Georgia Statewide Country Music News

This page is dedicated to news around Georgia about artist, bands, venues, etc. If you have any news you would like to share on GC, please drop us a line at info@Georgia-Country.com

CALHOUN GETS NEW COUNTRY STATION

(Jan 21st) A new country radio station has been broadcasting from Calhoun called Kickin 94.5, which signed on in late 2011 with a Christmas music format before changing to its current branding. The signal serves a large swath of northern Metro Atlanta, including Calhoun, Dalton, Cartersville, Canton and Woodstock. 'Country Gold Saturday Night' airs each weekend. A sister station to Calhoun oldies station WEBS, Kickin 94.5 has a Website under construction at http://www.kickin945.com/, with plans to stream online. (Source Country Atlanta)

SONIA LEIGH TO JOIN ERIC CHURCH & BRANTLEY GILBERT ON TOUR

(Jan 20th) Sonia Leigh seems to be poised to make 2012 a break out year. And one of the first signs of that is being added to the Eric Church 2012 Tour. Brantley Gilbert, coming off his first #1 hit, "Country Must Be Country Wide", is also on Eric's tour. Sonia will be on the bill when the tour comes to Georgia, with a stop in Savannah on Feb 2nd. Leigh's debut album 1978 December, produced by Zac Brown, was released in 2011 through Brown's Southern Ground label. Her new single "Bar" will be impacting radio soon.

THOMAS RHETT AT COUNTRY CARES SEMINAR

(Jan 17th) Thomas Rhett was in Memphis for the Country Cares seminar of the weekend and spent some time with Northern Colorado's KXBG. Rhett's upcoming first single for Valory Music Co. is "Something To Do With My Hands," which might explain the poses. (Source: MusicRow.com)

JARED ASHLEY WINS AWARD FROM MUSIC ROW MAGAZINE

(Jan 6th) Jared Ashley recently won the Discovery Award from Music Row Magazine. Robert Oermann of Music Row, presented the award to Jared after hearing his cd. From Oermann - "Jared is a Georgia boy who has evidently garnered a good following in his home state. His disc debut features this moody mid-tempo outing. She feels like damaged goods, but he assures her that she is stained beautifully, like a church window. His performance is nicely shaded, varying from almost whispered passages to near shouts of passion.".

CHATTANOOGA GETS NEW COUNTRY STATION

(Jan 6th)( Even though in Chattanooga, this effects North Georgia.) There's a new Country station in Chattanooga, TN. Brewer Radio's N/T WPLZ flipped to country, "The All New Cat Country 95.3," on Jan. 2 at midnight. PD Josh Weber says they will be running without jocks for now and to look for airshift decisions to be made soon. Josh was previously at WUSY across town and held the position of APD for six years. There is Classic Country WUUQ in the market but WUSY has not had a mainstream competitor since Fall of 2010 when WOGT flipped to Classic Hits. (Source: AllAboutCountry.com)

CARROLLTON'S LOWELL OPRY HOUSE IN NEW MOVIE

(Jan 4th) "When the Storm Gods Rides" , A Pilot Film Based on the Novel "When the Storm God Rides". When the Storm God Rides is an Action Western with a twist ending sure to be enjoyed by Western Fans and fans of mystery/drama. Based on the book by Thomas E. Kelly, "When the Storm Gods Rides" is a winner. All who have read the book and viewed the film have given both thumbs up. The film was shot locally and at "Rocky Branch Railroad" in Bremen and at the "Lowell Opry House" and includes acting parts by some of the Opry House staff as well as local country music singer Doug Stone, who also sings "Thunder Calling Out His Name", a song written by Mark Lyle, Thomas Kelley, George Britt, and Brian Carter. George Britt also sings "Storm God Rides" written by the same group of writers. Leading actors in the film include; Eric Paden, Caitlin J. Kelley, Michael Mullins, Perry Wilson, Ron Becks, Christy Leigh, George Erdner, and Santos Alfredo DeLarosa. The showing of the short film will be followed by a performance by the George Britt Band which usually draws a good crowd on the first Saturday of every month at the Opry House so advance ticket purchases are recommended. Admission is still only $10.00 and can be purchased at Round 2 Consignment (728 Bankhead Hwy in Carrollton- ph. 770-214-5599) or online at lowellopryhouse.com. The doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 7pm.

JOE OLDS BAND WINS BAND OF YEAR

(Jan 3rd) The Joe Olds Band won Favorite Band of the Year by the Swainsboro Moose Lodge on New Years Eve, at their performance there. The Marshals and Presidents of that chapter there voted the band favorite over many other bands that have played there in 2011. Joe Olds was touched by the award as it as was in Wrightsville, that he had his last performance with lead guitarist Steve Baxley, there. Steve passed away last January 7th. (Pictured left to right: Steve Allison, Sonny Flemming, Jeff Marcus, Pop Baxley, Joe Olds, Kenneth Sweat and Al Moore)

JORDAN RAGER TO BE ON THE VOICE

(Jan 2nd) Loganville's Jordan Rager will be on the new season of The Voice, on NBC. Jordan is a rising singer that has been on the scene the last few years. He has a full band and plays locally almost every weekend. The Voice will air February 5th, after the Super Bowl. "The Voice" is a vocal competition series modeled after Holland's top-rated vocal talent discovery show, "The Voice of Holland." Hosted by Carson Daly, the show features four musician coaches: Christina Aguilera, Cee Lo Green, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton, who will coach only the most talented vocalists.

BIG RAX OPENS IN ALBANY

(DEC 21st) Big Rax Saloon opened its doors in Albany this past weekend with local singers, Faith Jackson & Cole Taylor on stage, over the weekend. From the Big Rax Facebook page:"Big Rax Saloon is a Hunting Lodge themed Club. The Bands & Dj play a range of music from Country, Southern Rock, Rock, Top 40, & Party hits from the 70s to Present Day. Our Staff consist of Bartenders, Servers, Beer Tub Server, & Jello/Shooter girls. Big Rax Saloon has a VIP section with private restroom & entrance, Plus a Reserve section for all your party occasions. The Bartenders will be slinging great Drink Specials all night long, with excellent service from our whole Staff. Big Rax Saloon is a Non-Smoking Facility, but for all you smokers or someone that just wants to enjoy the outside experience of Albany Ga, our facility provides a fenced in patio. We hope to see you enjoying the newest club experience in Albany Ga. Come Get Bucked Up @ Big Rax!!!!!"

NORTH GEORGIA TEEN SINGER SIGNS WITH ROCKET MUSIC

(Dec 16th) On Wed, Riley signed a multi-year, exclusive management agreement with Rocket Music, the music management company Elton John co-founded to manage his and other performing artist's careers. While it feels like a major milestone that Riley the rest of the family worked really hard to attain, it's really just a first step for Riley, per Frank, her dad. Rocket Music is now responsible for managing the strategic direction of her career, and many of the day to day activities associated with executing the strategy. Frank also expressed "We are very pleased that Riley is now officially represented by someone as respected as Elton John and Rocket Music and really excited about her future!" First step in the journey is a trip to London next week where Riley will get some time with Elton and get to meet the rest of his management team and artists under management at Rocket.

CLEDUS T'S TO CHANGE NAME TO LEGENDS

(Dec 14th) Cledus T's in Cartersville is changing their name to Legends. The club was recently bought out from country comedian Cledus T Judd, thus the change. The club opened in 2009 and will still focus on country / country bands in the area.

BOB 106.9 SAVANNAH SENDS ENTERTAINMENT TO TROOPS

(Dec 8th) WUBB, Bob 106.9/Savannah's morning co-hosts Tim Leary and Malayna Kerton have spearheaded a campaign to collect DVDs and CDs for US service people stationed overseas. During the two week Adopt A Troop drive listeners were encouraged to bring CDs and DVDs to various locations throughout Southeastern Gerogia and South Carolina as drop off locations. The discs will now be shipped to troops to arrive before Christmas. Congrats to all! (Source: AllAboutCountry.com)

LANCE HOUSTON AND THE BULL RECEIVE TOP STATION AWARD

(Dec 6th) Lance Houston (left in pic) of The Bull in Atlanta, received the Georgia Country Award for 2011 Favorite Radio Station from Dan Seals of GC. The award was 100% voted on by the readers of Georgia-Country.com. The Bull has the been the only station in Georgia to win the award for all three years since the award started. The Bull in Atlanta, a Clear Channel station, is regularly in the top of the Arbitron ratings in Atlanta. It's Backyard Country show on Saturday nights, showcase some of Georgia's top unsigned talents and has become a staple on the station.

DAVID LEON PICKS UP GCGMA AWARDS

(Dec 5th) The 9th annual Georgia County & Gospel Music Association Awards were held at the North Georgia Trade Center in Dalton, GA on December 3rd. At the show, where Buddy Jewell was the special guest performer, 19 year old David Leon was honored to be the recipient of this year's college scholarship. David also received the following music awards (all in the Male, 17-20 year old category): New Gospel Songwriter of the Year for his original work "One Hand On The Bible", New Country Songwriter of the Year for his original work "Waylon", Most Promising Vocalist of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year. David will go on to represent the state of Georgia in all of these categories at the NACMAI (North America Country Music Association, International) competition this next March in Pigeon Forge, TN.

ZAC BROWN MAKES APPEARANCE AT WILD BILLS

(NOV 28th) Zac Brown made a special appearance at last Saturday night's Black Berry Smoke concert at Wild Bills. Zac joined the band on stage to sing "Restless". Blackberry Smoke is on Zac's Southern Ground Records label, that he launched back in May. (Photo courtesy of Rob Cain)

COUNTRY ROCK CAFE IN ATHENS CLOSES

(NOV 22nd) The Country Rock Cafe in Athens has announced they are now closed for business. A long standing club in the Athens area that goes back to the early 90s. The original Country Rock was one of the top country nightspots in North Georgia in the 90's, hosting the occasional rising star at the club. In the late 90's, the club converted to "Bumpers" to be a mix dance club catering to all ages and playing mostly dance music. Early in the 2000s, the club changed their name back to Country Rock but still played mostly dance music. In the last year, the club had had the occasional live country band such as Deepstep, Joe Olds and Bobby Compton. The following is a statement from the club: "We are heartbroken to inform all of our loyal fans that Country Rock has closed its doors for the last time. Due to circumstances beyond our control, it was no longer viable for us to stay open. From the bottom of our heart, we'd like to thank everyone for supporting us over the last 18 years. Thanks to our hardworking employees, incredible security guards, and awesome customers - without you none of this would have been possible. Thanks again, we love you all!"

TIM MICHAELS MOVES FROM KICKS TO THE BULL IN ATLANTA

(NOV 21st) Tim Michaels has swung from Cumulus in Atlanta to Clear Channel in Atlanta. Previously doing afternoons for Cumulus' WKHX/KIX 101.5 he is now doing weekends and swing shifts for Clear Channel's WUBL, 94.9/The Bull. (Source: AllAboutCountry.com)

SAM DIAMOND LEAVES CLASSIC COUNTRY IN SAVANNAH

(NOV 17th) APD/Promo Director Sam Diamond of Classic Country WSGA/Savannah, GA has left. He also held the same responsibilities for the Hot AC that recently flipped to CC. Sam can be reached at 912-656--9221. (Source: AllAboutCountry.com)

EDDIES ATTIC BOUGHT BY ALEX COOLEY

(NOV 14th) Long-time Atlanta concert producer and Music Midtown co-creator Alex Cooley is getting back in the music business, buying Eddie's Attic with partner Dave Mattingly effective Dec. 1. Outgoing Eddie's owner Bob Ephlin, in an e-mailed announcement Thursday morning, said: "I'm confident that Alex and Dave will do a great job taking Eddie's Attic to the next level. I believe its best days are ahead of it." he intimate Decatur Square listening room founded by Eddie Owen has been a hotbed of mostly acoustic music for nearly two decades, an early showcase for Atlanta-polished national talents such as the Indigo Girls, Shawn Mullins and Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, who, as Sugarland, were named vocal duo of the year at the Country Music Awards on Wednesday night. An Atlanta native, Cooley staged the first Atlanta International Pop Festival in 1969, crafting a lineup that included Led Zeppelin and Janis Joplin its inaugural year, and Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers the next. Three years ago, Cooley was recruited by Atlanta businessman Charles Loudermilk to consult on a reboot of the Roxy, and last year, the spiffed-up venue, back to its original name of the Buckhead Theatre, opened. Conlon did not consult 0r partner with Cooley in the relaunch of Music Midtown this summer, and Cooley has otherwise been out of the concert promotion picture since helping get the Buckhead Theatre off the ground.

BIG RAX TO OPEN SOON IN ALBANY

(NOV 8th) Within just two months of One Trick Pony closing in Albany, the country music lovers there wont have to wait long as Big Rax is coming to town. Moving into an expanded old Crow Bar, Big Rax will have the feel of a hunting lodge (hence the name), than a more traditional country bar. Country music will be it's main focus but the occasional non country act will be featured. Stay tuned to GC for the opening date and more news on the club.

JEREMY GRAHAM BANDS TO PERFORM AT TEXACO COUNTRY SHOWDOWN, TENN FINALS

(OCT 31st) Augusta's Jeremy Graham Band will perform this Thursday night, November 3rd at Cotton Eye Joe's in Knoxville, for the Northeast Finals of the Texaco Country Showdown.

MOBY INDUCTED INTO GEORGIA RADIO HALL OF FAME

(OCT 25th) A week after being inducted into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame (see below), Moby, of Moby in the Morning, has been inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame. He will be part of the class of 2012 and will be officially inducted at a the Country Radio Hall of Fame Cocktail Party, Dinner and Ceremony that will take place Feb. 21, 2012 at 6 p.m. CST inside the Nashville Convention Center. Moby has been an on-air personality for 40 years and worked Rock stations in Dallas and Houston before moving to WKHX/ Atlanta and winning the morning Country battle. He has won numerous national on-air awards and formed his own syndication company in 2004. He can be heard on many Country stations across the country. (Source: AllAboutCountry.com)

MOBY INDUCTED INTO GEORGIA RADIO HALL OF FAME

(OCT 18th) On Saturday (October 15) Moby (seen on left)received a Career Achievement Award from the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame. Moby's career started in his hometown of Crossville, Tennessee when he was 15. His career took him to Nashville, (where he reached a 50 share at WKDF), Tampa, FL and Houston, TX. It was in Houston that Moby moved to mornings on 97 Rock. He then went to WEGL in Dallas, TX and then back to Houston and KLOL. In 1991, Moby went to Atlanta and switched formats from AOR to Country at heritage station WKHX. Moby stayed at WKHX for 11 years and had the highest morning ratings the station ever achieved. After a brief stint on Z-93 in Atlanta, Moby started his own syndicated Network which thrives today. Moby's show can be heard in 15 states. Moby had this to say about his achievement, "It's an honor to be in the company of Country legend Rhubarb Jones (seen here on right with Moby), Talkmaster Neal Boortz and Clark Howard to name just a few. My career has taken me to heights I could not ever imagine, and it ain't over yet....Yeah Baby!" (Source: AllAboutCountry.com)

ELECTRIC COWBOY COMING TO ATLANTA

(OCT 13th) Electric Cowboy, a national country music venue chain, with locations from Tennessee to Texas, has purchased the old location of Cowboys Atlanta. They have stared re-construction and re-modeling. Troy Guidash, President of Operations, is projecting an opening of November. The club will play mostly country music with a mix of rock and dance music. At this time, no word if no live bands. More details coming soon. For more information on Electric Cowboy, go to ElectricCowboy.com. (GC NOTE: In the upcoming new version of the movie Footloose, scenes in the movie were filmed at the old Cowboys Atlanta).

KICKS IN ATLANTA MAKES CHANGES

(OCT 13th) Access Atlanta is reporting that afternooner Tim Michaels of Cumulus' WKHX/Atlanta has left the station. Mike Macho will take his afternoon seat. They also report that Promo Director Christy Ullman, WKHX Digital Content Mgr Bill Celler and WYAY traffic person Greg Talmadge have left. Christy handled the promo duties for both WKHX and Classic Hits WYAY. (Source: AllAboutCountry.com)

THE POINT RADIO STATION IN SAVANNAH GOES CLASSIC

(OCT 10th) Straight Way Radio AC WSGA/Savannah, GA switched to Classic Country at the bewitching hour of midnight, last Friday (10/7). Overseeing the programming from Dial-Global is Director of Operations for Straight Way Radio, LLC is Jon Robbins along with WSGA Station Manager Bryan Steele. According to Jon, there was a large programming hole in the market for Classic Country. The station will aim it's programming at meaningful and local content for the city of Hinesville and the area which includes Savannah. The station plans to be where things are happening in the Coastal Georgia area. They plan to be there with a microphone talking to the people, including. broadcasting local high school football games and being involved in the local community. (Source: AllAboutCountry.com)

THE COUNTRY CLUB VOTED AUGUSTA'S BEST DANCE SPOT

(OCT 5th) The Country Club in Augusta was voted favorite place to dance in Augusta by the readers of AugustaMagazine.com. The County Club opened in the spring of 2006 and has been one of the top clubs in Georgia since. It has the 2nd largest dance floor in the state behind Wild Bills in Atlanta and has line dance lessons every Friday and Saturday nights. For more information on the Country Club, go to AugustaCountry.com

LOCAL TEEN HAS DREAM COME TRUE TO SEE TAYLOR

(OCT 4th) Jessica Henderson just turned 17 years old and at the age of 4 months was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis which is a congenital disease of children that can cause malfunctioning of the pancreas and respiratory infections. both of Jessica's parents are carriers of Cystic Fibrosis which makes it harder on her. Jessica lives in Taylorsville Ga. and is a Senior at Woodland High School in Cartersville Ga. Jessica is on over 30 different medications daily along with daily breathing treatments up to four times a day, About every 2 or 3 months Jessica is in the Hospital @ Scottish Rite Children's Hospital for anywhere from 2 to 3 weeks at a time. She has a hard time eating and right now her weight is only 78 pounds. Jessica's dream was to see Taylor Swift in concert and thru the help of Barry Adams Sr. owner of yourcarandcredit in Jonesboro Ga., Lee Thompson, William Andrews from the Atlanta Falcons, and all of Barry's other employees, Barry heard about Jessica's condition and her wish and called Rick Scholl General Manager of Philips Arena. They made Jessica's dream come true.They also provided a Limo for her to go to the concert. Not only did they get 2 tickets for her and her mother Sheri Henderson, they gave 2 more tickets for Me and Jennifer Wheeler to go because we had worked so hard to get tickets since May. I had contacted every Radio Station in Atlanta and they could not help! Jessica is in need of a Lung Transplant and is already on the list, she has to get her weight up and be medical evaluated in St. Louis for the Donor List. Once this happens and a donor is found, she will go to St. Louis for 3 months, during this time her mother will be by Jessica's side day and night. Jessica's church- Euharee Baptist Church in Euharee Ga along with the Iron Horse Ministry from the church (Bike Rider's) has done several rides to raise money for the 3 month stay in St. Louis. during her Surgery and Recovery. Barry Adams Sr. Lee Thompson along with William Andrews is trying to put something together with the Atlanta Falcons in the near future to raise money for the family. (Contributing - Denise Parker)

JOHN JARRARD FOUNDATION RAISES $115,000

(OCT 4th) Several Nashville songwriters headed to Georgia for the 10th Annual John Jarrard Foundation Concert on Sept. 24 at Brenau University. Marc Beeson, Steve Dorff, Bruce Burch, Jan Smith, Will Robinson, Greg Barnhill, John Driskell Hopkins performed and helped raise over $115,000 for local charities that were dear to the heart of late tunesmith Jarrard, such as The Boys and Girls Clubs, Good News Clinics, and Challenged Child. The John Jarrard Foundation has topped $1,000,000 for the 10 years.( In picture L-R): Marc Beeson, Steve Dorff, Bruce Burch, Jan Smith, Will Robinson, Greg Barnhill, John Driskell Hopkins) (Source: MusicRow.com)




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