These two songs include video shot by me (Alan Schrack) and my English friend Allan Gange. Allan did all the editing.
“Follow Me”
“That’s the Breaks”
If it’s Labor Day weekend, you know it’s time for that annual parking lot party, DRIVE INVASION. It was either the 15th or 14th year for the event, depending on who you ask, at Atlanta’s Starlight Drive-In. It’s all about bands, booze, and b-movies.
Starting off the show was Ghost Riders Car Club… and a final appearance by the nearly-famous Ernie Dale.
A big part of the fun is just people-watching.
We were blessed by an appearance by “The Pits”
Click to Watch !
The Pits – Hypnotic Trance
Two stages were in operation…. The Surf Stage featured fine folks like The Mystery Men … whoever they are.
and the always well-dressed “Intoxicators”
I missed the fabulous and freaky “Man… or Astro-Man” Oh well. And I couldn’t stay for the all night movies and mayhem. Dang it.
It was another incredible night at Atlanta’s Star Bar for the music I like to hear. Rockbridge Heights, Whiskey Belt, Caroline & the Ramblers… and the Billygoats
Here’s the cool flyer for the big night
Unfortunately I couldn’t get to Little Five Points soon enough to see Rockbridge Heights. As I walked in, the boys and girls of Whiskey Belt were going on stage. They’re a classic country, honky-tonk band with a killer line-up of musicians and out front, Rich DeSantis and Lindsay Rakers on vocals.
For Saturday night, they were joined by New Yorker Rex Hussman on accordion. They rocked through their repertoire of originals and tunes by Faron Young, Buck Owens, and the like. Then, they did a rootsy version of an old Bobby Bare song.
“Streets of Baltimore”
“Hello Walls” and “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young”
They knocked the crowd for a loop with the Dusty Springfield tune “Son of a Preacher Man”. Lindsay really stood out on this one.
One of big reasons we were all there was to support the release of Caroline and the Rambler’s new CD “Red Hot” Mama. It’s loaded-up with 15 hot tracks…
Caroline arrived to the beat of a brand-new band featuring Danny Arana on guitar. Here’s just a taste of what they served up to a wildly appreciate audience:
“Since You Been Gone”
“Mr. Teardrop”
Caroline and the Ramblers – Wasn’t Ready for the Heartache from Al Schrack on Vimeo.
“Wasn’t Ready for the Heartache”
It was an amazing performance by Caroline and the boys … but the night was just getting started.
At about 12:30am, The Billygoats jumped on stage, and the already-excited crowd went into a frenzy. The songs with a heavy walking boogie bass line made it hard to stop moving.
“All Messed Up & It Don’t Phase Me”
“Boo Hoo”
“Smack Me”
At 2am, the band and the crowd was still going strong… I however had to leave due to aging knees, and an exciting day at work beckoning at 3am.
See ya next time,
Al
The cutest couple in classic country: Rich Santis and Lindsay Rakers … and Whiskey Belt
Hello Walls
Truck Drivin’ Man
Seven Lonely Days
What do you get when you take a good-timing front man, an effervescent front woman, classic country tunes, an allstar lineup of local music legends, and a nice shot of bourbon? The answer, friends, is Whiskey Belt. Putting a nice sparkly coating of modern grit on some boot-stompin’ honky-tonk songs, Whiskey Belt channels the Grand Ole Opry circa 1957. Just a little more dangerous.
At the helm are Rich DeSantis and Lindsay Jo Rakers, two firecrackers with a combined energy that is downright infectious. See them live and you won’t wonder why they are winning hearts and moving feet. You’ll be too busy doing the Texas two-step.