Athens Business Rocks 2013 nuçi’s space Staff
Bob Sleppy Will Kiser Laura Ford Chris Byron Lesley Cobbs Matt Hudgins Peter Hill Dave Chamberlin Recent Volunteers
Aaron Stone Angel Brown Bowen Kendrick Dave Chamberlin Deb Carroll Dylan Lightle Grace Polaneczky Jenifer Strickand Joseph Butler Katelyn Binder Katherine Curry Katie Lee Harmon Lesley Cobbs Renee Arnold Samantha Reyes Sarah Wigton William James
It is no secret that the Athens community has some talGrand Finale, which included performances from the 3 ented individuals, but some of the most talented musicians finalists as well as some memorable acts from the eliminain town aren’t necessarily the first names that would come tion rounds. Double Oh Zone wowed the crowd with verup in conversations about the music scene. Just because a sions of James Bond movie theme songs, Punch List nailed person doesn’t play in a band at a set of Huey Lewis and the News a downtown venue every week cover songs, and 40 Cent brought or have their name in Flagpole down the house with renditions WINNERS on a regular basis doesn’t mean of songs like “Superfreak”,” Der 1st Place: 40 Watt Club “40 Cent” they are not a part of what makes Kommissar” and “The Groove is 2nd Place: TSAV “Punch List” Athens’ music scene so special. in the Heart”. The Nuçi’s Space 3rd Place: The Red Zone “Double Oh Zone” That notion is the inspiration staff even got in on the fun and Non-competing Finalist: for Nuçi’s Space’s annual Athens performed soul music as the Çitlin Bel-Jean “80# Cougar” Business Rocks Benefit, which was Southern Soul Revue, which held for the 3nd year in a row this included a performance of Sam Judges Favorite: past February at the 40 Watt Club. and Dave’s “I Thank You” featurAvid Bookshop “Book You!” The basics of the 3rd Annual ing Ansley Stewart, Cole Taylor, TSAV “Punch List” ABR were simple: employees of Claire Campbell, Patterson Hood local businesses formed bands and and volunteer coordinator Lesley Crowd Favorite: competed against other businesses Cobbs as surprise backup singers. Partner Software “Kneel Before Diamond” on stage at the world-famous 40 Bel-Jean “80# Cougar” Watt Club. The ultimate goal was to raise money for Nuçi’s Space while having as much fun as possible. This year we had 17 bands compete in the elimination rounds, and finalists for each night were decided by through judges’ scores, audience popularity, and votes ($1=1 vote). The talent level on each night was absolutely phenomenal, proving local software developers, lawyers and booksellers could easily hold their own against regularly gigging musicians. There were some truly memorable acts this year including the Jimmy John’s band Super-Proof covering Spinal Tap songs, Avid Bookshop’s band Book You! Covering songs like “Conjunction Junction” and the 40 Cent “Reading Rainbow” theme, and Partner Software’s band Kneel Before Diamond doing uncannily accurate covers of Neil Diamond hits. The competition was fierce, but It was a close race, but in the end 40 Watt Club’s 40 Cent in the end three finalists were chosen to compete in the took away the title of ABR 2013 Champion. Grand Finale on February 23rd. Unfortunately Bel-Jean’s 80# Athens Business Rocks 2013 was a huge success, and Cougar had to drop out of the race, leaving TSAV’s Punch we genuinely appreciate everyone involved who made it List, The Red Zone’s Double Oh Zone and 40 Watt’s 40 Cent happen. The performers and the Nuçi’s Space staff all had to vie for the “Athens Business Rocks 2013 Champion” title. a great time and we took away some wonderful memories. Over 200 people came out to support the finalists at the We would especially like to thank the 40 Watt Club for hosting the event and all the wonderful volunteers who helped make each show a success. We all had a lot of fun and we’re already looking forward to Athens PARTICIPATING BANDS Business Rocks 2014, so make sure to start thinking Auto Max “Sam & The Backbreakers” about the band you want to form with your coworkAvid Bookshop “Book You!” ers next year! For candid shots and official band Baxendale Guitar “The Fret Dressers present: STEPPINPOOP” photos from Athens Business Rocks 2013, please Bel-Jean “80# Cougar” check out Nuçi’s Space’s Facebook page at www.faceDaily Groceries Co-Op “Jesus Thrice” book.com/nucisspace Epting Events “PotPie” Flagpole “87 Is A Place On Earth” 40 Watt Club “40 Cent” Heirloom Café “Turnip the Beets” Jimmy John’s Baxter “Super-Proof!” Law office of Chris Blanchard “Notary Public Enemy” Oglethorpe County Schools “The Torpideros” Partner Software “Kneel Before Diamond” Ruby Sue Graphics “King Cotton & the Sweaty T’s” State Botanical Garden “BotJam” The Red Zone “The Double Oh Zone presents: Shaken Not Stirred” TSAV “Punch List”
THANK YOU! Celebrity Judges: Lisa Love, DeWitt Burton, Bob Sleppy, Dave Marr, The Late B.P. Helium, Patterson Hood, Brant Rackley, Claire & Page Campbell Hosts: Will Kiser, Ansley Stewart Photography: Jason Thrasher, Chad Osburn Sponsors: Thrasher Photo & Design, Al’s Beef, Viva! Argentine Cuisine