Live, from Coweta
The Local Music Scene
Written by JENNY ENDERLIN
From left, Doug Kees, Michelle Malone and Reno Roberts perform at The Iridium in New York City. Photo by Dina Regine.
The music scene in Coweta County was basically nonexistent in the early 1990s.
“The first night we played, you couldn’t get in. It wasn’t that we were that good — there was nowhere else to go,” says singer-guitarist Doug Kees when discussing his former gig playing jazz at a downtown Newnan restaurant.
Prior to Kees’s arrival some 30 years ago, live music was scarce in Coweta. Musicians like Alan Jackson and his nephew Adam Wright had to relocate to find a substantial audience.
Now, local talent with ample opportunities to perform here include Alex McCullough, Sara Greer, Blair Morgan, Daniel Freeman, Paul Garrett, Matt Lions, Matt Moskal, Miguel Olascuaga, Damon C. Scott, Lerogie Sims and Stella Weaver, just to name a few.
TOP : Daniel Toole strums and sings at Eddie's Attic in Atlanta. Photo courtesy of Daniel Toole.
ABOVE : Melody Kiser performs live at local venues and throughout Georgia. Photo courtesy of Melody Kiser.
In addition to playing local restaurant and bar venues, musicians rotate through seasonal lineups like Main Street Newnan’s NewnaNights, Tucked Away Music Festival and Jazz in the Park; Ashley Park’s Sounds of Summer Series; Senoia: Alive! After Five; and performances at Summer Grove Golf Club and Arbor Springs’ Coweta Club.
The relationship of professional musicians in the area has led to a bevy of crossover singer-songwriters unafraid to embrace multiple genres and combine rock, country, soul, folk and bluegrass.
Much of Coweta’s vibrant music scene is a result of Kees’ Musicology business, which has provided music lessons, facilitated recording and coordinated talent for events for decades. Additionally, the Central Educational Center boasts a strong music program in which hundreds of students study every aspect of the industry from theory to ticket sales to touring.
Despite its proximity to Atlanta, Coweta has its own distinct music culture, according to Kees, who attributes the phenomenon to a spirit of cooperation not always found elsewhere in the industry.
Everyone has to get along because “sooner or later we’re all going to end up playing in each other’s bands,” he says.
Soul and rock singer-songwriter Daniel Toole appreciates the local music scene.
“It’s a small-knit community, but it’s open enough to give you space to think and feel and put things in motion,” says Toole, who fell in love with Newnan and moved here from LaGrange a few years ago.
“Everybody is so welcoming that if you walked in with a guitar and wanted to play with a few of the bands, they would welcome you,” adds Georgia Country Awards-winning artist Kris Youmans of the American country/western swing Kris Youmans Band. “Local musicians are incredibly encouraging of each other.”
Youmans tours frequently but loves playing to her home audience.
“Musicians who have played here and left want to come back,” she says. “Musicians email me and want to know if there’s anything available in Newnan.”
The Kris Youmans Band performs with, from left, Warren Slim Hall on steel guitar, Jerry Lee on drums, David Puett on lead guitar, Youmans on acoustic guitar, and Patrick Thompson on bass. Photo by Susan Gore Gardner.
However, the kinship local artists enjoy with one another goes beyond music. Many involved in the local scene attribute their connectivity to the legendary entertainer Eric “Erok” Patterson, who died in August 2020 from a brain and spinal infection.
In addition to promoting, booking and recording hundreds of aspiring musicians completely free of charge, Patterson was an encourager and friend to everyone he met.
The Final Answer Band performs at the Senoia Main Street Music Festival. Photo courtesy of Senoia Main Street Music Festival.
“It seems to me that everybody respects the place he had,” says Toole, who doesn’t expect anyone to fill Patterson’s shoes. “People just kind of want to leave that legacy where it is.”
Singer-songwriter Mary Martin has never forgotten the confidence Patterson inspired in her when she was a budding musician – and how he was the first person to ever put a tip in her jar.
“It always felt like there was a friend there when you knew no one else in the crowd,” she recalls.
In the few short years since her initial public appearance, Martin has released several singles and the EP, “No Man’s Land.”
“If it wasn’t for Eric, I wouldn’t be doing half the stuff I’m doing in the community,” says Jerry Schutjer, who started the Erockathon fundraiser to support Patterson when he became sick. Though Patterson is gone, the comradery remains.
“I will always be very thankful that he pulled everyone in his community together to become friends,” says Melody Kiser of the band HeyDreamer. “He wanted everybody to feel included.”
NEWNAN
Pickin’ on the Square happens the first Saturday of each month at the Courthouse Square in downtown Newnan with local musicians playing acoustic music of various genres.
Abide Brewing Company
130 Werz Industrial Blvd., Newnan
Visit 5-9 p.m. on Fridays or 3-7 p.m. on Saturdays to hear local musicians play rock and country music in a fun outdoor setting.
The Alamo
19 W. Courthouse Square, Newnan
Formerly a movie theatre, The Alamo features one of the largest private stages in the area. It accommodates both solo musicians and rock bands, such as Lerogie and Blood on the Harp, every Friday and Saturday from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Enjoy the entertainment, gourmet pizza, beer selection and the occasional celebrity sighting.
Big Joe’s Bar & Grill
1329 Bullsboro Drive, Newnan
Check out the music lineup on Facebook to find out which local country, rock or bluegrass musician is playing at the indoor-outdoor upscale bistro on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m.
Brickhouse Grille and Tavern
80 Newnan Station Drive, Newnan
The indoor-outdoor sports bar offers live country and rock music Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
The Cellar
20 Jefferson St., Newnan
A lively rotation of artists – more than 150 to date – accommodate every taste in music: western, jazz, Christian, folk, classical and more. Visit opentable.com to see who’s playing 7-10 p.m. on Wednesdays, 8-11 p.m. on Fridays, and 2-5 p.m. and 8-11 p.m. on Saturdays. Catch touring performers like Camille Rae, Jeanine Duke and Mark Miller, and there’s never a cover charge.
The Half Shell Oyster Bar & Hot Dog Shop
1690 Hwy. 34 E, Newnan
Hear beloved local musicians play a mix of country and classic rock hits on Thursday nights, 6-9 p.m. Check Facebook for upcoming lineups.
The Mad Mexican
2 E Courthouse Square, Newnan
Solo guitarists of all genres play in a low-key restaurant environment Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 to 9 p.m.
RPM Full Service Patio Pub & Grill
15 Jackson St., Newnan
The gas station-turned-pub’s Wednesday open mic night has become a haven for local musicians who bring in big crowds. Signup begins at 7:30 p.m., and mic, amp and guitar are provided. Saturday evenings feature either professional acoustic musicians or karaoke, and Sunday afternoons present live blues music from 2 to 5:30 p.m.
Vinylite Record and Skate Shop
28 S Courthouse Square, Newnan
After taking a hiatus during the pandemic, the record store hopes to soon revive its popular open mic nights. Aspiring and experienced musicians sign up in advance on a first come, first serve basis.
Musician Kayla Hayward performs at Senoia's Alive After Five. Photo courtesy of Lisa Roiret.
SENOIA
Alive! After Five
Restaurateur Lisa Roiret worked with the Downtown Development Authority to create Senoia: Alive! After Five. Shoppers enjoy musicians stationed throughout the downtown landscape the evenings of the third Friday of each month.
Fuego Mar Mexican Grill & Seafood
18 Main St., Senoia
Bands play classic hits and jazz upstairs at the trendy new restaurant on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 to 10 p.m.
NCM