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Free Show! Royal Johnson live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
Royal Johnson, nominated by the readers of the 11th Hour as Macon’s Best Rock Band for 2018, has now released two albums and played hundreds of shows around the southeast; but they have an original sound that is drawing worldwide attention.
RJ began in middle Georgia in 2014 as a demo recording by founders Andy Johnson and Chance Royal. In the following months the duo developed an entire album of material in this fashion - piece by piece, trading ideas track by track, experimenting and thoughtfully crafting the songs from the ground up, in an extra room at Royal’s house.
Most of the tracks that became Belly Full were recorded solely by Royal and Johnson. Kevin Vines was enlisted to track bass on a few songs, and drum tracks were provided by Justin Raffield and Chris Reeves. Vines brought such an energy to the recordings that he was asked to join the live band, and subsequently brought in drummer Joanie Ferguson as his rhythm section partner.
The last three years have taken the band all over the southeast, captivating audiences of all colors and creeds by playing a variety of venues from central Florida to the North Carolina highlands to western Alabama, sharing stages with the likes of The Doobie Brothers, Stillwater (twice opening their annual reunion show), Jimmy Hall, Jack Pearson, Willie Nelson, Old Crow Medicine Show, The Avett Brothers, Drivin’ n’ Cryin’, Turnpike Troubadours, Robert Lee Coleman, Greensky Bluegrass, The Cordovas, The Autumn Defense, Big Mike and the Booty Papas, Joey Huffman and Bobby Golden.
They’ve played hockey arenas, large outdoor festivals, craft breweries, listening rooms, wedding receptions, bars and restaurants, intimate theaters, strip clubs, back yard parties, art galleries and mud bogs. In early 2018 Royal Johnson were invited to play in Mexico for two weeks at the Tropic of Cancer Concert Series, as album sales, downloads and reviews steadily come in from Europe, Asia and South America.
In 2017 in-demand Macon drummer James Lengel joined the group.
The infectious energy of Royal Johnson’s live shows and the eclectic nature of their successful debut album has brought together a diverse fanbase. Roots-and-Blues-enthused funk rock. Like seeing a mashup of Marshall Tucker Band and Sly Stone.
In October of 2017 the band released it’s second album, Howlin’, with a cd release party at Grant’s Lounge in Macon. The album was recorded at Muscadine Studios, home of legendary producer and musician Paul Hornsby. Paul is a member of both the Alabama and Georgia Music Hall of Fame, producing several gold and platinum records, and most known for his work with the Marshall Tucker Band, Charlie Daniels and Wet Willie, and for his time playing in Hourglass with Duane and Gregg Allman.
Come Back Alice live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
Come Back Alice is a genre defying Rock N Roll band from St. Petersburg, FL. "Formed in 2012, Come Back Alice has a patently-unique sound that they've dubbed Southern Gypsy Funk, a blend of rock, soul, gypsy jazz and funk music, the flavors of which compliment each other like ingredients in a fine New Orleans gumbo. With improvisational influences and a love of bands known for killer live performances—including The Band, Dave Matthews, Tom Petty, and The Allman Brothers Band—even the biggest Come Back Alice fans don't know what to expect from show to show from a band that has never repeated a set list.” - Dennis Maley, The Bradenton Times Fronted by multi-instrumentalist (and newly-weds) Tony Tyler and Dani Jaye, the connection witnessed onstage is impalpable. Switching between slide guitar, B3 organ, Violin, and keys, these two have a knack for captivating audiences with an electric stage presence one would come to expect from a truly organic Rock N Roll show. A Georgia native, Tyler met Jaye shortly after moving to Florida to play with the late Dan Toler (Allman Brothers Band). The two stayed local for a short time, writing music and looking for players with dreams as big as their own. After meeting drummer Yral Morris in Sarasota, FL, they knew they had found the rhythmic core needed to take the sound to the next level. Morris, a Miami bred groove machine, honed his chops in the gospel churches of south Florida. With a style all his own, his dynamically powerful approach on drumming makes him a perfect fit the unique sound the band was looking for. CBA released their self-titled debut album in 2015, recorded at award-winning Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta, GA. The album was accompanied by a critically acclaimed music video for their single ‘Coraline.” The music video took home the gold by winning Music Video of the Year at the Los Angeles Gorilla Film Festival, and was also nominated for an award at several other film festivals. Having already performed in more than 10 states at some of the nations largest festivals and venues, Come Back Alice is taking the nation by storm. The band is currently in the process of producing their second studio album, set to be released in Summer 2018.
Heather Gillis Band & Friends live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
Heather Gillis is the complete package as a guitar player, lap steel player, songwriter, singer and arranger. She and her band have the stage presence and confidence to appeal to a variety of musical tastes be it rock, soul, jazz, roots or gospel. At 23 years old, Heather has not only formed a following at a local level, but has played alongside and befriended members of the The Allman Brothers Band, Col Bruce Hampton, The Lee Boys, North Mississippi All-Stars, Matt Schofield, and many more. In 2015 Heather was drafted by (legendary Allman Brothers drummer) Butch Trucks to be a member of his touring band, Butch Trucks and the Freight Train Band (2015-2017) Heather’s live shows are energetic and consist of her original music as well as rock, soul, and roots music
Gringo Star “Back to the City” album tour at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
Gringo Star are an Indie Garage Pop band from Atlanta, Georgia, founded by brothers Pete and Nicholas Furgiuele, and joined in 2016 by Josh Longino (featured on the new album) and Mario Colangelo. Their 5th album "Back to the City" is coming out Aug 24, 2018 via Nevado Music, an L.A. based label (Deap Valley, Eternal Summers, Yukon Blonde). The album was produced, written, recorded and mixed at Studio 234 in Atlanta by the brothers. Gringo Star are insouciant explorers, tossing the paddles overboard and drifting on the currents of their lackadaisical curiosity across a rippling sonic ocean, out to the far edges of rock & roll. Shots pulsing from a vintage Leslie speaker, their guitars, keys and vocals create the psychoactive ingredients of their echo-slathered, doo-wop-indebted indie gems; psychedelic garage bangers, gritty R&B shuffles and spaghetti western weirdness. Taking cues from Santo & Johnny, The Stooges, Ritchie Valens, Marc Bolan, The Kinks, Sam Cooke, they’re all here, their electric ghosts reaching across time, tapping Gringo Star on the shoulder like the crossroads devil to Robert Johnson, bestowing secrets, passing torches.
DT3 live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
DT3 IS A ROWDY HONKY TONKIN’ BAND BASED OUT OF MACON, GEORGIA. THEIR MUSIC IS FUELED BY WHISKEY, RATTLESNAKE VENOM, AND FAST WOMEN.
Steady Flow live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
From the Heart of the Midwest, Steady Flow brings a unique style of powerful funk music like you've never heard it before. Formed in 2012 by 18 year old, soul guitarist extraordinaire, Tanner Brown, and his older brother, Ky "Goonie-Mom" Brown on bass guitar, the group has now transformed into a six-piece funk-powerhouse, quickly claiming their spot as one of the best live acts around. In Steady Flow's short existence, the group has taken on music festivals such as North Coast, Summer Camp, Phases of the Moon, and the list goes on. The band is constantly turning heads at every performance as their hard hitting Funk Rock compositions shake the room and force all audiences to dance, rage, & simply feel good. Steady Flow released their first EP, "The Oneoff Sessions" in 2013, and their debut album, "Loud." in June 2015. The band released their newest full length album, "Do You Like That?" in April 2017! Do not miss a live show near you. Steady Flow is "The Future Of Funk."
2nd Annual Locals Only at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom is excited to present the 2nd Annual Locals Only Showcase. This year's showcase features Fooligans, The Delta Moan, Sean Solo (full band), and Mahalo. Come show your support for local music and a local venue!
Pierce Edens w/ Free Lance Ruckus live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
As those who have seen him live can attest, Pierce Edens absorbed the songwriting, storytelling and musical styling of the surrounding Appalachian Mountains, where he spent his childhood. This history takes the form of old time, folk and bluegrass music as well as spoken words of storytellers from his North Carolina home; this has earned him the moniker of “Appalachicana.” Over the last ten years, Edens has been drawing on those roots and blending them with the grungy rock and roll sounds that took him in his teenage years. The result is a haunting and fiery mixture that is notoriously hard to pin down. Allmusic.com classifies Edens as both “Folk-Rock” and “psychedelic-grunge,” and No Depression writer Bill Kopp says “[He] could just as easily- and accurately- be tagged with the singer/songwriter label; He’s a gritty troubadour who takes what he needs from each style, blending and bending it to suit the needs of his songs.” Through relentless touring, independently producing 4 albums (with one on the way), one full length concert film, and sharing the stage with musical heroes such as: Jim Lauderdale, Todd Snider, Will Kimbrough, and Sturgill Simpson, Edens has garnered a dedicated following of fans across the nation. And as Fred Mills of Blurt magazine says… “Edens is the R.F.D. (Real effin’ Deal), and when he and his band have their collective back against the wall, there’s trouble in store.”
2 Finger Jester live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
2 Finger Jester has become one of Georgia’s most Iconic bands over the last ELEVEN years , with over 500 shows played 2FJ remains one of the most viable & relevant bands in Georgia
The Steel Woods w/ Jive Mother Mary live at The Hummingbird in Downtown Macon
The Hummingbird Stage & Taproom is excited to welcome Southern Rock band The Steel Woods with special guest Jive Mother Mary to the stage for an intimate performance on Friday Oct 19th. Tickets go on sale Friday August 24th. $10 in Advance $15 Day of Show Must be 18 years or older to attend.