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The Flagpole Athens Music Awards Show Takes The Stage Again
W hether its at a "battle of the bands" at a
local club, a rock and roll trivia night in a
downtown burrito joint or a poker game
backstage after soundcheck, the majority of
Athens scenesters probably couldn't give much of
a damn about winning or losing awards. Athens
musicians have never been competitive or anxious
over such things. In fact, it's a safe bet
to say that most bands shy away from
excessive praise and acknowledgment.
Flagpole readers realize this. Really.
But that's not going to stop them from
putting some of the most popular and
deserving musical artists on the spot and
in the spotlight for a few moments. It's
time once again for the annual Flagpole
Athens Music Awards—that wild show
case and variety show that celebrates
true winners in the music scene.
This year's AthFest 2002 officially
kicks off on Thursday evening, June 20
with the annual Flagpole Athens Music
Awards Show. The big event takes place
once again at the ornate Morton Theatre
at Washington and Hull streets. This year,
the festivities shall once again be
emceed by your bespectacled Flagpole
music editor (me).
A near-capacity crowd sat, watched,
hollered and applauded at last year's
awards show. Five teams of presenters handed out
21 trophies to a wild variety local musicians, most
of whom were able to navigate the aisles and the
"bridges" across from the seats to the stage. The
acceptance speeches were generally funny, some
times embarrassing and occasionally quite
touching.
The smooth-strumming Dan Nettles Band kept
the vibe lively with its loose jams and sets of
"themes'' from the orchestra pit (those guys can
play almost anything on command). Featured
musical performances included a sharp set from
Stewart & Winfield Band, acoustic singer-song
writer Kitty Snyder, punk band Exit 86, fast-
rappin' hip hoppers Big Earl And Dem Twin Boys
and obviously inebriated popsters Little Red
Rocket. Orummer Carlton Owens barely beat your
slightly humble music editor in a split decision in
the so-called "2nd Annual Drum Battle" (HI get
him back later this year with some double flama-
diddle and seven-stroke roll action on the snare,
grrrr...).
Already in its fourth year, the show is designed
to acknowledge all corners of the music scene and
to honor some of the most accomplished musical
artists in Athens. Organized by the staff at
Flagpole Magazine, this year's event is sure to be a
memorable one... for reasons that still can't
revealed. The event will feature several special
local celebrities as "presenters" including singer-
guitarist-wildlady Sara O'Brien, former college
radio DJ and Flagpole music scribe Emerson
Dameron, Tasty World proprietor and rock music
fanatic Murphy Wolford along with Lunch Paper's
Monte Koster, Boneshakers proprietor and dance
music fanatic Mark Bell (AKA DJ43), and wildman
about town Clay Leverett (of Lona and
Azure Ray). These folks will face the chal
lenge of introducing the nominees in
each category without vomiting on the
podium or falling into the orchestra pit
(if s piece of cake, folks; just don't look
out into the crowd).
A top-notch squad of professional bel-
lydancers from the Healing Arts Centre on
Prince Avenue will act as "escorts" on
stage, adding a touch of worldly elegance
to the otherwise slightly-bumbling pro
ceedings.
As always, the nominees and the win
ners were chosen entirely by popular vote
of the Flagpole readers over the past few
weeks via ballots in the magazine and on
the website with no "critic's picks" or
meddling from music department know-it-
alls. This year's ballot featured 20 sepa
rate categories developed by the Flagpole
staff and experts in the local music com
munity. Winners will receive a colorful,
sturdy, foot-high "statuette" hand-crafted by
Athens artist Pattiy Torno. No one will know who'll
win big this year until the envelopes are torn
open on the stage.
The Flagpole Athens Music Awards Show enter
tainment lineup includes a variety of musical acts
including drum n' brass marching band Little Big
Chiefs. The talented Athens hip hop group
Southern Poetic Coneckshun will perform some of
its own dirty and not-so-dirty rap. Featuring
former members of the Fuzzy Sprouts, the newly-
established glam-funk band Aqualove will jam it
on down with little difficulty. The curious musical •
act Empire State will make music out of a junkyard
of vintage gear and homemade instruments.
Southern-style rock band Drive-By Truckers—win
ners in last year's "Americana/Roots
Rock/Rockabilly" category—will play a special set
towards the end of the night. Of course, a major
"surprise" guest whose identity shall not be
revealed will make it onto the stage during the
proceedings. Here's a hint; it's a world-famous
band or person out of the Athens scene... ha!
Remember folks—anything can happen at
these things. Despite all the organizing and for
matting and timing, strange things that could not
be predicted inevitably happen—sometimes
between the most unlikely individuals. On stage.
In front of everyone. Don't miss it
Also, keep this in mind: everyone's a winner at
the Flagpole Athens Music Awards Show. Especially
those mopey winners who reluctantly accept their
praise and honor under the stage lights. In front
of everyone.
Tickets to the awards show are on sale now at
the Flagpole office on Foundry Street; at the
Morton Theatre box office; and at School Kids
Records. Tickets are $4 with a Full Event AthFest
Wristband, $6 in advance, and S8 at the door. Go
to athfest.com for information on AthFest 2002
and check out the AthFest 2002 program inserted
in this week's issue.
Ballard "Pinstripe” Lesemann
r
WHAT Flagpole Athens Music Awards Show
WHERE: Morton Theatre
WHEN Thursday, June 20,8 p.m.
HOW MUCH. $4-$8
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JUNE 19.2002-FLAGPOLE.COM 11