Athens 441

w/ Vic Chesnutt, Liz Durrett

Sunday, June 29 @ The Melting Point

originally published June 25, 2008

Athens is certainly known for its abundance of live music performances and venues, but don't rule out the essential, yet oft-forgotten, musical outlet: the radio. The Athens 441 Radio Show is opening doors for local artists who hope to spread their music over the airwaves.

The Athens 441 Radio Show is a syndicated program on the Georgia Public Broadcasting network. Named after the highway that stretches the entire length of Georgia, the Athens 441 show gives local acts the opportunity to gain critical exposure. The show features a live performance by the featured band recorded on the last Sunday of every month at the Melting Point. Next on the list: Vic Chesnutt and Liz Durrett.

Vic Chesnutt, now one of Athens' most cherished singer/songwriters, paid his dues early in his career, playing frequent shows in Athens clubs, cafés and restaurants. His break came finally when Michael Stipe caught a show at the 40 Watt and was won over by his engaging acoustic folk melodies. Stipe then produced Chestnutt's first two full-length albums. Chesnutt's talents inspired many artists to compile a tribute album for him, the Sweet Relief Two, which featured covers of his songs by Madonna, Hootie and the Blowfish, and of course, R.E.M.

Chesnutt made his music a family affair, giving his niece Liz Durrett her first guitar when she was 16, and inspiring her to begin writing music. Chesnutt invited Durrett to perform on a couple of his recordings and to appear with him on tour, boosting her solo career. Her most recent release, 2006's The Mezzanine, highlights her voice with energized guitar pieces.

Sunday night, the two will perform together for Athens 441. If you can't catch the show live, you can tune into one of 18 different NPR stations carrying the broadcast - many of which are in Georgia, but also reaching a few towers in the surrounding states.

Christine Barrett