originally published November 22, 2006

Well, punky, the holidays aren’t quite here but there’s still plenty to get excited about. So how about we change things up a little bit and check out some local music news! All right then…

Holidays!: Just so you know, the weekly "Uncorked & Unplugged" acoustic songwriter showcase at the Melting Point will be skipping this week, taking off Wednesday, Nov. 22 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The series returns hosted as always by Ken Will Morton on Wednesday, Nov. 29, when Jason Beckham, Ty Manning and Dana Downs perform.

Laugh It Up: The Athens Comedy Experience will rear up again and provide a night of entertainment to the patrons of Stan’s Bar & Grill. Featured comedians include Noah Gardenswartz, Clyde Gordon, Julian Haynes and Bryan Burgess; the host of the evening is Karlous Miller and musical entertainment will come courtesy of Keni Myles. Tickets are $10 and the show takes place Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 9 p.m. All other information can be had by visiting www.myspace.com/24wayzent or by calling 706-227-2102.

History Lesson: Although some might beg to differ, and they’d be wrong, the Athens music scene has always been rather healthy. Even before there was a “scene” per se, Athens was always a music town. The Melting Point will host a special reunion show featuring Dirk Howell and T. Graham Brown, who, back in the early 1970s, performed locally as Dirk & Tony. The 21-and-up show takes place on Saturday, Nov. 25 and costs $18 in advance or $22 at the door. Howell has performed for years with The Dirk Howell Band and was recently honored by the Georgia Music Hall Of Fame. Tony is, of course, the world-famous T. Graham Brown who has enjoyed a string of big-time hits and received honors from the Country Music Association. See ABC for more info.

A Battle With Actual Stakes: Okay, this is a good twist. Local hip hop act The Renegadez has been setting up battles between its members and a variety of local bands over at Tasty World. The next event is Monday, Nov. 27, and will feature The Renegadez, Super Monkey and Thunderchief. The deal is this: any performer who can get a better crowd reaction than The Renegadez wins $250. So go check it out and cheer for whomever you want. Just remember that the rent money hangs in the balance. More info at www.myspace.com/therenegadezversus.

Buy Now, Enjoy Later: In a move that is becoming increasingly common, yet entirely welcome, in the Athens music scene, local group 63 Crayons is now accepting pre-orders for its newest album Spoils For Survivors. The proceeds from the pre-orders are actually helping fund the manufacture of the record, so the sooner folks pony up, the sooner the album will arrive. Also, as a bonus for keeping the faith, all pre-orders will receive a bonus CD-R of unreleased material. So gather up $10 and go see www.the63crayons.com or www.myspace.com/63crayons.

No Way You Won’t Notice This: As Forrest Gump said, “Stupid is as stupid does,” and whomever pulled this latest stunt is as stupid as they come. A one-of-a-kind bass guitar was stolen from Gutshot & Thirsty member Jeremy Beck. Okay, that’s not entirely world-shattering, but here’s the thing: the instrument is half bass-guitar-neck and half garbage can. Beck describes the instrument as “hastily and poorly put together” which also lends a distinction to its appearance. If anyone sees hide or hair of this thing, please contact Beck via www.myspace.com/gutshotandthirsty.

You Want To See This: Before there were Drive-By Truckers, there was Adam’s House Cat. Fans will more than likely want to see former members Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley when they resurrect that band's catalog for a special benefit show Friday, Dec. 1, at Nuçi’s Space. The beneficiary of this performance is a little girl named Sabina Haley-Burke who is the daughter of longtime friends of Cooley and Hood, and was recently diagnosed with a malignant brain-stem tumor. For more information, please see www.simplysabina.com and www.nuci.org.

Now, It’s Official: Nutria will finally celebrate the release of its double-CD Cheef/Metronome, with a big ol' show at the Caledonia Lounge on Friday, Dec. 1. Also on that day, the band will play the popular “It’s Friday” show on WUGA 91.7 FM and 97.9 FM. In other news, Nutria will perform at next year's South By Southwest Festival as part of the Fundamental Records showcase and will play the International Pop Overthrow Festival (Atlanta) in February. Go check out the busy boys over at www.nutriaworld.com.

Movin' To Town: After playing our city several times, the boys in Summerbirds in the Cellar have decided to make Athens their home. The move won’t happen until January, but it seems as if a least a few people are psyched about the group, which includes Brad Register and Curtis Brown who also do time in Now It’s Overhead, living here. Although I’m still on the fence about these guys, you should know that the band will perform a pre-move show over at Tasty World with Lona on Saturday, Dec. 9. Check them out via www.summerbirds.com.

Your Mom And Dad Want This: Looking for the perfect Athens-related album to give your parents for Christmas? Then pick up a copy of Christopher Henderson’s new album The Legend of the Oglethorpe County Ghost Truck and Other Tall Tales. With its mix of blues-influenced rock and roll, country and old-time, it’s just the thing to let your folks know you live in a creative town - but all the bands don’t sound like Music Hates You. Check him out over at www.myspace.com/christopherhenderson.

Living With Neil: Local singer-songwriter Woody Garrison is rising the charts over at www.neilyoung.com. On the section of the site titled “Living With War,” the folks behind Mr. Young’s website have carefully indexed hundreds of topical and/ or political songs from underground artists. Garrison has been on the chart for quite a while and his song “Not In My Name” is still reaching folks worldwide. For an index of songs, see Young’s site and to check Woody Garrison out for yourself, please see www.myspace.com/woodygarrison.

Okay, I’m off. Be sure to keep your news coming in and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. Higgledy, piggledy via email to music@flagpole.com, voicemail at 706-549-9523, ext. 203, or by post at P.O. Box 1027, Athens, GA 30603.

Gordon Lamb