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Local Atlanta Music Scene Atlanta has been the home of many r&b artists. Atlantic Records was launched by Ahmet Ertegun in the 1940s in Atlanta and introduced America to many legendary r&b artists including Ray Charles. James Brown rose in the sixites on King Records. Arista and one of its subsidiary labels, La Face, founded by Babyface and L.A. Reid, have helped put Atlanta in the national spotlight. Some of the successful La Face acts include Usher, Outkast, Toni Braxton, TLC, Monica and Ciara. The history of the Atlanta music scene has included The Black Crowes, .38 Special, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Sevendust and Collective Soul. Atlanta's list of superstars is nearly too long to mention, but here are a lot of them: Arrested Development, Lil Jon, Ludacris, T.I., B.o.B., Young Jeezy, Akon, Yung Joc, Young Dro, Mase, Kris Kross, 112, Indie.Arie, Bobby Brown, Peabo Bryson, Ron Winans, Gladys Knight, Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, William Bell, Shawn Mullins, A Tribe Called Quest, Chuck D, Ying Yang Twins, Classics IV, Joe South and John Mayer. Country music has a lot of roots in Atlanta with artists such as Mac Davis, Jerry Reed, Ronnie Milsap, Patti Loveless, Ray Stevens, Alan Jackson, Trisha Yearwood, Confederate Railroad and Travis Tritt. Country/blues artist Corey Smith established his act in Athens before building a huge fan base from giving away his music free online. He went on to generate millions of dollars from touring without initial radio airplay. Anthony David * Attention System * AverySunshine * Chyna Delacruise * Citizen Icon * Corey Smith * Elias Meana * Eva Kennedy * Iris Isoa * Jonathan Tambe * Julie Dexter * Latasha Lee * Le Bordeaux * Lexy Street * Lynnay * Marjorie Whitley * Michael Tolcher * Robert Machado * Rusted Soul * Smalltown Mayors * State of Man * Stephanie Wolfe * Steve Ryan * Suga Lane * 10 Miles of Blue * Tyra Sanchez Atlanta Local Music Scene History Music publishing giant Sony/ATV opened a production studio in Atlanta in April 2020. The company succeeded RedZone entertainment, which had served Atlanta musicians with production studios for over 25 years. Several big name artists have been associated without the complex over the years. The Atlanta office becomes the Sony/ATV's fifth location in the United States. Atlanta's metro population exceeded 5 million in the 2010 Census, making it the 9th largest metro in the nation. Campuses include Georgia State University, Mercer University and Oglethorpe University. The local music scene is covered by Atlanta Music Guide. Gladys Knight, 74, sang the national anthem 2/3/2019 at Super Bowl LIII held in Atlanta. It was considered a major highlight and to a degree overshadowed the low-scoring game in which the New England Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams 13-3. The game was watched by over 103 million TV viewers and over 70,000 individuals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Smith's Olde Bar has been granted a lease extension through January 1, 2016. The concert venue located on Piedmont Avenue in Morningside was able to dodge being put up for auction for the time being. The restaurant/venue has been hosting shows for 23 years. Owner Dan Nolen had negotiated with landlord Beverly Taylor, who died earlier in the year at age 97. Nolen is awaiting to see if anyone will buy the probably then deal with a new landlord. Artists who gained national fame after performing at Smith's include John Mayer, Widespread Panic and Kings of Leon. Lawsuits against two Atlanta music venues for copyright infringement were filed in federal court on August 25, 2015. Those bars, Moondogs in Buckhead and Twisted Tavern in Buford, are being sued by ASCAP, which collects royalties on behalf of songwriters and publishers. The suit alleges that the venues have allowed musical performances without proper licensing for several years. ASCAP has filed 15 other suits across the nation the past year. Marjorie Whitley is a creative singer-songwriter in Atlanta, who mixes elements of alternative pop and classic rock with inspirational themes. Her melodically rich and forward-thinking song "Endless Sky" has a timeless appeal that fits in with every decade since the 60s. Interview with Atlanta Singer/Songwriter Johnny Pride |
