The NSAI Charlotte Chapter is hosting a songwriting seminar on Saturday, August 23 with Nashville songwriters Kim Patton-Johnston and Devon O'Day. The Judds, Lee Ann Womack, Trisha Yearwood, Tim McGraw and George Strait are a few of the folks the ladies have penned tunes for in the past. The seminar will take place at the Evening Muse from 10am-3pm. The cost is $25. For more info, go to www.nsaicharlotte.com.
Bridge is currently in a heated battle in the America Online "First Break" contest. They're competing for votes against four other bands with their song "Follow Me Down." At press time the group was in second place with 29% of the votes. The contest runs through August 28. The contest is only open to AOL users, but being the resourceful bunch of fellas that they are, Bridge has a link on their website (www.bridge411.com) for a free download of AOL.
Bridge's drummer, Brandon Hinson is also starting his own record label, Loud Rock Records. Anyone interested in interning or applying for a position can fax their resume to 704-664-5647 or email Bhinson99@aol.com.
Cherry Bomb (Kathy Miller, Larry Sharpe, Robert Conrad and Chuck Lee -- who's filling in for Tom Willhelm who's still off touring the globe drum teching for 3 Doors Down) are working on a disc of original tunes that they'll be debuting live on Thursday, September 4, at The Room. Actually, they've already been playing some of the tunes at regular shows where they play covers as well, but their set for this show will strictly consist of original material. Cherry Bomb will take the stage around 10pm and U-Phonik will follow.
The Link 107.9-FM, Hootie & The Blowfish's Darius Rucker and six local bands have joined forces to put on a concert to benefit the former employees of Pillowtex. Factory Aid will take place on Thursday, August 28, at the Shoppes at University Place from 3-10pm. Al Gardner & The News, Cherry Bomb, Wax Gurus, Rachel Garcia Band, Cookie and Peace & Love are scheduled to perform.
Scoot is mixing down tracks for his fourth CD over at The Sound Farm with Art Bordeaux. Although Scoot is playing on almost the entire disc -- vocals, guitars, bass and drums -- his Jump Jenkins bandmate, Kerry Brooks plays bass on several of the 18 tracks. For more info, check out www.scootmusic.com.
Charlotte-based music producer/ engineer Mark Williams has had a busy summer. Williams has been working on studio projects with Southern Culture On The Skids, Loch Ness Johnny, and Lise Uyanik of the Mobile City Band. He's also been engineering some interesting live recordings that include the BB King Homecoming in Indianola, Mississippi, and working as the chief recording engineer at the main stage of the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, where he and Rob Preston (another local) captured the performances of Neil Young, the Dead, Widespread Panic, James Brown, and the Wailers, just to name a few. For more details on Williams' projects, check out his website at www.mixermark.com.
The D.B. Bryant Band has advanced to the finals of the Budweiser True Music Competition. The band was one of two who were selected from the semi-final competition held at the Darlington Raceway on August 2. They'll be competing against Columbia's Pause For Effect on Saturday, August 30, after the NASCAR Busch Series race at Darlington. The band that wins gets a lot of cool prizes and a check for $5,000. For more details, visit www.dbbryant.com
Muzak has released a compilation CD of local artists titled Tonic Presents...Heart & Soul Summer '03. Artists featured on the disc include The Interstellars, Baleen, James Fedele, Leisure McCorkle, The Talk, Bellglide and the Houston Brothers. Proceeds from the disc will benefit the Muzak Heart & Soul Foundation, which supports and promotes music education. The CDs are available at Tonic, Vibe Tribe Music, Central Records, Borealis Salon, Urban Evolution and Refresh Technologies.
Mic Check Productions is currently seeking MCs to "star" in a Beastie Boys tribute band. If you're interested in auditioning, call 704-890-2069.