Three weeks from tonight, 500 Songs for Kids invades Smith’s Olde Bar for the annual 10-day concert marathon benefiting Songs for Kids Foundation. For the last four consecutive years, 500 Songs for Kids has gathered a diverse group of artists to perform one song off of a selected countdown of 500 songs making this affair the biggest musical charity event in Georgia’s history. This year’s theme is the 500 Greatest Era-Defining Songs of All Time and if past years are any indication, 2010 will not disappoint. From local bands to Grammy winners, everyone from Gavin DeGraw, Mute Math, Zac Brown Band, Pete Yorn, Cee-Lo, Francine Reed, and many more have donated their time and talent to the cause. And, what a great cause it is. All the proceeds from 500 Songs for Kids go to Songs for Kids Foundation, which brings music and musicians into children’s hospitals and special needs camps. Just like last year, Mixtape Atlanta will be in attendance all 10 nights bringing you updates and photos from all the memorable performances. Here are some of our favorite performances from 2009.
Top 10 Performances of 2009’s 500 Songs for Kids
(500 Most Passionate Songs of All Time)
1. Janelle Monae performing Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come”- For the third straight year, Janelle Monae stopped by Smith’s and performed Sam Cooke’s legendary song with as much emotion and intensity in which Cooke recorded it.
2.
Kingsized’s Big Mike Geier performing Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On”- When you think of a singer covering Celine Dion, one usually doesn’t picture a towering grown man belting out the songstress’s most famous love ballad. However, that is exactly what Mike Geier did. He took probably one of the most overplayed and parodied songs and transformed it into his own haunting, power ballad.3.
Francine Reed performing Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”- In a crowded venue, it can sometimes be difficult to hear performers, but that is never the case when Francine Reed performs at 500 Songs. The accomplished blues singer held the entire audience in suspended silence as she belted Armstrong’s signature song. Considering the amazing cause everyone was huddled in the room for, it only gave every lyric and note more impact.4.
Shawn Mullins performing Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ “Free Falling”- It is always refreshing to see successful stars return home and Shawn Mullins has been a great supporter of Songs for Kids since the beginning. Last year, he covered Tom Petty’s classic with just an acoustic guitar but enough vocal power to make you think there was a whole band behind him.5.
Modern Skirts performing Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power”- Sometimes artists are asked to cover songs from some of their greatest influences, other times bands are assigned a song that is completely outside their genre and sound. Sometimes these performances flop and sometimes they are genius. Modern Skirts’ 2009 performance was the latter. The indie- alternative Athens band attacked Public Enemy’s “Fight the Power” with immense passion and gusto, which made you think they really were going to start a fire or riot when they left the stage.6.
Gavin DeGraw performing Guns ‘N Roses’ “Used to Love Her”- Similar to Modern Skirts covering Public Enemy, many would no expect singer/ songwriter Gavin DeGraw to cover Guns ‘N Roses’ murderous track “Used to Love Her.” However, the laidback singer was a good sport about the song he was given and added his own spin to it, before heading to his own sold out show across town at The Loft.7.
Drive By Truckers’ Patterson Hood and The Pack of Lies performing Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight”- When it was announced that southern rocker Patterson Hood would be performing a 1980s synthesized pop classic, it seemed like an odd choice. Nonetheless, Hood and his band made Mr. Collins proud with a driving rendition complete with a spot-on signature drum solo.8.
Injected performing Cheap Trick’s “I Want You to Want Me”- One of the most entertaining aspects of 500 Songs every year is all the different musical collaborations. You never know who will be playing with whom and it is great to see performers, who haven’t played in a while. The Atlanta band Injected reunited after years apart to perform at 2009’s 500 Songs. It was great to see this hard rock band playing together and having fun tackling the signature 1980s pop song “I Want You to Want Me.” Even though they were only on stage for a few minutes, the band enjoyed every minute of it and the crowd enthusiastically welcomed them back.9.
The Constellations performing Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus”- When The Constellations took the stage in Jesus-like robes, the crowd knew the performance was going to be good. The Atlanta rockers pumped up the grit and sexiness of the song by adding more funk beats to Depeche Mode’s electronic based hit.10.
The Judies performing David Bowie and Queen’s “Under Pressure”- When artists approach their one song with such dedication and creativity as if it were a whole set, it automatically makes the audience take note and more importantly remember. The Judies’ lead singer Warren Ullom transformed himself into David Bowie with makeup, a glam rock worthy outfit of leather and glitter, and a faultless vocal performance that caused many to think the British legend was in the room.
Kim Burdges
