By Lisa Keel

Full gallery after the jump.

The Brian Collins Band:

Blackberry Smoke:

Over the next three months, student teams from the Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business Program at Kennesaw State, working with Sony Music Nashville and PlayPro Media, a social media start-up that helps artists build fan bases, will be promoting and marketing artists of various music genres. The experience will give the KSU students a chance to learn first-hand the inner workings of the music industry, earning class credit along the way.

“This is a wonderful learning lab for our students,” said Keith Perissi, associate director of the program. “This project will give students hands-on experience in the music and entertainment industry, working with heavyweights such as Sony. They will be doing the job that agents, managers and promoters do. This is about as real as it gets.”

Week after week, the students will be producing video clips, booking the acts at local venues, pitching local and national media, and using social media to launch campaigns. Throughout, they will meet with the artists and post weekly blogs chronicling their progress. On April 11, the 10 artists will perform at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta at an industry mixer, with the top act earning a chance to play for top executives at Sony Music Nashville.

“This is a win-win situation for everybody involved,” said Brad Todd, an entertainment industry executive who founded PlayPro Media. “The artists are getting a consulting team with professionals who have years of experience in the industry.”

Todd explained that this project is the antithesis of the TV singing competition model, as each artist that is selected will not be asked to make any commitment or sign a contract. Sony Music Nashville and PlayPro Media are offering three months of consulting in the areas of production, marketing, booking and management at no cost to the artists.

“We want to see if the synergy is there between the artists and PlayPro before any long-term commitments are discussed,” Todd said. “While we want to work with artists at all stages of their career, we won’t use the fast-track method for the artists that are not ready.”

It all starts with a great song, Todd said, but local artists typically do not have the resources to launch their music careers and get noticed by the big labels. The consulting provided by Sony Music Nashville and PlayPro Media will give them this opportunity. Todd and Duane Hobson, an A&R rep with Sony Music Nashville, are working closely with the students to promote the artists.

“We are doing old school A&R (Artist & Repertoire) with new resources,” Hobson said. “It’s not about trying to reinvent the wheel. We are trying to find local artists using new ways to discover music. We want to get their music heard.”

PlayPro Media has partnered with Education Realty Trust, a national developer and operator of collegiate housing, to help market the artists to local college students living in these facilities. The goal is to get students to sign on as members on PlayPro Media so they can familiarize themselves with the artists and vote for their favorite.

Sony Music Nashville and PlayPro Media selected the 10 artists the students are working with last fall through the A&R Southern Talent Expo, which attracted 62 artists.

The 10 artists that the KSU students are promoting are: Lauren St. Jane & The Dead Westerns; Kurt Thomas; The Whiskey Gentry; Andy Griffen; Mr. Lee; The Armory; A-N-T; Leslie Mack; Amy Gerhartz; and Elgin Nation.

To follow the students’ work with the artists, please go to http://www.facebook.com/KSUMEBUS

By Al Kaufman

Fountains of Wayne is not your typical success story. The New York-based band came up with the name after driving by a yard art store in Wayne, N.J., then quickly signed with Atlantic Records in 1996. They were subsequently dropped after their first two albums did not sell up to Atlantic’s expectations. After a hiatus, they regrouped and used their own money to put together Welcome Interstate Travelers on S-Curve Records. It spawned the monster hit, “Stacy’s Mom,” which was aided by the video that starred Rachel Hunter in various states of undress. It’s a snarky little tune about an oversexed boy in lust with his girlfriend’s mom. The album earned the band two Grammy nominations in 2003, including (inexplicably), Best New Artist. While subsequent albums have not garnered the same success, the band continues to pen sharp, smart pop songs, including their most recent album, Sky Full of Holes, which offers a more Americana feel. It includes great story songs like “Richie and Ruben,” and sweet ballads, such as “Someone’s Gonna Break Your Heart.”

Adam Schlesinger is the songwriter (with Chris Collingwood) and bassist for Fountains of Wayne. In addition to his work with the band, he writes and plays bass for Ivy and Tinted Windows, (a sort of supergroup consisting of Schlesinger, ex-Smashing Pumpkin James Iha, ex-Cheap Trick drummer Bun E. Carlos, and Hanson’s Taylor Hanson) co-owns the record label Scratchie Records (with Iha and another ex-Pumpkin D’arcy Wretzky) and the recording studio Stratosphere Sound (with Iha and Ivy mate Andy Chase). He penned the disgustingly catchy title track to the Tom Hanks movie That Thing You Do, and, with David Javerbaum, wrote the Steven Colbert and Elvis Costello Christmas carol duet, “There Are Much Worse Things to Believe In,” which was shown on Colbert’s Christmas special. He’s written tons of music for movies and TV, has produced everyone from Verve Pipe to Fastball to They Might Be Giants, and rumor has it that he occasionally sleeps. Atlanta Music Guide caught up with Schlesinger during Fountains of Wayne’s latest tour that comes to Atlanta on Friday, February 10, at The Loft at Center Stage.

It was almost four years between your last album, Traffic and Weather, and Sky Full of Holes. What did you do during that time?

When Fountains of Wayne wasn’t touring, I worked on a bunch of other projects – TV stuff, a Broadway show, and a bunch of other people’s records. I put out a record with Tinted Windows. And I worked on the new Ivy record, All Hours, which also just came out.

Sky Full of Holes has a rootsier, gentler sound than your past albums. Is this the Fountains of Wayne have grown up album?

Actually, this record is probably the closest to what we sounded like when Chris and I first started making music together, when we were around 20 years old.

Is it a conscious decision about how much snark and how much sweetness appears on each album?

I don’t think we consider ourselves to be snarky at all. We certainly don’t set out with that as a goal. There’s humor in a lot of our songs, but ideally there’s a wide range of emotions too.

You had the major label signing, only to find success later after getting dropped. What do you think about the current state of the record industry and where is it going?

I don’t have any idea where the business is going. It seems like the days of exclusive major label rule is pretty much over. But there’s also way too much music being released these days – sometimes I think you should have to pass a test first, like driving a car.

You’ve had more than your share of songs performed on TV shows and commercials and in movies. Is this pretty much a necessity now for a band to survive?

I don’t know if it’s a necessity but it’s certainly helpful, especially if your music doesn’t get played on the radio a lot.

After a hit like “Stacy’s Mom,” is it hard to get thoughts out of your head such as “How can I re-create that success?” or do you go the other way and think, “That was a novelty hit. I hope we are remembered for more than that”?

We certainly would like to be known for more than that song,  because we’ve written hundreds of other songs too. But we don’t worry too much about hit singles in general – we just try to write songs we like.

Happy Super Bowl Weekend everyone! Looks like the weekend might be a bit quiet due to everyone revving up their eating and drinking engines for the big game on Sunday, but we still have some killer gigs to take the edge off if you’re not into the whole pigskin thing, with a healthy amount of metal thrown in for good measure.

Thursday, February 2 – Edens Edge at Eddie’s Attic

If you need to get back to the roots of country music, then you should check out Arkansas  trio Edens Edge, who will be wowing folks with their charming harmonies at Eddie’s Attic tonight.

Thursday, February 2 – Anthrax at The Tabernacle

If you need something a bit louder, then get your eardrums blown by metal legends Anthrax.

Friday, February 3 – Theophilus London at The EARL

Genre-busting urban electro pop phenom Theophilus London plays with Phony Ppl and Venus X on Friday night.

Saturday, February 4 – Mike Doughty at Eddie’s Attic

’90s indie hero Mike Doughty comes back to Georgia this weekend.

Saturday, February 4 – Anvil at Hard Rock Cafe’s Velvet Underground

Metal underdogs Anvil continue their comeback with another tour, stopping in Atlanta this Saturday.

On Sales:

Jessie Baylin at Smith’s Olde Bar, March 6 – on sale Friday, February 3

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Philips Arena, March 18 – on sale Saturday, February 4

!!! / Shabazz Palaces at 40 Watt Club, April 19 – on sale Friday, February 3

The Fray at The Tabernacle, April 25 – on sale Friday, February 3

Trace Adkins at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, May 18 – on sale Friday, February 3

By Amanda Miles

Kurt Thomas knows how to kick off a show. Grabbing the audience’s attention with a strong riff and never letting up is his signature honky tonk style. The cold December wind was no match for the heat emanating from the Kurt Thomas Band at Dixie Tavern on December 9. The venue may have been small but their sound was immense, filling the space with the hum of country music.

For the last five years, Kurt Thomas has been developing a strong fan base across the southeast. Kurt won national talent contests including Kenny Chesney’s Next Big Star and CMT’s Music City Madness. Winning the contests gave Kurt a platform to open for some of the biggest names in country music including Kenny Chesney, Little Big Town, Sugarland and the Zac Brown Band. Raised in the small town of Dahlonega, GA, Kurt was able to realize one of his musical dreams when he was mentored by country music legend, Randy Travis. The opportunity to work with the musical icon drove Kurt to unwaveringly pursue his dream of music stardom.  Presently, Kurt is enjoying the independent success of his third album, “Six Strings and a Prayer.”

Kurt Thomas brought his charismatic best to the boisterous crowd at Dixie Tavern. The set began with a rousing version of “Up On Cripple Creek.” The band covered crowd favorites “Dixieland Delight,” “Family Tradition,” and “Southern Cross.” The covers were tight but the highlights from the set were original songs, the rollicking “Kick Back,” and the small town feel of “Front Porch Swing.”  Kurt’s voice was strong as  he commanded the attention of everyone in the vicinity. The band’s energy was electric, easily transitioning from a Motown jam to pure country gold. The small town band with big city dreams proved to the revelers at Dixie Tavern they are a dynamic country music force to be reckoned with.

Catch Kurt Thomas at the Buckhead Theatre on February 4, 2012. Proceeds from the show will benefit Johnathan Taylor, a former UGA Outfielder who was paralyzed after an on field collision. Visit www.dawgsforjt.com for further information.

By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn

Thursdays are very interesting to me. They can either be awesome, knowing that the weekend is right around the corner, or they can be horrible, seeing everyone’s tenseness from the week coming to a head. Let’s hope yours is the first, and regardless, you will need to destress tonight and I have some ideas on how to do that.

-Nothing says I want run over your toes with my mac truck than an Anthrax concert. Get your fair share of whiplash and moshing out tonight at The Tabernacle where they play with Testament.

-The pop scene in Atlanta has been looking a little bit more interesting now that Adron is in it. Blending classical harmony with the playfulness of ‘60s Brazilian Tropicàlia, the earnestness and sentiment of 70′s songwriters like Joni Mitchell and Harry Nilsson, and the cerebral sincerity of the hymn song, catch Adron and friends tonight at The Earl.

-Arkansas trio, Eden’s Edge, know the value of taking their time. They are putting in their 10,000 hours, touring the country, and playing with some of the biggest names in country music, the now Nashville-based trio have made their mark with their songs about faith, family, and farming, of course! They are harmonizing at Eddie’s Attic. 

-Jimi Cravity- Sounds like Bruce Springsteen meets The Fray. Looks like Buddy Holly meets Jamie Foxx. Sings like Phil Collins meets Bono. Plays like an icon. Writes like the world is waiting. See him tonight at Vinyl.

-Prepare to at least dance tonight at Smith’s Olde Bar where Scotty w/ Cornbread & Kush Kloud Klan will be rocking it out.

By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn

I know it is a risky thing to  proclaim a “my new favorite” band, but in this case, trust me. JEFF the Brotherhood are two brothers from Nashville, who are helping to shake up the rock scene.  Jake and Jamin Orrall are the sons of successful producer/singer/songwriter Robert Ellis Orrall and grew up surrounded by music. They founded JEFF the Brotherhood in 2001, while still in high school. They started several other bands and side projects, including Be Your Own Pet, which they left to play in JEFF the Brotherhood full-time. . Their first album released nationwide was 2009′s Heavy Days, followed by 2011′s We Are the Champions. JEFF the Brotherhood performed live instrumentation for Insane Clown Posse’s single for Third Man Records, “Leck mich im Arsch”, a rearrangement of a Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composition produced by Jack White.

Their music is described as containing elements of psychedelic rock, garage rock, punk and pop, and we chatted with Jamin before their show tonight joining The Kills on stage at The Masquerade.

What is the first gig you ever went to?

We went and saw the Rolling Stones when I was like 10 in Nashville. The Rolling Stones are really bad ass, so it made a pretty big impression on me.

What is the best gig that you ever played/performed at?

We played in thus gutted house of friends of ours. It was like a giant fun house. There was like ten foot blow up aliens that we had in the front yard, and everyone was using them to crowd surf, it was awesome.

What is the best gig you have ever been to?

When I saw Levon Helm at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Gig you would most like to play?

Anywhere in Japan. I just think it would be so awesome. I love Japan.

What would be the lineup for your dream gig?

We would be opening up for Beyonce, Black Sabbath, and Devo. And we would be playing in Joshua Tree. That would be the most perfect show ever.

Catch JEFF the Brotherhood tonight with The Kills at The Masquerade

By Eileen Tilson/ @tktalt_tn

So that was January? I don’t mean to sound like a complainer, but where was all the snow?? The beginning of Feb. though is feeling just fine, it’s like having a sense of renewal. So start this month out right and check out one of these bad ass shows.

-You might remember her as the rebel rocking chick in Dead Weather and he is the new Mr. Kate Moss, but together they form The Kills, which if you have never seen will blow your mind. My other new favorite band, JEFF the Brotherhood are opening, and you definitely should not miss them tonight at The Masquerade.

-Bernadette Seacrest and her Provocateurs – with guitarist/songwriter par excellence, Charles Williams and bad-ass bassist Kris Dale will be rocking it out at The Earl tonight.

-A songwriter’s in the roundish style party is going down tonight at Eddie’s Attic, where Erick Baker & Mieka Pauley, with special guest, Meghan Arias will be entertaining the masses.

-Genre blending Colorado newcomer, Ronlit will be bringing in his sense of style tonight at The Five Spot with AV8R.

- And although this may not be a concert, the winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best Play, Red,  will be at The Balzer Theater at Herren’s Pontifical, obsessive, vain, arrogant and brilliant, modernist painter Mark Rothko turned the art world on its head with his revolutionary abstract expressionist studies in color, shape and texture. John Logan’s Redarrives in Atlanta to paint a raw and provocative portrait of an artist’s ambition and vulnerability in this electrifying play.

Now, I just know y’all must be excited about all the new music that just got dropped today, so here is another little piece of good news! Check out the Soundcloud link below to preview  “Heads & Tails” which features the first few bars and last few bars of all of the songs on Ben’s 2/7/12 new record Go Fly a Kite. It tells a mighty story of what’s to come.

http://budurl.com/headstails

Can you believe that tomorrow is the first day of Feburary??  I don’t think we have had a single day that actually felt like Winter! All I keep thinking is that it is gonna be an insanely hot summer….End the first month of the year right and go out to one of these rad shows.

-A Canadian-Indian who lives in Germany? Yeah that just sounds like fun….Every time King Khan comes into town a party lashes out. Go join him at The Basement tonight with The Shrines.

-Atlanta’s own favorite red-headed daughter, Heather Luttrell (who has opened for the likes of  Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band, The GA Satellites, The Zac Brown Band, and, Jakob Dylan) will be rocking it out at Eddie’s Attic tonight with Nikki Talley.

-San Francisco electro producer, Tycho will be joined by Brooklyn duo, Beacon, tonight at the Masquerade.

-The Miller Lite Concert Series is continuing tonight at Smith’s Olde Bar tonight with KidSyc@Brandywine, Ina Williams, and Jason O’ Toole.