If you find yourself near the Atlanta area this week—consider yourself lucky. That’s where you will find what is being billed as the “World’s Largest Open Mic Night.” Only instead of one night, the concert will last 10 straight nights.
Ten nights of music featuring 500 bands and solo artists performing hits from a variety of genres–rock, R&B, rap, and bluegrass–but, with a couple of twists. First, the tunes will be performed, in order, each of the 500 greatest songs of all time, as ranked by Rolling Stone magazine three years ago. The other twist: the songfest’s goal is to raise money for camps serving children with special needs.
It is a massive undertaking (or logistical nightmare)—to say the least. But, according to the event’s organizer, it will be worth it if fans can help raise at least $20,000 for the non-profit group “Songs for Kids,” which pays for famous artists and musicians to perform at various children’s camps. In all, 13 camps and a children’s hospital will receive proceeds from this week’s fundraiser. They include (among others) Camp High Five, for children with HIV and Kate’s Club, a retreat for children who are dealing with the loss of a parent or sibling.
The songfest got underway Friday and continues through Sunday at Atlanta’s Smith’s Olde Bar. The concert began with No. 500, “More Than a Feeling” by Boston and will end with No. 1–Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone.” Most of the performers are local musicians from Atlanta and nearby Athens. (For instance, on Friday evening, Slick and Rose, an Atlanta female hip-hop/soul duo performed Salt-N-Pepa’s ’80s hit “Push It” – No. 440 on the list.) However, organizers are quick to point out that national recording artists, including Grammy-winning jazz guitarist Earl Klugh, singer Dionne Farris of “I Know” fame, and members of the rock group Collective Soul would also be making surprise appearances to help fill out the event’s extensive roster.
For $7 you can listen to random hits that make for a very eclectic night of entertainment. Some highlights of tomorrow night’s lineup include the low growl of the Muddy Waters blues classic “Mannish Boy” – No. 229 on the Rolling Stone list – followed by a take on The Clash’s “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” and then the ultra-mellow, “Fire and Rain” by James Taylor.
All that… and needy children are being helped in the process–not bad.
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