get booked. No matter the case, I actually enjoyed my time at the festival. The main reason I wanted to go was to see one band. No, not The Flaming Lips, Morris Day and the Time or Toby Keith (although, yes, the first two were a factor), the deciding factor to attend was to see The Producers.
reason) to this day. The Producers were early staples of a young MTV with their catchy power pop/New Wave sound but for some reason dropped off the face of the earth despite hits like “What’s He Got”, “You Make the Heat” and “She Sheila”. Whether it was band politics or egos, I don’t know, but for whatever
I have been a fan of The Producers for over 35 years. The first two albums, the self-titled debut and You Make The Heat are two of the best debut and follow up albums of just about any band ever. I can still remember buying You Make the Heat at Record Bar at Eastgate Mall, ripping the wrapper off and sticking in the tape deck of my Austin Healey Sprite as I drove away. I played the album so much it wouldn’t play any more (one of the downfalls of cassettes). I could and can still sing the songs word for word (within ENIGMA
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What was cool back in the day was that they were from Atlanta, GA. Being in Chattanooga, roughly two hours away there were kind of an adopted hometown band and it was cool to see a band in the national spotlight that was only down the road. In fact, in the early ‘80s, three bands that came into brief prominence via MTV all had strong hometown followings and even to this day remain popular hometown acts even though their flame only burned brightly in the national spotlight. The Romantics (“What I Like About You”. “Talking In Your Sleep”) were great representatives of their hometown of Detroit, The Greg Kihn Band (“The Breakup Song”, “Jeopardy”), a great rep-
resentative of their hometown on Santa Clara and The Producers a great representative of Atlanta.
They capped the night with a couple of Beatles covers for good measure since the quartet originally got together as a Beatles cover band called Cartoons back in the day.
©Dave Weinthal
Briefly in the ‘80s The Romantics and The Producers toured together. And despite losing their label support they remained together, although taking breaks to hold real jobs and still play from time to time. I’ve gotten a chance to see them a few times over the past few decades and was never disappointed. If anything, I was excited before and after the show. Fortunately their first two albums are on CD now (and mp3) so I can’t wear them out like in ’82, but I often wonder “what could have been” if things worked out differently for the seen in weeks, months, years band. and even decades – many of which brought a genuine smile In a way I’m a little selfish over on my face, which it’s been a this. While I wish they had gone while since I’ve done that. big time and made a lot of money, but I like the fact I can The crowd kept growing and I still turn new people on to them kept greeting folks, which is and after I do they all under- weird for me since I pride myself stand why I’m such a big fan and on being an introvert. I immedithey become one as well. ately recognized the opening riff of “Operation” and was once I wasn’t sure how many fans they again thrust back into the ‘80s, a had but I was beginning to think place were I have many pleasant at least in my circle they were a memories. Sure they looked a big deal. I remember browsing little older and I was a little worsocial media early Saturday (the ried about keyboardist Wayne day they were performing at Famous because he didn’t look Riverbend) seeing a lot of people as happy as I remember him in taking about going. Others were the past jumping around the looking for extra wristbands so stage in the day with his keytar, they could attend and so forth. but one song after another – songs I could sing word for word Over the years Riverbend has – almost came from the stage. promoted themselves as the city’s family reunion. I’ve always It was obvious early that the dismissed or rolled my eyes band was having fun and considwhenever I heard or read that. ered it almost a homecoming of That changed for me Saturday. sorts for themselves as well as As I approached the stage, which they realized we were loyal fans I will complain now was quite from back in the day and indeed the hike to get to compared to the main reason many of us the other stages I ran into one came to the festival. friend after another I hadn’t ENIGMA
While time and the music business has not been good to The Producers financially it was great to see them again with all original members that most bands can’t do. The music sounded great and as relevant (at least to us in attendance) as it did when it was first on the radio and MTV going back to 1981.
The band’s set was made up of their first two albums which only made sense since very few are familiar with their later catalog thanks to politics (music business) and lack of promotion.
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It was a great night for everyone involved – the fans, the band and the festival. The only thing I regret is not getting one of their shirts. I already can’t wait to see them again in concert. Already checked the itinerary and making plans.
- Dave Weinthal
Paul Simon: Love Him Like A Rock
On a warm June evening there is nothing quite like listening to a little Paul Simon as the early summer breeze settles in. A nice crowd at Chastain Park Amphitheatre thought the same thing as the legendary singer/songwriter and pop icon entertained the gathered crowd.
Simon has had a long and storied career and while Baby Boomers remember him as half of Simon and Garfunkel, the majority of people see that body of work as only a slight blip is his repertoire despite the accolades and awards. Sure everybody remembers the duo but in retrospect that ended literally 46 years ago and his music has progressed greatly from simple folk and pop to embrace new and different styles and cultures. If you want to feel really old his landmark
album Graceland won Grammy 30 years ago.
its
Much like his set on this warm Atlanta evening his set reflected both where he’s been and where he’s going. And to ensure his known songs didn’t sound like a track off a greatest hits album Simon managed to change up rhythm and alter genre in some cases. In doing so he reminds his listeners that he, himself is more than a singer/songwriter. Early solo hit “Mother and Child Reunion” for example introduced a lot of top 40 listeners to reggae because one you listen to it again, you realize the influence injected into the song. And we’re talking early ‘70s here. Everyone on the planet of course is familiar with Graceland and its influence from and introducing many to South African music.
Being a solo artist can come with its benefits but obvious this evening was the importance of a band and musical collaboration. The 75-year-old Simon seemed much more alive on stage than he did at the Fox Theatre a year and a half ago, even moving away from the microphone to jam out with his fellow band, something he really didn’t do much of the last time around. The night opened with the instrumental “Gumboots” that allowed Simon’s band to take center stage before he came out to start the evening with “The Boy In the Bubble” as all eyes were on him for the next two hoursplus. “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” was next and he put a different spin on it adding a jazzy, kind of blues feel to it complete with hand gestures and arms in the air. Other sig©Dave Weinthal
1. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit 2. Dan Auberbach 3. Jocelyn & Chris Arndt 4. Flogging Molly 5. Cigarettes After Sex 6. New Pornographers 7. Iron & Wine 8. John Mayer 9. Lorde 10. The Killers 11. Queens of the Stone Age 12. Courtney Barnett 13. Greg Kihn Band 14. Matt Pond PA 15. Blondie 16. Gorillaz 17. Imagine Dragons 18.Grizzly Bear 19. The National 20. Arcade Fire
ADVENTURE PICKS 1. Hard Working Americans 2. Cage the Elephant 3. Moon Taxi
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The Boxer (Simon & Garfunkel song) The Cool, Cool River Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes You Can Call Me Al
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Encore: Proof (Instrumental) Wristband Graceland
New material like “Rewrite” from 2011’s and “Stranger to Stranger” the title track off his latest were intertwined with songs like “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard” and “Homeward Bound”. Simon finished his set with “You Can Cal Me Al”. The living legend returned for two encores proving he was “still crazy after all these years” and finishing the night with “The Sound of Silence”. The greatly appreciative crowd let Simon know how much his
work was appreciated the whole night and the fact the show was a lot more animated and not just a run down memory lane was greatly appreciated. Paul Simon Setlist Gumboots (Instrumental) The Boy in the Bubble 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover Dazzling Blue That Was Your Mother Mystery Train (Little Junior’s Blue Flames cover) Mrs. Robinson (Simon & Garfunkel song) Rewrite America (Simon & Garfunkel song) Mother and Child Reunion Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard Spirit Voices The Obvious Child Stranger to Stranger Homeward Bound (Simon & Garfunkel song) El Condor Pasa (Simon & Garfunkel song) (Instrumental) ENIGMA
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Encore 2: Questions for the Angels Late in the Evening One Man’s Ceiling Is Another Man’s Floor The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel song)
- Dave Weinthal
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nature songs of his took on different tones and while they were obvious recognizable and were true to the original Simon’s effort to make is sound like he wasn’t just going through the motions worked like a charm as the crowd gathered hung on his every word and moved accordingly according to tempo.
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THIS MONTH IN ROCK HISTORY 1952 8-year-old Gladys Knight won $2000 on a US television show called Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour, where she sang a tune appropriately titled “Too Young”. Knight would make her first record just five years later. 1954 Elvis Presley makes his first concert appearance at Overton Park in Memphis, opening for Slim Whitman, where he is overwhelmed by the enthusiastic reaction by the audience.
the next 30 years. 1960 Roy Orbison saw his first record, “Only The Lonely” climb into the Top 5 in the United States after The Everly Brothers and Elvis both turned the song down. Over the next six years, The Big O would have 22 Top 40 hits. 1963 The Beatles record “She Loves You”, which will be released in August and become the group’s second UK #1 hit. Adding to the song’s popularity among young people was the phrase “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah”, which was looked down upon by British establishment and in some quarters was seen to hail “the collapse of civilized society.”
but the spitting continued. Richards is then reported to have stood on his hands and kicked him in the face, whereupon some of the 7000 fans in attendance started fighting, causing over 4,000 Pounds in damage. Blackpool City Council later voted to ban The Stones from playing in the city. 44 years later, the 2008 council voted to lift the ban, but a spokesman for the group said they had no plans to return. 1965 The Beach Boys’ “California Girls” is released in the US, where it will reach #3 in September. The song was the first Beach Boys recording to include vocals from Bruce Johnston who had joined the group to substitute for Brian Wilson on concert tours. 1966 Percy Sledge earned a Gold record for the hit single, “When a Man Loves A Woman”. It was his only song to make it to number one and the only one of five chart makers
1955 A landmark in music history is established on July 9th when Bill Haley’s “Rock Around The Clock” reaches number one on the Billboard chart. Many music histo1964 rians will eventually acknowledge the song as a dividing line, separat- “I Get Around” becomes the first US ing Rock and Roll from everything number one single for The Beach that preceded it. Boys. In the UK, it would be the band’s first Top Ten hit, reaching 1956 #7. The B-side of the single was Elvis Presley appeared on The “Don’t Worry Baby”, which itself Steve Allen Show where he wore a charted at number 24 in America. tuxedo and sang “Hound Dog” to a Although all of the Beach Boys basset hound. Many Elvis fans either played or sang on the thought it was a deliberate attempt record, noted session man Hal to humiliate Elvis and ridicule Rock Blaine was brought in to play ‘n’ Roll music, but Allen insisted for drums. years that he meant no disrespect and that Elvis was in on the gag The Rolling Stones chart in the US from the beginning and thought it for the first time when a cover of was hilarious. The King earned Buddy Holly’s “Not Fade Away” $5,000 for the performance and peaks at #48. headed for the studio the next day to record the song for a single A riot broke out during a The release. Rolling Stones’ gig at The Empress Ballroom in Blackpool, Lancashire. 1958 Keith Richards noticed a man with Johnny Cash signs with Columbia his hands on the stage exhorting Records, where he will remain for the crowd to spit, and warned him, ENIGMA
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to break into the Top Ten. Bobby Fuller, who was still riding high on the success of “I Fought The Law”, was found dead in his car in Hollywood. The incident is ruled a suicide but evidence suggests foul play, as his clothes and lungs contained gasoline. Fuller was just 22 years old. 1967 Jefferson Airplane’s psychedelic masterpiece “White Rabbit” entered the Billboard chart, where it eventually reached #8. The song became one of the first records to sneak drug references past radio censors. It uses imagery found in Lewis Carroll’s 1865 book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and its 1871 sequel Through the LookingGlass, such as changing size after taking pills. The Monkees began a 29 date tour with Jimi Hendrix as a support act. Hendrix was dropped after eight shows, being told that his music was not suitable for a young audience.
1970 Casey Kasem broadcasts his first American Top 40 radio show, where he counts down the hits from the Billboard Hot 100. Replays of those shows are still in syndication. The 3-day Atlanta Pop Festival opens at Middle Georgia Raceway in Byron, Georgia in front of a crowd of 200,000. Jimi Hendrix played his feedback filled version of “The Star Spangled Banner”. Two days later, Georgia Governor Lester Maddox says he will seek legislation to ban all Rock festivals in the state. 1971 Jethro Tull’s first US Top Ten album, “Aqualung” is awarded a Gold record. It has since sold over 15 million copies world wide, making it the band’s most successful LP. Carole King was having a very good week. Her single “It’s Too Late” sat on top of Billboard’s singles chart and she received a Gold album for “Tapestry”. The LP, released four months earlier, was the number one album in the US for 15 weeks and would stay on Billboard’s Top 200 album chart for 292 weeks. 1974 The US Justice Department ordered John Lennon out of the country by September 10th. The Immigration and Naturalization Service denied him an extension of his non-immigrant visa because of his guilty plea in England to a 1968 marijuana possession charge. The US Court of Appeal would overturn the deportation order in 1975 and Lennon was granted permanent resident status the following year. 1978 Gerry Rafferty, once a member of Stealers Wheel, earns a Gold record for “Baker Street”, which reached #2 in the US and #3 in the UK.
killed in a car accident in Marin County, California. Godchaux and his wife, Donna, a background vocalist, had been with the Dead from 1971 until 1979, when they were asked to leave
Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Fourteen years earlier, the band was on its way to a concert in that city when their private plane crashed, killing three members of the group including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant. The new Lynyrd Skynyrd was front1981 ed by Van Zant’s brother Johnny Steppenwolf bassist Rushton and featured original guitarist Gary Moreve, who co-wrote “Magic Rossington. Carpet Ride” with John Kay, was 1995 killed in a motorcycle accident in Santa Barbara, California. He was 62-year-old singer Charlie Rich 32. He had been kicked out of the died in Hammond, Louisiana of a group in 1969 when he refused to blood clot in the lungs. Rich began return to California, fearing it was as a Rockabilly artist for Sun about to sink into the Pacific Records in Memphis in 1958 and Ocean. had hits with “Lonely Weekends” (#22 in 1960) and “Mohair Sam” (#21 1982 in 1965). He gained wider success in A Chicago quintet called Survivor 1973 when his ballads “Behind started a six week run at #1 on the Closed Doors” and “The Most Billboard singles chart with “Eye Of Beautiful Girl” crossed over from The Tiger”. The song also topped the Country charts into the Hot 100. the UK chart. Over the next four years, the band would place six Jamaica issued a series of postage more songs on the Billboard Top 40 stamps honoring reggae superstar and become an icon of ‘80s Rock. Bob Marley. He had died of cancer in 1981 at age 36. 1983 2001 A New Jersey based quintet calling themselves Bon Jovi are signed to The Kiss Kasket, an actual coffin Phonogram’s Mercury label. Their featuring the faces of the four debut album is slated for next Fall. founding members of the band, went on sale. Also included were The Police started an eight week the Kiss logo and the words “Kiss run at #1 on the US singles chart Forever.” Endorsing the item, Gene with “Every Breath You Take”, also Simmons quipped, “I love livin’, but a chart topper in the UK. this makes the alternative look pretty damn good.” 1988 2003 A California appeals court upholds a lower court’s decision to dismiss Rhythm and Blues star Barry White, a case against Ozzy Osbourne and known for his lush baritone voice CBS Records. In 1984 a teenager and lyrics that oozed sex appeal on allegedly killed himself after listen- the hits “Can’t Get Enough Of Your ing to Ozzy’s “Suicide Solution”. Love” and “You’re The First, The Last, My Everything”, passed away 1991 Guns N’ Roses front man Axl Rose dives into the audience to take a camera away from a fan who was taking pictures during a concert in Maryland Heights, Missouri. The ensuing brawl injures fifty people, including fifteen police officers, and results in several other Guns N’ Roses concerts being cancelled.
1980 Keith Godchaux, former keyboards A revamped version of Lynyrd player with The Grateful Dead, was Skynyrd opened its world tour in ENIGMA
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at the age of 58. The last words he ever spoke were to his nurse, “Leave me alone. I’m fine.” Sam Phillips, the man who discovered Elvis Presley and owner of the legendary Sun Records, passed away at the age of 80. Phillips also helped launch the careers of Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Charlie Rich, Conway Twitty and Jerry Lee Lewis. He sold Elvis’ contract to RCA in November, 1955, for $40,000. Sam was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. 2005 R&B artist Luther Vandross passed away at the age of 54, two years after suffering a major stroke. 2011 Dan Peek, a founding member of the Soft Rock trio America died in his sleep at the age of 60. The group notched eight Top 40 hits in the US charts between 1971 and 1975, including “Sister Golden Hair”, “Ventura Highway”, “Tin Man”, “Daisy Jane” and Peek’s own composition “Lonely People”. 2013 Boston guitarist Tom Scholz was ordered to pay $132,000 in court fees to the Boston Herald after he unsuccessfully sued the newspaper. The Herald had suggested that Scholz was responsible for the 2007 suicide of Boston lead singer Brad Delp, but a Superior Court judge ruled that the paper could not be held liable for defaming Scholz because it’s impossible to know what caused Delp to kill himself.