Music - The Night Before The Thing

The Night Before The Thing presented by Sean Pritchard

The last Saturday in July is one of my favorite days of the year in Macon. Downtown is flooded with good music and great people. Local songwriters are sharing the stage with internationally touring bands. It's usually really hot, but sometimes it rains in the middle of the day, and things cool off before the music really gets going. Maybe you get to eat a piping hot slice of pizza on the corner of Cherry and 2nd and then break away from your group to go see someone they don't want to. It's really great.

This year, the festival is celebrating a pretty important anniversary (25). For the last few years, I've been wanting to come back to Macon and have a little get together, so the last Friday in July seems like a perfect time to do that and kick off the festivities a little early.

So, may I humbly present "The Night Before The Thing: Good Music From A Few Good Friends".

Michael Suhr will get the night started with a solo set right around 8pm. I met Michael when I was in the 8th grade and we've been pals ever since. One time at his house we played that game where you see who can flick a quarter into the other’s knuckles the hardest. We also jammed a lot once we started playing music. I don't know anyone else who can describe growing up in Byron/Warner-Robins (EDIMGIAFAD) and moving to NYC like he can. He played in some great Macon bands (Woolfolk, Dalmatian) and has been quietly putting on really, really rad music. He's now based in Virginia, but he's kind enough to drive his **** back down to Macon to play a few tunes. Get there early for him.

100 Watt Horse (George Pettis) isn't from Macon, but he might as well be. George has played in Macon more times than either of us remember, first with his band Wowser Bowser, and then a bunch of times solo and with his band. He has a new album coming out this year. We were roommates for a while in Nashville. He almost has a PhD, so he might be "Dr. George Pettis" by the time this show happens. He's from Decatur, but now lives in Philadelphia. Also, driving his **** down.

Joelton Mayfield is the newest pal on the list, but he's become well acquainted with Macon between a few shows here, including one at the festival last year. He has a bunch of new music coming out sooner or later, and you're gonna love it. Thomas now works with him and they both live in Nashville. Joelton is a great dude.

DJ Friendship is Thomas Young and Alex Ramsay. Thomas is from Macon. He is "too blissed to be pissed" despite me calling him pretty early, pretty often. He works in music management, but also plays music. Alex is from somewhere in Kentucky, I think near Lexington? He also works in the music biz. He used to live in the same house that I lived at in Nashville, but not at the same time. Together, they are DJ Friendship, and they’re bringing their monthly (?) residency all the way from Duke’s on the East Side. In their words, expect "oldies, goodies, and maybe even a few baddies".

Doors open at 7pm.