[The Esoteric South @ TPC] - Talkin' Southern

 *originally published in 2016 at the Covington News & also The Esoteric South 

By: MB McCart, Ed. 

Talkin' Southern 

Living, working and growing up in the South, I love the sights of our region. The magnolias are distinctive and the weather is always warm keeping things lush and green most of the year.

But there are also the sounds to enjoy, too. And I’m not talking about the cicadas in the summer and the marching bands and referees whistles of fall’s football season. I’m talking about the way us Southerners talk.

Here are a few examples I’ve noticed throughout the years, and I’m sure you can relate to.

Fellow vs. Feller vs. Fella

While these three terms may all seem similar there are very important differences between them to the trained ears of a Southerner.

A fellow is a righteous and honorable sort. He is a man that aspires to greatness and a true gentleman who always wants to do things the right way. A fellow pretty much always does the right thing, even when it isn't popular. Fellows are usually very hard workers and always take the high road. They can easily deny their own ego and self-interests and work hard to be the men they're supposed to be.

A feller, on the other hand, is the exact opposite of everything I just mentioned. Fellers are a shifty, seedy and shady bunch. Prone to backsliding, they're always looking for the easy way out and in doing as little as possible to maintain. A feller having scruples and honor? Not hardly. Basically fellers are just good ole-fashioned no-accounts. It's all about them; they care nothing of honor or doing the right thing.

A fella, the category that this writer — and most of us, I think, for that matter — belongs to, is someone who tries very hard to be a fellow but has the tendency, at times, to be a feller. We can touch greatness and are usually doing things the right way, giving us a shade of being a fellow. However, sometimes we just can’t help ourselves from getting out of our own way, unfortunately finding ourselves as fellers some of the time. Hey, it happens. As Ray Goff would say, we just try to "work hard to get better." Usually we do okay; sometimes it depends on the weather. Or the state of the world, or how much bourbon we've consumed, or how the Georgia Bulldogs are doing in a given season and whether or not we lose to Auburn, Florida or Tech.

Bonus: A felon is a fella or a feller, and sometimes — very rarely — a fellow, who gets caught and convicted by the Law, for a serious example of being a feller.

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Sunday Edition: Around Town; The Nightlife; Odds & Ends

 This Sunday Edition of TPC's Sunday Edition Proudly Presented by... 

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|||||||||||

12 February '23 

By: MB McCart, Ed. 

Around Town 

To get a feel for the changes & growth presently occurring in the home city all one need do is to just simply drive around & look.

Over on the west side of town we see a new car wash going vertical next to the Zaxby's in front of the old K-Mart shopping center. 

Yep, that's right. We'll now have three in the home city once it opens. But you see how busy the other two stay, right? I imagine they'll do a pretty good business. 

And across the street from there, the newest next-to-newest urgent health care operation opened up months ago. 

So, I believe that's four of those now in the city limits? 

Great. 

But how 'bout that Publix, though. Everybody's real excited about that. And for good cause. It's an incredible store. I've been there five times already. I really like their mini-shrimp cocktail. You get about 15 shrimp w/ some really good cocktail sauce for five bucks. Not too shabby. I understand their Sushi is pretty impressive as well. Will check that out & get back to you. 

But...

Everybody's pissed about all of these damned apartments, yours truly included. 

Again, as I've written about previously, you've got your semi-esteemed Covington City Council to thank for these newest apartments, all 300 of them, even though staff recommended denial & the city had no legal cause to approve the zoning amendment. 

Thank goodness a particular subset of the home city folks "took back their city" a few years ago, right? 

I tried to tell some of you folks, but you never listen. That's okay. I'm still pulling for you...

And a quick sidebar. While several folks played a role in Covington finally getting the Publix, two in particular were key. 

Former Mayor Ronnie Johnston & former East Ward Councilman Josh McKelvey did as much as anyone to bring this to fruition.

This was truly years in the making. 

Documented fact. 

And then my mind turns to a current council member who famously called the main number of Publix's HQ a few years back to ask if to they were indeed coming to the home city. They, of course, said they couldn't comment on it, so then Fleeta posted on FB  that this was incontrovertible proof that Publix WASN'T coming. 

Lol. So dumb. 

But, here's the rub. 

The aforementioned new housing units  & Publix finally becoming a reality are actually interconnected. It's a numbers game for Publix. They do demographic studies, and it wasn't until the home city hit a certain number of households would they pull the trigger. 

It's never easy, is it? 

Same thing w/ the Panda Express & the much-anticipated What-a-Burger. You've got to have a certain number. Olive Garden? Same thing. 

What's the other big thing that many want? 

Yep, you guessed it.

Target. 

We'll likely need a few thousand more housing units until we meet their criteria. 

That's the thing. 

You want the Publix & the Target?

You gotta have a certain number. They do demo analysis. Simple as that. 

~~~~~~~

Going back to that certain group of folks getting everything wrong. 

That crowd all said for years that the 3 Ring Studios would NEVER happen. Furthermore, most of them said it was simply a front for Islamic terrorists and/or a way for Ronnie to line his pockets. 

Have you driven down John Williams Hwy lately? 

Yeah...

And in the words of DJ Khaled - "Another One!" 

How about them saying that if only you elected their crew back in the 2019 municipal election then everything would be solved? 

You remember that...? 

Yeah, I didn't think so; however, I've got receipts. There's a lot of you folks who royally messed up. 

You would think that these people would tire of getting everything wrong all of the time.

They never do, though. 

Sad. 

The Nightlife 

While there are other venues & establishments doing live music these days in & around the home county they are currently not advertising w/ me so I'll just be concentrating on Five O'Clock Bar & Grill for this edition. 

Hahaha! 

For the record, w/ the recent restart of TPC, I will be bringing back Marshall's Music Minute to start up here in a couple of weeks in which I will be covering live music at multiple other places just like I used to do back in the day. So, stay tuned for that. 

Friday February 17th - Upgrade Band - Real Deal R&B and Soul Music | 9pm

This crew is known all over the Atlanta Metro area & for good reason. 

They're A M A Z I N G! 

70s & 80s Soul & R&B? Check. Pop music from multiple decades? You know it. 

These guys are the TRUTH! I'm planning on attending this one. Maybe I'll see you there...

Saturday February 18th - Chris, Jon & Scott | 9pm

As I wrote about a few years ago, I'm really thinking that Christon might be an angel or something. He's simply amazing. Jon & Scott Lansburg are incredible on guitar & bass, respectively. 

In many ways, this might be the best band in the home county. 

They can do 70s Classic Rock; 60s & 70s Soul & R&B; 80s Rock as well as 90s & New Millenium Alt-Rock; maybe even some Michael Jackson. 

They're simply the best. 

A "MUST SEE SHOW!" 

Sunday February 19th - Hunter Grayson | 3-6pm

This fella has been impressing folks for years. 

With an impressive voice, good guitar playing & true Country bonafides, Hunter is the real deal. 

**Also, this**

Homeslice is going to be the star of the new FOX reality show - "Farmer Wants a Wife" 

You'll be able to see him on the ole teevee here in about a month or so. 

Come see him do his thing & meet him before he becomes crazy famous. 

Odds & Ends

Let me be your Real Estate Guy

Ole Hwy 36, as evidenced by its number, is supposed to be an east-west state highway, but as we all know - once you get past Jackson, it's very much a north-south highway. 

~~~

Yesterday, around 5pm, the sun poked out during that continuous rain we had. As the Old Folks would've said - "The Devil was beating his wife." 

Some of you, those who've been in the South for awhile, have heard that old expression. What I want to know, however, is what's the backstory behind this one? Very random; very specific. What gives? 

~~~

And finally this. Our federal government & state government - and to a certain extent - our county & city governments , are mainly run by idiots &/or sociopaths who seemingly hate us.

As always, thanks for reading. 

- MB McCart 

Your Source for the REAL Story

Card Game Gone Bad, Pt II: Will Smith Murders Two on the Covington Square in 1882

 

The Piedmont Chronicles
Your Source for the REAL Story

By: MB McCart, Editor

This publication just a few weeks ago published a piece about the infamous Pitts Hotel murder that took place on the Covington Square in 1888. As mentioned, there was another murder resulting from gambling that had happened six years prior - in 1882. 

This time it was on the southwest corner of The Square, and this time two persons lost their lives, not just one.  

Here's the true story of Will Smith & the deaths of James Banks & Alex Hendrick. 

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Again, as written about numerous times in this space over the years, by the 1880s Covington was very much considered to be a Wild, Wild West Boomtown w/ over a dozen places to get hard liquor & to gamble. It is also widely considered that the home city had at least one House of Ill Repute during this time. 

Will Smith was a Jasper Countian & was known for his fondness of gambling & whiskey. On December 23rd, 1882, he had come up to Covington to drink & play cards.  

He found his way to Charlie Jarboe's Bar & Restaurant located on the southwest block of the Square where Southern Heartland Art Gallery (and for years previously Cohen's Clothing Store) now stands. 

According to an article from The Covington Star at the time, Smith had been reportedly "drinking quite freely" even before lunchtime & was presumably quite drunk by the time he arrived at Jarboe's. 

He had run into an acquaintance of his - one James Banks, son of Newton Co. Commissioner P.E. Banks - and had "bantered [him] for a game of cards." 

At some point, a shouting match ensued in which Smith purportedly accused Banks of cheating & then slapped him. Banks, none too impressed most likely, proceeded to throw Smith through the establishment's front window & then a full-on brawl ensued. 

That's when Smith broke out his "Navy 6" & shot Banks through the chest & then fled south. 

James Banks would die shortly thereafter. 

After the shooting, several citizens gave chase to Smith including Alex Hendrick - "a noted colored man of [the] city" - who eventually caught up w/ Smith. 

Then, allegedly, Smith yelled - "Don't crowd me!" 

That's when Hendrick picked up a huge rock to throw at Smith & reportedly yelled to him - "I ain't afraid of [no] goddamn white man!" 

At that moment Smith fired another shot from his pistol striking Hendrick in the stomach; Hendrick would "expire" w/in a half hour. 

Smith ran a further ways to hide on the Conyers family farm; however, he was soon spotted & Newton Co. Sheriff Anderson was able to arrest him w/out incident. 

Will Smith would be tried for the murder of James Banks the following fall but the jury only convicted him of involuntary manslaughter; apparently there were no charges ever brought for the murder of Hendrick. 

|||||||

This incident would have major repercussions, however. As author & historian Peggy Lamberson wrote - this heinous crime would give "the temperance advocates material for a cause célèbre" & sure enough - w/in just a few years, Newton Co. would enact its own prohibition approx 20 years before the State of Georgia & over three decades before the United States. 

Well, folks, there you have it. More 19th century murder & mayhem in the home city. 

As always, thanks for reading. 

- MB McCart 

*Souces: _Main Street, Covington_ - Peggy Lamberson; 1882 Covington Star article
**all quotes from The Covington Star piece except for the one expressly credited to Lamberson

Covington City Council to Hear Zoning Amendment Request on 300-unit Apartment Complex Tonight - February 6th. 6:30pm.

 Covington City Council meets this evening at 6:30pm 

Yes, that is correct. After approx 1500 new apartment units have been built, are going vertical or in the pipeline in the past year or so, there is a petition for a zoning amendment for 300 new apartments on Turner Lake Rd in between Turner Lake Park & the Covington Gallery shopping center. 

The Planning Commission actually gave recommendation for approval in a 3-2 vote but the P&Z Staff has rightly recommended denial. 

With our infrastructure not adequate for this, not to mention traffic concerns, it is in the opinion of TPC & its editor that this 100% needs to be DENIED. 

Some additional thoughts from the Editor at his personal page: 

Three major items of consideration w/ regards to LEGALLY denying a zoning amendment (change): - the proposed use is already well served. i.e. a city w/ a population w/ an approx. population of 15,000 has recently allowed over 1,000 multi-family units to be built while another 1,000 are already in the pipeline, permitted & now going vertical, that city would be well w/in their rights to deny a zoning amendment for a new apartment complex - lack of infrastructure. i.e. in this same city, traffic is already a nightmare & the school system is busting at the seams, this city could deny a request for any zoning amendment w/ legal cause due to lack of infrastructure - Finally: Quality of Life of The Citizenry. After all, zoning ordinances were first upheld due to the General Welfare Clause. An adverse effect on the general welfare is, too, a legal justification for denying a zoning amendment

Sure hope the Covington City Council makes the right decision this evening. 

Contact Info for Covington City Council. 

- MBM 

Ellis Millsaps: Return of the Cranky English Major, Part Two

 I wrote the first part of this piece back in May and I said this part two  was coming. OK so I finally got around to it.

 I started last time with an analysis of how “cool,” meaning something positive, became a widespread American idiom, but I later realized I should have started with OK. Cool has its origin between the world wars but OK dates from the 1840s and along with Coca Cola is one of the two most widely understood and used English terms in the world,( Both are americanisms.) 

OK is generally understood to have come from the Martin van Buren presidential campaign, its nickname for its candidate being Old Kinderhook which his supporters shortened to OK. How it universally came to mean “yes I see” is a mystery as far as I can see.

 It appears to be a rare instance of slang with a political origin. We have some but they usually die with the political movement which spawned them, eg, “rino” and “own the libs”. Another notable exception is” the chance of a snowball in hell'' which arose from a column in the Detroit Free Press in the 1880s talking about a Republican’s chance of winning in the South.

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We're more likely to take our long-term additions to the popular lexicon from entertainment and scientific/technological advances.

 From television we got “doh!” from Homer Simpson and a long drawn-out “oh man” from his boy Bart. “Jump the shark'' comes from an episode of Happy Days in which the Fonz literally jumps over a shark on water skis. We still hear it occasionally for something off the wall but it has somewhat been replaced by the commonly heard “down a rabbit hole,” which comes from Alice in Wonderland.  We get “in one fell swoop” from Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Some expressions from American cinema are with us to stay because they are useful and otherwise not so evocatively expressed. I'm thinking primarily of “gaslighting” and “Groundhog Day”. I'm sure there are others that haven't occurred to me.

From fairly recent science we get ”laser focus” and “gone viral”, and while “spot on” has been around for some time, especially in Britain, it only became widespread here after a character in a 2013 episode of The Wire used it.

“Whack a mole” and “do not pass go” are widely understood and come from tabletop games. Sports provide us with a legion of expressions: punt, hail Mary, slam dunk. The popular expression “game changer” originated in a sports column a 1982 Detroit Free Press column talking about hockey.

 I can't find out where “who knew that was actually a thing” originated but I think it's useful and here to stay.

Cooking gives us two expressions for things which are not complicated: “easy as pie” and “a piece of cake”. “Half baked” has been around since the 1600s but the most memorable incident of its use for me is in The Graduate when Benjamin's prospective father-in-law tells him some idea of his sounds half baked and Dustin Hoffman replies, “Oh no sir. It's fully baked.”

 Surprisingly I can't think of any popular expression that comes from rock and roll.

One of my favorites from sports is “a can of corn” which refers to an easy to catch routine fly ball. I was pleased to discover that the expression came about very early in baseball history and comes from the fact that grocers used to have things on high shelves which they couldn't reach without a ladder so they used a long stick with a hook to pull off a can which they would catch in their aprons. 

Ellis "Da" Millsaps is a recovering Attorney but has worn many hats over the years: father, bus boy, stand-up comedian, novelist, wiffle ball player, rock'n'roll band manager, and at one time wrote a popular and funny column for The Covington News. A Fannin Co. mountain boy originally, Mr. Millsaps now stays at the mill village of Porterdale by way of 20 years in Mansfield. Usually funny and at times irreverent and subversive, he leans left in his political philosophy but can always be counted on for a pretty darn good write-up. The Chronicles are proud to have him involved...

Good Cop, Bad Cop: A Novel by Ellis Millsaps

[Local Business Spotlight] - Five O'Clock Sports Bar & Grill: Covington's Live Music Destination Location

 

7189 Turner Lake Rd 
Covington, GA 30014
770-385-3060

Visit Their Webpage

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Covington, GA's Live Music Destination Location

By: MB McCart, Editor 

As this publication has written about a time or two over the years, Five O'Clock Sports Bar & Grill is one of Covington's favorite spots. With a "Cheers" type vibe where everybody knows your name, an amazing staff & some of the best food in the home city, perhaps the the best part of this wonderful establishment is its support & prioritizing of local live music. 

Every Friday & Saturday night, as well as most Sunday afternoons, local music lovers can catch live shows from a variety of artists performing multiple genres. 

All one need to do to realize this is to check out their top-notch & busy music schedule for the month of February. 

Here we go: 

Friday February 3rd, 9pm - Cornbread 


Some real-deal Country right here, this crew is one the regular favorites at Five O'Clock. 

Always high energy - always a big time. If you're in the mood for some of that good, classic stuff, this is a must-see show! 


Saturday February 4th - Spanky's Monkey - music starts at 9pm 

This well known & highly regarded power trio will be bringing their high-octane Rock & Roll back to the bar & folks are excited as this is always an exciting show. 

This band has been around since back in the day & always impress w/ their ability to sound more like a five-piece & then also for their knack of breaking out some nice deeper-cut rockers as well as hitting on a few other genres. 

Mainly, more than anything - it's PARTY! music. 

Spankey's Monkey - Tearin' It Up!

Sunday February 5th - The C-Town Blues Revue 

3-6pm

If It's Good To Ya' - Sho gotta be good for Ya'!

In the spirit of full journalistic disclosure, your semi-esteemed Editor is a part of this Acoustic Blues group & I'm proud of it. 

Playing on Sunday from 3 to 6pm - what we affectionately & humorously refer to as The Old Folks Show - this band features 20-yr old guitar prodigy Ethan Rogers as well as one of the best Real-Deal Blues singers you'll ever likely see around here - the one & only Kiley Kemp. 

Playing tunes ranging from Albert King, BB King, Howlin' Wolf & Muddy Waters to Hendrix, SRV, Willie, Zeppelin & all points in between, this is a superior musical experience. 

Bonus points: Larry Germain of Fat Matt's Rib Shack fame will be sitting in on acoustic bass! 

Friday February 10th - Joe Olds Band

Joe Olds -This guy's Legit, Y'all! 

Joe Olds, who is a self-proclaimed Country Boy at heart, is known all over Georgia for his bonafide country stylings & voice that will "take you to Nashville" every, single time. 

Add to that a kicking band that doesn't miss a beat & you will see why Joe is one of the most popular live musicians in the Georgia Piedmont. 

You won't want to miss this one, folks. And usually when he plays at The Five, it fills up fast. Consider calling 770-385-3060 to make reservations. 

Saturday February 11th - Stand Up Comedy Night 

Yes, that's right. It's not just live music that you might find at Five O'Clock, they're known for having some comedy shows & showcases here & there as well. 

Some of you may remember that C-Town's own & touring Comedian Matt Lumpkin did a show w/ a fellow performer just a few months ago. 

Greg & them are real excited about this one as this Showcase features 7 different comedians performing multiple sets. 

Like to laugh? Better ease on down on Saturday the 11th. 

Sunday February 12th, 3 to 6pm - Payne & Trouble

(Followed by the Five O'Clock Super Bowl Party & Extravaganza!)

This unique & extremely talented trio has developed a strong following all throughout our neck of the woods. With nice & well-phrased playing as well as some beautiful vocal harmonies, what really sets these guys apart is their mix of songs. 

They can hit you w/ some really nice originals, turn around & do some Eagles & then surprise you w/ Blind Faith's "Can't Find My Way Home" (have you ever heard that one covered around here?). 

I know several musicians & music lovers who always make a point to check these guys out as they usually play at least a Sunday every month or so at The 5. 

Payne & Trouble

*****

--Look for a second piece here at TPC in approx two weeks that will contain expanded write-ups of the entertainment for the last two weeks of February at Five O'Clock Sports Bar & Grill-- 

In the meantime, here's the schedule for the last two weeks of February: 

Friday February 17th - Upgrade Band - Real Deal R&B and Soul Music

Saturday February 18th - Chris, Jon & Scott - One of my (and everybody's) favorite local groups! 

Sunday February 19th - Hunter Grayson - such a talented young man w/ big things going on

Friday February 24th - The One. The. Only! 

 A M Y   R A E!!! 

By all accounts - She KILLED IT at their last show!

(And look out for a future dedicated piece in this space on this amazing talent)

Saturday February 25th - Dirty Truth 

###

So again, look out for that upcoming piece that will have expanded write-ups for each these acts performing the final two weeks of this month, & keep an eye out for TPC's upcoming advertising campaign for Five O'Clock Sports Bar & Grill (and remember to check out their Facebook page at the first of every week to check out their delicious & nicely priced lunch specials). 


Alright, gang, until next time! 

- MB McCart 

Saying So Long to The Bitteroots: A Fitting Farewell to a Great Band

 By: MB McCart, Ed. 

This past Saturday, the 21st of January, this author was able to attend the farewell performance of one of my all time favorite groups - The Bitteroots. 

The Bitteroots
Photo by Kelly Thompson Photography
(use w/ express permission)

As bassist & founding member Bill Taylor said - capturing my sentiments exactly - while this was certainly a celebration of a great 15 years & its corresponding legacy, it was, ultimately, a "bittersweet" moment. 

I'll never forget the first time I came across this kickass crew. January of 2016. Quite simply by chance, the Missus & I had taken a road trip to Milledgeville, GA to stay the night & check out the scene & came across this incredible group that we'd later learn had a fellow Covingtonian in it - the aforementioned Mr. Taylor. 

The sounds were sensational, and the songs were excellent. 

The Bitteroots perform at their Farewell Show @ Eddie's Attic 1/21/23

Over the years I've followed The Bitteroots intently & have written about them a time or two, or three or maybe even four in this space (also wrote about them in my old Covington News column). 

When I heard the news that after a decade & a half the band had decided to call it a day, I was certainly sad; however, when we found out that they were going to be doing a farewell concert, I immediately told my wife (this was months ago) - "we've got to go to this!" 

And so we, along w/ my brother & his wife, did. 

~~~~~

I've been to some killer shows over the years dating back to the late 80s. Some highlights would include The Who in 1989; Page & Plant in '94; Willie Nelson in 2006 at The Tabernacle & several dozen others. 

The show we witnessed this past weekend was high on the list. Like, probably Top 10. Seriously. 

It was such a great way for such a great group to go out. On Top. Kicking Rock & Roll ass w/ reckless abandon. 

*******

Origins

The Bitteroots formed in 2008 & was comprised of Mike Davis, Michael Koetter, Daniel Shockley & Bill Taylor. Bill & Mike, on bass & drums, respectively, would be the two band mainstays throughout the years & were always an amazing rhythm section. 

Early on, the band was mainly just a vehicle for hanging out & jamming, playing the occasional show here & there. It was a few years later when the magnificent Laura Dees joined as lead singer that the band really got going. 

The One & Only - Laura Dees

Later, the other key pieces of the puzzle - Derron Nuhfer on sax & the incomparable Kyle Bryant on guitar - is what lead to The Bitteroots really blossoming & becoming one of the top bands in Georgia. 

Over the years the band would add & lose pieces, sort of a natural ebb & flow you see w/ many bands that make it for the long haul, and there were others who also contributed along the way including guitarist Greg Sims until the final incarnation for the last few years would see guitar gunslinger PJ Poellnitz join Davis, Dees, Nuhfer & Taylor as the final edition.

Well, at least until the final show...

Saturday 21 January 2023 

As I said at the top, this really was one of the better shows I'd ever seen. 

Original drummer Mike Davis was unavailable, so Michael Beavers, a well known, highly regarded local drummer, filled in, w/ the ace in the hole being the addition of Allgood percussionist Rob Sumowski (that dude was LIT!). 

It was really great, too, to see Kyle Bryant join the band for a few as well as Greg Simms. 

From those opening notes of This Town, that old familiar feeling returned, and the band proceeded to get a couple hundred thousand feet above sea level for the next almost two hours. 

The played all of the classic hits - Memo, Defenseless, Desperate, Try Me Again, et al, but they also broke out some deep cuts (Pete from their second album) & some newer tracks (Let's Go amongst a couple of others). 

While the band had always developed a reputation for playing at least a handful of great & eclectic covers in each show (The Meters, Huey Lewis, Springsteen, Zeppelin & all points in between), they decided that for this one - the last one - they'd only do one. They went w/ a great selection - Dolly's Jolene. 

Saturday's Set List

And by the time you got to hearing about that 'Preacherman' in the finale the crowd was lathered up into a righteous frenzy.

Again, it was just outstanding. 

You can listen to the soundboard mix of the show here if you'd like. 

The Road Ahead

For starters, in my interview w/ him on Sunday, Bill basically said never say never & he's thinking that you might just see a reunion show a few years down the line. 

For the record - I think that'd be a fine idea. 

Also, you may see one more album release - perhaps a mastered live version of this show - fairly soon. 

As for the players, 

As some of you reading this may know, per usual, Bill will be keeping himself busy w/ his multiple other music projects as will Derron, who stays busy playing, but especially working the controls in the studio. PJ is actively on the market for a new project & w/ his skill set I don't think he'll have any trouble finding something that suits him. 

And then that takes us to Laura. That incredible force of nature. As I understand it, she may be taking a break from the music. I sure hope it's not for too long. 

I'll go w/ Bill's words the day after the show to close this piece: 

Last night was our 200th show and our 40th show at Eddie’s Attic. After everyone had left last night, we were all out on the Eddie’s Attic patio, and we all raised our glasses to the fun times, incredible shows, memories and stories from road trips, favorite moments, favorite shows & writing songs. We laughed, we cried, we laughed some more. There were truly so many high points with this band over the years.

But mostly, last night was about friendship. Many times in the past, I would enjoy the road trip just as much as playing the show. So many miles and miles of laughing and telling jokes and listening to music.

There were a lot of laughs, memories, stories, tears, magic, and love in that room last night. It was truly a special night to close out 15 years of this amazing band and chapter of my own personal musical journey.

Thanks to all the fans who supported us for so many years. You are the ones that made this all happen made it so much fun for us.

Thanks again everyone for an incredible 15 years. I will cherish the memories.

Long Live The Bitteroots!

- MB McCart