BLUES & BEYOND: How blue can you get?
Some of Atlanta’s finest new roots acts take the Norcross stage for this year’s Bluesberry & Beer Festival
Who is the next up-and-coming local blues act to graduate to national popularity? Which blues acts have you not heard or want to know more about? How has the music of some of the veterans changed since they last played?
These questions, and more, continue to be topics of conversation among Atlanta and Georgia fans of the roots/blues genre. It may have little to do with which performers want to break through to stardom since many are happy to display their musicianship without the pressure of transforming what is now a hobby into a full-time endeavor. But others might plan on bigger and better things (we’re looking at you Eddie 9V).
Regardless, trying to patronize a variety of clubs with late hours and a single performer each evening, isn’t easy for those in the work force and/or with family obligations. So getting exposed to an assortment of quality, established acts, all in one place and day, outside, and better yet for free is to many a perfect storm.
Welcome to the colorfully named Bluesberry & Beer Festival, taking place Saturday and Sunday, June 15 and16, from 3-10 p.m. at Betty Muldin Park in Norcross, GA. This celebratory meeting of food, fruit, beer, and blues started small in 2010, but has graduated to a major annual event in its 14 years (minus a few for COVID) since.
The brainchild of Mike Holley, a drummer currently in the Real Deal, has now been ramped up from just a few bands to this year’s line-up of seven acts. It has grown from a makeshift stage on a flatbed truck in a parking lot — back in its scuffling era — to a two-day/weekend event in the spacious yet cozy environs of the city’s airy park. While the festival is a two-day event, however, the music is on Saturday only.
Previous artists who have played the fest read like a Who’s Who of respected ,native Georgia blues names. From The Cazanovas, Stoney Brooks, IBC winner Little G Weevil, The Breeze Kings, Mudcat, and T Grease Johnson, to Frankie Lee, Joe Clover, Mary Raindrop Band, Cody Matlock, and Uncle Sugar, this is the next best thing to hitting the Northside Tavern, Fat Matt’s Rib Shack and Blind Willie’s during a month of Saturdays. It might be even better for many.
This year’s list is just as impressive.
Newcomers Cannonball Red and Veronica Jackson kick off the festivities. The Cazanovas, Skyler Saufley, Holley’s Real Deal outfit and what is sure to be a fiery closing of veterans Larry Griffith with Sandra Hall (Atlanta’s Empress of the Blues), make this one of the finest one-day, outdoor blues festivals of homegrown talent in the area. While Eddie 9V who played the event in 2021 has become far too popular to return, you never know if you’ll be catching the next rising star jump-starting their career on the Bluesberry stage.
And there is food, too. Plenty of it. Much reflecting the “blue” theme. Most Norcross restaurants will be featuring unique blueberry dishes, and of course there will be craft blueberry beer for those who want a bit of sweetness with their hops.
It’s a full day of blue — edible and audible — for those who love the music, the taste … or both.
Everyone’s favorite hard-working, Atlanta born and bred (now Nashville-based) sister group, Larkin Poe, keeps racking up the accolades. Not only did they score a GRAMMY® win for their sixth albumBlood Harmony, but they have now been nominated for Best Duo/Group of the Year award by the Americana Music Association. The siblings will also play the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival on June 14.
Treat Dad to one of these Blues & Beyond recommended shows in June.
Sat., June 1
EG Kight, Eddie’s Attic — The Georgia Songbird continues to tour supportingSticks and Strings (2023), her most popular release, and significantly nominated for Best Acoustic Blues Album at this year’s prestigious Blues Music Awards. She’s solo on this date, the better to appreciate Kight’s emotional, blues-inflected, soulful vocals and allow her to choose from a few decades of albums, all of them pretty great.
$20+. 9 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
Sunny Sweeney, Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry — ”You can tie me up but you can’t tie me down,” sings Texas bad girl Sunny Sweeney with a sexy, swaggering drawl on Married Alone (2022), her most recent offering. Sweeney’s rootsy country incorporates elements of swamp rock, R&B and Southern rocking, all combining with her brassy, take-no-crap lyrics for a powerful approach that even caught the ear of Bob Seger who had her open his 2019 farewell tour.
$29-38. 8:00 p.m. Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry, 3116 Main Street, Duluth, 30096. 404-478-2749. eddieowenpresents.com
Dash Rip Rock, Smith’s Olde Bar — “Rock ’N’ Roll like it used to was” is this veteran Louisiana country punk trio’s motto, and that tells you all you need to know about their frantic style. These guys have been around in one form or another since 1986, and somewhat surprisingly have a new album,Cowpunk that’s as nasty and snotty (one tune is titled “Let’s Go F**K in My Truck”) as ever. Wait’ll you hear their battering ram instrumental attack on the blues standard “Baby Please Don’t Go.” Strap in.
$15.-18. 8:00 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Ave. NE, 30324. 404-875-1522. sobatl.com
Wed., June 5
George Porter, Jr. & Runnin’ Pardners, Eddie’s Attic — As a young bassist for The Meters, Porter, Jr. pretty much defined the New Orleans funk sound that has since inspired hundreds of bands. He has played on dozens of sessions, and tours with his Runnin’ Pardners band. He released the terrificCrying for Hope (2021) with them, and will likely play some tunes from that, as well as a selection of Meters’ classics he helped create. Eddie’s will be funking!
$30+. 7:30 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
The Woggles, Subsonics, The EARL — Back in the ’90s, Athens’ The Woggles, featuring wild front man The Professor Mighty Manford, were the Southern answer to The Fleshtones, yet they never achieved the same notoriety, despite being embraced by Little Steven’s Underground Garage and having toured the world over. Nonetheless, they have kept recording — and delivering knockout shows of raw, soulful, garage-rocking energy. They have a new album,Time Has Come, which they will surely feature. The Subsonics are contemporaries of The Woggles, making this an old-home week for those who frequented the Star Bar back in the day. Prepare for retro fun.
$15-18. 8:00 p.m. The EARL, 488 Flat Shoals Ave.NE, Atlanta, 30316. 404-522-3950. badearl.com
Thu., June 6
Shannon & the Clams, Tropa Magica, Terminal West — It has been three years since we last heard from garage rocker Shannon Shaw and her band. Now back with a solid new album,The Moon Is in the Wrong Place, it picks up where they left off, coming after front woman Shaw’s finance died in a tragic car crash just before their wedding. Even though some lyrics refer to that, the music remains taut, jittery and catchy.
$22-25. 8:00 p.m. Terminal West, 887 West Marietta St. NW Ste. C., Atlanta, 30318. 404-876-5566. terminalwestatl.com
Jamie McLean Band, Eddie’s Attic — The one-time guitarist for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band has been a blues rocker performing under his own name for nearly 20 years. He has a bunch of rugged, rootsy discs, but like most of the genre, he’s best on stage. One spin of his recent Live at the Bitter End and it’s clear that McLean’s songs combine strong pop melodies with ringing guitar solos for rousing rocking that’s honest and stripped down. His Southern-tinged vocals are convincing too and he just needs one song to get airplay and push him over.
$20+. 9:00 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
Fri., June 7
The Rolling Stones, Ghost Hounds, Mercedes-Benz Stadium — They are not calling this their final tour, but with Mick and Keith both into their 80s, it’s hard to see how they have many more left in them. At this point, there are few surprises; you get a professional, high-energy show (some may call it a spectacle) meshing a handful of new tracks from the well-received Hackney Diamonds with well-worn classics that still sound pretty good. Even if it occasionally seems these guys are going through the motions, they remain the gold standard for what they do.
$84-649.00+. 7:30p.m. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 1 AMB Drive NW., 30314. mercedesbenzstadium.com
Fri. June 7-Sat., June 8
Tyler Childers,Valerie June, Willi Carlisle, Ameris Bank Amphitheatre — It’s the Mule Pull ’24 tour — with Kentucky’s latest superstar Childers headlining two nights at this major shed. He has strong supporting acts, too, with June one of Americana’s finest African-American singer/songwriters. Childers is as comfortable with straight-ahead country weepers as with more ornery material and his triple album, Can I Take My Hounds to Heaven, where he plays the same eight songs in three different styles (one with modified hip-hop beats), was a brave experiment that mostly worked.$129.00-387.00+. 7:00 p.m. Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta, GA. 30009. 404-733-5010. encoreparkamphitheatre.com
Sat., June 8
Kat Hasty, Maggie Antone, Eddie’s Attic — This “Lonestars and Lovers” tour presents two up-and-coming singer/songwriters from the Americana genre. Both have wonderful, emotive voices and write moving songs, but neither has a lot of material yet. Since it’s a co-bill, they will likely share the stage for part of the night and their trilling voices should sound great together. This is the kind of intimate showcase you’ll tell your friends about when both go on to bigger things.
$20+. 9:15 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
Sun., June 9
Illegal Smile:The Songs of John Prine, Eddie’s Attic — Singer/songwriter Greg Shaddix fronts a full band for this showcase of the legendary John Prine’s best, most recognizable tunes, along with some hidden gems. Shaddix has done similar cover gigs for Bob Dylan, so he’s the right guy for the job. Prine’s extensive catalog is deep and full of seldom heard treasures, making this a wonderful way to get acquainted with some of his less popular material interspersed with the “Hello in There” hits.
$20+. 8:00 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
Atlanta Blues Society Gathering, Bundo’s Music Shack — It’s the pre-Father’s Day edition of June’s monthly meet-up of area blues fans — and the blues-curious. Skyler Saufley returns to handle the music. Get up to speed on all the Society’s doings, and remember to bring your instrument, if you play, to participate in the closing jam.
$free 3:00 p.m. Bundo’s Music Shack, 1291 Silver Hill Rd. Stone Mountain, 30087. atlantabluessociety.org
Tue., June 11
Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Eddie’s Attic — The ex-Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers axe-man will replicate some of his parts from the catalogs of those bands, but also play covers of other guitar greats from Speed of Heat (2022). Hopefully he will have a band and has left the drum machine, which cheapens the sound of the album, at home.
$40-50+. 7:00 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
Thu., June 13
Karen Waldrup, Eddie’s Attic — Louisiana country singer Waldrup has been under-the-radar for well over a decade until releasing the well-receivedJustified (2019). That set displayed her gutsy voice and tough, swampy rock mixed with more emotional ballads. She has a knack for writing ear-worm hooks without sounding cookie-cutter or overly commercial. These songs, like the blues-rocking “Nothing Is Impossible” with its honking sax, will likely take a tougher edge when performed live. Well worth a look, especially for those searching for the next country star.
$30+. 7:00 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
Paul Thorn, Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry — Frequent Atlanta visitor Thorn has been crafting quirky folk/blues/gospel/Americana tunes for the past quarter century. And although his last release was back in 2021, his catalog is so thick and rich that you never know what you’ll get. His often humorous between song patter is just as intoxicating as his music, making each show a unique experience.
$45-51+. 8:00 p.m. Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry, 3116 Main Street, Duluth, 30096. 404-478-2749. eddieowenpresents.com
John Hiatt, Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs/Byers Theatre — There’s no doubt that singer/songwriter Hiatt’s throaty voice isn’t what it used to be, but whose is when they pass 70? Regardless, his songs have staying power and he has dozens of great ones to choose from. He’ll likely feature a few from Leftover Feelings (2021), his superb soulful/bluegrass-tinged collaboration with Dobro master Jerry Douglas.
$37-70+. 7:30 p.m. Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs/Byers Theater, 1 Galumbus Way, Sandy Springs, 30328. 404-477-4365. citysprings.com/events/john-hiatt
Fri., June 14
Steve Earle, City Winery — It’s the “Alone Again” tour, meaning the iconic outlaw Americana/singer/songwriter goes solo acoustic. He has come a long way since his still stunning debut of 1986, and with countless songs at his disposal, even those who have already caught him for his frequent appearances on this intimate stage won’t get the same show as last time. When he digs into his often edgy, socio-political material with that distinctive craggy voice, you’ll be transfixed, his emotional intensity has only increased with age.
$80-100. 7:00 p.m. City Winery, Ponce City Market, 650 North Ave. NE., 30308. 404-496-3791. citywinery.com/Atlanta
Kim Richey, Eddie’s Attic — Back on her 1995 debut, Richey was the face and sound of a new Nashville, one that infused country into bittersweet folksy songs with staying power. Nearly 30 years later she returns as a veteran roots pop/rocker, now promoting a splendid new album,Every New Beginning out last month. Her new (and old) songs are so strong, she doesn’t need a band behind her, but it’s always better when she does, as is the case for this show. Along with a charming stage presence, that’s enough to recommend this without reservations.
$30+. 7:00 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
Albert White, Stone Mountain Village Municipal Parking Lot — Sure you can catch him most weekends at local clubs, but there’s something special about hearing White, one of Atlanta’s most authentic bluesmen, outside and under the stars. It’s part of the returning Tunes by the Tracks series, featuring local roots and blues artists.
$Free 7:00 p.m. Stone Mountain Village, 922 Main St., Stone Mountain, 30083. facebook.com/TunesByTheTracks
Sat., June 15
Bluesberry and Beer Festival, Betty Maudlin Park (Norcross) — See article. You don’t need to love blueberry beer, or even blueberry-based foods, to have a blast at this free outdoor show. It features some of Atlanta’s finest blues talent and is headlined by the always classy Sandra Hall. Everyone enjoys great music — and you can’t beat the price.
$free. 3 p.m. Betty Maudlin Park, 29 Jones St. SW., Norcross, 30071. 770-641-3705. bluesberrybeerfestival.com
Messer Chups, The EARL — Those who revere the raunchy, garage/rockabilly/surf/punk horror show, with cranked-up reverb, of the sadly defunct Cramps should flock to Messer Chups who approach their music along similarly perverse lines. Better still, they roll video clips mashing up the trashiest of ‘50s and ‘60s horror fare. It’s a wild, wooly show, heavy on tunes from a new album appropriately titledDark Side of Paradise. Not to be missed.
$20-25. 8:30 p.m. The EARL, 488 Flat Shoals Ave.NE, Atlanta, 30316. 404-522-3950. badearl.com
Victor Wainwright & Friends, The Hunt House — It’s billed as a “stripped down” show, so this won’t be blues pianist Wainwright along with his fabulous Train band. But that shouldn’t matter since seeing him pound the 88s in any format is a treat, and without a full group behind him (we’re not sure who the “friends” are), he’ll be able to pick and choose songs on the fly for this more intimate performance.
$35.88. 7:30 p.m. The Hunt House, 1127 White Cr.NW, Marietta, 30060. 770-396-5361. hunthousemarietta.com
Sun., June 16
Fantastic Cat, Fox Bones, Eddie’s Attic — Most bands are fronted by one or two songwriters who pen the majority of their material. Not so Fantastic Cat. This quartet features four songwriters all steeped in ‘60s and ‘70s pop, delivering bunches of hook-heavy keepers you can sing back after the first spin. They also dig into cool covers (their version of Wings’ “Band on the Run” is indistinguishable from original), and are supporting a new album amusingly titledNow That’s What I Call Fantastic Cat.
$25+. 6:00 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
Mon., June 17
Camera Obscura, Photo Ops, Variety Playhouse — It has been over a decade since the Glasgow-based indie pop band’s last album. But, recovering from the untimely death of their keyboardist in 2015, front woman Tracyanne Campbell and her band have rebounded with a fine new release, Look to the East, Look to the West, that pays tribute to their departed band member while keeping the fizzy, melodic pop that has defined their aesthetic. It’s a long-awaited return and one that will likely sell out.
$30-35+. 8:00 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. NE., 30307. 404-504-7354. variety-playhouse.com
Tue., June 18
Quinn Sullivan, City Winery — It’s the Salvation Live tour as young blues rocker Sullivan supports Salvation, his album released last week. This guitar prodigy was playing professionally by the age of 6. Now 25, he’s already a veteran, having been taken under the wing of Buddy Guy and appearing at Eric Clapton’s Guitar Crossroads event. He has an alluring voice, writes some gusty tunes and handles those six strings with confidence and just enough flash.
$20-40. 8:00 p.m. City Winery, Ponce City Market, 650 North Ave. NE., 30308. 404-496-3791. citywinery.com/Atlanta
Santana, Counting Crows, Gas South Arena — The Oneness Tour features Santana’s Latin rock stylings, well known and well-played during his 55 year career. A long-time Vegas residency has kept him sharp, and even if the hits have dried-up, his instantly recognizable guitar tone remains riveting. Counting Crows’ previous album was a decade ago, and a 2021 EP came and went without creating a ripple, so only diehard fans know the band is still active. Regardless, they have enough ‘80s hits to fill an opening set, making this is a strong bill.
$35-721+. 7:00 p.m. Gas South Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Pky. Duluth, 30097. 770-813-7500. gassouthdistrict.com/venues/detail/arena
Thu., June 20
Cruz Contreras, Eddie’s Attic — After touring as frontman of The Black Lillies for over a decade, Contreras took the solo route with the powerful debutCosmico (2023). These songs combine the best of wiry, windswept Americana with dark, edgy country, and his emotional, baritone vocals made for one of last year’s finest releases. Live, these songs should be even more powerful. Highly recommended.
$25+. 9:15 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
Fri., June 21
The Outlaw Music Festival Tour, Ameris Bank Amphitheatre — Pricey? Hell yeah. But with Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Robert Plant/Alison Krauss as headliners, it’s like getting three headline shows for the price of one. These icons need no introduction, but it’s also unlikely they will share the stage together. Regardless, it’s a great bill.
$106-2486+. 5:30 p.m. Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta, GA. 30009. 404-733-5010. www.encoreparkamphitheatre.com
Maggie Rose, Fancy Hagood, Terminal West — Once a pure pop country singer/songwriter Rose expanded into country soul and now, on her new release,No One Gets Out Alive, adopts a sort of bluesy pop, singing songs with sweeping choruses, grand orchestrations. and booming melodies. She has the pipes for this and the tunes are some of her best. She still rocks out occasionally, too. It’s all good.
$20-25. 8:00 p.m. Terminal West, 887 West Marietta St. NW Ste. C., Atlanta, 30318. 404-876-5566. terminalwestatl.com
The Dazz Band, City Green Live (Sandy Springs) — Once named Kinsman Dazz, this Cleveland electro-dance outfit won a GRAMMY® for “Let It Whip” in 1982, which, along with other charting R&B hits — “Joystick” and “Swoop (I’m Yours)” — will get the crowd up and out of their lawn chairs for this outdoor show. Most of the music sounds similar in a sub-Prince way, but they should deliver the danceable grooves for a fun, funky night under the stars.
$Free. 7:30 p.m. City Green Live, 1 Galambos Way., Sandy Springs, 30328. 770-206-2022. visitsandysprings.org/blog/post/spring-into-the-new-season-in-sandy-springs
Sat. June 22
Paul McDonald, Roswell Riverside Park — Once a member of the Grand Magnolias, McDonald has shifted to a solo career, albeit one fronting another band, The Mourning Doves, who accompany him on this date. His emotional tenor voice, poignant Americana songwriting, and an active social media account have helped him break through to a larger audience. It’s perfect music for an outdoor summer evening.
$Free. 7:30 p.m. Roswell Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road, Roswell, 30075. roswell365.com/categories/riverside-sounds
Mon., June 24
John McCauley, T. Hardy Morris, Eddie’s Attic — McCauley’s set probably won’t be as rocking as a full Deer Tick show, but this double bill featuring him — along with Dead Confederate’s T. Hardy Morris opening — will present stripped-down versions of Tick’s material, slimming them to their roots. Hopefully McCauley will include the band’s recent cover of Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark.” And if the two collaborate on stage for a few tunes, that alone should be worth the ticket price.
$35+. 7:00 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
Thu., June 27
Them Dirty Roses, Vinyl — These Nashville by way of Gadsden, AL, Southern rockers are a hard drinking, hard charging, hard living quartet whose music reflects those adjectives. Their songs about drinkin’, wimmin’, and hittin’ the highway don’t break any fresh lyrical ground, but with unexpectedly tight harmonies and some gutsy, swampy rockers injecting tough riffs, they follow in the steps of Blackberry Smoke, a good model to emulate.
$17-23. 8:00 p.m. Vinyl, 1374 West Peachtree St., Atlanta, 30309.404-885-1365. centerstage-atlanta.com
Fri., June 28
Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Variety Playhouse — Country in all its forms, including psychedelic influences, highlighted on Stuart’s past few albums, is what Stuart and his amazing band are about. They can play anything, and do it better than most. Those who have seen this quartet coalesce on stage know they are comfortable with a diverse palette of music within, and slightly outside, their genre which includes surf, garage rock and indie singer/songwriter. It’s never the same show but it’s always astounding.
$39.50+. 8:00 p.m. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. NE. Atlanta, 30307. 404-504-7354. variety-playhouse.com
Sat., June. 29
Southern Soul Blues Celebration, Cadence Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park — King George, Tucka, Pokey Bear, and Ronnie Bell are some of the names contributing to the slick, roots-influenced music that generously flies under the flag of “Southern soul blues.” But this is a far cry from the classic sound that long gone artists such as Bobby “Blue” Bland or Little Milton perfected. Still, at best, it goes down easy, especially outdoors, sharing with someone special and a few cocktails to enhance the mood.
$76.35-285+. 7 p.m. Cadence Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Dr., 30327. 404-233-2227. concerts.livenation.com/southern-soul-blues-celebration-atlanta-georgia
Sat., June 29 and Sun. June 30
Loudon Wainwright lll, Eddie’s Attic — He’s a critically acclaimed author and actor, but mostly, Loudon Wainwright lll is a journeyman singer/songwriter with dozens of quirky folk-pop albums to his name. His incisive humor can be cutting and edgy, yet his tender songs bring a tear to your eye. Blues fans should request the title track to 2014’s Haven’t Got the Blues Yet, a perfect representation of his snarky dry wit.
$47.50+. 6:00 p.m. Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur, 30030.404-377-4976. eddiesattic.com
Sat., June 29
Run Katie Run, The Currys, Smith’s Olde Bar — The Katie Coleman-fronted local headliners deliver frisky roots rock laced with tendrils of country, blues, bluegrass, Americana, folk and pop energizing their catchy originals. Expect tunes from Cowboy Boots with Fishnet Tights (2023), a title that captures their self-deprecating humor. Openers The Currys have been around for over a decade, slinging out compact sing-along pop rocking with sweet melodies and energized performances, making this an impressive double bill.
$15.-27.50. 8:00 p.m. Smith’s Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Ave. NE, 30324. 404-875-1522. sobatl.com