Monday, November 22, 2004

FLASH: New Jam Venue - Crystal's

Hello friends,
Larry Griffith just called with two more jam nights, to replace the one we lost when Fee-Lay Gumbo closed.

Mondays at 9PM at Crystal's On The Square in Marietta. Crystal's is very easy to find, it is on the main square as the name implies. No, they don't serve teensy hamburgers on yeasty buns. They do serve up a good time. We start there tonight, I hope to see you there.

Crystal's
150 Roswell St NE Marietta (770) 792-8840
For map & directions: http://tinyurl.com/6wxt3

He also has one in the works for Wednesdays, but nothing final yet. This being a holiday week we don't know quite yet whether it would start this week anyway. I'll keep you informed.

I mentioned in my previous email, which about 75% of you received, that my trip with Lola to play at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago resulted in her getting a record deal with Alligator Records. If you're interested, and didn't get that story, let me know and I'll send you a copy. I also mentioned that I'm beginning a new method of sending out emails - the method works, but the first program I tried was not so good. I'm now trying WorldCast, let me know if you have any troubles with it, or if you just want to be removed from the email lists (which I'm in the process of refining).

best wishes,
George Price

Music Report for Nov. 22, 2004 - YES! We got a record deal!

Hello Friends, Before the big news, this disclaimer: This is the first time I'm using a new method of emailing. It is supposed to help me consolidate & clean up my email lists, and I will of course remove anyone who tells me they don't want to hear from me. If you get multiple emails (you shouldn't) or see any other rough edges on the process, please let me know so I can make everything right. Thanks!

As many of you know, I went up to Chicago this weekend to play with Lola at Buddy Guy's Legends club on Friday. This was to be a showcase for Legends, for Alligator Records, and for a few other invited dignitaries. Unfortunately, we didn't actually get to play with Buddy as he had an early flight out to Florida for a show there on Saturday, but he was very nice to us and was kind enough to sign our guitars and a couple Legends t-shirts. We were told, however, that he did something very unusual when we played; he left his usual perch at the end of the bar and came around to the showroom to watch, and that we should take that as a great compliment. So, I do. The show felt good, but it was all over much too soon. After we played, we got lots of nice compliments from the patrons & staff, and Bruce Iglauer, president of Alligator Records, asked Lola for a meeting the next day. The next day, we dropped her off and waited. And waited. The tension was thick. When she came back, she told us she had The Deal!

What all this means for Lola and the rest of the band isn't certain yet, and Lola has been reluctant to give us much detail, but I do know I'll be lit up for a week. As new information comes to me, I'll keep you informed. Meanwhile, you better come to our shows while you can still get up close! *chuckle*

Links:
http://www.alligator.com
http://www.lolagulley.biz
http://www.buddyguys.com

Also, a couple reminders about the Atlanta jam scene: our beloved Wednesday nights at Fee-Lay Gumbo are no more, the restaurant closed its doors last week. If you were one of our Wednesday friends, please don't waste a trip out there. I haven't heard from Larry Griffith yet if he has something else in the works for Wednesday, but if he does get another gig lined up I'll sure let you know.

Meanwhile, there is a HOT NEW JAM at The North End in north Alpharetta, at the corner of McFarland Rd and Hwy 9. It's supposed to be a bluesy jam, but as you know, "things happen" when musicians follow their muse. The host band consists of me, Theron Peterson on drums, vocals and harmonica, and Gates Nichols (of Confederate Railroad) on bass and keys. The sound is kept sweet by Tweek (also of Confederate Railroad) who makes the stage a joy to play on, and to listen to.

Recent guests have included Andrew Black, Barry Richman, Greg High, John McKnight, Terry Bradford, Mike Hinton, Brad Jeter, Lara Polangco, Leszek Wawer and more. The performances have been epic! They will be back, and more players are coming out as word spreads.

Oh, and the FOOD! Everything I've tried so far has been way too good, and quite filling. Come hungry and enjoy. Lots of nice beverages too.

Players, bring your instrument (except drums, of course). We have a couple amps, but you can bring your own if you like. Listeners, just relax and have fun with us. No cover charge. We start playing about 8:30, and bringing the guest artists up after the first set.

Super Easy Directions: From the south, come up 400 to McFarland Rd (exit 12 I think). Turn left across 400 and go until the road Ts into Highway 9. You're there. From Gwinnett, come in on Hwy 20, turn south on 400, and go two exits to McFarland and turn right. From other directions, adapt what I just said. Here's a map: http://tinyurl.com/6nxtc

That's all the news for now. Please feel free to forward this to anyone who might enjoy a good time.

best wishes,
George Price

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

Music Report for Nov. 17, 2004 - Fee-Lay Gumbo CLOSED

It is my sad duty to report that Fee-Lay Gumbo has closed, so no jams there tonight. To all those who came out and played with us, or just hung out with us there, thanks for the good times. Now stay tuned, I'll be letting you know about any new jam gigs.

I'm still doing the Tuesday jams at The North End (corner of Hwy 9 and McFarland Rd in north Alpharetta), and those jams have been EPIC! Just ask Andrew Black, Barry Richman or Greg High what we did after midnight last night.
*chuckle*

I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

George Price

PS, please forward this to other jamgoers promptly to save them a trip tonight.

Monday, November 15, 2004

Music Report for Nov. 15, 2004 - New Venue

Hi Friends,

There's finally something cool going on in the Alpharetta-Cumming area.

I'm hosting a new jam at The North End in north Alpharetta, at the corner of McFarland Rd and Atlanta Hwy (Hwy 9). It's supposed to be a bluesy jam, but as you know, "things happen" when musicians follow their muse. The host band consists of me, Theron Peterson on drums, vocals and harmonica, and Gates Nichols (of Confederate Railroad) on bass. The sound is kept sweet by Tweek (also of Confederate Railroad) who makes the stage a joy to play on, and to listen to.

Recent guests have included Andrew Black, Barry Richman, Greg High, Terry Bradford, Mike Hinton, Brad Jeter, Lara Polangco, Leszek Wawer and more. The performances have been epic! They will be back, and more players are coming out as word spreads.

Oh, and the FOOD! Everything I've tried so far has been way too good, and quite filling. Come hungry and enjoy. Lots of nice beverages too.

Players, bring your instrument (except drums, of course). We have a couple amps, but you can bring your own if you like. Listeners, just relax and have fun with us. No cover charge. We start playing about 8:30, and bringing the guest artists up after the first set.

Super Easy Directions: From the south, come up 400 to McFarland Rd (exit 12 I think). Turn left across 400 and go until the road Ts into Highway 9. You're there. From Gwinett, come in on Hwy 20, turn south on 400, and go two exits to McFarland. From other directions, adapt what I just said. Here's a map:
http://tinyurl.com/6nxtc

Please feel free to forward this to anyone who might enjoy a good time.

best wishes,
George Price

PS, as for my other gigs, I'm still also playing Wednesday jams with Larry Griffith at Fee-Lay Gumbo (near Town Center Mall on I-75, see http://www.feelaygumbo.com). This weekend I'll be doing some Chicago gigs with Lola, including opening for (and possibly playing with) Buddy Guy. Last night we (Lola) took 2nd in the Atlanta qualifiers for the International Blues Challenge. So close! Next weekend, I'll be with the Elvis trio (http://www.webspawner.com/users/convertible) doing a few shows in Memphis on the Memphis Queen riverboat. Other gigs come & go, I'll keep you notified if something extra cool comes up. I hope to see you all soon!

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"Force without wisdom falls of its own weight."
-- Horace, Roman poet and satirist
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Amazing fact: CNN reported on 7/27/04 that the "peaceful transition" in Iraq is going so well that the USA is running out of bullets, and is buying them from Britain and Israel.
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Remember, the 9/11 attackers weren't Afghani, nor Iraqi. They were Saudi. If you want to fight terror, buy less petroleum.