originally published May 2, 2007

As summer draws nearer, I start to get this weird, anticipatory feeling of cool things happening. Summer in Athens is, generally speaking, always great. So, perhaps as a precursor, here’s some stuff that might get you excited, too. Excitement begins below…It's That Time Of Year Again: It’s time to put on your thinking caps and begin voting for the 2007 Flagpole Athens Music Awards! You can vote online at www.flagpole.com/Awards and mail it in or drop it off at our offices. The finalists in each category represent what a jury of brainstorming local music folks came up with after deliberation over the past year in Athens music. Disagree with the selections? Please write in your own nominations in any category. Winners will be announced at the 2007 Flagpole Athens Music Awards Show, which kicks off AthFest on Thursday, June 21 at the Morton Theatre.

Just A Shout Out: Local musician Nick Light has been around for a few years now and his sound, although tagged as “emo-lite” for some unknown reason, is sincere without being overly-sentimental and soft-focused without being wimpy. Essentially, he plays acoustic guitar and sings and, though it’s nearly impossible to distinguish oneself through that coupling, he pulls it off (albeit not effortlessly). Indeed, it’s the almost tangible sense of effort - or rather, purposefulness - that gives his songs their gravity. At any rate, check him out. He’ll be at the Melting Point on Wednesday, May 2 and at the Caledonia Lounge on Thursday, May 17. Taking a look at www.myspace.com/nicklightmusic wouldn’t hurt either.

Rerouting A Name: Local band Welterweight has changed its name to The Jersey Barrier. No, that’s not something that protects Delaware from Tony Soprano (okay, that was a lame joke, sue me…). It’s the concrete road construction barriers that are also used to protect police stations and such from car bombs. Some new songs are available to listen to over at www.thejerseybarrier.com, or you can check out www.myspace.com/welterweightband. The band's playing alongside new crew The Diamond Centerat the Flicker Theatre & Bar on Thursday, May 3, at 8:30 p.m.

What Exactly Happens In Them Rooms?: This month, Nuçi’s Space will feature live shows from bands which utilize the rehearsal facilities there. On Friday, May 4, Stab the Cook will perform; Friday, May 8, will see Bloodkin take the stage and on Friday, May 25, Television Buzz and Thunderchief will play. All shows will benefit the good work Nuçi’s Space does, and you can find out more about all that over at www.nuci.org.

Download Here: Local hip-hop crew T-Nebula Productions, the brainchild of local producer Nolan Terrebonne, will release its newest label-oriented compilation album on May 5. The label is home to local artists Bear, who will perform at this year's Human Rights Festival, DJ Killacut, Ben Stevens and Son 1. As soon as the album's released, fans can download it for free over at www.tnebula.com, so hit the site up this weekend for some free tunes.

Very Special Benefit: On Tuesday, May 8, a concert called "Rock for Research" benefits The Tumornators organization, an adjunct of the Children’s Tumor Foundation, which was created to raise money for research on childhood tumors. Russian Spy Camera, Jason Harwell, Drew Leathers and Nate Nelson will all perform. This show is a very special one for Leathers, who was diagnosed with schwannomatosis, which causes tumors to grow around individual nerves causing extreme pain. He has thus far undergone 13 separate surgeries and lives with pain daily, but is determined to continue to help others look for a cure by raising money for research. For more information on both the Children’s Tumor Foundation and Drew Leathers, please visit www.tumornators.com.

And Cheese: Local rock troupe Ham 1 has something special planned for its show at the 40 Watt on Thursday, May 3. Bandleader Jim Willingham says the band will play first, starting the music "early" at 10 p.m. sharp since tonight's set will feature a video slide show of artwork from buddy Jeff Owens and an elaborate stage set that's a recreation of a recent photo shoot. That set is for the cover of the band's upcoming sophomore album The Captain's Table, all wrapped up and set to be released on Orange Twin Records later this summer. Atlanta pop band Parade follows, while the rare birds in Down With the Woo (the ex-Heros Severum folks) make a live appearance to close out the show.

Totally Solo: Alabama guy Jason Isbell, former guitarist for the Drive-By Truckers, will release his newest solo album on July 10. Isbell is a live favorite when he hits Athens, especially his quiet shows over at Flicker. Sirens of the Ditch will see release via the New West record label. Guest performances by Patterson Hood, Shonna Tucker and Brad Morgan will likely render some songs very similar to Drive-By Truckers tracks. As an added treat, though, Patterson’s pop David Hood and legendary Muscle Shoals organist Spooner Oldham - in town last week to sit in with the Truckers at the Georgia Theatre! - also appear. Nothing against Patterson Hood and company, but I’d give my eye teeth to play with David Hood and Oldham! It doesn’t appear that any Athens dates are slated for Isbell’s warm-up shows, but it's most likely he’ll come back as soon as he can. Preview stuff over at www.myspace.com/jasonisbellmusic.

Go Quietly: In a move no one could have really predicted, local dance and drink-a-rama Go Bar has announced that it's kinda interested in getting some quieter acts to perform early shows on the patio. The booking tastes for these shows is fairly open-ended, including jazz, softer indie-pop and world beat. Drop the place a line via www.myspace.com/gobar. If you've never been to Go Bar and want to know what the hell's going on, then venture forth this Friday, May 4, to check out Cars Can Be Blue, the members of which will also DJ that night, along with Atlanta band The Coathangers.

Consider The Door Open: Hot Corner Coffee wants everyone to know that the venue will substantially broaden the range of acts it's booking. Although heavy rock acts are still inappropriate for the space, booker Katie Collins is now open to amplified acts in the indie, pop, folk, jazz, bluegrass, acoustic, comedy, spoken word, improvisation and, basically, any kind of other entertainment you can think of. It's all welcome during the week or as openers for weekend bands. Any other questions? Shoot Collins an email via untrodden1@yahoo.com.

If Jerry Lee Were Born Today…: Former local rapper JY King of Drunk has apparently gotten himself banned from downtown Athens following his third arrest for underage drinking. According to him, this is all a bunch of bullshit because he was arrested in April 2006 and, after all, that was for merely a probation violation and, anyway, he wore an ankle bracelet for four months which prevented him from drinking at all. JY, who will finally turn 21 on Aug. 24 of this year, is pretty indignant that The Man won’t let him take a sip or go downtown for a full year, so he packed up and moved to Atlanta where, as he says on his MySpace blog, “…the real mo'fuckin playas play!” For more information, please visit the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism over at www.niaaa.nih.gov.

So it goes. Be sure to keep your news coming in and always mention either Threats & Promises or my name in the subject line of all emails. Spare us the cutter 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