Music 101: September

Augusta Music Scorches in September 

It’s a well known fact that summers in the south come with many traditions.  We southerners like to enjoy the summer splendor with a tall glass of iced tea, family trips to the beach, city festivals, and (in some cases) NASCAR.  For Augustans, summer has its own “hot” take on these traditions:  Long Island Iced Tea at Metro A Coffee House, a stroll by the river on the Augusta Riverwalk, the monthly First Friday celebration, and of course, the boat races.  

But, as the heat of summer drifts into fall, getting us all giddy for football season and the annual Border Bash, Augusta is continually surrounded by music no matter the activity.  You can hear it everywhere, pouring out of music venues as well as outdoor speakers from businesses up and down Broad Street.  September in Augusta has always been hot for music, and when the first annual Westobou Festival kicks off in a few weeks…it will get even hotter! 

First, as always, let’s celebrate special moments in a scorching September music history that has led us to where we are today. 

September 15, 1945 

Opera legend Jessye Mae Norman is born on September 15, 1945, at the old University Hospital.  Growing up, Norman would listen to Saturday afternoon broadcasts of the Metropolitan Opera, which would lead her to win her first talent contest by singing at Mount Calvary Baptist Church.  Since that day, Norman has performed on many special occasions including the 60th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, President Ronald Reagan’s 1985 inauguration, the funeral of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and the 200th anniversary of Bastille Day.  Norman was honored in 1991 with Augusta’s Jessye Norman Amphitheatre on the River Walk, and in 1999 she was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame. 

September 20, 1989 

Eighties hair rockers Bon Jovi performed to a packed house at the Richmond County Civic Center a month after headlining the Moscow Music Peace Festival.  Sixteen years later, the band would release Have a Nice Day featuring the duet “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” with Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles (who has performed on many occasions in Augusta with her previous band Soul Minder’s Daughter). 

September 18, 1998 

B.B. King performed at the Augusta Richmond County Civic Center a few days after his 73rd birthday in September of 1998.   The legendary blues artist, named by Rolling Stone Magazine as the third greatest blues guitarist of all time, gave what is to this day considered one of the top performances ever presented at the venue now dubbed the James Brown Arena.  

September 11, 2001 

Augusta band Impulse Ride released Residue, the follow-up album to their popular 1998 release Corn Dog Money on J-Bird Records.  Despite months of planning in preparation for the album’s release, the band put all promotion on hold in light of the events that occurred on the fateful early morning hours of the CDs planned release. 

John “Stoney” Cannon is the creator of Augusta music resource Lokal Loudness and has been covering area music since 1992.  For more information visit www.lokalloudness.com. 

Alexis All-Star Picks: Various - Grand Slam Jam

When I think back to Augusta releases that were not only impactful on Alexis’ introduction to area music, but also on the Augusta music scene, the Grand Slam Jam compilation released by David Bradberry on his Haunted Pillar Records labels has to rank near the top of the list.  Released in 1998 and the third of three great Haunted Pillar compilations released in the nineties, this great collection of songs featured not only artists that paved the way for a big shift in original area music over the following year, but also proved to be a stepping stone for artists that have since made influential marks on the Augusta music scene.  With many releases in 1998, including this great one, it is no accident that Lokal Loudness was able to step out of the underground with such great music to cover.  Featuring Augusta artists such as Gearbox, featuring The Cubists’ Noel Brown, long-time faves Impulse Ride, future Horsepower frontman Grady Nickel, Kingthursday with 48Volt vocalist Brian Panowich, and national major label rockers Billionaire featuring former members of Hundred Year Sun, it is no wonder why Grand Slam Jam is a vital piece of Augusta music history.

19th Annual Jazz Fest

Jessye Norman Amphitheatre  September 13

For 18 years, Paine College has brought the Jazz Fest to Augusta in support of the United Negro College Fund. This year promises to continue this great institution of bringing great national as well as local jazz performers. Prepare yourself for yet another great experience for an even greater cause: the education of young minds.

The 2008 line up starts with Cher Best and Minnesota Fattz of KISS 96.3fm as guest emcees. Augusta’s Mellow-D and Playback with Tutu D’Vyne warm the evening up as Bobby Boyd, also from Augusta, serves as direct support for the headliner, Loretta Holloway from Belton, SC. Loretta has starred in off-Broadway productions and shared the stage with stars such as Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg, Garry Shandling, and Jay Leno. 

Held at Augusta’s beautiful Jessye Norman Amphitheater this, like Jazz Fest in the past, will be very family friendly with giveaways throughout the event set to start at 5 pm and run till 11 pm. Vendors will be providing food and beverage throughout the event. 

Proceeds from ticket sales support the Augusta area United Negro College Fund Campaign, raising “dollars for scholars.”  UNCF is also the largest non-governmental provider of support to 39 private member institutions. Because of support from donors through UNCF, member institutions are able to keep tuition approximately 52% lower than tuition at other comparable schools.

Don’t forget that much earlier at 8 am at the Augusta Common, Paine College will also bring the First Ladies 5K Walk to benefit The Girls & Boys Club of Augusta. These are both tremendous opportunities for all of us to help Paine College help the community and city of Augusta! For more information on both events, visit www.paine.edu or call 706.821.8317.