Mixtape Atlanta

Paul McDonald, Next American Idol?

From Smith's Olde Bar, Vinyl, Park Tavern, and more, Paul McDonald and his band The Grand Magnolias (formerly Hightide Blues) have been performing at venues and showcases across Atlanta for years. From original southern rock swing to intimate acoustic ballads, The Grand Magnolias, fronted by McDonald, never put on a dull show. Now all of America is witnessing McDonald's showmanship, energy, and talent as he competes to be one of the Top Ten American Idol contestants. While our money is on Paul to be THE American Idol, check out Mixtape Atlanta's coverage of Paul and his talented bandmates throughout the years. Don't forget to tune into American Idol TONIGHT (March 3) and see Paul advance (fingers crossed)!

Related articles and photo albums:
Hightide Blues Amps Up Unplugged
Night 8 500 Songs for Kids 2010
Hightide Blues at Smith's Olde Bar
Smith's Showcases the Best

Hightide Blues Amps Up Unplugged

Nashville rockers and Atlanta favorite Hightide Blues headlined August 29's 99x's Unplugged in the Park at Park Tavern. The night featured performances from several talented performers including the Americana acoustic act of Lauren St. Jane, Life 'n Limb, and The Delta Saints. Hightide really cranked up the volume and energy with their southern rock jams. Playing a diverse group of songs off their previous album Love Come Easy and their upcoming album, the band also got the crowd rocking out to several covers. Although the band was joined by the night's earlier acts on the closing crowd stirring cover of Oasis's "Wonderwall," they also had the crowd in hysterics over their clever cover of the popular YouTube news story clip featuring Antoine Dodson's famous lines: "hide your kids, hide your wife, hide your husbands."

Check out Mixtape Atlanta's photos from the night here.

AthFest 2010

AthFest 2010 kicked off Thursday, June 24 with The Flagpole Music Awards at the Morton Theatre. Flagpole has been the must-read magazine for Athens’ vibrant music scene for years, but the live show didn’t quite live up to the interesting content found on its pages. Opening act and award showhands, Mr. Blank’s Carnivale of Black Hearts set an eccentric vibe to the show but the longwinded performances and lack of in-house award recipients made the initial excitement quickly fade. Chris Patton and TJ Edmond did a fine job of hosting and were the perfect hometown emcees for the event. However, the multiple song performances especially by Elite Tha Showstoppa and Los Meesfits made the awards show feel unnecessarily long. With the influx of excitement and AthFest goers rapidly filling the streets looking to start the weekend, the Morton Theatre and the Flagpole Awards Show felt confining.

Several blocks from Morton, Team Clermont and New West Records had a must-see showcase that proved to be the much-needed AthFest fire starter. Futurebirds, Roadside Graves, and Atlanta’s own Ponderosa got the crowd rocking and drinks flowing at 40 Watt for a rowdy night of rock ‘n roll. Friday, the outdoor stages started live music sets at 5PM, but thunderstorms settled above as soon as several of the most anticipated acts (Reptar, Spring Tigers, Packaway Handle Band, and Modern Skirts) took the stage. The non-stop rain and intermediate strikes of lightening created a dramatic yet enthusiastic collective mood from the crowd and artists. Although some shows were delayed and shortened, the audience stayed steady throughout. Due to increasing rain, it seemed uncertain that Pulaski Stage headliners Modern Skirts would take the rain soaked stage but they did. Not only did they perform their full set, but the rain worked to their advantage adding theatrical intensity to all of their songs, especially the newer one off of their upcoming EP, Happy 81. When the quartet performed beat driven “Bridges and Overpasses” and the closing “DUI,” rain sprayed from the deconstructed drums adding more strength to their set. After the outdoor sets finished, BMI hosted an impressive indoor showcase at The Melting Point featuring Trances Arc, Part Bear and Hightide Blues. For photos from the first two days of AthFest, click here.

Night 8- Come Together

Night Eight of 500 Songs for Kids brought together many talented established groups as well as some newly formed ones. Golden and Hightide Blues kicked the night off with assemble versions of songs by Dave Matthews Band and The Who, respectively. Jungol created a large sound with just a keyboard and guitar to recreate Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer." The Well Reds brilliantly tackled Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" nailing all the vocal and musical notes. Athens' Five Eight rocked Smith's Olde Bar as if it were a stadium to perform Kiss' "Rock and Roll All Nite" complete with costumes and effects. Gareth Asher closed out with a talented group of musicians that he gathered in between songs to perform a spirited bluesy rock cover of Elvis Presley's "That's All Right."

Check out all of Night 8's photos!

On a Roll

Have you bought your tickets for 500 Songs for Kids 2010? What are you waiting for?! Avoid having to carry cash for cover and buy your nightly tickets in advance! Purchase tickets here. Every day at noon, Mixtape Atlanta is bringing you 500 Songs for Kids updates and band announcements. Below are today's addition to the lineup as well as previously confirmed bands. You will not want to miss a night of 500 Songs for Kids' music marathon as each night musicians perform one song off of the list of 500 Greatest Era-Defining Songs of All Time.

Paul Warner (April 29, Night 1)
Michael Magno (May 2, Night 4)
Please PleaseRock Me (May 3, Night 5)
The Lost Boys (May 5, Night 7)
Romeo Spike (May 6, Night 8)Previously confirmed performers:
Rantings of Eva (April 29, Night 1)
The Serenaders (April 29, Night 1)
Stellate (April 29, Night 1)
County Line Strangers (April 30, Night 2)
Dead Confederate (April 30, Night 2)
StoneRider (April 30, Night 2)
The Orkids (April 30, Night 2)
Oh Dorian (May 1, Night 3)
The Julia Dream (May 1, Night 3)
The Falcon Lords (May 2, Night 4)
The Greater Vavoom (May 3, Night 5)
Dukes of Daville (May 3, Night 5)
Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun (May 3, Night 5)
Sun Domingo (May 3, Night 5)
The Yacht Rock Revue (May 3, Night 5)
Rebecca Loebe (May 4, Night 6)
Weapons of Audio (May 5, Night 7)
Dirty Pollyanna (May 5, Night 7)
Sam Thacker (May 5, Night 7)
The 54 (May 6, Night 8)
The Swear (May 6, Night 8)
Gareth Asher (May 6, Night 8)
Hightide Blues (May 6, Night 8)
Jimi Cravity (May 6, Night 8)
Golden (May 6, Night 8)
Five Eight (May 6, Night 8)
Pico Vs. Island Trees (May 7, Night 9)
The Coathangers (May 7, Night 9)
Sonia Leigh (May 7, Night 9)
Young Orchids (May 7, Night 9)
Wild Sweet Orange (May 7, Night 9)

The Countdown Continues

Since Monday, Mixtape Atlanta has released the names of over 20 confirmed artists for 500 Songs for Kids 2010. Here are 5 more artists you'll want to add to your list as they perform one song off of the list of the 500 Greatest Era-Defining Songs of All Time.

Rantings of Eva (April 29, Night 1)
The Julia Dream (May 1, Night 3)
Hightide Blues (May 6, Night 8)
Jimi Cravity (May 6, Night 8)
The Coathangers (May 7, Night 9)Check back with Mixtape Atlanta on Monday for more 500 Songs for Kids announcements!

Weekend Blues Cure: Photos and Free Music

Atlanta’s 2010 concert calendar started off with a great lineup of artists performing at local venues this weekend. Alabama natives and Nashville residents Hightide Blues returned to Smith’s Olde Bar’s stage with their energetic well-seasoned hybrid of rock, country and classic jam band style grooves. While Blues is working on their much anticipated new album, download their last EP Love Come Easy off the band’s website. Also check out photos from their concert last Friday here.

Death on Two Wheels’ shows are known for being riotous in the best definition of rock ‘n roll and Saturday night was no exception. The Atlanta band was joined by former bandmate Mike Williamson for their show at 529. If you have yet to make it to one of their performances, what are you waiting for? To make sure you are fully ready for the next Death on Two Wheels show download their The Past & The Present EP here. See Death on Two Wheels’ latest concert photos here.

Summerfest Sizzles

The hot summer sun and a lineup of sizzling music acts heated up the 92.9 Dave FM stage at the 26th Annual Virginia Highlands Summerfest. Saturday’s lineup started early and the crowd was sparse for Jackson County Line, but as the day continued the crowd increased. Hightide Blues’ feel good rock and the acoustic sounds of Matt Hires and Gareth Asher provided great summer songs to help the audience both dance and relax. As the heat intensified so did the crowd and energy onstage. By the time Cowboy Mouth started their manic set, a dense standing crowd had consumed the fenced music area.

Sunday’s lineup started off with an audience comparable to the day before; however, each act transitioned so well into the next that it seemed like an alt-rock opera. The newly formed County Line Strangers performed alt-country tracks off of their upcoming Heartbreak Motel as well as the Tom Petty classic “American Girl.” Ponderosa compounded the alt-country vibe with their classic rock and untouchable style. The Constellations moved to the other end of the alternative rock spectrum with their signature sexy punk songs that dared the crowd not the dance. Their recent radio hit “Felicia” had many singing along, and crowd favorite “Step Right Up” successfully recruited new fans and late night partiers. Manchester Orchestra expertly wrapped up the day with their unique mix of indie-rock and alt-country performed with energetic jam band fervor.

Don’t miss the next must see Atlanta summer musical festival on June 20 at Candler Park for Midsummerfest with Guster and Rusted Root.

Check out Mixtape Atlanta's photos from Summerfest here.

NIGHT 8- Under Pressure

The passion is rapidly intensifying as we near to the final 100 songs of the 500 Songs for Kids countdown. Thursday night was full of moving and entertaining performances. The Judies fused their own personal style with David Bowie’s signature flair on the Bowie & Queen classic “Under Pressure.” Bain Mattox made Madonna’s pop anthem “Like a Prayer” into a rock love song. Power pop group Stellate keep the energy up on The Outfield’s “Your Love.” Gareth Asher’s stirring acoustic take on Jeff Buckley’s “Last Goodbye” held the entire room’s attention. Although the artist genres and performance styles were vast, the caliber of talent on display was impressive. If you have not yet come to Smith's to participate in this great event and cause, what are you waiting for? Join the fun Friday and Saturday for the final two nights. Check out all of 500 Songs for Kids: Night 8 photos.